The Time Has Come

[VapnCloudz]

Hello Fellow Vaperz,

After spending countless dollars on countless types of countless companies of E-Liquid. I am ready to make that fantabulous plunge into the realms of DIY ELIQUID. Shit looks pretty easy and im just looking for some pointers as far as where to buy from. Also, for my first batch of supplies. Whats the amount of stuff I should order? I was thinking on diving right into ordering enough for 1 liter of juice. Is that too much to start off ordering? Basically, what was your first order of DIY? Supply wise?

 

[Discobob]

I ordered a bunch of shit I didn't need so comb through the DIY section and go easy for a minute, take your time and search a bit. I use a scale which in my opinion makes it way easier. A good scale by American weight is 40 bucks at Amazon.

I order all my stuff from vaperstek for my nic and Bull city for my flavorings, this is me though if you feel better ordering from somewhere else go for it!!!

Start simple and gradually get crazy, this will save you money in the end, I have soooooo much shit I will never use cause I went crazy when I started.

Good luck man and remember live in this section for a day or two ask questions and you'll be good to go.

 

[VapnCloudz]

DiscoBob,

Thanks for the advice, im very compulsive and manic. If it wasn't for forums, I would have probably bought this shit by the gallons already lol

 

[BigNasty]

DiscoBob,

Thanks for the advice, im very compulsive and manic. If it wasn't for forums, I would have probably bought this shit by the gallons already lol

The only gallons I buy are VG.
Found them locally decent priced if I willcall it.

 

[VapnCloudz]

So Yeah,

When I get back from my road trip, im ordering the three main ingredients by the bulk. PG, Nicotine and VG. Ill order enough flavoring to make a batch of liquid of 240ml and just order flavoring when in need. Does Pg, VG, Nicotine go bad by any chance? If I can buy those in bulk, I think I can last a good year without needing to buy them.

 

[Huckleberried]

You'll be better served by your nic if you split it up into smaller glass amber bottles, freeze it, and only leave out what you'll use up in a month.

 

[VapnCloudz]

ahhhhhh Thanks Sir HuckleBerried. I have a question about freezing nicotine though. Will it explode in the freezer or does it not freeze solid?

 

[Huckleberried]

ahhhhhh Thanks Sir HuckleBerried. I have a question about freezing nicotine though. Will it explode in the freezer or does it not freeze solid?

LOL, ma'am... no worries, happens on a daily basis.

No, your nic won't freeze solid, it's suspended in VG or PG, it won't freeze. You just need to keep it in the freezer to keep the life and strength of it as best as possible. If I'm keeping a few small bottles, I fill them really close to the top, leaving out as much as as I can, seal it, then wrap it in bubble wrap, then place in large ziploc bags. When I order a case of glass bottles, I get 100ml "packer" bottles, they're wide mouth, makes it easy to work with when I use it. I put those back into the box they're shipped in, since it has dividers in it, then I seal the box back up and put the whole box in the freezer - it's small enough. I do also note the date that I received them, along with the lot # of the nic. That part is just me, though.

 

[VapnCloudz]

You Ma'am, a life saver

Thanks for the heads up on the nicotine. I will be sure to freeze what I don't use as how you mentioned to do so. This site is like the mecca of information on Vaping. A year ago I was on an Ego style pen vaping at 32mg of Nic. Hahahaha, now im an amateur mad scientist creating batches of sweetness that I will inhale into my recovering lungs from smoking those analogs. HEAR ME ROAR~~!!!!!!!

 

[soulshine]

Nic/PG/VG, you are good to order in as much bulk as you can store. And it might confuse you when I say this...but DIY is both easier AND harder than you can fathom right now. You first instinct is going to be to just buy every flavor that sounds good from any company that has it. I think of it like going grocery shopping when you're hungy..LOL I assure you that the WORST thing you can do is get some strawberry flavoring (or whatever it is you choose) and just throw "as much as you think you need" in some base and it'll be amazing. The very next thread you start is.."OMG I spent all of this money and it all tastes like shit...HELP!!"..LOL Don't believe me? Just look at some of the DIY threads.

Look through the recipes threads here. If you want instant success, start with some of the recipes that have gotten a lot of positive feedback. Yes, I'm going to sound a bit like a "fan boy" but, I'd recommend starting with Flavourart Flavors and some of the recipes by HIC, wllmc, Cramptholomew ...etc. By using tried and true recipes to start, you not only avoid creating bad juice, but you learn how the flavors work together at the same time...by experience. And if you can, order the EXACT flavors that the recipe calls for. The quickest way to ruin a recipe is to substitute out everything. Kind of defeats the point of someone posting a finished recipe.

Order small amounts of flavoring and test different recipes. When you find ones you like...then you will know that you've found what works and order as much as you want. Now by saying all of that, experimenting is fun and I encourage it. It can just be really expensive if you dive into DIY before you know what you even like. I speak from experience. I was the "grocery shopper" when I first started and spent about $400 before I realized my mistakes. Take all of that for what's it's worth and good luck

 

[Huckleberried]

That's very good advice.

 

[VapnCloudz]

ah shit,

I think that makes sense with the flavoring. Ill try some recipes that are vouched for before I jump into being more independent with my own recipes. Also, my biggest worry as of now is making sure my juice will be 100% gangsta

 

[Huckleberried]

If you make some of the recipes in the recipe sub-forum, your mixes will be gangsta.

 

[Neunerball]

ah shit,

I think that makes sense with the flavoring. Ill try some recipes that are vouched for before I jump into being more independent with my own recipes. Also, my biggest worry as of now is making sure my juice will be 100% gangsta

Read HIC's notes at http://mamajsflavorshop.com/headinclouds-my-notes-on-flavor-descriptions/

 

[gopher_byrd]

When you mix your first batches, just make at the most 10ml at a time. That way if the recipe doesn't work for you it won't cost as much or waste as much. You will mix something that is only worthy of the drain. Everyone has done it and it is part of the learning process. If you start with HICs recipes and FA you should visit Moma J's or HICs site for his notes on FA flavors. This is a journey, a very fun and rewarding journey!

 

[Discobob]

Yup been DIY'ing for months now and still feed the drain some juice, this is just because I have so much crap I just can't let it sit. Still waiting for that amazing frankenstien juice but nothing yet....

 

[PuffPuffPass]

I'm still chuckling over the easy remark. It is easy, the mixing part. But discovering the percentages that work best for you can be frustrating at times. Especially if you're eager to vape a new mix. Then discover it taste like jet fuel, unless it steeps for 2 months lol

I'm at week 4 on my blueberry cheese cake. And it's just now getting to the point I can vape it without puking. It should be good in another couple of weeks. In all honesty, I think the percentages were way too high (for me) on the recipe I found.

 

[Huckleberried]

All of this is not to say that every last thing you mix will require super long steep times. There are many flavors that are really good right away, too. Fruits are usually good after a really good shake up.

 

[Dixie1954]

I will add this GO LOW on percentages to find what amount YOU like (you can always add more)- we are all different and if you think oh that recipe should work - it may not because of the percentages being too high or too low. Best advice make each flavor stand alone so you can figure out what tastes best to YOU, this will save you lots of time and frustration. Research the flavoring brands you are buying so you have an idea of where to start with each (even flavoring brands that seem to use high amounts have a few low/way low ones) and it all depends on the flavoring which that will be. Welcome to DIY!

 

[Heabob]

Order small amounts of flavoring and test different recipes. When you find ones you like...then you will know that you've found what works and order as much as you want. Now by saying all of that, experimenting is fun and I encourage it. It can just be really expensive if you dive into DIY before you know what you even like. I speak from experience. I was the "grocery shopper" when I first started and spent about $400 before I realized my mistakes. Take all of that for what's it's worth and good luck

+1

 

[VapnCloudz]

Yeah, I think ill order a small amount of each flavor and start by simply vaping them alone and gradually mixing what I think might work. Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated. Also for steeping, I most likely will keep a rotating batch going for flavors I like so I will always have some ready at the go

 

[Huckleberried]

I most likely will keep a rotating batch going for flavors I like so I will always have some ready at the go

Yep, that's what I do. Occasionally, I get busy and have to mix on the fly, but I try very hard to keep extra mixed up.

 

[soulshine]

Yeah, I think ill order a small amount of each flavor and start by simply vaping them alone and gradually mixing what I think might work. Thanks for all the help. Much appreciated. Also for steeping, I most likely will keep a rotating batch going for flavors I like so I will always have some ready at the go

I would still get a few "go to" recipes first. Trust me, you want something good to vape while you're experimenting. Just saying....

 

[VapnCloudz]

You all rock!!!!!!!!

Giggitty goo and thank you to

 

[STAINLESS1]

I am recently into DIY myself, and can offer some of my thoughts on it.

Start small on the flavorings, and mix standalone flavors first to get an idea of the strength of the flavor and what levels you like with each. there are plenty of references out there for starting percentages, but I usually just start at 5% and adjust from there. Once you have some righteous standalones mixed, you will have a feel for the flavors, and can actually mix a couple standalones together to see how they interact.

I use 10 ml bottles (cheap), and started mixing the good standalones together 2-3 ml total measuring percentages using a 1 ml syringe. once you figure out a couple of mixes of standalones then you can blend those experiences together and mix all together in a recipe using a juice calculator.

I have made some great juices just following recipes here, but I have recently started trying to develop my own flavors from what I have learned. I found a really great method of a gentleman's on another forum that is crazy helpful, as you only make 2-3ml at a time to help develop and perfect original creations. I will post a link here, with the understanding that it can certainly be removed if it is not kosher to link outside of this forum. https://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blog-entry/using-bills-100dt-taste-test-method.7202/ it is located in Bill's Magic Vapor's Blog. He is a little crazy on total flavoring percentages (20+%) in his recipes, but this methodology is a great fit for me.

I started ordering flavors in the tiny little bottles, but have recently started ordering 4 oz sizes (mainly TFA) of my favorites. I will say that in my initial ordering fervor, I have a 30 ml bottle of TFA cinnamon red hots that will probably last me a lifetime...LOL

Good luck, and hope my info helps a little

 

[FL_David]

and still feed the drain some juice,

To me that is a scary thought. You may find a use for those "dumpers" down the line. Put them out of the way in your "magic box" and then when you are stumped for a new flavor mix, take a peek inside.
I would bet all who have over 100 flavors, have "dumpers", but still hang on to them. A few of my would be "dumpers" turned out to be keepers as I got better with my mixes.

I agree 100% to buy sample sized flavorings (5mg or less) of any brand until you know what you like, then buy larger sized bottles of the flavors you use the most.
Enjoy and have fun with DIY.

 

[Huckleberried]

I agree 100% to buy sample sized flavorings (5mg or less) of any brand until you know what you like, then buy larger sized bottles of the flavors you use the most.
Enjoy and have fun with DIY.

I wish I had done this early on, but there weren't many people selling samples of FA at that time. I do this now, even. I have several I buy in 30ml now, and a couple I could stand to buy in 120ml.

 

[VapnCloudz]

I ordered a bunch of shit I didn't need so comb through the DIY section and go easy for a minute, take your time and search a bit. I use a scale which in my opinion makes it way easier. A good scale by American weight is 40 bucks at Amazon.

I order all my stuff from vaperstek for my nic and Bull city for my flavorings, this is me though if you feel better ordering from somewhere else go for it!!!

Start simple and gradually get crazy, this will save you money in the end, I have soooooo much shit I will never use cause I went crazy when I started.

Good luck man and remember live in this section for a day or two ask questions and you'll be good to go.

I used your recommendations and went with BCV and Vaperstek. Thanks for the looks on these companies. Super fast shipping and read a lot of race reviews on Vapersteks nicotine. Again, THANKS