Using Citric Acid in DIY

[Whiplash]

Sorry, I know nothing about nic salts. I'm content with my juice. The only reason I use CA is for flavor enhancement.
Was the salt supposed to dissolve and go into solution with the CA and nic base?

 

[IDJoel]

8 pounds? that's nearly 40 liters the way I use it.

Truth be told; that is all used as a cleaner.

I only made one attempt at using it in e-liquid and the results were not what I was hoping for (severe coil gunking). I will be first to admit, I had no clue as to what I was supposed to be doing, so I blame myself... and not the CA! If I ever find a more definitive "how to," then I would give it another try.

 

[Whiplash]

If I ever find a more definitive "how to," then I would give it another try.

I can't answer to the coil gunking; I may be more tolerant than others.
If you want to give it a try again, I'v been using a 10% solution (1 gram : 10ml PG). A little heat helps dissolve the CA.
Add 1 or 2% of this to your DIY. It works well for me.

 

[kas122461]

I can't answer to the coil gunking; I may be more tolerant than others.
If you want to give it a try again, I'v been using a 10% solution (1 gram : 10ml PG). A little heat helps dissolve the CA.
Add 1 or 2% of this to your DIY. It works well for me.

The way you are using it is what I was remembering from several years ago. It had nothing to do with Nic salts. I have never tried it but always wanted to. I am going to save your recommendation's for later so I can find it when I get some.

KAS

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

Sorry, I know nothing about nic salts. I'm content with my juice. The only reason I use CA is for flavor enhancement.
Was the salt supposed to dissolve and go into solution with the CA and nic base?

I think at first that was the idea, but now that one can DIY their preferences, I would think that any way you can get it in is ok. The salts are suppose to interact with the freebase nicotine and give a more defined delivery of nic to your system while also allowing for a smoother hit. At least that is my partial understanding. finding out it is also a flavor preserver can only enhance the longevity of your ejuice.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I can't answer to the coil gunking; I may be more tolerant than others.
If you want to give it a try again, I'v been using a 10% solution (1 gram : 10ml PG). A little heat helps dissolve the CA.
Add 1 or 2% of this to your DIY. It works well for me.

I am using the same formula except using dw. And my initial try was at 20%(1 part CA to 5 parts dw) as suggested by Vermont Vapor. And then further diluted down to a mixable solution. This is because my nic base is 100%vg and I use DW to dilute no nic vg to a more user friendly consistency. But this last bottle I just mixed, I made your solution so I could try it that way. I don't think how it gets in there will alter anything in any way.
just my two pennies.

 

[pwmeek]

If you can trust the Liggett researchers (cited above), the nic salts vs. the freebase nicotine boils down to slower absorption in the salts form. I would think that this is exactly the opposite effect to what is desired by vapers who are using vaping to stay off the smokies. Faster absorption is closer to the effect of smoking.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

If you can trust the Liggett researchers (cited above), the nic salts vs. the freebase nicotine boils down to slower absorption in the salts form. I would think that this is exactly the opposite effect to what is desired by vapers who are using vaping to stay off the smokies. Faster absorption is closer to the effect of smoking.

Sorry pwmeek, that is not and was not my experience. I got a head rush like I did when I first starting smoking. And I felt like I did when I first started smoking. I decided I did not like to feel that way, so I am only using it in one tank and hitting it maybe 1 or 2 times a day. I continue to vape my freebase nic in my other tanks and do not get the same reaction.

 

[ChelsB]

My CA is arriving tomorrow! Can't wait to try it!

 

[ChelsB]

I have a 2 lb bag of citric acid in hand and I’m about to mix with it!
Since I failed to buy a pH pen, I’ll start with 1 drop of CA/PG per 10ml of ejuice

 

[ChelsB]

Funny, someone else just asked me about this in a PM today.

Nic salts are smoother than regular nic. People use them just because they are smoother, or also to allow high nic strength without such a harsh hit. For example the Juul uses 50mg nic salts. Higher nic is good for folks who are just starting to get off the stinkies.

Here is what I told the other member in my PM.

I used the Vermont Vapors recipe as a base:
Formerly Vermont Vapor, Inc. - Recipes

https://www.amazon.com/Milliard-Cit...F8&qid=1512756350&sr=8-4&keywords=citric+acid

Only I used pg instead of distilled water, which was a lot harder dissolve, I had to heat it up some to finally get it all dissolved. I mixed 100g of CA with 100ml of PG, and then poured it into a bottle to use as an ingredient in mixes.

What I have found is that the amount needed (expressed as a % in the juice recipe) varies depending on the strength (mgml) of the nic. I cant say just add X% to your juice. It differs on whether you are mixing 6mg or 24mg, etc.

Where I finally landed was adding "as needed" and just drizzled it in while stirring until I achieved a certain ph level. Usually about 7.5ph. But you can go up or down from there. pH just proved to be the best way to adjust for varying nic strengths.

Also, if you titrate your nic to validate strength, do it BEFORE you add the CA. Titration doesnt work on Nic salts. I will titrate my 100mg concentrate to validate (since I am starting with pure 99.9% undiluted nic and making my own 100mg nic), and then use that 100mg concentrate in my mixes and then add the CA until I achieve the proper pH.

I just use a pH pen similar to this:
https://www.amazon.com/Newdy-Aquari...ie=UTF8&qid=1512757505&sr=8-8&keywords=pH+pen

I bought a more high end one, but the above would work fine.

I just realized I failed to purchase a pH pen. Is it absolutely necessary? I’m using 100 mg VG nic.

 

[zoiDman]

I have a 2 lb bag of citric acid in hand and I’m about to mix with it!

Queue the Horns. da ta DA!

Let the Cleaning Commence !!!

LOL

 

[mikepetro]

I just realized I failed to purchase a pH pen. Is it absolutely necessary? I’m using 100 mg VG nic.

"necessary", probably not, but I dont know how to get repeatable results otherwise, unless you are using the exact same recipe every time and only changing the acid variable as you experiment.

 

[ChelsB]

"necessary", probably not, but I dont know how to get repeatable results otherwise, unless you are using the exact same recipe every time and only changing the acid variable as you experiment.

Just wanted to be sure it’s not dangerous doing without. I’m going to order one today

 

[ChelsB]

Queue the Horns. da ta DA!

Let the Cleaning Commence !!!

LOL

I’m already using it for my damn cloudy glasses, per your suggestion. It can even be used in laundry! I love multi use products!
Here’s what I ended up with

 

[mikepetro]

I use to clean my espresso machine stuff. In fact, thats why I already had some in the house before I ever dreamed of putting it in ejuice.

 

[zoiDman]

I’m already using it for my damn cloudy glasses, per your suggestion. It can even be used in laundry! I love multi use products!
Here’s what I ended up with

And the Doubly Cool thing about is your Not Pouring something Toxic down the Drain.

I don't like use Some of those Hard Water Cleaners like Lime-a-Way or CLR unless I really have to.

 

[Sugar_and_Spice]

I have a 2 lb bag of citric acid in hand and I’m about to mix with it!
Since I failed to buy a pH pen, I’ll start with 1 drop of CA/PG per 10ml of ejuice

Let us know how it turns out.

 

[ChelsB]

Let us know how it turns out.

I most certainly will!

 

[ChelsB]

I ended up buying the pH meter recommended by @mikepetro. My question is does it make a big difference whether or not I use distilled water to calibrate it with the included pH buffer powder?
ETA: should I use only half of each powder so I can calibrate in a few months? Or is once enough?

ETA #2: instructions aren’t crystal clear. I submerge the pH pen to where my finger is, correct?