Questions about DIY space and safety

[MamaRymes]

I am interested in getting started making DIY ejuice. A few concerns I have are regarding the space I'lll need and the safety of my children.

We are pretty much at capacity in our house. Any space used for mixing would need to be shared space that my children would also use. How much space do you really need to DIY? Is this something that I can feasibly accomplish at the kitchen table after my kids are in bed? Is it safe to have shared (or perhaps multi use is a better term) space for DIY?

I want to keep my littles safe. They are 2 and 4 and are constantly testing the boundaries of what they can and cannot get into in our house. I don't want to kill my kids, but if I could clean out my garage, I could reasonably store things there to steep, and the kids don't have access to the garage. That is also where the chest freezer resides. Do I have enough space? With my kids developmental stages, would you think this is a safe pursuit? TIA

 

[Ablonz]

I currently use my computer desk in our computer room. It helps out while using the ejuice me up calculator for my mixes.I use about 2ft wide by 1 and a half ft deep space on it. Of course if the kids are awake, my wife locks the door so they don't come in while I am mixing(old house, lock on outside of door). Once I have it mixed, I clean up the area and wipe it down with a damp paper towel to clean up any drips that might have happened. This should be sufficient as they always say to wash your hands if you get any on them. My wife, 15 and 7 year old share the computer desk and I personally do not worry about them using the same desk. As far as steeping, I bring mine down to our root cellar and store it on the top shelf in a washed out coffee can so it doesn't get any sunlight. The garage for you I think would be a good place to mix up your own stuff. Just be sure to always clean up and store things high out of reach just in case. Depending on your amount of nic that you use, I would suggest buying a premixed of unflavored of 24 or 36 mg nic strength e juice as then you do not have to deal with pure liquid nicotine which is the worst part of it. Then you just have to add the flavors

 

[Boletus]

I do my mixing in the kitchen sink. Keep everything in the sink the whole time, and close each bottle it as soon as you are done drawing from it. Keep your destination bottle in the sink too. I make sure all of the dishes are put away and there is nothing but clear space in and around the sink. When I am done, I clean the sink and surrounding counter tops with soap and hot water, followed by a sponge rinse, and dry the counter with paper towels. If you will do it at your table, a cheap plastic lunch tray with a few layers newspaper under it would be good. But if you have a big spill, that could be a problem, which is why working with everything in the sink is good.

Not sure what your garage is like, but doing everything there might be an option.

 

[MamaRymes]

Thank you both for the replies. I really like the idea of doing it in the sink. How long does it take to make a batch? I suppose as I got better at it it would go faster but could I get a ball park for a single flavor in a volume of 60 ml? Maybe I'm asking too much now. I just want to try to prepare as best I can. My garage, as it is now, is a complete DISASTER, but with a little time, I believe I could have it cleaned out enough to have work and shelf space for DIYing based on your responses.

 

[xxJollyRogerxx]

I do mine sitting at the dining room table. But I use a large serving platter with paper towels handy and just keep everything I am working with on the platter and the cap goes back on if it is not on the platter. That way if something does spill I can just rinse off the platter. I just couldn't stand up by the sink for that amount of time
The amount of time just depends on how much you are mixing up. Once you get the hang of what you are doing you can mix a bottle in a couple of minutes. But if i am trying to come up with a new recipe I will sit and mull over the %s which obviously eats up time

 

[zoiDman]

I am interested in getting started making DIY ejuice. A few concerns I have are regarding the space I'lll need and the safety of my children.

We are pretty much at capacity in our house. Any space used for mixing would need to be shared space that my children would also use. How much space do you really need to DIY? Is this something that I can feasibly accomplish at the kitchen table after my kids are in bed? Is it safe to have shared (or perhaps multi use is a better term) space for DIY?

I want to keep my littles safe. They are 2 and 4 and are constantly testing the boundaries of what they can and cannot get into in our house. I don't want to kill my kids, but if I could clean out my garage, I could reasonably store things there to steep, and the kids don't have access to the garage. That is also where the chest freezer resides. Do I have enough space? With my kids developmental stages, would you think this is a safe pursuit? TIA

First of All, Right On for considering Safety when doing DIY around Children.

I don't think you need all that much Space. A Locking, Single File, File Cabinet or something similar to Store your DIY Supplies should be Enough.

And many people do the Actual Mixing on a Day that the Kids are Not at Home. So you can Utilize the Entire House if you Want to.

 

[williebb123]

just to give you an example of size , i mix mine on the nite stand next to the bed that is already half full with lamp ,charger , wooden mod stand , etc so no you dont need much space if worried about cleanup use an extra placemat from the kitchen table and any drips can be rinsed off and put the placemat in with your diy supplies when finished

 

[baseballmom]

I have a wee one too, I do my mixing when he's in bed and husband is home just in case, or when he's at preschool-it has worked well for me...supplies are in a locked tackle box...I write down my recipes ahead of time in notebook for easy access and quick mixing, and I do an assembly line type thing with my flavors...as he ages, my safety precautions will change as needed....like my box will be hidden away better in basement...and only I know my padlock combo for it as is. You will surely come up with system that works best for you and best to keep the youngsters safe, and are smart doing your homework ahead of time...best wishes in your future mixing....it's actually pretty fun and a nice break from "mom duties" Hot water, soap, paper towels, cleaning up afterwards...steeping stuff out of reach

 

[Boletus]

...How long does it take to make a batch? I suppose as I got better at it it would go faster but could I get a ball park for a single flavor in a volume of 60 ml?

For your first mix, a half hour including setting up, putting everything away, and cleaning up should be plenty of time. But you do not want to be rushed, as that's when mistakes and spills are likely to happen. If you can put aside an hour, that will give you ample time to set things up and then look at the arrangement thinking about how you will perform each task to see if the ergonomics are good. You might practice using a syringe (if you will use them) with water and some empty bottles just to get the feel for it.

After you have done a few mixes, it will only take a few minutes for a 60 ml batch with one flavor.

 

[xxJollyRogerxx]

But you do not want to be rushed, as that's when mistakes and spills are likely to happen. If you can put aside an hour, that will give you ample time to set things up and then look at the arrangement thinking about how you will perform each task to see if the ergonomics are good.

This ... Excellent advice ... Don't rush! That is when mistakes and mishaps happen. Avoid "The Rush"

 

[RonJS]

How much space do you really need to DIY? I

I have a house with no constraints where or when I can or cannot mix.

I place a large, commercial sized, lipped (in case of spills) baking sheet on top of my washing machine to mix upon. Good light and nearby water supply as well as a working height that suits me. Clean up is a breeze.

Ron

 

[dannyv45]

I am interested in getting started making DIY ejuice. A few concerns I have are regarding the space I'lll need and the safety of my children.

We are pretty much at capacity in our house. Any space used for mixing would need to be shared space that my children would also use. How much space do you really need to DIY? Is this something that I can feasibly accomplish at the kitchen table after my kids are in bed? Is it safe to have shared (or perhaps multi use is a better term) space for DIY?

I want to keep my littles safe. They are 2 and 4 and are constantly testing the boundaries of what they can and cannot get into in our house. I don't want to kill my kids, but if I could clean out my garage, I could reasonably store things there to steep, and the kids don't have access to the garage. That is also where the chest freezer resides. Do I have enough space? With my kids developmental stages, would you think this is a safe pursuit? TIA

I basically I do my mixing at my computer desk. Safety is of utmost concern where small children are concern. Use common sense and don't mix when children are around and keep supplies and fluids locked up and out of reach of small children when not in use. Follow those simple rules and you will be fine.

 

[MamaRymes]

Again, thank you all for the helpful responses! I feel pretty confident now that I can safely do this when my kids go to bed! Now, to read some more of the stickies and see what I need to purchase to get the ball rolling!

 

[LoveVanilla]

I purchased a lockable ammo box with an o-ring seal. With young ones, I would recommend even if supplies are kept in a locked cabinet. These are quite tough and provide extra protection against leaks e.g. if somehow dropped. Here's a link to what I use to store nic. There are multiple size/choices -- just make sure you get one that seals and is lockable.

Also suggest buying nic at lowest concentration needed i.e. at or near strength that you vape, until you have experience and see how things go.

 

[Racehorse]

Thank you both for the replies. I really like the idea of doing it in the sink.

I mix on a large, shallow baking tin. That way, the only thing that ever gets any solution on it is that tray. Easy peasy, wash it when done.

You can even use old glass microwave trays, back when MVs were large, the trays were huge....I get them in thrift stores.

I you are concerned, buy your nic solution in 24mg or 36mg......that is pretty darn safe.....in case you don't want to deal with stronger

 

[dannyv45]

Again, thank you all for the helpful responses! I feel pretty confident now that I can safely do this when my kids go to bed! Now, to read some more of the stickies and see what I need to purchase to get the ball rolling!

Here are some reading recommendations to get you going

Read my blogs before getting started

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

then read hoosier's blogs.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

this will explain a lot of the how's and why's.