Basic mixing kit for newbies?

[sydsut]

I've decided to give mixing a go in the new year. What do the experts on here think would be a good mix of PG/VG, Nic Base, flavour concentrates, sweeteners, hardware etc. to get me (or anybody) started off on the right track. Budget of around 25 to 30 quid (or is this too little) and assuming the more exotic concentrates would be purchased in the future. Likes: baccy, sweets, berry and spicy flavours. Also love coffee flavours. Cappuccino is my personal favourite and I also love Blackjacks. Dislikes: I haven't found any spirits based juices yet that I like (most are terribly chemically to my taste buds, though did enjoy a Pina colada ). Hope you can help and advise me on this and point me in the direction of a good one stop supplier on-line or a shop in the Glasgow/Lanarkshire area. . Thanking you in advance

[wil7985]

I have no idea about mixing sydsut. but i will watch this thread with great intrest,i'm thinking about trying to start mixing myself.

[kellywelly]

I'm sure you will enjoy mixing your own juices as I do There's plenty of help/advice/info on here and on tinterweb. Obviously you'll need your basics, empty bottles, syringes, PG/VG and nic, and your concentrates.
I get mine from here.....   www.chefsvapour.co.uk/
always next day delivery.
although I do get my 30ml/50ml empty bottles elsewhere, I wont put a link up, as the delivery time is pretty crap.

The mixing calc at the top this page is pretty good too.

It's trial and error regarding your PG/VG mix untill you find what you prefer, I currently mix at 50/50 as I'm happy with that, but everyone is different, and mix at different levels...50/50 60/40 70/30 100/0 and so on.

It's not rocket science mixing your own juice, infact it's quite fun, and like others (and me ) at times, you will mix and not get the exact flavour(s) you expected, but, it happens.

Obviously, you have to consider the safety precautions regarding the nic, common sense really.

As you know, there's plenty of vendors and suppliers out there for your needs, I'm happy with chefsvapour, everyone has their own choice.

I'm sure others will be along giving advice, but go for it, have fun, and get self satisfaction making your own.

I think the only hardest part of making your own juice, is waiting for it to steep without the (ooh! I'll just give it a little try )

Have fun.

[Perpetua]

There's two ways to go essentially when you're first starting out . . . buying a kit with everything in it, to see if mixing is for you and you enjoy it.

www.thealchemistscupboard.co.uk/DIY_Mixing_Starter_Kit_Gold/p1708884_9576441.aspx

www.thealchemistscupboard.co.uk/product/mixing%20kit

For sure it's a more expensive way, though I see Kev Frogster (The Alchemist) has both these kits on offer plus there's the forum discount code as well.

But they are ideal for testing the mixing waters.


Or, buying your ingredients separately . . . both @ukflavours & everythingliquid offer all that you need, give great service & are competitively priced.

www.ukflavours.com/57-nicotine

www.ukflavours.com/27-diluting-liquids

everythingliquid.co.uk/shop/  I can't get Ollie's site to load up for me this morning . . . but Nicotine Base is under chemicals, VG & PG is available separately, plus a range of concentrates. Many of us buy our VG from the chemist, but if you're buying lots of other stuff it could be handy to just get some from whoever you choose to buy from initially.

There's no dark art to mixing, though becoming familiar with using a calculator is essential, as is keeping harmful ingredients out of the way of little fingers and paws. Be prepared for some trial and error, plus patience.

But it's a fabulous, fun thing to do ( I think ) . . . welcome to a new addiction. 

[reddragon]

With regards to concentrates, it is very easy to get carried away when buying I would recommend picking 2 or 3 recipes you like the sound of and buy for those.

Also a good idea are the "ready made" concentrates, eg red astaire. I would recommend chefs vapour too. I mix at 50/50 and because the nic and flavours are pg based, I use more vg than pg so I would buy less pg than vg unless you are doing high pg mixes.

For a mixing kit, as long as it has some empty bottles, nic, pg, vg, different sized syringes, gloves and some concentrates, I would say that is all you need to have a go.

I would also say don't make up more than 10ml of anything until you know you like it and have the mix that suits you.

Most of all, enjoy

[Deleted]

I might have some concentrates (part/full bottles) you can try. Don't think I can post before tuesday but know there's a spare cappucino in there (cup cake world) is that's any use?

PM me your snail addy. Let me know - think some of the labels of the fruit ones have rubbed off but know they are fruit

Jane
PS. I have a good relationship with my chemist. I get my bottles for storing mixes from him and my VG from Boots (2 bottles at a time)...tis where the kids cough medicine is...value something or other

[chykensa]

Some good advice above, I use UK Flavours and Chefs Vapour for my concentrates and bases, although I notice that Chefs are OOS of PG nic base.
The UK Flavours 'Pink Spot' one-shot concentrates are good to start on, as are the entire range of T-Juice flavours.
The first thin that you will notice is just how much cheaper your juice will become. I mix in bulk for my wife, a friend and myself, and mixing 180ml of Red Astaire works out at around £15 for the whole lot, including the concentrate, nic base and diluants. That's very rough, I should add, as I've never actually costed it out to the penny, but close enough to see that it's very much more economic!

[mack]

Id really like to give this a go In the new year If I can muster the energy one the children are asleep. I've had the gear untouched now for about a year now, do they hold or turn after a couple of months?

[igual]

Syringe wise a 1 mil and 5 mil will be the most useful for small batches.
14g blunt needles are very hand as well.
Make sure to either sellotape or nail varnish over the markings on syringes as pg/flavours will remove them.
As others have said chefs is a great place to start fir bits.
Everything liquid is excellent for nic base. Check fleabay and Amazon for 10 mil dropper bottles.
If you like an aromatic tobacco I'd reccomend welsh pipe from decadent vapours.

[Deleted]

sydsut I have just been through exactly the same process and I can tell you what I bought

From L&T I bought:
Mixing Kit
Nic (54mg) 100ml,
PG and VG both 100ml.
I also got some vanillin as I want to make custards.

Cost = £26 including postage @£3.20

Fron Chefs Vapour I bought:

French Vanila Delux
Ethyl Maltol
2 x 1 mil Syringe

Cost £5.29 including £1 postage

From UKFlavours I bought

30mil Vanilla Custard

Cost 2.99 (free postage)

Total Cost about £35

I still have not received any notifications from @ukflavours but the rest shoud arrive today or tomorrow.

I suppose you "pays yer money..." Mine was better value for me because I could exactly what I needed. UK Flavours and Everything PG/VG and Nic liquid are cheaper but I think the minimum amount is 250ml, and I wanted to check I enjoyed mixing first.

Also have a look at this thread allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/thread/47907/granted-custard-big-juice, looks as if it is really good value for 'one stop' concentrates

Nick

[Perpetua]

Dec 6, 2014 9:29:19 GMT mack said:

Id really like to give this a go In the new year If I can muster the energy one the children are asleep. I've had the gear untouched now for about a year now, do they hold or turn after a couple of months?

Depends on how you've stored everything mack, cool dark place then all should be good still.

[mack]

Dec 6, 2014 21:00:42 GMT Perpetua said:

Dec 6, 2014 9:29:19 GMT mack said:

Id really like to give this a go In the new year If I can muster the energy one the children are asleep. I've had the gear untouched now for about a year now, do they hold or turn after a couple of months?

Depends on how you've stored everything mack, cool dark place then all should be good still.

Should be cool then. Haven't left the tin under my desk for a year or so. Cheers.

[Deleted]

Well Well Well, in spit of my worries @ukflavours got me my stuff first. What great service.

[whiteshep]

Just ordered the stuff to do my first try from alchemist bought the starter kit, maltol & 2 extra flavour concentrates four in total got some rubbish stuff to keep me going till they have steeped a couple of weeks it all came to £47.50 which I didn't think was bad. Have seen pg and VG above USP standard on the bay for £17.99 for five litres does that sound ok?.

[babs]

You won't need such a large amount of pg and vg whiteshep I bought a litre of pg September 2013 and still have more than half left. Vg is sold by boots and super drug as glycerin at about £1.30 for 200 mls. I think most chemists sell it.