Taking the plunge. Have a plan. Looking for critical thoughts.

[Bob Chill]

I've become pretty comfortable taking the plunge and going DIY. I've read a ton already so I'm not looking for a 101 class or anything.

First thing is storing the nic base. I'm not getting caught with my pants down this fall. Even if nothing happens I'll be totally happy with a multi year supply in the freezer. I already ordered some 36mg/ml & 60mg/ml in 50/50 blend from myfreedom smokes for practice. I didn't want to touch 100mg yet until I have a steady hand and sharp mind with the process. I already have the juicemeup calc and watch several vids on it. Great and simple to use program from what I can tell.

I want to order 1L of 100mg nic base in 100% pg (I prefer juice in the 50/50 to 70/30 range and I heard pg is better for freezing). Wizard labs is sold out. I was thinking about RTS, Nude Nic, or MyFreedom as a supplier. Is there a wrong choice here? Is there a better choice here? My mind and eyes hurt from looking at vendors and reading the forum. I just want to get this part over with. I'm not a low price nut. I just want a fair deal and a good product. Any held here would be great.

I'm going to buy 120ml amber bottles with phenolic polyseal caps to break the liter into. I have a large icebox so space isn't a problem at all. My plan was to break the liter down into 120ml bottles for long term storage. 120ml seems like a good size to work with after a thaw. Is this a smart move or is there a better way?

As far as sterilization goes, is boiling the bottles before filling them the only thing I need to do? I'm hesitant to use any type of soap or solvent before boiling so I would prefer to simply boil if that works.

Supplies are a little overwhelming. RTS looks pretty good for the nuts and bolts. I think I know what to get (other than some pg and vg) but I'm curious as to what the pros on here prefer to use. I'll probably mix mostly 15-30ml bottles at a time. I don't mind plastic for shelf storage. What are your favorite syringes, pipettes, and funnels?

Sorry for the long post. I've put a lot of thought and reading time into this purchase. I'm quite analytical by nature and just want to get the first big order done with so I can move on the flavors....oh man is the flavor part a head spinner...lol

TIA!

 

[bnrkwest]

I always store my nic at 30 mg level or less just for safety. So if i get 60 nic, I dilute to 30 nic. As for supplies, any will do. You can sterilize bottles, but I usually just rinse with vinegar and then water. Have fun! bnrk

 

[Hoosier]

Seems reasonable. I pull 120ml of my 100mg/ml out of the freezer each time I pull some out.

Boiling should work fine. I actually wash, with detergent, rinse in hot water then throw some 90% alcohol in...cap 'n shake... then uncap let them dry.

I like 1ml & 5ml BD syringes (bulk packaged) and the 10ml oral syringes at Walgreens.

The only time I use pipettes is for liquid transfer so I don't use funnels and don't measure with pipettes, so cheap and easy are my two thoughts on pipettes.

 

[Bob Chill]

Thanks guys. Sounds like I'm not too far off track with my thought process. I'm making juice for 2 (wifey loves vaping) and probably some friends as well. 120ml/100mg definitely has some mileage but it won't sit on my shelf for too long once it's thawed.

Is it smart to dilute down once the bottle thaws. Something like 50mg/ml for easier mixing? It appears logical that 100mg/ml might be more difficult to measure out when making 15-30ml bottles. More prone to error because of the small quantity required in a small batch? Or makes little difference as long as I'm careful with my measurements?

 

[Hoosier]

?...18mg/ml target in a 30ml bottle is 5.4ml of 100mg/ml...? What is a small quantity?

I might put 0.02ml of a single flavoring in that same 30ml bottle. The 100mg/ml nicotine seems huge in comparison to me...

 

[Bob Chill]

I'm a #'s guy Hoosier but for whatever weird reason I was thinking 100mg was stronger than it really is.

Any opinion on RTS nic base? I'm thinking about placing an order of nic, basic flaves, pg/vg, bottles, and syringes etc. I like one stop shopping. Amazon has great prices with bottles but we're only talking a couple bucks so I'm not worried about it.

 

[Hoosier]

I have many opinions, but many of them I don't share publicly. That includes mine on RTS.

 

[LaWatusi]

I've been waiting for Wizard labs to restock their nic liquid, too. The other day I noticed that High Desert stocks Wizard's nic. I picked up 120ml. I just checked, and all they have left is 30ml. It might be a good place to keep an eye on when Wizard sells out again.