Start measuring by weight already. You can thank me later.
mmmmm no thanks.
Any reason you don't want to?
My life has become much simpler since I started measuring by weight. No more syringes to wash! I only use a pipette and three beakers for the VG, PG and Nic. For the flavors I just drip them in the bottle directly.
Cleanup and prep is so much easier and when 100 disposable pipettes cost $5 on Amazon, it seems like a no brainer to use them.
seriously? I've been doing my own juice for a mere 3 or 4 weeks. I'm already very sick of washing syringes. What sort of scale is best for going by weight?
i responded this to the other guy, but ill say it to you too, so you get orangred, in case you have a compelling argument against it. i'm willing to listen...
>i mix every ingredient by the same standard - % of total solution by volume.
>the [disposable] syringes i use are dirt cheap and graduated to 1/100th of a ml.
>switching to a different standard seems like more work than benefit. cost vs. ~~benefit~~...
So they are graduated to the 1/100th of a ml, how comfortable are you with your accuracy to fill it and empty it to the 1/100th a ml?
To be honest, the first bottle I mixed by weight took me about twice as long as by volume (I mixed by volume for my first 4 months mixing).
Now it takes me all of ~60 seconds to mix a 30ml by weight using 6-8 flavors. No clean up, no residue, no cross contamination, no buying syringes for every flavor.
> So they are graduated to the 1/100th of a ml, how comfortable are you with your accuracy to fill it and empty it to the 1/100th a ml?
Very. The syringes i use have a plunger that clears the tip on release. I don't have to worry about compensating for what's left in the syringe tip.
My real worry is that the density of my ingredients is going to be different and that this would lead to non 1:1 correlations in the standards of % by volume and weight.
I have several recipes (which i spent a good deal of time perfecting) that i sell, which are all based on a % volume of total solution standard. The thought of reformulating to a new standard is daunting.
Also, scales (aside from a triple beam balance - the only scale i really trust) are notoriously inaccurate/always in need of recalibration.
I have a very standardized, controlled system and implementing a new standard of measurement seems like a major PITA. Again, cost vs benefit.
Does that Old Bay mean we'll be seeing a DIY Crab Juice recipe?
Sort of like how I mix my larger batchings.
I suggest pipette pumps. The glass pipettes can be a pain to use without them. Makes them easier to clean also. (They are cheaper than glass or plastic syringes/pipettes in the long run.) Or you could look into calibrated graduated cylinders. Pipettes are handy to have with larger batchings. Plus they have the long necks, to pull deep out of containers.
Here is what I use for my calibrated borosilicate glass: (If it is not lab calibrated, just do it yourself. Check the meniscus is correct, if not adjust it.)
- pumps and pipettes 1-5-10ml
- 10ml grad. Cylinder
- 25ml grad. Cylinder
- 50ml beaker
- 100ml beaker
- 250ml beaker
- pyrex kitchen mixing bowl (about 2 quarts) - multi-purpose use.
A pro-tip for glassware and cleaning. You know it is clean. When clear water does not collect on it. It sheens off. The reason I like glass. No smells over time. Plus super easy to clean mid-mix. A bit of dish detergent laced water. Then rinse until clear water does not stick/pool to the sides of the glass.
Now for the paper towels. Plastic cling wrap is really good for larger areas. It enhances the paper towel's coverage, in case of spillage. Plus it's cheap. I have impermeable underpads. Which is about the same principle.
The pads make it much easier to clean up afterwards. You could get them at most pharmacies, but try and avoid the 22x35 versions. Unless your battle station is big enough. If there is a major spill, most pads handle more then you would have mixing at one time... Or what would spill, before reacting to correct it. No reason to toss them after every mix. So they go a very long ways per towel. So easier and cheaper for the long haul. Oh yeah, they work good with glass not 'tinking' on hard surfaces.
If you haven't met this glove yet... They make every other glove it's bitch for mixing.. they fit really good, chemical resistant, and most of all the tips hold slippery shit. Perfect for our needs mixing!! They can be gotten really cheap too. I don't use gloves because 100mg is dangerous. I use it, to keep my hands clean. In case of something getting on my mitts. I change out gloves and move on. (100mg is dangerous, hence why I use chem resist gloves.)
One thing for the last. I didn't see your "rubbermade" tub. Do you have one that holds all your supplies? If not, consider getting one. Keeping everything in there, unless you have immediate need of it.
can you provide some specific links to the pipettes/pumps you use?
Apologize for the late reply.
How to use them..
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtwhkqygGhU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4VTTE_oWs58
Basic setup I mentioned... Took about 30 seconds to lay out.
http://imgur.com/opzbOYr
Even if you use a scale. The pumps work superb for filling bottles!