Diy-How To Basics

[kitsune]

DIY Tips and Info

I know this is a lot of information, but I hope it helps those looking at trying their hand at DIY. Keep in mind, This is just my own experience.

PG- Propylene Glycol : It is a colorless, nearly odorless, clear, viscous liquid with a faintly sweet taste,

http://en.wikipedia....ropylene_glycol

VG-Vegetable Glycerin(Glycerol): In foods and beverages, glycerol serves as a humectant, solvent and sweetener, and may

help preserve foods. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glycerol

PG and/or VG are both used as the base of the E-Liquid.

PG/VG can be purchased from most E-Liquid suppliers with or without Nicotine. Unflavored PG or VG with Nicotine can be purchased for the purpose of mixing your own liquids and can be purchased is many strengths.

PG/VG without Nicotine is necessary for mixing your own liquids.

Glycerin can also be purchased from most pharmacies-over the counter. Humco is one brand of Pharmacy Grade (USP) glycerin. It is sold as a skin protectant. It is a clear, slightly thick liquid and has a sweet taste to it.

There is also a Food grade VG- Wiltons- sold at Craft stores in the baking sections. Can sometimes be found at Walmart in the craft section.

The information will have to be put into a couple posts--The server doesn't like the long version....

Edited November 18, 2010 by kitsune

[kitsune]

Lorann: Candy Flavoring. Very concentrated flavoring. Best for sweet flavors.

2. Can be purchased from the Lorann site. Avoid Flavors that are oil based. If you click on the 'item detail' button it will tell you if it is water soluble or insoluble. You want only water soluble flavorings. The oils can burn out the atomizer and are harder to mix.

2. Can be purchased from the Lorann site. Avoid Flavors that are oil based. If you click on the ‘item detail’ button--it will tell you if it is water soluble or insoluble. You want only water soluble flavorings. The oils can burn out the atomizer and are hard to mix. Lorann

3. Can Also be purchased from many vaping suppliers that carry DIY supplies. DIY flavorshack Totally wicked

[kitsune]

FlavourArt: Food Flavoring. Very wide selection of flavorings. Not as concentrated as Lorann, but has a wider variety of flavoring and less artificial coloring. Variety of Tobacco flavorings.

Freedomsmokeusa and liberty flights both carry a very good selection of FlavourArt flavorings.

Freedomsmokeusa

:Liberty-Flights

Decadent Vapors/Totally Wicked: The Decadent vapor line is produced in the UK.

Decadent Vapors

There are other products and suppliers out there. These are just the ones I use most often and am familiar with.

Schilling and Mccormick flavorings will also work--they are just not as concentrated.

[kitsune]

Hopefully Last but not least......

Supplies:

1.Empty dropper bottles- 3ml, 5ml, 10ml sizes are great for mixing.

2. Pipette or syringe with blunt needle. Personally, I prefer using a syringe for mixing--More accurate.

3. paper towel or rag for handling any spills or messes

4. Labels are good for identifying your new mixes. If using paper labels I have found that applying scotch tape over the

label keeps the label legible.

5. mixing calculator helps with acheiving the correct nicotine strength. There are other calculators out there, but I

like Todd Muellers: http://www.todmuller.com/ejuice/ejuice.php . I usually put my flavor at 30 - 40%. I like lots of

flavor.

Mixing -can be simple (combining premixed liquids to create a new flavor) or more complicated, mixing from scratch. Or

somewhere in between.

1. Always start your mixing or experimentation with small amounts. Its much easier to throw out a small amount of liquid

if it turns out bad. The 3ml bottles are great for experimenting.

2. Its a good idea to keep track of what and how much you have added to your mix--just in case you want to make more.

**It is easy enough to mix 2 or more premixed liquids together to get a new flavor. This is easiest if you are using the

same nicotine strength.

i.e.- Tobacco 18mg/Watermelon 18mg/menthol 18mg/pina colada 18mg. The amounts would depend on taste.

Start with 5 drops of each in a 3ml bottle, shake and vape--can adjust the flavor as you want by adding more of one of

the flavors.

with the menthol--using just 1-2 drops/3ml will give a nice cool throat hit without tasting like menthol.

** Can use PG/VG or both to cut a higher strength liquid. i.e.- 24mg premixed liquid 1ml can be mixed with 1ml PG or VG

to make 12mg/ml liquid. If cutting a premixed flavor, keep in mind, it will also decrease the flavor. If you don’t want

the flavor loss you can cut with 0 nicotine strength in the same or a different flavor. You can also use flavorings to

boost the flavor. use the calculator to determine how much PG/VG to use to achieve the desired strength. Just put 0 in

the water and flavor boxes.

** Adding Flavoring to premixed liquids

This is actually one of the easiest forms of mixing and is a great place to start the DIY journey. We all have flavors

we don’t really care for, but by adding flavoring you can create a flavor you like.

Keep in mind--when adding flavoring it will dilute the nicotine strength of the premixed liquid. one way around this is

to get some unflavored higher nicotine liquid- i.e. 36mg that can be added to your mix to keep the nicotine strength at

your desired level.

My preferred nicotine level is 12mg/ml--so I will use that dose for mixing examples.

i.e.-- cappuccino 36mg/ml, 1.7ml + FlavourArt apple pie flavoring 1.5ml + VG 1.8ml for a total of 5ml 12mg/ml.

This is where the calculator comes in handy. Just put in the numbers, hit enter and the calculations are done for you.

This is where having a syringe is helpful.

However if you are using drops, I have found that 30 drops of PG = 1ml and 20 drops of VG = 1ml.

You can use more than one flavoring: cappuccino 1.7ml + apple pie flavoring 1ml + Vanilla 1ml + VG 1.3 ml = 5ml 12mg/ml

Don’t be afraid to mix more than one flavor. When cooking, most dishes require more than one flavor to get the right

taste.

** mixing from scratch

You will need PG and/or VG

Unflavored Nicotine liquid ( I usually use 36mg/ml)

Flavorings of choice

i.e. Easy

Watermelon 12mg/ml

3 ml PG or VG

1 ml Lorann Watermelon flavoring

2 drops Menthol flavoring (Flavourart)

2 ml 36mg/ml Unflavored liquid

i.e. using multiple flavors:

Apple Pie (6ml) 18mg/ml

3 ml 36/mg unflavored

1 ml FlavourArt(FA) Apple Pie

6 drops (Flavourart) Irish Cream

2 drops (FA) perique black (tobacco)

3 drops (FA) menthol

.5ml PG

.5ml VG

3 drops hazelnut

6 drops vanilla

** Misc Notes

Tobacco Flavorings are very, very strong--a little goes a very long way. A couple drops to 5ml will give a nice

background flavor. If using more, add a drop or 2 at a time to taste.

Lorann flavorings are very concentrated. You would use less Lorann than you would with other flavorings.

Avoid flavorings with oils or sugars--both can damage your atomizer.

If you find your mix needs to be sweeter there are a couple of options:

1. Loranns cotton candy or Marshmallow flavorings are great for adding sweetness.

2. DIY flavor shack carrys Eythol Malto which is a sweetener.

3. I actually prefer the Lorann--overall sweeter tasting.

4. I add a few drops of Menthol to all my mixes-adds a cool throat hit and enhances the flavor. Just a little does not

taste like menthol. If you like menthol, just add more.

5. always start mixing with small amounts and keep track of what and how much.

6. For taste testing--dripping works best.

Mixing is a lot of trial and error in the beginning.

Add flavoring a little at a time until you find the balance you like will help keep waste to a minimum.

I am hoping others will be able to add their tips and ideas. the above is just my own opinion and my own experience.

If all or part of this is confusing please let me know-writing documents is not my strong suit !!!!

Merry Mixing

[Shihzam]

The Queen of DIY has spoken!...Good info there Kitsune, I gave it a +1.

[kitsune]

Thank you !!!

If you see anything that needs to be clarified, changed or added please speak up......

I find DIY fun and would love input from others, success or failures, tips and tricks.

[DAYVAPE]

"With the menthol--using just 1-2 drops/3ml will give a nice cool throat hit without tasting like menthol."

I cannot stress this tip enough!! I literally do this with every single juice I mix up... or for another option, I will add it to pre-mixed e-juice that I have already bought from a supplier that's just sitting in my stash of "ok" juices. (this will often times make them great to vape!) AND, to kick all of this up a notch... I will often times use cinnamon concentrate in the same exact fashion! Great tips Kits!!

+1 !!

Edited November 18, 2010 by DAYVAPE

[Uma]

Wow wow wow~!! Thanks so much for this!! My kit's came with diy instructions consisting of: use X amount of X to achieve X... say what? lol Your help is very very much appreciated! Thanks!!

[kitsune]

I had wanted to put something together sooner--but I am very, very good at procrastination. I love being able to share DIY. I'm looking forward to seeing some new recipes.......

DayVape--I always forget about cinnamon. Just added some to an apple pie mix I made--just the perfect touch. Thanks.

[Brian]

Great info Kitsne! I'm going to have to try the menthol tips some time. I'm just always afraid I'll end up with menthol eliquid.

[kitsune]

I promise you won't end up with menthol liquid. The trick is only a couple drops. I usually add about 3-4 drops/5ml. I was never a menthol smoker and never even really cared for menthol--still don't really. A 5 ml bottle of flavourart menthol has lasted me almost a year.

[Brian]

It's a mental issue - I can't seem to stop with only a few drops of anything! LOL! I KNOW that 3-4 drops of tobacco flavorings is perfect for the mix I use and it's alway the last thing I put in. However, once I get to drop 4, I always have to add another two drops. I can't help it.

[kitsune]

LOL--I can't say anything--I do the same thing !!!

I ruined a few mixes that way.... more is better right....

[Brian]

Phew - glad it's not just me. At least I'm in good company.

[nana]

Fantastic Kitsune!!!

I only wish I had something worthwhile to add to this.

[snubber]

Now everyone can see why I've been calling you the "Queen" of mixing. Our resident "mixologist".

This is great information Kitsune a really great post.

Anyone who is interested in mixing will do wonders if they just pay attention.

I for one am grateful to you for your help and information. A big +1

Keep up the good work.

[DAYVAPE]

Fantastic Kitsune!!!

I only wish I had something worthwhile to add to this.

You do! Any juice will do... honestly.

Like she said... it doesn't make it "menthol juice"... just adds a perfect little kick. Trust the QUEEN.

EDIT: I thought you meant you didn't have a juice to add any to. My bad.

Edited November 19, 2010 by DAYVAPE

[bahamasboy]

GREAT INFO Kitsune! I was given some menthol crystals, how can/do those factor in to the mix???

[bahamasboy]

Kitsune, I think you may have created a mixing monster!! With all the talk, great advice, recipe calculators, and where to go for larger quantities of Nic Juice at a good price (Thanks Brian-another forum on this board, the weekend after thanksgiving will be one of trial and error.

After scouring all the stores around here for Lorann's, bottles, etc etc.. I resorted to two hours of online hunting and shopping!

Let me know if I've left anything out of my "basket"

-Nic Juice 48mg, 125 ML

-20 10ml bottles

-5 Lorann flavors - none with oil- I like sweet so (Grape, coconut, crem de menth, rootbeer, chocolate)- Hoping for "Mounds" flavor with the chocolate and coconut (oh and wiltons clear vanalla extract- water, alcohol, artificial flavors)- they had that at Michael's- is it okay to use??

-177 ML Humco VG

I've vaped so much today through all of this that I'm on my 3rd ego battery!!

[kitsune]

LOL--sounds like you will be having fun. You have a good set up to get started. The Wiltons vanilla extract work great.

can't wait to hear how your creations turn out !!!

I love being able to change flavors to suit my taste.

Just be extremely careful with the 48mg/ml--getting it on your skin can cause you to feel sick--wash immediately or wear gloves. small spills can be lethal to animals and make small children very, very ill.

Merry Mad Mixing !!!!

[MaryAnn]

Kitsune, I think you may have created a mixing monster!! With all the talk, great advice, recipe calculators, and where to go for larger quantities of Nic Juice at a good price (Thanks Brian-another forum on this board, the weekend after thanksgiving will be one of trial and error.

After scouring all the stores around here for Lorann's, bottles, etc etc.. I resorted to two hours of online hunting and shopping!

Let me know if I've left anything out of my "basket"

-Nic Juice 48mg, 125 ML

-20 10ml bottles

-5 Lorann flavors - none with oil- I like sweet so (Grape, coconut, crem de menth, rootbeer, chocolate)- Hoping for "Mounds" flavor with the chocolate and coconut (oh and wiltons clear vanalla extract- water, alcohol, artificial flavors)- they had that at Michael's- is it okay to use??

-177 ML Humco VG

I've vaped so much today through all of this that I'm on my 3rd ego battery!!

I know this is a pretty late response, but how is your juice going? I would add something to your kit--sweetener. I personally am a huge fan of Perfumer's Apprentice/Flavor Apprentice sweetener, which, if I remember correctly, is sucralose.

[bahamasboy]

I know this is a pretty late response, but how is your juice going? I would add something to your kit--sweetener. I personally am a huge fan of Perfumer's Apprentice/Flavor Apprentice sweetener, which, if I remember correctly, is sucralose.

Thanks MaryAnn. I've got that on my list! I haven't done much mixing lately....haven't had the time, plus bought the full sampler from VT! Have to vape that down before I splurge again Hope to see you soon! B!

[Christopher]

Sticked

[Nanna]

So here is a question. (I can't believe I'm jumping into the DIY mix - blame Nana for this one.) In my head I can figure out how to mix the flavorings, and then aadd that at, say, 30% to my nic base.

Is there a general "base" recipe if I usually vape a 70/30 mix at like 24 mg? Actually I want to go down in nic but a general idea would help.

If I had that, then I could add the flavoring, figuring in that that would dilute the nic further. Right?

[Brian]

You start with the nic juice you have... say you have 10ml of 24mg juice. 10ml X 24mg = 240mg of nic in the bottle. If you add 2ml of no nic flavoring, you still have 240mg of nice, but in 12ml instead of 10ml. So, divide the 240mg by 12ml and you have 20mg per ml.