Mixing by weight . . . . . compiling a sticky?

[Perpetua]

I was musing . . . .  with the current interest there seems to be in mixing by weight that it would be helpful to assemble a thread on the subject, which I could then make a sticky. Rather than having to search for past threads on the topic, which don't necessarily cover all the main aspects.

My experience of this system is in the realms of ' dabbling ' so it would be great to have the input from those mixers who use weight regularly and any tips, pointers that we would all find useful.

What do DIYers think?

[unclegromit]

Excellent idea. As a noob to DIY I was considering buying a set of scales. All the old hands I have spoken to say it is the way to go. Will be interested to see this thread develop.

[b1mble]

Good plan!

A list of common densities would be a good place to start.

Propylene glycol is about 1.04 grams per cubic centimetre.

VG varies depending on supplier but is around 1.26 grams per CC.

Flavourings can be treated as PG for density purposes.

[pj1967]

Scales come in many different varieties and there are tons that would work for most people. There is one major thing you need to AVOID when looking for a scale. You need a scale that DOES NOT have an AUTO-SHUT OFF feature, or at least if it has one, it needs to be on a long delay. A lot of scales by default have a 10 or 15 second auto-shut off, this can mess you up very badly if your scale shuts off while you are trying to add ingredients to a mix.
The scale you choose also needs to weigh down to 0.01 grams, additionally, I wouldn't buy a scale that has a limit under 500g.
You are going to need a calibration weight for your scales hope this helps

[dagl]

Great idea, I bought some scales a couple of months ago and was brave enough to finally unwrap them yesterday. Mixing was an absolute breeze and I can't see why I would go back to syringes/cylinders now.
FWIW I took VG as 1.25g per ml and PG and concentrates as 1g per ml (close enough for me to replicate future mixes)

[pj1967]

Bottles - You will want some dropper bottles for adding PG/VG and Nicotine to your mixes, I get mine from here

www.ibottles.co.uk/products.html

[Get Off My Cloud]

I've been using weights only for ages, i use these scales.
www.amazon.co.uk/Digital-Modes-Pocket-Scale-MZ-600/dp/B006XKO3RW
600g limit at 0.1g increments.
They do have an auto shut off but i'm pretty sure it's 30 seconds, it's never been an issue for me as it only kicks in when you stop adding fluid or anything for 30 seconds.
You could find a set that does 0.01g increments but i think that's overkill to worry about 100ths of a ml.

The newer versions of ejuicemeup already covert and display the measurements by weight.
ejuice.breaktru.com/

[ceedee]

I think a thread will deteriorate into a mass of individual opinions - some unfounded - that'll be even more confusing for new mixers considering mixing by weight.

Why not invite someone to compile a single-post guide from all the suggestions in this thread (and elsewhere)?
It should be possible to present a draft version for others interested in the topic to offer corrections and/or other methods and theories that could be incorporated into a final version.

Only an idea...

[Brambles]

My figures.

Glycerine 1.261 mg/ml
PG 1.036 mg/ml
Vodka typically 0.947 mg/ml
Distilled water assume 1g/ml
You can approximate AG weight by just averaging it for the proportions used.
e.g AG using 20% added vodka by volume (15% added by weight) works out at 1.208mg/ml
AG using 15% added vodka is 1.215mg/ml
72mg Nic base is approx 1.038 mg/ml.
Flavours - just use the PG weight.

Now even for allowing quite large errors in above it will still be far more accurate mixing using weight than volume.
Scales - agree best not to have auto off or at least a long period or you have to constantly tap them to keep awake.

Even using weight though sometimes for some recipies it is easier to count drops. If say flavour required is just a couple of drops needed it is dificult to weigh accurately so just leave as two drops per 10ml say or whatever.

There we go, at least I have added some of my penny's worth.

[VapingBad]

With most scales you can use the function that zeros the read out for whatever is on the scale ATM and using this you can have a fine scale and start with the small amounts (flavour & nic) then transfer to the kitchen scales for the PV & VG and then you don't need to use cumulative weights.

[Get Off My Cloud]

Dec 7, 2015 23:37:58 GMT VapingBad said:

With most scales you can use the function that zeros the read out for whatever is on the scale ATM and using this you can have a fine scale and start with the small amounts (flavour & nic) then transfer to the kitchen scales for the PV & VG and then you don't need to use cumulative weights.

I just use the same set and zero the scale once i've added one ingredient then add the next and zero again after and so on.

[VapingBad]

Dec 8, 2015 0:27:11 GMT Get Off My Cloud said:

Dec 7, 2015 23:37:58 GMT VapingBad said:

With most scales you can use the function that zeros the read out for whatever is on the scale ATM and using this you can have a fine scale and start with the small amounts (flavour & nic) then transfer to the kitchen scales for the PV & VG and then you don't need to use cumulative weights.

I just use the same set and zero the scale once i've added one ingredient then add the next and zero again after and so on.

I have some 0-100 g ones I got for setting the stylus weight on my turn table that have a 0.01 g resolution, though the kitchen scales are good, but if you have fine & course digital scales you can use them to maximum effect. 

The main point I was making was the zeroing, saving having to keep track of the cumulative weight means the auto power off doesn't matter and less calculation lowers likelihood of error.

[Brambles]

Same here. What i always do though is note the weight of the bottle 1st and write it down. If you get distracted or scales switch off then you can check total weight of where you have got to and work out how much of latest ingredient you have added so far is, and therefore recover.
I always use the same scales to measure all ingredients. If the scales are out of calibration it does not matter as the ratios will still be correct.

[Perpetua]

Thank you everyone for your thoughts.

( Apologies for the delay in response, my late night last night at work )

So . . . . . this looks to be a goer.

Dec 7, 2015 20:35:37 GMT ceedee said:

I think a thread will deteriorate into a mass of individual opinions - some unfounded - that'll be even more confusing for new mixers considering mixing by weight.

Why not invite someone to compile a single-post guide from all the suggestions in this thread (and elsewhere)?
It should be possible to present a draft version for others interested in the topic to offer corrections and/or other methods and theories that could be incorporated into a final version.

Only an idea...

Totally agree with you ceedee . . . . I'd also like to lock any guide that is created, to keep it as clean/tidy as possible.

If I could chip in with a couple of suggestions - links to calculators, I know Ejuicemeup have a by weight facility, other options could also be helpful?

Empty plastic bottles ( like the type you get for tomato sauce ) are quite good for squeezing PG/VG into your mix bottle.

The next question is, do we have an experienced by weight mixer who would be willing to take on the job? A ' Mixing by Weight Guide ' thread could be started in here or the Sandbox . . . . I can then move it to it's permanent home once everyone is happy with the content.

[cigeliquid]

Write down the weight of every part of your intended mix including your empty container

Place empty container/bottle on scales then hit the button marked TEAR this will zero your scales
Then one liquid at a time and in the same order as listed add your liquids to the container/bottle - after the correct weight of each is reached hit the tear button zeroing the scales ready for the next liquid on the list.



You can also work to a running total without the need to use the TEAR button

Write down the following totals
Weight of empty container = ( grams)
Total weight of empty container + liquid 1 = (grams)------once you reached this set weight you then stop adding liquid 1 and move to adding liquid 2 till you hit the next set weight
Total weight of empty container + liquid1+ liquid 2 =(grams) -----once you reached this next weight stop adding liquid 2 and move to adding liquid 3 till you hit the next set weight
Total weight of empty container + liquid 1 + liquid 2 + liquid 3 =(grams) once you reached this weight then stop adding liquid 3