Older Folks and Vaping

[Gloria]

@Old Curmudgeon

Keep in mind that I'm NOT an authority on DIY, so please take any advice I give with a grain of salt and check it against more accomplished DIYers. And if you do get 100mg nic, PLEASE take care with it and keep it locked away from kids and pets.

Here's a post from a more experienced tobacco DIYer. Notice how her and Fran agree about the Hangsen Essence.

Shilo
For beginning tobacco DIY I recommend the super concentrated tobacco flavorings offered at ecigexpress under tobacco express and at vaping Zone under super concentrated. Add 2.5% and vape easy beasy. I also find for me that I like the Hangsen/Essence line of tobaccos best after a week steep also available at both places mentioned above. For ecigexpress these will be in the tobacco section under essence flavorings with the same maker Hangsen. Some people like TFA and some don't. Its best to compare.

TFA stands for The Flavor Apprentice and is also called TPA for The Perfumers Apprentice.

Time spent in the DIY section will be well worth it. You can even do a search on just that part of the forum for tobacco or even Gandalf and see what you come up with.

Have fun!

 

[Ken62]

Gloria makes a good point about high level nic juice. Take care and keep it away from kids and pets. Just as important is to make sure you mix enough pg/vg to cut it down to where it is safer to vape.

Being new to DIY, I only got the nic juice that I personally consider "maximum safe amount of nicotine" to inhale.

 

[Janet H]

Now my interest is piqued... I have seen some of the threads about extracting coffee flavor, I wonder if I can do that with Folgers Instant?? KIDDING. I do think I might try it with a good holiday blend though - if I can find a few hours.........

I also hear all about these tobacco flavors that are good. I had a bad experience with tobacco flavored juice and am hesitant to try one, even though I think I would like it.

My list isn't too long, it still fits in my computer memory

It's funny how our tastes change. I was sure I'd want to go with the tobacco flavors at least in the beginning, but the fruits definitely won me over. I love coffee, don't like any I've tried. Thought I'd love the desserts and tried several and always came back to the fruits so I guess that's where I am now.

I was scared to death about DIY, but with a LOT of hand holding from friends on this thread I got started. Now I mix stuff together and if I don't like it I just dump it.

I also found that a few times I'd find a flavor and couldn't get enough of it and then one day I wake up and can't stand the flavor! I've heard other people say the same thing so it's not just me. You just have to be flexile and figure that your tastes are going to change as your sense of smell and taste come back. The point is, don't limit yourself because you just might be surprised. DIY at least gives you some flexibility because small amounts of flavors are inexpensive to play with. Just have fun with it.

Oh, and just to be safe while you're starting out you might want to go with a lower nic until you're comfortable with cutting it and mixing. That stuff is nasty if you're not careful.

 

[Gloria]

Gloria makes a good point about high level nic juice. Take care and keep it away from kids and pets. Just as important is to make sure you mix enough pg/vg to cut it down to where it is safer to vape.

Being new to DIY, I only got the nic juice that I personally consider "maximum safe amount of nicotine" to inhale.

Good point! I did the same and got 36mg nic juice to start with because I wouldn't need to worry so much about spilling it, etc. But his starting point is 36mg. That doesn't leave him any room to add flavors or VG.

Old Curmudgeon....you do know that the 100mg nic has to be cut with VG/PG and your flavor(s) to get it down to 36mg, right? Do you know about the eliquid calculators?

I don't want to "assume" anything.

Here are two good ones.
eJuice Me Up - Best eJuice Calculator
E-Liquid Calculator With Ten Flavor's

The reason I suggested the 100mg nic for you is because you want your juice at 36mg and the 100mg would be most cost effective. You could also go with the 48mg nic if you're more comfortable with using the lower mg. You would just need to be more creative with how you get to your favorite PG/VG level. The nic base would probably need to be a combination of PG/VG rather than just PG.

 

[Old Curmudgeon]

Good point! I did the same and got 36mg nic juice to start with because I wouldn't need to worry so much about spilling it, etc. But his starting point is 36mg. That doesn't leave him any room to add flavors or VG.

Old Curmudgeon....you do know that the 100mg nic has to be cut with VG/PG and your flavor(s) to get it down to 36mg, right? Do you know about the eliquid calculators?

I don't want to "assume" anything.

Here are two good ones.
eJuice Me Up - Best eJuice Calculator
E-Liquid Calculator With Ten Flavor's

The reason I suggested the 100mg nic for you is because you want your juice at 36mg and the 100mg would be most cost effective. You could also go with the 48mg nic if you're more comfortable with using the lower mg. You would just need to be more creative with how you get to your favorite PG/VG level. The nic base would probably need to be a combination of PG/VG rather than just PG.

Yeah the 100% nic is a must for cost I would think. I came across a calculator last night
but it was for Windoze only.

I bet my Italian Dark Roast would be a nice vape. Mmmm.

 

[Constance Shutts]

Or he could just get the 36 meg unflavored to mix with his flavorings from Mt Baker Vapor. Maybe not as cost effective in the beginning, but safe to vape as is. Which is probably what I'm going to do until I'm down to 0 nicotine.(6 meg though) Then it's just PG & VG + flavorings.

Tobacco flavor just doesn't appeal to me at all. I strip tobacco during November, December and January, so nope...we'll finish the 1 sucker hopefully the end of next week. 1 sucker is an air cured dark tobacco used mostly in snuff. The fired version is for chewing tobacco. Burley is cigarette tobacco.

 

[Old Curmudgeon]

Ah thanks Gloria the second link is a charm.

Thank you for the info, greatly appreciated.

 

[Old Curmudgeon]

Tobacco flavor just doesn't appeal to me at all. I strip tobacco during November, December and January, so nope...we'll finish the 1 sucker hopefully the end of next week. 1 sucker is an air cured dark tobacco used mostly in snuff. The fired version is for chewing tobacco. Burley is cigarette tobacco.

A lonnngggg time ago I processed cabbage and taters for potato salad and slaw, so I couldn't touch
either for a couple years.

Fries with that? Nope. I'll have the onion rings, thank you.

 

[Gloria]

Or he could just get the 36 meg unflavored to mix with his flavorings from Mt Baker Vapor. Maybe not as cost effective in the beginning, but safe to vape as is. Which is probably what I'm going to do until I'm down to 0 nicotine....

Old Curmudgeon...this is actually a good idea that Constance has proposed. It would make it SUPER easy for you. Especially if you're going to use concentrated tobacco flavors that only require 2 to 3% flavor.

Here's how adding different percentages of flavoring would affect the nic content in the 36mg base.
2.5% flavor = 35.1mg nic
5% flavor = 34.2mg nic
10% flavor = 32.4mg nic
20% flavor = 28.8mg nic

Here are some vendor prices for the 36mg base.

Mt Baker's - 236 mil unflavored 36mg base: $36.99
236 ml Unflavored Nicotine Juice USA made - Mt Baker Vapor - Electronic Cigarettes

Wizard Labs - 250 mil of 36mg with choice of PG/VG: $16.29
36mg Nicotine solution - 250ml

Vaping Zone - 250 mil of 36mg nic base: $39.99
Nicotine - Unflavored Nicotine Your Way - E Cig : Best Ejuice | Joye eGo & eGo-T | Boge Leo | Cartomizers | E-Liquid | Electronic Cigarettes

One Stop DIY Shop - 240 mil (8 30ml bottles) of 36mg in 50/50 PG/VG: $68
Flavor-It-Yourself Special - One Stop DIY Shop Store

Please let us know if you end up going with the 36mg or the 100mg plus VG & PG.

 

[Old Curmudgeon]

Old Curmudgeon...this is actually a good idea that Constance has proposed. It would make it SUPER easy for you. Especially if you're going to use concentrated tobacco flavors that only require 2 to 3% flavor.

Here's how adding different percentages of flavoring would affect the nic content in the 36mg base.
2.5% flavor = 35.1mg nic
5% flavor = 34.2mg nic
10% flavor = 32.4mg nic
20% flavor = 28.8mg nic

Here are some vendor prices for the 36mg base.

Mt Baker's - 236 mil unflavored 36mg base: $36.99
236 ml Unflavored Nicotine Juice USA made - Mt Baker Vapor - Electronic Cigarettes

Wizard Labs - 250 mil of 36mg with choice of PG/VG: $16.29
36mg Nicotine solution - 250ml

Vaping Zone - 250 mil of 36mg nic base: $39.99
Nicotine - Unflavored Nicotine Your Way - E Cig : Best Ejuice | Joye eGo & eGo-T | Boge Leo | Cartomizers | E-Liquid | Electronic Cigarettes

One Stop DIY Shop - 240 mil (8 30ml bottles) of 36mg in 50/50 PG/VG: $68
Flavor-It-Yourself Special - One Stop DIY Shop Store

Please let us know if you end up going with the 36mg or the 100mg plus VG & PG.

Ah my dear you're too kind, thanks a bunch.

I was thinking about the 100mg. The pg and vg are not mixed in already, correct?

 

[Constance Shutts]

Wizard Labs has a good price Sale there ! Bookmarked that one.

 

[Gloria]

Ah my dear you're too kind, thanks a bunch.

I was thinking about the 100mg. The pg and vg are not mixed in already, correct?

Correct. If you get the 100mg nic it will be in either PG or VG, or a mix of the two. Then you will need to add either VG or PG or both to get to the PG/VG ratio that you prefer AND to get the nic ratio down to 36mg.

Here's an example using the 36mg and the 100mg, both in 50/50 PG/VG.

Your goal is to make 30 mil of 36mg juice with 1 flavor at 3%.

Using the 36mg 50PG/50VG base.
Measure 29.1 mil of your base into bottle.
Measure 0.9 mil of flavor into bottle.
You now have 30 mil of 50/50 juice at 34.92mg nic.

Using the 100mg 50PG/50VG base. Target is 36mg at 50/50.
Measure 10.8 mil of 100mg nic into bottle.
Measure 9.15 mil of VG into bottle.
Measure 9.15 mil of PG into bottle.
Measure 0.9 mil of flavor into bottle.
You now have 30 mil of 50PG/50VG 36mg juice.

What PG/VG ratio are you wanting the juice to be? Forgive me if you already told me that previously.

 

[Old Curmudgeon]

I've been vaping 50/50 and I must say you've been a tremendous help!

 

[Janet H]

Old C, I've been thinking about your situation. It's strange that you went from smoking lights to not being satisfied with even 36 nic. I wonder if it's the whole tobacco alkaloids that your brain is missing. Have you tried any of the juices with WTA? Vapelicious and Aroma EJuice have it in some very good flavors. Mike had a hard time letting go of the few cigarettes he was having each day while vaping until he tried the WTA and immediately was able to let go of them. I sometimes use it and it does seem to have a more satisfying effect on me. It's more expensive, but he vaped that juice when he had a strong craving for a smoke. He still uses it from time to time, but not nearly as much as in the beginning.

 

[BacsiBob]

Bacsi, you changed for T2's to T3's? If so, how are they better?

When I vape, I hit it pretty hard for a few minutes at a time. I think the T3 stays cooler and avoids dry hits without tipping. I also think they last longer between cleaning. I do turn over the little silicone ring that partially covers the wicks. It helps keep the juice flowing I think.

 

[Ken62]

Remember the cinnamon toothpicks we used to make as kids? I made a juice that is EXACTLY the same, to me at least. I just made one carto full and my brain hurts trying to do the math....

33 drops 36ml nic juice 50/50 - (82.5%)
1 drops Cinnamon Red Hots - TFA (2.5%)
6 drops Peppermint - TFA (15%)

This is a good cinnamint

This could easily be an all day vape for me!

 

[Old Curmudgeon]

Hi Janet

I've considered that but I was on the gum and lozenges at one time and the 4mg
was just fine. Maybe I don't drink enough water?

 

[Worzel]

I am 38, I live in Florida, my family is in Chicago. Told my Mom I started vaping and stopped smoking cold turkey. She didn't sound too happy, especially when I told her to give it a try. I don't know how the vaping scene is in the Chicago area, but it seems like my Mom is oblivious to it, or misinformed. I tried to explain it over the phone, but she tells me there are more chemicals in ECigs. I was a smoker for 22 years, my Mom, most of her life, I know what chemicals taste like and I do not taste them in ECigs. Every non-smoker in my life gives me a tall thumbs up, but the smokers are very skeptical.

 

[moishesmom]

I am 38, I live in Florida, my family is in Chicago. Told my Mom I started vaping and stopped smoking cold turkey. She didn't sound too happy, especially when I told her to give it a try. I don't know how the vaping scene is in the Chicago area, but it seems like my Mom is oblivious to it, or misinformed. I tried to explain it over the phone, but she tells me there are more chemicals in ECigs. I was a smoker for 22 years, my Mom, most of her life, I know what chemicals taste like and I do not taste them in ECigs. Every non-smoker in my life gives me a tall thumbs up, but the smokers are very skeptical.

Hi Worzel....Did you ever consider that they may be intimidated by your quitting? Congrats BTW. Chemicals or whatever excuse they give you, lets them continue their habit & it's justified in their own mind. WOW...I didn't realize how deep I can be...Just kidding - good for you & stick with it.

 

[kariM]

Welcome Worzel. I too have been trying to figure out my best friend (who has COPD) and my son. They both have been telling me for years that they want to quit smoking. Both have tried many times with the patch, nicorette, my friend with Chantix and even cold turkey. Neither have been able to quit.

I really thought that once they saw how well I was doing with vaping that they would at least want to try - but nope they both congratulate me and say how glad they are that it is working for me. The last time I tried talking to my son - he indicated that I was lecturing him - standard "kid" behaviour - even though he is 33 - for I don't want to hear anymore. So I now wait for him to come to me

Now with my best friend - I have never once indicated that I want to quit smoking. In fact I have always smoked more than she has and basically have told her in the past - when she was trying to quit and I think wanted me to try with her - I DO NOT want to quit smoking. I like smoking and - well we all have to die from something right

So that fact that I started vaping to just cut down on my smoking - but actually liked it soo much that I have not had a cigarette in over 6 weeks - just amazes me. Just last week when I was talking with her about my other son quiting with the patch (he has tried many times too) and that I gave him the information on ECF and vaping. I told him that if the patch doesn't work - please give this a try before you start smoking again. Well her response to me was - well he has to want to quit - or it won't work either. Well all I said was I don't want to quit smoking - but somehow I just did

So - all I can figure out is that it just goes with the age old smokers resistance to anything or anyone "trying to make them quit. I know I have been there - in fact I was there just 6 weeks ago. Did I say I DO NOT want to quit. So for me it is just frustrating (since I wouldn't and don't even suggest to any smokers that they should try this, unless they ask about it) that neither of these two will even consider it - any they tell me all the time that they want to quit

I was hoping that if I just continue myself - that at some point they too may decide to give this a try. It looks like you have been vaping for a longtime now - so I guess I might have to wait a long time for these too as well. Anyway - good luck with your Mom