starting DIY research

[MidwestMom]

ok so I know some of you volties out there are also DIY juice makers... I've been reading up on this information for about a week or so and seems like the way I'm eventually am going to go I do have plenty of engineering and chemistry knowledge under my belt so I shouldn't blow anything up hahahaha

I made a post on the DIY Liquid forum but eh well I love my voltie buddies and want your opinions

I mean I already make my own flavoring extracts for baking for some flavors I know I'm picky hahaha I like to know what I'm consuming


I think the control and ability to make consistent flavors (flavors from vendors not always consistent I've noticed...) is whats drawing me the most... I know this isn't for everyone and initial set up could get expensive but i got some connections that can get me some things for less than normal cost

the main things I'm seeing would be a
nic base PG solution ((I'm VG Sensative remember))
VG so I can add just the amount i want that won't irritate me

flavors - already use Lorann flavors for baking saw them on the list of decent ones


beakers
syringes
bottles
caps ...
gloves ((though i wouldn't be working with any heavy duty nicquid not my style))

and yes I posted this once in the DIY forum like i said I love you guys and lots more people are active here

 

[Basilor]

I'm thinking of doing some basic DIY also, since my vaping tastes have been pretty basic.

Would almost rather talk to some of the people in here, than get overwhelmed in other forums.

I am interested in some basic 12mg 70/30 PG/VG flavors. So I am interested in what others here have to say.

Mark

 

[gentlemancole]

I started mixing my own a week ago, and I'm having an absolute blast. As an avid home cook, there's just something about nailing the flavor you're going for that is really exciting! Here was my shopping list:

Totally Wicked Platinum Ice 54mg/mL E-Liquid - $32.99
You can order this juice in PG or VG, and imparts very little flavor to the juice, which is exactly what you're looking for.

Totally Wicked PG/AG USP - $3.99 to $8.99
Great prices on PG or AG(VG) to dilute your nicquid to your preferred level.

Sunburst Bottle
I ordered a variety of amber glass rounds to store my mixes. Blank return address labels from your local office store work great for labels!

Also, I suggest picking up a syringe and some disposable pipettes to get you going. You can get these from Walgreens with relative ease.

I'm thinking of doing some basic DIY also, since my vaping tastes have been pretty basic.

Would almost rather talk to some of the people in here, than get overwhelmed in other forums.

I am interested in some basic 12mg 70/30 PG/VG flavors. So I am interested in what others here have to say.

Mark

For flavors, I went with The Flavor Apprentice. You can pick up 4mL samples for $1.40, on average. I ordered a smorgasbord of flavors, and I haven't really been let down yet!

 

[bluecat]

Saw some of what you posted. I didn't read the rest of thread though.

One reason I started DIY is the inconsistency of the product I was receiving.

I started a few back. I got 4 flavorings (Flavorart) RY4, 555, Vanilla and Menthol. A 250 ml bottle of niquid premixed 50/50 at 6 mg. 4 syringes some blunt needles and that was it.

I drop.. screw the measuring.. and make in small batches. 5 ml ( I have a ton of sample bottles left over). 1 drop would be around 1/20th of a ml. Any variation at that small of a unit of measurement should cause fluctuations. So forget that. I am still figuring things out with it. Too much flavoring and it turns out nasty.

One thing I wish I would have got is some sweetener.. maybe malta.

Now I just need to buy some patience somewhere.

 

[gentlemancole]

Saw some of what you posted. I didn't read the rest of thread though.

One reason I started DIY is the inconsistency of the product I was receiving.

I started a few back. I got 4 flavorings (Flavorart) RY4, 555, Vanilla and Menthol. A 250 ml bottle of niquid premixed 50/50 at 6 mg. 4 syringes some blunt needles and that was it.

I drop.. screw the measuring.. and make in small batches. 5 ml ( I have a ton of sample bottles left over). 1 drop would be around 1/20th of a ml. Any variation at that small of a unit of measurement should cause fluctuations. So forget that. I am still figuring things out with it. Too much flavoring and it turns out nasty.

One thing I wish I would have got is some sweetener.. maybe malta.

Now I just need to buy some patience somewhere.

I've been having great luck with TFA Sweetener. 1% added to my sweet mixes gives it a nice sweetness that melds well with the other flavors.

 

[MidwestMom]

bluecat I know for baking I use ethyl maltol when I need just a hint of the right sweetness not sure if that would work for vaping...

I love SI's juices don't get me wrong if they come out with a bigger variety of flavors I'm all over that

but I love to experiment too

this will also let me customize my nic level drops as needed too

patience is a very hard commodity sometimes

 

[bluecat]

I've been having great luck with TFA Sweetener. 1% added to my sweet mixes gives it a nice sweetness that melds well with the other flavors.

TFA? Apprentice? Is that the Malta?

"bluecat I know for baking I use ethyl maltol when I need just a hint of the right sweetness not sure if that would work for vaping...
" From what I have read they suggest malta for sweetener to tobacco flavor and sulacrose (sp?) for others.

I am not really sure what each does.. I think the malta takes the sting out of the tobacco flavors but not sure what type of sweetener it is.

"this will also let me customize my nic level drops as needed too" Oh yes.. that is what I am testing next.

"patience is a very hard commodity sometimes " 40-50 years of my life. I am still trying to find some Why I do most thing myself. I can't wait for someone else to do it.

 

[gentlemancole]

TFA? Apprentice? Is that the Malta?

Yeah, The Flavor Apprentice! Sweetener is Sucralose.

 

[paddymx]

ok so I know some of you volties out there are also DIY juice makers... I've been reading up on this information for about a week or so and seems like the way I'm eventually am going to go I do have plenty of engineering and chemistry knowledge under my belt so I shouldn't blow anything up hahahaha

I made a post on the DIY Liquid forum but eh well I love my voltie buddies and want your opinions

I mean I already make my own flavoring extracts for baking for some flavors I know I'm picky hahaha I like to know what I'm consuming


I think the control and ability to make consistent flavors (flavors from vendors not always consistent I've noticed...) is whats drawing me the most... I know this isn't for everyone and initial set up could get expensive but i got some connections that can get me some things for less than normal cost

the main things I'm seeing would be a
nic base PG solution ((I'm VG Sensative remember)) Our Unflavored Smoke Juice (Nic. Juice, Nicotine Juice) - My Freedom Smokes
....... They also have PG VG until you are ready to buy in bulk

VG so I can add just the amount i want that won't irritate me

flavors - already use Lorann flavors for baking saw them on the list of decent ones


beakers Walmart has some at 15 ml - 150 ml in the glassware section near the measuring cups
syringes Amazon.com: 1 mL slip-tip disposable TB syringe, 100/bx: Health & Personal Care

do searches for other sizes and look for other quanities.
These things get sticky after awhile. You will need more than just a couple.
Don't forget blunt tip needles Amazon.com: blunt needles

bottles .......... Specialty Bottle - About Us
caps ........... If you call them you can get poly caps.
gloves ((though i wouldn't be working with any heavy duty nicquid not my style))

and yes I posted this once in the DIY forum like i said I love you guys and lots more people are active here

I have posted links inside your quote

 

[cindycated]

Don't know if you saw my posts in the Chit Chat thread:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...742-chit-chat-voltville-1156.html#post7261206
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...742-chit-chat-voltville-1164.html#post7278718

This one might be useful to read through:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...echniques-determining-flavor-percentages.html

You probably don't need a lot of lab gear. Maybe some surgical gloves and some syringes. I plan to mix right into the bottle (cuz I'm lazy that way) - saved from previous pre-mix orders. If you use these 1 ml syringes, you wouldn't have to use needles, they're thin enough to fit into the flavor bottles, and you can designate one for each flavor. I plan to pre-mix my base (dilute the nic with PG/VG), and store them in smaller cobalt blue glass bottles, so that I can just measure flavor and top off with base. Here's the juice calculator I plan to use: eJuiceMeUp

FYI, I went with Capella to start with because they have French Toast (the flavor I'm craving) and got the best reviews on Cheesecake, and the other flavors I wanted to try. For the flavors that I like, when TFA and Capella made it, Capella always came out ahead. Also, all of their liquids are water soluble and diacetyl-free. And this special deal didn't hurt either: Capella 5-pack Deal. Purchase one more item to spend over $20 and get 10% off (Use code DISC10), then $2 flat USPS shipping on top of that. LorAnn you have to be careful with, cuz some of their stuff doesn't play nice. If you read through the DIY forum, you'll see some stickies and some threads. FlavourArt is another good one to try.

Some people use EM for sweetening, but others say it doesn't really sweeten. So a lot of people use Sucralose (the pure stuff, not Splenda). But don't forget, a lot of these flavors are already sweet.

I get my stuff early next week. If any of this stuff has helped you, then yay, my neurosis has paid off!

 

[bluecat]

Oh wanted to ask, mom can you buy the ethyl malto crystal at a grocery store?

 

[Trainguy059]

Saw some of what you posted. I didn't read the rest of thread though.

One reason I started DIY is the inconsistency of the product I was receiving.

I started a few back. I got 4 flavorings (Flavorart) RY4, 555, Vanilla and Menthol. A 250 ml bottle of niquid premixed 50/50 at 6 mg. 4 syringes some blunt needles and that was it.

I drop.. screw the measuring.. and make in small batches. 5 ml ( I have a ton of sample bottles left over). 1 drop would be around 1/20th of a ml. Any variation at that small of a unit of measurement should cause fluctuations. So forget that. I am still figuring things out with it. Too much flavoring and it turns out nasty.

One thing I wish I would have got is some sweetener.. maybe malta.

Now I just need to buy some patience somewhere.

I'm really interested in getting into what I'll call lightweight DIY. I'm currently exclusively using the SI Ice Menthol and really like it.....way too much!. At the rate I'm going, the bank will be broken pretty quickly if I don't at least try the DIY route. I'd be especially interested in where you found the 50/50 6mg mix? That's exactly what I've looking for. (total newb question the answer to which is probably "You can find it everywhere-just look" or "It's easy to mix your own-just look") I have to admit I've only done some VERY preliminary looking around at this point. Enough to convince myself of two things. 1) I can have full control over what I vape and 2) I can save a ton of money doing it. So, if it's ok, I hang out here, listen and learn. Hopefully, one of these days, I'll actually be able to contribute something useful.

 

[1st Officer]

I'm really interested in getting into what I'll call lightweight DIY. I'm currently exclusively using the SI Ice Menthol and really like it.....way too much!. At the rate I'm going, the bank will be broken pretty quickly if I don't at least try the DIY route. I'd be especially interested in where you found the 50/50 6mg mix? That's exactly what I've looking for. (total newb question the answer to which is probably "You can find it everywhere-just look" or "It's easy to mix your own-just look") I have to admit I've only done some VERY preliminary looking around at this point. Enough to convince myself of two things. 1) I can have full control over what I vape and 2) I can save a ton of money doing it. So, if it's ok, I hang out here, listen and learn. Hopefully, one of these days, I'll actually be able to contribute something useful.

Like Paddy posted the easiest way to get going is get some unflavored juice from Freedom Smokes at whatever Nic/PG/VG levels you prefer and shop around for flavors because there are a lot of great ones to be had from many different vendors. Once you get comfortable with that method you will be ready yo make the leap to Xtreme or Wizard Labs (Like Cindy just did) and buy all the ingredients in bulk and then the real fun begins because the possibilities are only limited by your budget. I have about 30 different flavors on hand and mix small batches of 10 to 20ml at all different Nicotine levels. Not only did I successfully quit smoking after 35 years of trying and failing I picked up a fascinating new hobby that will at some point actually save me money but best of all I know exactly what I am putting into my lungs and where it came from! The good ole USA! Not knocking any of the juice from China because Desert Joe was instrumental in my success with quitting smoking and that I will always remember...

 

[MidwestMom]

actually I get most of my stuff online I don't shop much at stores lol I thinks it's a hang over from living out in the country for so long not used to being able to goto the stores readily

 

[1st Officer]

I'm with you on that, I do all my shopping on the internet too. You can't get more in the middle of nowhere than where I live. My town (pop.28 when everyones home) makes Hooterville look like a big city. I live on the side of a mountain with a 1/2 mile long driveway that goes straight up to 2400 ft. We do have a post office and a gas station/country store but that's it for about an hour and a half drive. Everything I posted is available via the WWW so if you would like the links I would be happy to provide them.

 

[nightfell]

I'm with you on that, I do all my shopping on the internet too. You can't get more in the middle of nowhere than where I live. My town (pop.28 when everyones home) makes Hooterville look like a big city. I live on the side of a mountain with a 1/2 mile long driveway that goes straight up to 2400 ft. We do have a post office and a gas station/country store but that's it for about an hour and a half drive. Everything I posted is available via the WWW so if you would like the links I would be happy to provide them.

I'd be interested in these links as well if it's not a bother.

 

[MidwestMom]

1st Officer sounds like my kind of place I moved back to my moms house when she got sick and soooo much NOISE here ugh...

links are good pm me if you want

 

[MidwestMom]

paddy I already get stuff from specialty bottles for cosmetics and stuff so that is totally doable

 

[MidwestMom]

CINDY you are awsome... I'll be doing a lot of reading up this weekend .... I love your neurosis thats why I posted this here becaus eI figured someone had to be as bad as me ... I'll probably do research till next paycheck this one is already dedicated to premix and some other things

gotta keep myself on my vape budget LOL's

 

[bluecat]

actually I get most of my stuff online I don't shop much at stores lol I thinks it's a hang over from living out in the country for so long not used to being able to goto the stores readily

Well I happen to live next to everything. I was trying to avoid the funny looks from the rest of my family. I'll check this weekend. Should be funny last time I was at the grocery was when I was 21 in college. I think I bought a shopping cart full of beer too.

thanks though. most of the thread say you can't.