I've been mixing my own juice for a while, and recently was asked the reason for nicotine levels being numbers like 6,12,18,24 and so on. It got me wondering, because I use 100mg nicotine and make mine at 10,15,20mg simply because the math seems to be easier with a decimal system like milliliters. It just seems more complicated mathematically to me to use anything else unless, I suppose, you're mixing in bulk. If anyone could help me with this question, I would at least be able to answer the next person that asks me.
This may seem like a dumb question, but....
- Thread starter msc1223
- Start date
- th_trl_thread_readers 0
- Status
I think someone arbitrarily decided those at some point. The difference between 12 and 13 is negligible, so someone eventually devised intervals with noticeable differences. It must have stuck. But that's the great thing about DIY, pimp yo mix to whatevah ya like guy.
It could be an inventory issue.
With 5 mg intervals you would have 6 levels from zero through 25 but with zero through 24 at 6 mg intervals you only have 5 levels.
For a vendor with 50 flavors and picking a random number of say 100 bottles of each strength per batch, that's 5000 less bottles of juice to make and stock per run.
With 5 mg intervals you would have 6 levels from zero through 25 but with zero through 24 at 6 mg intervals you only have 5 levels.
For a vendor with 50 flavors and picking a random number of say 100 bottles of each strength per batch, that's 5000 less bottles of juice to make and stock per run.
Tailoring my nic is one of the reasons I started DIY in the first place. I found the drop from 18mg to 12mg too big. I think those vendor nic levels are one of those throwback things likening nic levels to smoking. Heavy smoker is 24mg or higher, medium is 18mg and light is 12, extra light is 12 or below...something like that.
We pretty much know now that it depends on more than that. Delivery devices make a big difference.
We pretty much know now that it depends on more than that. Delivery devices make a big difference.
I have thought on this subject as well... knowing that in the beginning of vaping, back when, there were no studies to say how much nicotine was absorbed from the vapor the atomizers created, I had the thought that perhaps it was easiest to divide the 100mg nicotine concentrate into quarters and add PG/VG in the %s the makers chose... that gives you 4 groups of 25mg - and 24 & 25 can be divided pretty easily by 6, 5, 4, 3, and 2 giving you (easily) the levels they chose (6, 12, 24, 36). Perhaps they just halved the initial 100mg nicotine a couple times to come up with those levels, too - (and dropped the partial mls ?? lol)
I found when mixing up some batches in my goal of eliminating the nicotine from my e-juices, that I had no problem with a drop of 4 or 5mg in each level - of course it helps to become familiar with the e-juice calculators along the way - haha. Oft times when I'm in the market for some more nicotine for my DIYing, the 100mg is sold out, but they have 60mg - so I buy that because it too can be divided easily into different levels, ie: 12mg is 20% of the 60mg, so I just multiply my total juice mix (# of mls) by the 20% (Xml x .20) to get the # of mls of 60mg nicotine to add to the mix (to end up with 12mg nicotine).
NancyB
p.s. I found the first 2-3 days after dropping down to the next level of nicotine, I'd have a craving for a higher nic level - so I would not use up ALL my juice in one level before attempting the next level.. then I could take a few puffs off the higher level and be happy with that, and later in the day return to the lower level again - that saved me many times... a couple days down the road, I was no longer 'needing' that higher level. I was dropping about 4-5mgs to the next level in the process.
Last edited:
According to starter type ecig forums I have read 6mg ,12mg, 18 mg and 24mg are suppose to math the different nic levels of different anolog smokes.
Some of these sites such as V2 have recomendations of mg. levels to match pack a day smokers of such and such anologs.
Some of these sites such as V2 have recomendations of mg. levels to match pack a day smokers of such and such anologs.
To me the nicotine content don't matter much as long as it taste good. I vape 18mg and my mixes can vari from 14 - 20mg and I really don't notice the difference. The best advice is use common sense and don't look for a main stream solution because there is none. Follow your taste. If it taste good to you then you did it right.
Same thing can be said for flavoring. I often here "the recipe calls for 5% and I needed to add 10%" to get it to taste good. I must have done something wrong. Well I say if it taste good at 10% then it's correct. The other guy who said add 5% has sensitive taste buds and that may work for him but not for me.
Same thing can be said for flavoring. I often here "the recipe calls for 5% and I needed to add 10%" to get it to taste good. I must have done something wrong. Well I say if it taste good at 10% then it's correct. The other guy who said add 5% has sensitive taste buds and that may work for him but not for me.
Danny when I quit smoking I noticed a HUGE difference in my mood when I stepped down to 18 mg. I was absolutely horrible to be around. So, upped it to 24 again with a quickness. Now I've decided if I can make it to 6 months without picking up a Newport again, I will begin the step-down, but a lot more gradual than 6 mg jumps.
When I quit smoking 24 was good for me but as time went on and my body adjusted I actually stepped it down from 24 to 18 because the vape was getting to harsh. I stayed at 75/25/18mg for a while and then that was getting to harsh so I went to 50/50/18mg and now it seems to be getting harsh again so I may be stepping down to 50/50/12mg soon. And through all this I've been fine with and have had no cravings with the lesser NIC.
Last edited:
That's my plan. Babysteps. Otherwise I know me, I'll be restarting that banner back at 0 days and paying big money for Newports again.
- Status
