VG + Distilled Water?

[sweetp]

Forgive me if this is a repeat question, but I've searched and can't quite find what I'm looking for. What I want to do is gradually lower my nicotine level every week or so. I'm starting this week with 18mg in 3 various flavors. Yesterday I bought glycerin from Walmart (hope this is vegetable glycerin - it doesn't say. ???), as well as a jug of distilled water. Some people seem to think that VG should be thinned out with DW or PGA and some say it doesn't - that adding the VG to nic juice thins it out enough. I really don't want to clog my attys so the answer to that is pretty important to me. Also, in the calculators I've seen - I need to specify a percentage of water and VG. How do I know how much to put???
I would just go the easy route and order some 0mg to cut the 18, but being from Canada, it seems pretty difficult to find suppliers with any stock and I really don't want to have to worry about customs.

 

[Jherek]

Hey Sweetp,

You can add distilled water to glycerin to thin it; I've done it. You really don't need to add very much, however. A few drops will thin glycerin nicely.

Much better than distilled water, though, in my experience, is to use a few drops of grain alcohol. Water, while it works alright, tends to reduce the vapor production - alcohol doesn't. If you can't get a hold of Everclear (which, depending on where it's sold, is from 75% to 95% pure), then your next best bet is to use the strongest vodka you can buy.

That said, though, some people report vaping e-juice/glycerin combinations without anything added as a thinner. My experience is that, while it's not absolutely necessary, it helps the juice wick into the atomizer better, if it's thinned, especially if you take frequent vapes.

Here is the approximate amounts used in my mix:

About 1.5 mil of 24 mg, unflavored e-juice.
About 8 mil VG.
about .25 mil Everclear.

Using this mix gives me excellent vapor and, thus far (knock on wood) very good atty life. I have had the same two 901 atomizers, which I switch every few drags, going strong since late November.

 

[sweetp]

Thanks for the info! So for about 10ml finished product you use about 80% VG??

 

[Dkrom68]

I usually us a VG base of 80% VG and 20% distilled and it seems just right. I make just VG juice with a touch of pg from flavors so a recipe is like this

25MG
10Ml
2.5 Ml VG Nic 25%
2 ML Flavor 20%
5.5 Ml VG Base 55%

 

[cruisedoc]

I agree, 20% DW to VG gives a nice viscosity. Some say pure VG based liquids clog attys, some say it doesn't. I've used a lot of 100% VG based juice and never had a problem (although most mfg. of VG juice add distilled water). I would start w/ 20% DW and then midify your next batch to taste. Sometimes 20% DW does seem a bit thin, so I'll say between 10-20%.

 

[cruisedoc]

I agree, 20% DW to VG gives a nice viscosity. Some say pure VG based liquids clog attys, some say it doesn't. I've used a lot of 100% VG based juice and never had a problem (although most mfg. of VG juice add distilled water). I would start w/ 20% DW and then midify your next batch to taste. Sometimes 20% DW does seem a bit thin, so I'll say between 10-20%.

 

[sweetp]

Awesome! Thanks everybody!

 

[Jherek]

Thanks for the info! So for about 10ml finished product you use about 80% VG??

Yeah, that's right. I tend to vape a lot, and prefer very low strength juice. I still use nicotine gum and lozenges as supplements, at times, too. Hard to break that habit!

 

[Kurt]

Yes, VG juices will tend to clog attys and make them sluggish and work too hard. If you try to vape against the sluggishness for too long, it can make the atty permanently sluggish where no amount of cleaning will help. It will also shorten their lives. At least for the 510 atty, and like the other 3-pieces ones too, but my experience is with the 510. Oh, and adding VG thickens a juice, it does not thin it, as it is thicker than PG, flavors, or water.

10% vodka is what I had been using for a while. Can't get PGA. The vodka does a very nice job of thinning and allowing flavors to be less "wrapped up" in the VG.

Trying 20% water now, inspired by cruisedoc, as I've decided I am not really interested in inhaling alcohol throughout the day and night. But then, I'm very sensitive to alcohol anyway...one beer is enough for me to be plenty buzzed. Others here might be the same way, or have quit alcohol entirely. Inhaled alcohol is actually rather impairing, and it requires very little for a significant effect. Ever used a brandy pipe? Even just 1 mL of brandy inhaled will mess you up!

So far I like the flavor and vapor better using vodka, but the difference is pretty small, and there is no loss of TH that I can tell. YMMV.

 

[sweetp]

Hmmmm. I've actually never considered the effects of inhaling the alcohol. Glad you brought it up cause I too am pretty sensitive to it. I think I'll just stick to my DW, at least for a while.

 

[Jherek]

Kurt makes some interesting (and alarming points). I think I'm gonna go over to DW.

 

[Kurt]

Indeed, I noted with some concern a general loss of motivation and productivity over the last several weeks. And slight dizziness and loss of equilibrium, both physical and mental. I had a head cold for a few days, but this was more like I felt slightly drugged...or drunk. I do computer chemistry research, as well as martial arts, and so slight changes in either environment are very noticeable, both from a physical, as well as mental standpoint. I am typically a rather driven person, thrive on very hard work and long hours. I've been vaping since Sept, and my productivity and physical training were both quite good for months. After searching on ECF as to when I started thinning my VG juices with vodka, I found the date and when I started feeling weird to be matched almost to the day I started using vodka. I don't drink in general though, so perhaps the effect was more pronounced for me. But since changing to DW, those issues have pretty much vanished. So I do think, at least for me, the vodka was affecting me. YMMV, but I do think it is something to consider.

 

[Dkrom68]

With the increasing concerns people talk about more and more Ive come to the conclusion the least amount of ingredients possible is best for me and the only thing in my recipes is VG nic juice, My DW - VG base and whatever is in my flavors. It seems you cant get away from PG if you like different flavors as its in most of them but I dont like to drink alcohol so why would I want to vape it.