Idiot's List of Basics

[addict]

I'm going to try mixing my own liquid. I usually rely on the Idiot's Guide when learning something new. There are some really informative threads on here and I have read them - honestly. Trouble is that my brain won't absorb the info until I have some of the ingredients in front of me. So I need to make a list of basic requirements before getting started.

As far as I can tell, this is what I will need:

1 bottle of nicotine liquid

1 bottle of PG

1 bottle of VG

An assortment of flavours from Flavour Art or Cupcake World

A weighing scales

Some empty bottles

Some syringes

Rubber Gloves

Is that the lot, or have I missed anything?

[OneDay]

Some blunt needles

Some recipes or a good e-juice calculator

Some Ethyl Malto, Vape wizard and Dulce de Leche

Masses of patience to let it all steep

[addict]

Oops, I'm in trouble already. Blunt needles I understand; I have seen recipe threads and links to e-juice calculators. Ethyl Malto, Vape wizard and Dulce de Leche have me stumped. What are they? Patiences is something I'm trying to acquire with very little success but is permanently on my list of New Year's resolutions.

[OneDay]

Addict Ethyl Malto is a sweetener, non-sugar-based, that only needs to be used a few drops at a time in some recipes. Vape wizard is something that can be added to have the opposite effect and remove the sweetness that VG in particular can add to a juice. Dulce de Leche is a kind of catch-all, a few drops can sometimes save a juice that's not doing what it should

[addict]

Thanks Oneday. I'm reassured that they aren't some chemical that could blow up the house if I get the proportions wrong. I have some Stevia Leaf on the way. Will that do instead of Ethyl Malto?

[OneDay]

Nov 26, 2012 23:12:36 GMT addict said:

I have some Stevia Leaf on the way. Will that do instead of Ethyl Malto?

yep

[Frogster (The Alchemist)]

This may help you with understanding sweeteners Addict allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=mixology&thread=12209&page=1#247838

[Postmodern Smoking]

Hi Addict,
Yes Stevia Leaf is an alternative sweetner, haven't used it myself but should do instead of Ethyl Maltol.

[addict]

Thanks Oneday and Frogster. Frogster: I only know about Stevia Leaf thanks to that thread. I have every intention of reading it all again once I have the ingredients.

I'm a little (understatement) confused about the nicotine, pg and vg liquids. On the Vape Escape website they have bottles of PG and VG unflavoured nicotine liquid. They also have bottles of what they call Diluents. Should I buy one bottle each of the PG and VG nicotine and one each of the pg and vg diluents? What is the purpose of these diluents if I get PG and VG nicotine? Now you know why I need the Idiot's Guide.

Thanks, also, to Postmodern Smoking. You must have replied while I was typing my message.

[OneDay]

Addict nic base is usually sold in high concentrations, say 50mg, so it needs diluting down to your preferred strength (18mg or whatever). The calculators will help with ratios

[Postmodern Smoking]

Nov 26, 2012 23:25:43 GMT addict said:

Thanks Oneday and Frogster. Frogster: I only know about Stevia Leaf thanks to that thread. I have every intention of reading it all again once I have the ingredients.

I'm a little (understatement) confused about the nicotine, pg and vg liquids. On the Vape Escape website they have bottles of PG and VG unflavoured nicotine liquid. They also have bottles of what they call Diluents. Should I buy one bottle each of the PG and VG nicotine and one each of the pg and vg diluents? What is the purpose of these diluents if I get PG and VG nicotine? Now you know why I need the Idiot's Guide.

Thanks, also, to Postmodern Smoking. You must have replied while I was typing my message.

LOL Frogster and Onedayillquit must have been typing too while I was replying!

To get started you need either nic in PG or nic in VG plus some dilutents. Do you know what VG or PG amount you intend mixing? If a high VG percentage then nic in VG is the best for you, otherwise nic in PG will do. You'll likely need a bottle of both PG and VG dilutent.

[addict]

Ah, now I get it. The diluents are for diluting the concentrate. Oneday: you should have been a teacher. Thank you for your patience.

[addict]

So, Postmodern, I don't need both PG and VG. I prefer mostly PG - maybe 70:30 or 60:40 pg:vg ratio. Does that mean I would be better buying a large bottle of PG nic concentrate and smaller bottles of the pg and vg dilutants?

[Postmodern Smoking]

You got it addict!
For those mix proportions a bottle of nicotine in PG, plus a bottle of VG, plus a bottle of PG.

Edit: Size of bottle of each depends on strength that you'll be making and strength of base nicotine and how much you intend making!

[dizzi]

Addict, I made the mistake of buying more PG than VG. I wanted to mix at around 70/30 PG/VG, and thought therefore I'd need more PG... but because my nic is in PG and all my flavourings are also in PG I'm actually running out of VG! You will need more PG and VG than nic concentrate, unless you are mixing really strong juices. PG and VG can both be bought in 500ml bottles quite cheaply on ebay. I highly recommend Postmodern Smoking for nic concentrate, 2 x 100ml bottles of 54mg/ml in PG for less than £28 + postage when you use the discount. They are quick too (not connected with them other than being a happy customer). I've not found cheaper this side of the pond.