Some unanswered questions to me....

[CbrVapeRR]

I should not of procrastinated and done this a year ago.... I am wanting to get into diy. I've read many of the threads here @ecf and others on the ol' interweb. Tons of great information! Thank you all!!!

I have a couple questions that I'd like input from other diy ers here at ecf...

What is the best way to transfer nic, and vg from the original container, with the least amount of waste?...

Graduated cylinders, or syringe, what sizes and/or both???

Grams or ml? Should I weigh? Or measure?

Where to get bottles?, plastic or glass? and how many do you use?...

I appreciate all the comments!! Thank you in advance!

I sure hope the powers that be here in the USA don't ruin this awesome anti smoking stinky phenom that vaping has created!!! I was a smoker for over 30 years! Tried the rest, vaping put them to rest!!! Smoke free for over 14 months thanks to vaping!!!
If I put this in the wrong thread I'm sorry!

 

[classwife]

Moved you to DIY from Ask The Veterans - you can participate in your thread this way

 

[dannyv45]

It depends on how much you are making. For small amounts of lets say 30ml's or less I use syringes. For larger amounts I use a 100ml measuring cylinder. I make my samples 10mls at a time and always use glass. For long term storage I use glass as some Pastics may leach plasticizers into the mix over long periods. When storing nic solution for long periods I freeze it in glass as well. It will stay good 5 or more years.

When I measure I measure by volume and not weight but that's a personal preference. Either way is correct.

As far as supplies take a look at my blogs. The very first blog are suppliers. There is also a lot more how to info in my blogs. Here is a list of research references.

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DYI, from steeping to what supplies to have on hand to a basic walk through mixing your first E-juice.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

Then read hoosier's blogs. These blogs concentrate on fine tuning your mix and give insight on additives.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

Then read Boletus's blog's. These blogs concentrate on formulation of nicotine bases regarding proper calculations methods for figuring Nicotine concentration as well as safety.

E-Cigarette Forum - Boletus - Blogs

Then read Ginger's book "E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid". It is a book which I've contributed to that delivers an in depth easy to follow guide in the art of DYI.

E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid

I recommend viewing VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety and bookmark it for future reference. It explains safety in all aspects of DYI.

VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

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

 

[AndriaD]

I should not of procrastinated and done this a year ago.... I am wanting to get into diy. I've read many of the threads here @ecf and others on the ol' interweb. Tons of great information! Thank you all!!!

I have a couple questions that I'd like input from other diy ers here at ecf...

What is the best way to transfer nic, and vg from the original container, with the least amount of waste?...

Graduated cylinders, or syringe, what sizes and/or both???

Grams or ml? Should I weigh? Or measure?

Where to get bottles?, plastic or glass? and how many do you use?...

I appreciate all the comments!! Thank you in advance!

I sure hope the powers that be here in the USA don't ruin this awesome anti smoking stinky phenom that vaping has created!!! I was a smoker for over 30 years! Tried the rest, vaping put them to rest!!! Smoke free for over 14 months thanks to vaping!!!
If I put this in the wrong thread I'm sorry!

Syringes waste far less than the grad. cylinders do.

Some folks swear by measuring by weight, but it seems stupid to me to measure liquids by weight -- you don't buy a pound of milk, or a gallon of bacon. Solids = weight measure; liquids = liquid measure. That's kinda WHY they have liquid measures, so you can measure liquid things. I also don't measure my height with a barometer.

Andria

 

[Capt.shay]

With all due respect to Miss. Andria, I completely disagree. Although at the consumer day to day level we purchase milk by the gallon, we are not purchasing milk here. Many web sites sell Vg and Pg by the pound and that is the way large quantities are usually sold commercially. We as consumers are use to seeing liquid measurements but we are not being consumers here, we have our mad scientist mixing gloves on and taking a more scientific approach has proven to be much better for me.

Measuring by weight when mixing can be easier, cleaner and more accurate than using volume When I took my lab classes in college we measured our liquids by weight for greatest accuracy. When I mix by weight I often mix right in the bottle leaving little or no clean up and it is accomplished much quicker than pouring in to a measuring device and then in to the bottle.

Both ways work, I just find using weight much easier and more likely to produce the same result time after time. I have seen several people here (including myself) start out measuring by volume and switch to using weight. I have never once heard some one say they didn't like weighing better and switch to volume.

 

[sketchness]

Each mixing method has advocates. I prefer mixing by weight because it is easy to me and fewer consumables to be repurchased. As far as transfer goes it will depend on method you choose. It is relatively easy to simply break nic base up into smaller glass bottles pouring straight from the container. For juice making I usually mix right into the bottle, not in a beaker or flask.

I am usually making larger batches and just use a plastic funnel as the vg doesn't stick to the plastic as bad as it does glass.

For glass bottles for storage I have bought from heartland vapes and bcv. I thought the prices at heartland were pretty good and shipping was a little better, it has been a while. I buy large quantities of 10&50ml Ldpe bottles on eBay fairly cheap 50-100 at a time. Many in here can share some links about buying glass bottles in bulk. Just make sure the caps are good before you buy a bunch. Some caps are kinda wonky and strip or are just leaky.

 

[Girod]

Syringes waste far less than the grad. cylinders do.

Some folks swear by measuring by weight, but it seems stupid to me to measure liquids by weight -- you don't buy a pound of milk, or a gallon of bacon. Solids = weight measure; liquids = liquid measure. That's kinda WHY they have liquid measures, so you can measure liquid things. I also don't measure my height with a barometer.

Andria

Let's talk about fuel: A) Airplanes load their fuel by weight, not volume. The density changes with temperature, so 10 gallons at 60F is not 10 gallons at 100F. B) You know that when you fill your gas tank in the summer, you are getting less gas than you do if you fill it in the winter? Check this out: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/DPReportHotFuelUSAJune07.pdf That is the "Hot Fuel Premium" which cost consumers an estimated US$1.5 Billion in 2007 since they were paying for fuel they did not actually receive.

Let's talk about food: American recipes typically have volume for certain dry ingredients. For example, 2 cups of flour. Humidity and type of flour are pretty big factors affecting how much flour that actually is. I actually get annoyed when I have recipes that call for a tablespoon of a chopped herb. Come on, the size of your pieces and whether you pack it or not, or maybe your basil has been in the fridge for a few days and is not freshly picked, so it's a little wilted... but then I remember it doesn't matter. You adjust for your taste.

It may seem stupid to you, but your point is not relevant. It just does not matter. I know I am not changing your mind, but when I hear what you are saying, I hear "Why would you do something that you find to be much easier and has the same result, when instead you can do something that you find more tedious because of a point that does not matter? It's stupid.".

As far as the OP, I think you should try each method and find what works for you. If you like using volume, have at it! If you like using weight, welcome to the Dark Side! I must admit that I mix my base by weight (61% VG/39% PG at 3.65 mg aiming for 50/50 3mg with flavors), and I add my base to my bottle by weight. Screw measuring VG by volume. I then add my flavors and PG to get my goal with syringes, although I still have the bottle on the scale and check the weights. Which... guess what? Pretty spot on, generally within .05 grams. I just find it easier to add flavors with syringes as opposed to pipettes.

I mix my mixing techniques! Oh, the horror!

 

[Capt.shay]

No need to take it personally, I certainly didn't. She said she felt that mixing by weight is stupid. Not that you or I are stupid. I have enjoyed Andrias post for quite some time now and even run an Achilles on her recommendation. I just dissagree with her on this point.

BTW: On the farm we sold the raw milk by the pound in to the tank truck

 

[CbrVapeRR]

It depends on how much you are making. For small amounts of lets say 30ml's or less I use syringes. For larger amounts I use a 100ml measuring cylinder. I make my samples 10mls at a time and always use glass. For long term storage I use glass as some Pastics may leach plasticizers into the mix over long periods. When storing nic solution for long periods I freeze it in glass as well. It will stay good 5 or more years.

When I measure I measure by volume and not weight but that's a personal preference. Either way is correct.

As far as supplies take a look at my blogs. The very first blog are suppliers. There is also a lot more how to info in my blogs. Here is a list of research references.

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DYI, from steeping to what supplies to have on hand to a basic walk through mixing your first E-juice.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

Then read hoosier's blogs. These blogs concentrate on fine tuning your mix and give insight on additives.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

Then read Boletus's blog's. These blogs concentrate on formulation of nicotine bases regarding proper calculations methods for figuring Nicotine concentration as well as safety.

E-Cigarette Forum - Boletus - Blogs

Then read Ginger's book "E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid". It is a book which I've contributed to that delivers an in depth easy to follow guide in the art of DYI.

E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid

I recommend viewing VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety and bookmark it for future reference. It explains safety in all aspects of DYI.

VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

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

@dannyv45 thank you for your input. I have your blog bookmarked already, so much great info you have put together.

 

[CbrVapeRR]

Syringes waste far less than the grad. cylinders do.

Some folks swear by measuring by weight, but it seems stupid to me to measure liquids by weight -- you don't buy a pound of milk, or a gallon of bacon. Solids = weight measure; liquids = liquid measure. That's kinda WHY they have liquid measures, so you can measure liquid things. I also don't measure my height with a barometer.

Andria

@andria I love your examples! You have a good point. Thank you for your input. You made me smile

 

[CbrVapeRR]

With all due respect to Miss. Andria, I completely disagree. Although at the consumer day to day level we purchase milk by the gallon, we are not purchasing milk here. Many web sites sell Vg and Pg by the pound and that is the way large quantities are usually sold commercially. We as consumers are use to seeing liquid measurements but we are not being consumers here, we have our mad scientist mixing gloves on and taking a more scientific approach has proven to be much better for me.

Measuring by weight when mixing can be easier, cleaner and more accurate than using volume When I took my lab classes in college we measured our liquids by weight for greatest accuracy. When I mix by weight I often mix right in the bottle leaving little or no clean up and it is accomplished much quicker than pouring in to a measuring device and then in to the bottle.

Both ways work, I just find using weight much easier and more likely to produce the same result time after time. I have seen several people here (including myself) start out measuring by volume and switch to using weight. I have never once heard some one say they didn't like weighing better and switch to volume.

@Capt.shay thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge!
The less mess of mixing straight into the bottle on the scale sounds great to me. I can see how it would be more accurate too.

 

[CbrVapeRR]

Each mixing method has advocates. I prefer mixing by weight because it is easy to me and fewer consumables to be repurchased. As far as transfer goes it will depend on method you choose. It is relatively easy to simply break nic base up into smaller glass bottles pouring straight from the container. For juice making I usually mix right into the bottle, not in a beaker or flask.

I am usually making larger batches and just use a plastic funnel as the vg doesn't stick to the plastic as bad as it does glass.

For glass bottles for storage I have bought from heartland vapes and bcv. I thought the prices at heartland were pretty good and shipping was a little better, it has been a while. I buy large quantities of 10&50ml Ldpe bottles on eBay fairly cheap 50-100 at a time. Many in here can share some links about buying glass bottles in bulk. Just make sure the caps are good before you buy a bunch. Some caps are kinda wonky and strip or are just leaky.

sketchness, great info thank you! I plan on buying brown glass 120ml bottles to transfer the nic into for freezer storage. Good heads up on vg not sticking to plastic as much as glass as I like a max vg juice. Thanks for the ldpe on eBay idea.

 

[CbrVapeRR]

Let's talk about fuel: A) Airplanes load their fuel by weight, not volume. The density changes with temperature, so 10 gallons at 60F is not 10 gallons at 100F. B) You know that when you fill your gas tank in the summer, you are getting less gas than you do if you fill it in the winter? Check this out: http://www.consumerwatchdog.org/resources/DPReportHotFuelUSAJune07.pdf That is the "Hot Fuel Premium" which cost consumers an estimated US$1.5 Billion in 2007 since they were paying for fuel they did not actually receive.

Let's talk about food: American recipes typically have volume for certain dry ingredients. For example, 2 cups of flour. Humidity and type of flour are pretty big factors affecting how much flour that actually is. I actually get annoyed when I have recipes that call for a tablespoon of a chopped herb. Come on, the size of your pieces and whether you pack it or not, or maybe your basil has been in the fridge for a few days and is not freshly picked, so it's a little wilted... but then I remember it doesn't matter. You adjust for your taste.

It may seem stupid to you, but your point is not relevant. It just does not matter. I know I am not changing your mind, but when I hear what you are saying, I hear "Why would you do something that you find to be much easier and has the same result, when instead you can do something that you find more tedious because of a point that does not matter? It's stupid.".

As far as the OP, I think you should try each method and find what works for you. If you like using volume, have at it! If you like using weight, welcome to the Dark Side! I must admit that I mix my base by weight (61% VG/39% PG at 3.65 mg aiming for 50/50 3mg with flavors), and I add my base to my bottle by weight. Screw measuring VG by volume. I then add my flavors and PG to get my goal with syringes, although I still have the bottle on the scale and check the weights. Which... guess what? Pretty spot on, generally within .05 grams. I just find it easier to add flavors with syringes as opposed to pipettes.

I mix my mixing techniques! Oh, the horror!

Girod, you bring up some very good points as well. I think measuring by weight definatly is the more precise way to go, but there will be a learning curve for me, or I need a cheat sheet to convert liquid measure to grams. Thank you for your input. All this info is helping me greatly!

 

[AndriaD]

@Capt.shay thank you for your time and sharing your knowledge!
The less mess of mixing straight into the bottle on the scale sounds great to me. I can see how it would be more accurate too.

I do support the mixing straight into the bottle -- less waste, and less cleanup afterward -- just syringes to flush.

I suppose mixing by weight may be more *precise* -- but .01 ml is precise enough for me; I don't get anywhere near that precise in my cooking (dab of this, splash of that, etc). I'm not going to buy some fancy scale for god knows how much money when syringes are DIRT CHEAP on Amazon. Mixing by weight would also require -- GAHHHHH!!! -- math -- to convert all the given liquid measures to their approximate weight. Thx, I'll pass on that. A day without math, to me, is a GREAT day.

Andria

 

[Girod]

No need to take it personally, I certainly didn't. She said she felt that mixing by weight is stupid. Not that you or I are stupid. I have enjoyed Andrias post for quite some time now and even run an Achilles on her recommendation. I just dissagree with her on this point.

BTW: On the farm we sold the raw milk by the pound in to the tank truck

Oh I don't take it personally, maybe it comes through stronger on forums. It's just that it's not a stupid idea. In the TFA thread awhile back when a little war started over this, perhaps I seemed more upset about it than I was. I believe I crossed swords with Andria then too, but it's all good. I have no problem with her @AndriaD

I concede the point that if you are working with dry goods, and it is extremely important to be accurate, you should weigh. Liquid by volume, on the other hand, is slightly different. See the gasoline study from above, if it were dispensed by weight, it would be more accurate due to temperature causing volume variations. I would say it depends on the situation, what your margin of error is and what are the knowns and unknowns.

My scale was less than $10. No math required, just use my calculator, even though I mix my final product using both weight and volume. The Juice Calculator has both. I did have to use math to figure out what my base should be mixed at in order to arrive at 50/50 3mg after adding flavors, but that does not have anything to do with weight.

 

[Bootiewootsy]

I must be the strange one here..lol I mix my pg & vg by the ratio I want, then add the nic to my ratio which is in a glass bottle.. A rather large bottle. When I want to make me a batch of a certain flavor, I just get out the big bottle, put the amount I want into the smaller glass bottle, then add the flavor to my liking...Then replace the larger bottle in the fridge...

 

[Dixie1954]

And I will add I use the OMG DROP method when adding flavorings to my measured by liquid bases whether nic or non nic. The greatest thing I have learned by DIYing my own juices is that there are many ways to do almost anything - even vaping. I say do it which ever way you find the BEST for YOU. We can all agree that it saves Money. so Vape on

 

[CbrVapeRR]

And I will add I use the OMG DROP method when adding flavorings to my measured by liquid bases whether nic or non nic. The greatest thing I have learned by DIYing my own juices is that there are many ways to do almost anything - even vaping. I say do it which ever way you find the BEST for YOU. We can all agree that it saves Money. so Vape on

Nicely said

 

[sisu]

A few resources:
Amber Bottles
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AV16H0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085W96U0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I4ABY4E?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Scale
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UGBG20?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

DIY Calculator
http://ejuice.breaktru.com/

 

[CbrVapeRR]

A few resources:
Amber Bottles
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000AV16H0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0085W96U0?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00I4ABY4E?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

Scale
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B005UGBG20?psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_search_detailpage

DIY Calculator
http://ejuice.breaktru.com/

Thanks, great prices on Amber bottles