Well I finally pulled the trigger

[k2zs]

So, a local mod maker had a line of juices that I really liked but has discontinued them. He favored Menthols and my 2 ADV's were Real Menthol and Black Ice. Real Menthol was a mix of menthol and mints with a sweet finish and Black Ice was a Black Licorice/Menthol blend that was out of this world!

So today I went to RTS and ordered up their DIY Product Sampler and several 10ml bottles of mint/menthol flavors (tfa). I also ordered 1 10ml bottle of Black Licorice (fw) but not sure if it's a natural root or a candy flavor.

The DIY sampler doesn't say what size the bottles of nic/pg/vg are or what strength the nic is but it looks to be maybe 60ml bottles, how best to store these once they arrive? In a fridge or just in a cool dark cabinet?

I'm really stoked and looking forward to starting my DIY adventure. I got the eJuiceMeUp calculator and will be trying the Menthol recipe that came with the calculator first. I'm thinking that by adding some of my mint flavors, I may be able to make a suitable replacement for my favorite Real Menthol liquid

 

[Caterpiller]

Good luck with your DIY adventure.

I wouldn't worry too much about storage condition for your sample set. I'd imagine you'll use it all up before it goes bad.

The PG, VG and flavourings really don't need special storage.

To keep nic base at it's best most recommend keeping it in the freezer. For 60ml I wouldn't bother.

I've been keeping mine in a dark place out of direct sunlight, but as it's in my office the temperature spikes every weekend when the air con is turned off.

Had it there for a couple of months now without any noticeable degrading.

The nic base has gone from completely clear to clear-ish with a hint of yellow, which I suspect is due to oxidation over time, and as I've opened the bottle several times when making new batches.

Still tastes exactly a it did when new.

I do plan to retest the nic base strength at the end of October, as I'm interested to see if nic degrading is actually occurring in these less than ideal storage conditions.

It's 100mg and tested at 94mg on arrival, so it will be interesting to see how it tests for the second time.

I'm vaping mainly unflavoured, but have made a few flavoured batches. It's a bit hit and miss for me. You'll find not all flavours are equal.

One will only provide a hint of flavour at 10%, another will overwhelm the batch at 2%.

It's a lot of trial and error.

Have fun and enjoy the process

 

[sketchness]

Welcome to the jungle! Everyone has an opinion but only your counts. I bought a lot of flavors that everyone likes. Me not so much. But I mix that stuff for friends and they love it! It is always awesome mixing up 50mls for a couple bucks and not paying 20 or more.

Share your successes and failures! But mostly have fun.

 

[DingerCPA]

Yay @k2zs! I've been DIYing for about a year now. Me it.

I am a follower in the TFA thread. I also have some CAP flavorings. I have had great success with the TFA recipes I follow. One of my faves is based on black licorice....

Absinthe (Black Licorice) - 15%
Sweetener/Ethyl Maltol - 4%
Menthol - 1%
Sweet Cream - 3%

It's amazing right when mixed. I have noticed if it sits for any extended length of time (month or so) the licorice flavor starts to fade.

Have a blast!

 

[dannyv45]

it's ok to store your base and NIC in the refrigerator for short term storage. It will stay nice and clear for months. For long term storage of NIC solution store it in the freezer in glass bottles.

As far as starting out. Research recommended flavor percentages and start with the lowest percentage and work up. Do each flavor individually so you can gauge how much you need when combining. TFA Mints and menthols are powerful stuff so start at half a percent. Make 10ml test samples so you don't waste materials.

If you don't know what the mg strength of the NIC is thats a problem so contact the vendor and find out. you don't want to be vaping 60mg straight you'll want to dilute it to your regular vaping strength.

For more help and research may I recommend the following resources:

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DYI, from steeping to what supplies to have on hand to a basic walk through mixing your first E-juice.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

Then read hoosier's blogs. These blogs concentrate on fine tuning your mix and give insight on additives.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

Then read Boletus's blog's. These blogs concentrate on formulation of nicotine bases regarding proper calculations methods for figuring Nicotine concentration as well as safety.

E-Cigarette Forum - Boletus - Blogs

Then read Ginger's book "E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid". It is a book which I've contributed to that delivers an in depth easy to follow guide in the art of DYI.

E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid

I recommend viewing VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety and bookmark it for future reference. It explains safety in all aspects of DYI.

VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety

List of suppliers and other useful links courtesy of ECF Member Sir2fyablyNutz

List of suppliers and other useful links | E-Cigarette Forum

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

this will explain a lot of the how's and why's.

Good luck and happy vaping.

 

[dannyv45]

it's ok to store your base and NIC in the refrigerator for short term storage. It will stay nice and clear for months. For long term storage of NIC solution store it in the freezer in glass bottles.

As far as starting out. Research recommended flavor percentages and start with the lowest percentage and work up. Do each flavor individually so you can gauge how much you need when combining. TFA Mints and menthols are powerful stuff so start at half a percent. Make 10ml test samples so you don't waste materials.

If you don't know what the mg strength of the NIC is thats a problem so contact the vendor and find out. you don't want to be vaping 60mg straight you'll want to dilute it to your regular vaping strength.

For more help and research may I recommend the following resources:

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DYI, from steeping to what supplies to have on hand to a basic walk through mixing your first E-juice.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

Then read hoosier's blogs. These blogs concentrate on fine tuning your mix and give insight on additives.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

Then read Boletus's blog's. These blogs concentrate on formulation of nicotine bases regarding proper calculations methods for figuring Nicotine concentration as well as safety.

E-Cigarette Forum - Boletus - Blogs

Then read Ginger's book "E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid". It is a book which I've contributed to that delivers an in depth easy to follow guide in the art of DYI.

E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid

I recommend viewing VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety and bookmark it for future reference. It explains safety in all aspects of DYI.

VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety

List of suppliers and other useful links courtesy of ECF Member Sir2fyablyNutz

List of suppliers and other useful links | E-Cigarette Forum

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

this will explain a lot of the how's and why's.

Opps my bad, pressed reply instead of edit.... disregard.

 

[k2zs]

Yay @k2zs! I've been DIYing for about a year now. Me it.

I am a follower in the TFA thread. I also have some CAP flavorings. I have had great success with the TFA recipes I follow. One of my faves is based on black licorice....

Absinthe (Black Licorice) - 15%
Sweetener/Ethyl Maltol - 4%
Menthol - 1%
Sweet Cream - 3%

It's amazing right when mixed. I have noticed if it sits for any extended length of time (month or so) the licorice flavor starts to fade.

Have a blast!

Thanks Dinger,

Yea, that sounds good. I really like Zen's Black Ice but as I have the last 50ml bottle in known existence I'm really looking forward to trying my hand at it. Right now, it's my "special occasion" vape and I've been using it sparingly.

Been playing with eJuiceMeUp all morning and have 3 recipes ready for when my stuff arrives. I'm working out-of-town this week until Thursday so hopefully there's a nice surprise in my mailbox when I return

 

[k2zs]

So my order says it was delivered today and RTS messed up. The USPS tracking says "Left with Individual" but I left explicit instructions in my order that it be left with my apartment complex office. Now I'm either out my 38 bucks or I have to wait another week to get it. I really want to call my bank and have the transaction reversed...

I hate ordering on-line...

 

[k2zs]

Well, my order did finally show up. A neighbor must have accepted it but didn't bother bringing it to me until Friday morning when I found it outside my door. No clue as to who had it but I'm glad it showed up...

So I mixed my first batch and am very pleased with the outcome. I can certainly see me never paying 25 bucks for a bottle of juice again Now the quest to expand my flavoring inventory begins