I am pretty sure this question has been asked before, But I really want to get started in making e juice. Should I buy a kit? Or buy all the supplies individually? Also how much money will I need to get a good start. Thanks So much in advance.
Become a Patron!
First time DIY.
- Thread starter mark
- Start date
Start here:
http://vapingunderground.com/threads/what-do-i-need-to-begin-diy-simple-guide-with-links.2303/
There are lots of helpful posts to get you started in that forum!
http://vapingunderground.com/threads/what-do-i-need-to-begin-diy-simple-guide-with-links.2303/
There are lots of helpful posts to get you started in that forum!
Seanchai
Member For 4 Years
Member For 3 Years
Member For 2 Years
Member For 1 Year
Member For 5 Years
There are many ways to get started, and no one "right" way. I budgeted $150 to get started - that covered my nic, my PG and VG, and a wide selection of flavorings for me to play with. I wanted more flexibility than a kit would give me, so I bought my supplies individually. A lot depends on if you just want to dip your toe in, in which case a kit may be the way to go. I have four vapers in my family, so I knew that the cheapest way for *me* to do it would be to jump straight to a liter of nic, and to get enough flavorings that I could keep all four of us happy for a while. $150 bought enough nic to keep us vaping for ~10 years and enough PG/VG to last 4 months, plus about 6 months worth of flavorings. I've got a mile long list of other flavorings I'd *like* but there are none that I *need* to make something vapeable. Hope that helps.
RMarcusY
☮ Ambassador ☮
Staff member
Senior Moderator
VU Vendor Employee
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
I use Heartlandvapes, I trust them.
http://wholesale.heartlandvapes.com/diy-kit.html
http://wholesale.heartlandvapes.com/diy-kit.html
MrFixIt
Member For 4 Years
I get my supplies from two sources right now. Wizard labs for my nic and pg/vg,they also have tons of mixing equiptment. I use High Desert Vapes for my flavorings as they carry a good supply of organic flavorings by natures flavors most of them totally clear and very tasty. As for how much to get started with well that depends on you.
I started with a small supply of just a few flavorings to see if I would enjoy making and vaping my own liquids. That way if I wound up sucking at it, I wasn't out to much money.
There are tons of great recipes posted on line and very good e juice calculators to help you mix correctly. I'm currently using a calculator I got off google play store called 
e liquid calculator it has a picture of a penguin. It let's you save your creations and you can write notes on your recipes.
When you start out make small test batches of 1ml-3ml to taste that way if it's horrid you are not wasting your flavorings ect... Hope this helps and I wish you success in your mixing.
I started with a small supply of just a few flavorings to see if I would enjoy making and vaping my own liquids. That way if I wound up sucking at it, I wasn't out to much money.
There are tons of great recipes posted on line and very good e juice calculators to help you mix correctly. I'm currently using a calculator I got off google play store called 
e liquid calculator it has a picture of a penguin. It let's you save your creations and you can write notes on your recipes. When you start out make small test batches of 1ml-3ml to taste that way if it's horrid you are not wasting your flavorings ect... Hope this helps and I wish you success in your mixing.
i checked into kits when i started out.. everyone i talked with on FB said kits!!
but then i got to thinking.. if i am in it for the long haul, and i really want to learn..
i skipped the kit and bought everything i needed to make my own "kit"
but then i got to thinking.. if i am in it for the long haul, and i really want to learn..
i skipped the kit and bought everything i needed to make my own "kit"
I get my supplies from two sources right now. Wizard labs for my nic and pg/vg,they also have tons of mixing equiptment. I use High Desert Vapes for my flavorings as they carry a good supply of organic flavorings by natures flavors most of them totally clear and very tasty. As for how much to get started with well that depends on you.
I started with a small supply of just a few flavorings to see if I would enjoy making and vaping my own liquids. That way if I wound up sucking at it, I wasn't out to much money.
When you start out make small test batches of 1ml-3ml to taste that way if it's horrid you are not wasting your flavorings ect... Hope this helps and I wish you success in your mixing.
i checked into kits when i started out.. everyone i talked with on FB said kits!!
but then i got to thinking.. if i am in it for the long haul, and i really want to learn..
i skipped the kit and bought everything i needed to make my own "kit"
I believe my 1st purchase was around 75.00
I have been mixing now for over a year and a half..
next May makes 2 years for me..
I have purchased juice only a few times before i got started..
I now have anywhere from 2k+ invested..
however, that does not include my time nor my extracts i do myself.
I have been mixing now for over a year and a half..
next May makes 2 years for me..
I have purchased juice only a few times before i got started..
I now have anywhere from 2k+ invested..
however, that does not include my time nor my extracts i do myself.
I didn't do a kit either, but I already had syringes and empty vender bottles. I spent about $80 on 1 liter nic, pg, vg, and two 4oz flavors and included a couple 30ml bottles to get the order big enough for free shipping. That was last month. This month I just bought a few more flavors.
the choice between kit or no kit is that without a kit, you pick what you want..
not what is a limited amount.. if you are in for the long haul.
Make sure you pick out things you like.. if you want 2 flavors or more..
but.. what ever you do, learn your flavors.. one by one..
start at 1% and work up to where you like it..
then you can blend in more flavors to make a more complex recipe..
Gook Luck!
not what is a limited amount.. if you are in for the long haul.
Make sure you pick out things you like.. if you want 2 flavors or more..
but.. what ever you do, learn your flavors.. one by one..
start at 1% and work up to where you like it..
then you can blend in more flavors to make a more complex recipe..
Gook Luck!
the choice between kit or no kit is that without a kit, you pick what you want..
not what is a limited amount.. if you are in for the long haul.
Make sure you pick out things you like.. if you want 2 flavors or more..
but.. what ever you do, learn your flavors.. one by one..
start at 1% and work up to where you like it..
then you can blend in more flavors to make a more complex recipe..
Gook Luck!
you welcome!
Good info given. I suggest you pick two or three recipies I n these forums that appeal to you and order the flavors you need to make them and then go from there .
Smokeys suggestion of also mixing each individual flavor to "really get to know " your flavors is sage advice which very few DIY folks ever do, and this is what will eventually separate a DIY recipie "copier" from those that can make new juices at a whim.
Either way, it's a great hobby and a money saver and will keep you from getting bored with three or four flavors from your local vendor.
Good luck..... Join in on these forums and get to mixing.
You may want to get a couple of flavors that are idiot proof, easy to mix and are always good such as Capelas strawberry and cream. Maybe TFA Swedish fish. These are single flavors that instantly taste great . A couple of these type flavors will
Make you feel good immediately about your purchase as mixer.
Two cents and all...,
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Smokeys suggestion of also mixing each individual flavor to "really get to know " your flavors is sage advice which very few DIY folks ever do, and this is what will eventually separate a DIY recipie "copier" from those that can make new juices at a whim.
Either way, it's a great hobby and a money saver and will keep you from getting bored with three or four flavors from your local vendor.
Good luck..... Join in on these forums and get to mixing.
You may want to get a couple of flavors that are idiot proof, easy to mix and are always good such as Capelas strawberry and cream. Maybe TFA Swedish fish. These are single flavors that instantly taste great . A couple of these type flavors will
Make you feel good immediately about your purchase as mixer.
Two cents and all...,
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Buy a large amount of Nic, VG and PG to start. Once you start mixing yourself you won't go back. Try to find some recipes that have overlapping flavors. I am using 7 little droppers for flavors that don't come with droppers, and a large dropper for the Nic, VG, and PG. Don't forget some glass bottles to hold the juice while it steeps. $75 in supplies is probably going to last you a long time. But you will most likely get addicted to ordering more and more flavors.
Good info given. I suggest you pick two or three recipies I n these forums that appeal to you and order the flavors you need to make them and then go from there .
Smokeys suggestion of also mixing each individual flavor to "really get to know " your flavors is sage advice which very few DIY folks ever do, and this is what will eventually separate a DIY recipie "copier" from those that can make new juices at a whim.
Either way, it's a great hobby and a money saver and will keep you from getting bored with three or four flavors from your local vendor.
Good luck..... Join in on these forums and get to mixing.
You may want to get a couple of flavors that are idiot proof, easy to mix and are always good such as Capelas strawberry and cream. Maybe TFA Swedish fish. These are single flavors that instantly taste great . A couple of these type flavors will
Make you feel good immediately about your purchase as mixer.
Two cents and all...,
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
If I can do it (with reading glasses, and remembering not to say 'squirrel' in the middle of mixing) you certainly can!
Early on in my DIY efforts I bought a gallon of PG and another of VG from Essential Depot, and a good amount of Wizard Labs nic. Now my only regret is that I got so much WL nic, because I much prefer Vapertsek nic. I also think while my PG is fine, there might be better PG to be had (or it could be my imagination!). So I would suggest you don't get too much of what might seem to be basic supplies at the beginning until you have a better idea of what you like and need. Oh, I also bought a boxfull of huge (60ml) syringes for PG and VG that are way to big to use...there are much easier ways to measure PG and VG!
So, after reading this post over, and over. I Think I need Nicotine, PG, VG, flavorings, syringes, and glass bottles. At least I Think that's what I need so far. Any thoughts, or suggestions, on how much of each? Or, anything else I may need? I am sure that I am sounding pretty pathetic, at this point. But I am really trying to get all this straight.
I liked my stand alone fruits the first month. Bought a few more flavors this month. So far have just done some fruit mixing that have been good and I'm picking up favorites that I make bigger batches of. I have two or three fruity desert goods type steeping like blueberry swirl and what not.
In short, if you like fruit vapes, DIY can be very easy and tasty. I don't know about the desert types yet but I can, and do, vape the hell out of some easy friut juice.
Oh yeah, I have a simple tobacco steeping too. I have no idea if I'll like it.
In short, if you like fruit vapes, DIY can be very easy and tasty. I don't know about the desert types yet but I can, and do, vape the hell out of some easy friut juice.
Oh yeah, I have a simple tobacco steeping too. I have no idea if I'll like it.
My first order. Might help you to adjust to your own preference.
Nicotine Solution - 100mg Liter
Base Liquid
100% Propylene Glycol USP Kosher
NIC-100L-100pg 1 $44.99
Propylene Glycol - USP Kosher - 1 Liter pg-1lit 1 $12.99
Vegetable Glycerin - USP Kosher - 1 Liter vg-1lit 1 $12.99
Black Dropper - 1/2oz BT-G-blk-dropper-18400 1 $0.40
1oz Amber Glass Bottle
Closure
3 x Dropper Black - $1.32
BT-G-1oz-amber-blk-dropper-20400 3 $2.70
Apricot (TFA)
Size
4oz
FL-TFA-apricot-4oz 1 $7.50
Raspberry (Sweet) (TFA)
Size
4oz
raspberry-sweet-tfa-4oz 1 $6.50
Subtotal $88.07
Shipping & Handling $0.00
Grand Total $88.07
Nicotine Solution - 100mg Liter
Base Liquid
100% Propylene Glycol USP Kosher
NIC-100L-100pg 1 $44.99
Propylene Glycol - USP Kosher - 1 Liter pg-1lit 1 $12.99
Vegetable Glycerin - USP Kosher - 1 Liter vg-1lit 1 $12.99
Black Dropper - 1/2oz BT-G-blk-dropper-18400 1 $0.40
1oz Amber Glass Bottle
Closure
3 x Dropper Black - $1.32
BT-G-1oz-amber-blk-dropper-20400 3 $2.70
Apricot (TFA)
Size
4oz
FL-TFA-apricot-4oz 1 $7.50
Raspberry (Sweet) (TFA)
Size
4oz
raspberry-sweet-tfa-4oz 1 $6.50
Subtotal $88.07
Shipping & Handling $0.00
Grand Total $88.07
So you know, I have not put a dent in any of it, after a month. It's a lot. You can get by with smaller bottles and more flavors. I just figured those would do me for a year, and they will. Unless the nic goes bad. The pg and vg will go the quickest.
MrFixIt
Member For 4 Years
So far you have gotten a lot of solid information on this subject. The problem is that everyone started with different amounts of the basic materials needed to mix your own juices. What mg nic do you currently vape? What flavors have you tried that you can vape all day?
This is what I did. I got a 500ml bottle of vg and one of pg. I got a 250ml bottle of 100mg nic base you can get that in pg or vg. I used my e juice calculator to get my desired nic level. I chose flavorings based on what I had already tried and a few of what I felt I would like to try. I then made sure I had enough of my favorite juice on hand to vape while doing my mad scientist experiments.
I made up small test batches of juice with just my preferred vg/pg ratios and flavoring usually about 1-3mls worth to taste test. I always use lesser amounts of flavoring because its easy to add a few drops more if it's not strong enough.
This is what I did. I got a 500ml bottle of vg and one of pg. I got a 250ml bottle of 100mg nic base you can get that in pg or vg. I used my e juice calculator to get my desired nic level. I chose flavorings based on what I had already tried and a few of what I felt I would like to try. I then made sure I had enough of my favorite juice on hand to vape while doing my mad scientist experiments.
I made up small test batches of juice with just my preferred vg/pg ratios and flavoring usually about 1-3mls worth to taste test. I always use lesser amounts of flavoring because its easy to add a few drops more if it's not strong enough.
That makes a lot of sense. Another one of my questions is, what does the average person use the Most of? Like Nicotine, or vg? And what is used the least? Nicotine maybe? Right now I am vaping a store brand at 18 mg. in a 50/50 blend. Not sure if that makes a difference? Thank you ALL once again.
MrFixIt
Member For 4 Years
You will definitely use way more pg and vg than you do your nic base. Especially when you start mixing up bigger batches of your favorite juice mixes. If you get a 250ml bottle of 100mg nic base at the 18mg you're at now it will last you a long time. As you go down in nic level it will last even longer.
Brent1670
Member For 4 Years
Member For 3 Years
Member For 2 Years
Member For 1 Year
Member For 5 Years
Holy crap my brain hurts lol... I started vaping as a way to quit smoking but this seems to have become a new addiction lol I love experimenting with things and this has satisfied that urge but as I delve further and further into this world I realize there is so much more I have to learn... Ty all this has been insightful
Bryan92081
Bronze Contributor
Member For 4 Years
Member For 3 Years
Member For 2 Years
Member For 1 Year
Member For 5 Years
Definitely take a look at a calculator. Type in everything like you're gonna make a batch and then you can kinda get an idea of how much of what you need. I make a 70/vg 30/pg mix and by looking at a calculator I figured out that I needed a vg nic base instead of pg. It's not as hard as you may think. I started out with 250ml's of pg and 500ml's of vg and 125ml's of nic base and a few flavors just to see if diy was gonna be for me or not. I've been mixing off of that first order for probably around a month now. I'd just keep it simple at first or try some of the recipes on here first. I ordered a few cereal flavors as a stand alone and they sucked. They would probably make a good base to be mixed with something else but were definitely not a one flavor wonder vape.
T
Taver13
Guest
do you ever do clove extract, and if so, how?
I lightly crush around 30-40 cloves and put them into a baby food jar with vg..
(allergic to pg) and then i put that in a pot filled to a little over the vg, and onto the stove it goes..
i keep it on low for about 30-40 min, then stir, and for another hour, refilling water as i go..
i let it sit overnight.. then pop it into the microwave for about 10 sec..
then i strain with cheesecloth, into another container.. let it sit all day..
that night, back to a 10 sec microwave, then i strain it with coffee filters a few times..
if i dont see anything floating it it.. it's pretty good to go..
i use it not only for vaping, but sore muscles and other things
(allergic to pg) and then i put that in a pot filled to a little over the vg, and onto the stove it goes..
i keep it on low for about 30-40 min, then stir, and for another hour, refilling water as i go..
i let it sit overnight.. then pop it into the microwave for about 10 sec..
then i strain with cheesecloth, into another container.. let it sit all day..
that night, back to a 10 sec microwave, then i strain it with coffee filters a few times..
if i dont see anything floating it it.. it's pretty good to go..
i use it not only for vaping, but sore muscles and other things
T
Taver13
Guest
awesome, gonna do it, i hear its good for toothaches too!I lightly crush around 30-40 cloves and put them into a baby food jar with vg..
(allergic to pg) and then i put that in a pot filled to a little over the vg, and onto the stove it goes..
i keep it on low for about 30-40 min, then stir, and for another hour, refilling water as i go..
i let it sit overnight.. then pop it into the microwave for about 10 sec..
then i strain with cheesecloth, into another container.. let it sit all day..
that night, back to a 10 sec microwave, then i strain it with coffee filters a few times..
if i dont see anything floating it it.. it's pretty good to go..
i use it not only for vaping, but sore muscles and other things
Where do you find a calculator for this