I am thinking about getting involved in DIY juice next month (waiting payday). What I am wondering is if there is any harm in cleaning out the bottles from professional juices I have used up and reusing them for my own juices. Just trying to save a little bit of startup money.
Saving Bottles
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I did that to start out with and had no problems.
I really like my glass bottles so I bought some more but, honestly, I think I just like all those pretty blue bottles with their neatly printed white labels on them
There isn't really a juice taste difference. IMHO
I really like my glass bottles so I bought some more but, honestly, I think I just like all those pretty blue bottles with their neatly printed white labels on them
There isn't really a juice taste difference. IMHO
No harm in it whatsoever. I still have some of the 30 ml plastic dropper bottles that I got 3 years ago when I started. I DIY into them now. PG, and to a lesser extent VG, are anti-microbial so no real contamination issues. If you have trouble getting the leftover flavor out of one, stick it in the freezer for a few hours then re-wash.
Just practice good basic sanitation and you shouldn't have any probs... Great tip on freezing the bottles if you get a stubborn taste in one -- didn't know that and appreciate the tid-bits of info you pick up just browsing the forums...
TY both. I want to try my hand at DIY but really do have limited startup cash so I was thinking this would be one place I could save a tiny bit in the beginning.
DIY is easy when you have limited start up funds. To this day all I use is a 12 ml syringe, a stainless steel condiment cup that I got for a dollar at Wal-Mart and those 30 ml leftover bottles I mentioned, plus a few 10 & 5 mls for experiments. I buy my nic base and other ingredients from Wizard Labs; small amounts of flavors from them are actually a bit cheaper than from the source. For larger flavor amounts I order directly from the source, Perfumer's/Flavor Apprentice. For any bottle that I can't get a syringe into (I use them without the needle) like the flavoring, I pour it into the condiment cup and pull up the amount I need from there, then pour the rest back. For syringes though, make sure you're getting the etched ones, not the ones with the inked markings. I started with an inked syringe and the nic base tends to fade the markings quickly. I purchased my current syringe plus a few extras at a veterinary supply. My mix space is in the kitchen on a tray to prevent any spills and covered with a double ply of paper towels to soak up any drips. Easy.
I reuse bottles all the time and have never had a problem. Just wash them and dry them really good. You don't want to poor your fresh mix in a bottle with standing water in it.
good advice on the etched syringes. i hadnt realized that was an issue but as soon as i did, i put a layer of strong scotch tape over the markings and its been working out great.
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to remove odors from bottles, you can make a mixture of 4 tbsp baking soda + 1 quart warm water. fill the bottles and let sit overnight. then rinse with warm soapy water.
Lol I was much too late for scotch tape, seeing as learning to mix, for me at least, was a messy business.
In fact, that brings another tip to mind; warm your vegetable glycerin, either in the syringe under running hot water or by placing the bottle in hot water before you need to mix it, and push all your ingredients into the bottle sloooowly. I don't know how many times in the beginning that I ended up with liquid all over the place because I was being impatient and rushed the plunger! 
Good add on the baking soda mixture, had forgotten about that one.
great VG tip. that was a challenge for me when i first started. your slow plunger tip reminds me of a tip for the OP.
pull your plunger up slowly (with any ingredients) for no air bubbles. for me, its hard to get an accurate read unless there is zero air in between the plunger and liquid while drawing up from the bottle.
pull your plunger up slowly (with any ingredients) for no air bubbles. for me, its hard to get an accurate read unless there is zero air in between the plunger and liquid while drawing up from the bottle.
I find the bottles never truly lose the scent of the previous flavor so I am very careful that only fruit flavors go in fruit bottles, bakery in bakery, etc.. I am now primarily doing fruits so it's not an issue...most intermingle fine.
Good tip, I assume that is because the plastic constricts forcing the remnants of flavor out of the material. If I am wrong on this I will be happy to be corrected.
DIY on a budget is definetly easy. You really don't need much start up cash at all. Reusing bottles is great as long as they don't leak. Sometimes the dripper will crack over time.
If anyone that can detect, after a good clean & rinse, an ol' flav in a new one, they should be the POTUS food tester!!!
Da same goes for flavoring syringes!
Da same goes for flavoring syringes!
I always reuse what I can. Another thing to try if you're having issues with smells still in the bottles, plain vinegar for 24hours(ish) and a good rinse after.
For the inked syringes, just put some clear packing tape over the graduations and they last a long time!
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