small batch mixing

[GhengisFong]

I am new to the world of mixing my own flavors or juices more correctly. one problem that I face, is trying to mix small batches. normally, the programs I use, use drops as a form of measurement. I can change the amount of drops per milliliter, but I can't change change the amount of drops per milliliter per different flavor or mix (VG,PG,etc). Different viscosities usually equal different volumes per drop. any advice on how to mix in small batches more accurately.?

 

[Wolfenstark]

Don't know if its totally accurate but its been ok for me.
Start off with a 100 drop test where each drop = 1 %.
Then I see if thats ok and then make a full batch.
Make 100ml at a time but would think it would be ok if I did say 10Ml , a 1ml or 3ml syringe would help.

Thinking others may do it by weight , where you get the specific gravity of nic/vg/pg.

 

[Cullin Kin]

How small are we talking? I make 5mL test batches and a 1mL syringe has small enough measurements that even 0.5% can be measured using the syringe...

 

[Caro123]

I use an ejuice calculator called DIY e-juice | Steam Engine | free vaping calculators and on the left under nicotine unit I select mg/ml I find it quite simple to use and numerous quantities, target strengths and multiple flavours can be selected

 

[joesquid]

I never use drops. Like you said, not accurate enough. I use the ejuicemeup calculator and my smallest syringe is 1ml. Like Cullin meant to say it's easy to measure down to .05 ml or smaller.

 

[kaahn]

I am new to the world of mixing my own flavors or juices more correctly. one problem that I face, is trying to mix small batches. normally, the programs I use, use drops as a form of measurement. I can change the amount of drops per milliliter, but I can't change change the amount of drops per milliliter per different flavor or mix (VG,PG,etc). Different viscosities usually equal different volumes per drop. any advice on how to mix in small batches more accurately.?

Mixing by weight is my suggestion. Get you a set of nice scales that read hundredths (.00) of a gram off of eBay for around $20 or so. Less mess, more accurate, and less waste. You won't look back. Good luck.

 

[Hans Wermhat]

I'm a new DIYer too. I make 5 ml test batches, then 50 ml batches when I find a mix I like. I use syringes and pipettes, or just count drops and look at my graduated cylinders to see where it comes out. I haven't had problems converting any measurements to larger batches. If you are just making it for yourself and not trying to sell it, close enough should be good enough. A drop or 2 extra won't make that much difference in the taste or %'s. Don't be too .... about it, just have fun with it.

 

[awsum140]

Drops are too variable, being effected by viscosity, temperature and dispenser size. Milliliters is OK, but also prone to error due to parallax reading the markings. I have been using a gram scale, yeah feel like the local drug lord, for almost two years and it allows very accurate measurement and duplication from batch to batch. I usually mix test batches in 10ml sizes for convenience, most of my tanks are 3.5ml or bigger.

 

[WonderDude32]

My secret to consistent mixing is... write it down. Not just how much you used, but do that too. Start a record of what worked, what needed to be added later or any adjustments to the recipe and steeping times. What you used for equipment as well as where the supplies came from. This may seem like a lot of book keeping but the knowledge you retain is priceless. You will thank me in a year. It also takes the guessing out of the next batch. I also write down what the final juice looks like, how it vapes, and tastes in case I use a flavor or base from a different supplier.

 

[awsum140]

I keep my recipes and notes on them in the mixing software I use, even the failed experiments. Careful record keeping is a must to maintain consistency as well. I keep a separate log to track how much was mixed and when it was mixed as well. The other trick is to do everything the same way every time. That avoids the "oops, I think I forgot to add .... to this batch" syndrome. I usually mix when I am home alone so there are no interruptions which is another hazard to avoid if you can.

 

[Hans Wermhat]

All good points. Keeping records of what didn't work is definitely important too. Any time you mix 2 flavors that make ... juice, write it down so you don't try that again in another mixture.

 

[kaahn]

Another positive to mixing by weight is that you are not beholden to a certain supplier. Meaning...different syringes/beakers/droppers/pipettes from different suppliers, for example, might measure slightly different. Some more...some less. Not really a big deal in small batches but might make a big difference in bigger batches.

 

[Car147]

I always use needles, the droppers on concentrate bottles are different on each, far more accurate with a syringe, or if your creating a massive batch, some are now weighing the ingedients

 

[WonderDude32]

Another positive to mixing by weight is that you are not beholden to a certain supplier. Meaning...different syringes/beakers/droppers/pipettes from different suppliers, for example, might measure slightly different. Some more...some less. Not really a big deal in small batches but might make a big difference in bigger batches.

I never thought of it this way but it makes complete sense.

 

[bwh79]

Thinking others may do it by weight , where you get the specific gravity of nic/vg/pg.

Wikipedia. Or get yourself a 10ml graduated cylinder and a scale, and measure them yourself.

I have a list I keep that uses densities, which are almost but not quite exactly the same as specific gravity (SG is the ratio of a substance's density, to that of water, so the SG of water is, by definition, exactly 1.0. Water is not, however, exactly 1.0g/ml even though, historically, that's how the gram was initially defined.)

Water (at its maximum density, 4 degrees celcius): 0.999972 g/ml
PG: 1.036 g/ml
VG: 1.261 g/ml
Nic: 1.01 g/ml
PGA (pure grain alcohol aka ethanol): 0.789 g/ml (you can buy this from the liquor store, but note that it will only be 95% or so pure, with the remainder being mostly water, so you will have to do some math-ing to find the actual density.)

 

[Cullin Kin]

I never use drops. Like you said, not accurate enough. I use the ejuicemeup calculator and my smallest syringe is 1ml. Like Cullin meant to say it's easy to measure down to .05 ml or smaller.

I actually did mean 0.5% lol. I was saying if I have a flavor set to even 0.5% in a recipe in a 5mL batch, the 1mL syringe has no trouble measuring that tiny volume.

 

[WereBear]

I only mix small batches (10-30 ml). My best results happen when I treat the VG/PG/nic base as science and treat flavoring as art. I measure out the VG and PG with graduated cylinders and pour them into a beaker. Next comes the flavors in small increments by the drop, stir with a rod and (gasp!) taste it. Drip-drip, stir-stir, taste. When it tastes just right then I add the nic base using a graduated syringe to get the exact amount, stir again and pour it in a dripper bottle.