Pre-Mixing Base???

[Br4ndon]

Hey newbie DIYer here.

Quick question to the veteran mixologist out there:

Is there any reason why one would not want to mix there PG, VG, and nic in batches ahead out time? And then, just add flavoring as you want to create new flavors?

Thanks for the feedback!

 

[Stosh]

That would be the way to go, it's much easier to mix the proper ratio when the measurements are larger. I will mix 1- 250mL bottle of 60mg nic with 2- 250 mL bottles of PG/VG, a perfect 20mg every time. And another Maker's Mark bottle recycled...

 

[WillyZee]

I just started DIY ... that is exactly what I did ... mixed 120ml 48mg down to 480ml of 12mg 50/50

 

[Hoosier]

I premix my PG&VG, but not nic.

One reason is that I'm sensitive to drops in my nicotine strength. (I notice 2mg/ml of a drop and my recipes range from 0.35% to 35%)
The other reason is I also mix for my sister and oldest son and they both need different nicotine levels than I.

 

[donnah]

Hey newbie DIYer here.

Quick question to the veteran mixologist out there:

Is there any reason why one would not want to mix there PG, VG, and nic in batches ahead out time? And then, just add flavoring as you want to create new flavors?

Thanks for the feedback!

That's what I do. I mix a 500ml batch of 7mg 50/50 and parcel it out into 40ml bottles (because I get those bottles free in catheter kits at work) I then add flavors.

 

[Br4ndon]

Thanks guys - informative, like always!

 

[Crunktanium]

I keep 120ml's mixed of 12mg at 14mg and a 26mg at 28mg along with 60ml's of 36mg at 38mg this gives me +/-2mg of wiggle room for flavor. I can always add some 36mg to the 24mg, drop the 24 to 18mg, add some 24mg to the 12mg as needed or simply drop the 12mg to 6mg with ease this way. I do not however premix my VG or PG bases and keep both VG and PG based nicotine on hand. This way I can mix up juice to match almost any strength or ratio desired.

 

[Danoman]

When i'm trying to get a new flavor, I like to leave out the Nicotine so I can take a 'slight' taste of a little tiny drop of the liquid, just to see what the strength is before adding the Nicotine... after doing many trials this way, I've learned what flavor will lead and what would need to be added to get it to the desired taste i'm looking for. Then, add the Nicotine at a time when I feel like the flavors have mixed or steeped long enough to produce what i'm expecting it to be like when vaporized... sometimes when your mix is heated up in hot water, it'll taste differently (and stronger or weaker) then when it's at room temperature. It just depends on if it's a prominate flavor like cinnamon/mint or peppermint or just a fruit flavor... on my little containers I always label it nic or NO nic so, i'll know. (works for me)

I personally make all of my batches in 30ml containers so I know what percentages of Nicotine to add to bring it up to an 1.8% nicotine level... it gives me a little bit of 'play' room.

 

[Br4ndon]

@Danoman what does nicotine do to adjust the flavor?

I am thinking of leaving the nic out completely, or perhaps leave it at my minimum of 3%, and then add along with flavoring.

Hence, I am curious about your process.

Thanks for all the help folks! You guys are great.

Also, as a rule of thumb… is 10% a good flavor target? I know there are lots of recipes out there and lots of flavor variables… just looking for a benchmark.

And, finally - initial steeping. I notice a lot of people suggest a water bath. Is that a best practice?

Share your thoughts - my DIY supplies are do here in less than 48 hours… I feel like an alchemist already

 

[Danoman]

@Danoman what does nicotine do to adjust the flavor?

I am thinking of leaving the nic out completely, or perhaps leave it at my minimum of 3%, and then add along with flavoring.

Hence, I am curious about your process.

Thanks for all the help folks! You guys are great.

Also, as a rule of thumb… is 10% a good flavor target? I know there are lots of recipes out there and lots of flavor variables… just looking for a benchmark.

And, finally - initial steeping. I notice a lot of people suggest a water bath. Is that a best practice?

Share your thoughts - my DIY supplies are do here in less than 48 hours… I feel like an alchemist already

I mainly don't wanna' be eating nicotine generally... sometimes it takes several tastes to get it at the proper strength. (sometimes, quite a few)

 

[Br4ndon]

Oh, your are literally tasting the liquid… I thought you meant your were drip vaping

 

[HeadInClouds]

I mix a 120ml bottle at my preferred nic percentage just for convenience. I have to combine my purchased stronger base with plain VG and plain PG to get what I want, so it saves me time to do larger batches less frequently.

 

[tdavids]

I always pre-mix some base. I make it at 3.3mg as I normally use about 10% flavoring.

 

[Danoman]

Oh, your are literally tasting the liquid… I thought you meant your were drip vaping

Lol... yes, if it's a new and untried recipe, I taste it first to check the strength of the flavor before adding the Nicotine. It's a good thing to pre-mix some of the mixes your used to mixing but, keep in mind that the formula (volume) will change on those mixes when a flavor is added so the PG/VG and the Nic would need to be bumped up a tad afterwards to keep it exactly as the calculator says. (If that's important to the way you use it)
I'm very used to my particular mod so, i'll know by tasting it if it'll need more of a certain mix of flavors and/or sweetener to have the desired effect when it's vaped. So, that's the reason why I do it... plus, it guarantees that if it's not to my liking I haven't wasted my Nicotine on something that is over powering with flavor or has just turned out completely and too nasty for even the Grim Reaper.