Obtaining PG locally

[jersully]

I wanted to share what I've recently learned about obtaining PG locally, at least here in Arkansas where I live.

I called several farm supply stores in my area and none of them had PG. I never thought to ask about special ordering, but one store offered. I'll pick up a gallon of USP PG in two days for about $24 plus tax. Apparently they get it easily from their veterinarian supply vendor, so they put my order on their next delivery.

Prior to that I contacted a compounding pharmacy. I explained precisely what I intended to do, and made sure to mention that the goal was to avoid nicotine entirely. They refused, but sent me the following email explaining why (which I found to be rather thoughtful of them.)

Unfortunately we are not allowed to sell bulk USP-grade chemicals without a prescription. Due to the hazardous nature of propylene glycol, our liability insurance will not permit us to sell that as a bulk chemical. I think an alternate source, like a farm supply store, would be your best option. Please remember that propylene glycol is toxic to animals and children, even in very small quantities, so you should use the utmost caution for use and storage.​

 

[Hoosier]

Wow, so they believe if they feed you BS, you'll take it and be happy?

Amazing.

Well, at least you know where NOT to go if you need a compounded 'script.

 

[Epsilon]

That's... impressive. Scary, but impressively so. As Hoosier said, that's one place I wouldn't go for a prescription if they don't know their chemicals any better than that.

That being said, I went to my own local pharmacy (Bartell Drugs, a WA-specific chain,) and they were happy to special-order me a pint of PG. I had it in-hand the next day, it cost me a total of 10 bucks, and it's labeled straight from their lab supplier. Good stuff, and I know it's the right stuff.

 

[jersully]

Wow, so they believe if they feed you BS, you'll take it and be happy?

Amazing.

So that's how you treat newbs.

Amazing.

 

[deusXmchna]

I believe he meant it as a slam against the compounding pharmacy, not a slam against you.

Anyways....
I've been able to order all sorts of intriguing things from my local Walgreens, and even my grocery store pharmacies. Maybe next time you need something try them.
I usually find out exactly what I need and who makes it, and then give the product info&size to the pharmacist to make their job of ordering easier (so they dont have to call their distributor or look thru their catalogs).
Humco is always a good bet as a manufacturer. They've even got an anhydrous isopropyl alcohol that can be useful for electronics, and a quick-drying method for cleaning attys'.

 

[Hoosier]

So that's how you treat newbs.

Amazing.

Yep, nice and supportive. Just like the rest of the forum. Hopefully it is not amazing too much longer and you get used to it.

 

[babyblueut]

I did not have any problem getting PG from my local Smiths pharmacy, they did not even ask what it was for, they even called me when it cam in and let me know that it was usp grade, they were very helpful, I got 500ml for 10 bucks.

 

[jersully]

I ended up getting a gallon of Propylene Glycol U.S.P from a Farmer's Co-op for $28.07 total. No hassle whatsoever. It claims to be 100% PG. Here's the exact stuff, if anyone is interested.

From www.durvet.com.

 

[renstyle]

I wanted to share what I've recently learned about obtaining PG locally, at least here in Arkansas where I live.

I called several farm supply stores in my area and none of them had PG. I never thought to ask about special ordering, but one store offered. I'll pick up a gallon of USP PG in two days for about $24 plus tax. Apparently they get it easily from their veterinarian supply vendor, so they put my order on their next delivery.

Prior to that I contacted a compounding pharmacy. I explained precisely what I intended to do, and made sure to mention that the goal was to avoid nicotine entirely. They refused, but sent me the following email explaining why (which I found to be rather thoughtful of them.)

Unfortunately we are not allowed to sell bulk USP-grade chemicals without a prescription. Due to the hazardous nature of propylene glycol, our liability insurance will not permit us to sell that as a bulk chemical. I think an alternate source, like a farm supply store, would be your best option. Please remember that propylene glycol is toxic to animals and children, even in very small quantities, so you should use the utmost caution for use and storage.​

I'll be looking into this same purchase in the near future. Any tips you can provide on what you asked for? Was it as simple as "I need XX amount of PG, can you order this for me?"

I ask because the last time I went into a pharmacy here in Iowa to buy cold medicine (sudafed) I discovered the whole FBI 'watch list' that so many others have mentioned. It was enough to convince me to just buy the non-....-capable medicine alternative, rather than have yet another place that had my name.

Maybe I'm lazy, maybe paranoid too, but I really dislike all of the hassle that this type of quetion about PG could bring up. I just want a gallon/quart/pint, I'm not a kook, and I know what I'm doing.

Thanks in advance for any info you can provide, it is appreciated.

 

[Uncle Screwtape]

I got a gallon off of ebay a while back. I don't recall the specifics, but it was around $25 shipped.

 

[renstyle]

I got a gallon off of ebay a while back. I don't recall the specifics, but it was around $25 shipped.

With the prices I've heard lately $25 for a gallon doesn't sound too shabby!

 

[Whistle_Pig]

When I asked for it at Wal-Mart, they said they don't stock it, but would order it for me. They're a bit of a drive for me, but King Soopers (Kroger elsewhere) is on my way home from work, and they ordered it for me no hassle. They did first ask if I wanted Mira-Lax .

What I got was Paddock Laboratories, NDC 0574-0072-16 -- $11.25/pint.

Did a quick web search to see if I could find a pic of the bottle -- no luck, but I did find How to Treat Goats With Propylene Glycol. This is pretty versatile stuff!

 

[jersully]

I don't know if a farmer's co-op would have smaller quantities than a gallon. Here's what I would do, if I had to do it all over again.

1. Call up the most conveniently located farmer's co-op.
2. Ask for propylene glycol.
3. If they say, "Do what?" tell them it's used to treat cattle ketosis. (Thanks Wikipedia!)
4. If they say they don't have any, ask if they can order it from their vet supply. That supply truck probably runs once a week.

I'm not suggesting that the farmer's co-op people care two bits about what you actually intend to do with the PG, but "cattle ketosis" makes a lot more sense to them than "Imma make me own ecig juice yeehaw!"

 

[StinkyGreene]

Last time I ordered a 55 gallon drum for our glycol chiller it was around 600.00 USD shipped. It was Dowfrost (inhibited propylene glycol - food grade), which I don't know if you can use for e-cigs. I still got some 30 gallons left out back of the brewery.

 

[Rosa]

"Imma make me own ecig juice yeehaw!"

aaahhhhhhh.... no wonder they hung up on me....

 

[deback]

TSC (Tractor Supply) has it for $19.99 plus tax, but not all TSC stores have it in stock, so it's best to call first to find the TSC in your area that has it in stock.

 

[MsBree]

I ended up getting a gallon of Propylene Glycol U.S.P from a Farmer's Co-op for $28.07 total. No hassle whatsoever. It claims to be 100% PG. Here's the exact stuff, if anyone is interested.

From www.durvet.com.

This looks like the exact same bottle and labeling as the durvet.com website, and at $19.15 a gallon! Propylene Glycol Gallon

 

[Zapp and Roger]

WAl-mart can special order PG and VG is in the first aid section with the label Glycerin. Just about the cheapest and best way that I would suggest b/c of the number of Wal-marts across the country. I have used these for DiY for months now (16oz bottle of PG goes a looooooong way when you mix VG heavy) and the only issues I've had with flavor were due to switching nic base provider. YMMV but PG is a special order that might take 3 days to come in.

 

[Zapp and Roger]

Oh and make sure they know you want Propylene Glycol not Polyethylene (Miralax) lol. Make for an interesting day.

 

[renstyle]

My total for this, shipped to Iowa ended up being slightly more, $32.46 for UPS Ground, Priority mail was 49 cents more.

Either way, a gallon of this stuff would last even the heaviest vaper for a several years at least. Just did some calculations for 16mg NIC after cutting from 48... to use the whole gallon of PG would need 1890mL of nic pg!