OK new mixers, this is your thread to ask any questions you want of the DIY eJuice community. All posts are allowed, but we still encourage you to use the sidebar and search features before asking any questions.
- Placing your first DIY order and want to make sure you have all you need?
- Not sure about how to mix your first bottle?
- Want to get started but aren't sure how?
- Any other questions? ... then this is the thread for you. FWIW, the answers to the first three questions will eventually be found in the wiki (still in development); link at the top of the page.
Ask away!
What's the difference between TPA & TFA?
TFA: The Flavor Apprentice
TPA: The Perfmers Apprentice
TFA is a subdivision of TPA that makes flavors that are food safe and used in eliquids.
In this sub whenever somebody mentions TPA just assume TFA.
ok as long as there's no harm in interchanging one for the other in recipies! :)
Thanks! Now go order some more nude nic!!! haha hope your DIYing is going well!
I was looking for a way to inventory my flavors and just happened across a post about the flavor stash and "what can I make" buttons on E-Liquid Recipes http://www.e-liquid-recipes.com/
If you use that, there's a lot of recipes for the TFA flavorings but they're almost all abbreviated as TPA, and I'm sure lots of other sites are that way. I didn't realize it at first and didn't select the right item to add to my stash so that I would get lots of recipe hits when using the site to discover all the recipes I can make with my flavors in my inventory.
I'm sure other sites are that way too, they're used interchangeably a lot, and usually people that have been at it a while use (TPA) or the software systems do because that used to be the only option.
I didn't realize how long it takes to ship diy ejuice supplies. Jesus!
Anyway, I purchased flavor packs from TFA (with a gallon of VG extra), several flavors from Heartland, and the Basic DIY kit from Nude (with 100mg/mL 100% VG base).
Questions:
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I like high VG mixes seeing as I drip. Am I screwing myself by not having enough PG for flavor to bond?
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Is a magnetic stirrer without a heater worth the investment particularly since I'm using high VG?
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Should I pre-mix VG and nicotine?
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I once read that sunlight zaps nicotine. Any truth?
Thanks for all the help. I'm sure I'll have more questions in a couple of days. Until then I'm collecting clone recipes to normalize the diy procedures (safety, mixing, steeping, etc).
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No. I got the nude nic starter with 250mL VG, I have about 200mL PG left and am out of VG. PG happens to be the easier one to get, just grab a gallon for $20 from your local tractor supply. No shipping costs, I'd probably recommend it over purchasing PG online because of that.
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No. It will be too thick to move with a stir bar unless you've got a hotplate. Plus, a magnetic stirrer/hotplate combo that you don't make yourself is expensive (several hundred).
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Not until you get your feet under you at the very least. If you mix a base, you're going to have differences (albeit small ones) in your PG/VG ratio and nicotine level depending on the flavor you're making. I wouldn't recommend it at all, not mixing it beforehand allows you to keep your nic in the freezer preventing oxidation and get better results with your recipe accuracy.
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Yes. UV rays and heat are the 2 primary sources of energy for the oxidation reaction that occurs in nicotine. It's not going to, like, spontaneously combust or turn nasty after a couple of seconds, but over the long haul, yeah, keep it out of light.
Also, do yourself a favor and learn to mix by mass if you decide to stick with it. It's easier and more precise.
What's the general rule of thumb or guideline when starting to mix by mass? Is it after say 60 to 100 mLs? Or more?
Great stuff. Thanks for the advice. Thank God for the noob question thread.
TFA has had my order for a few days now and hasn't shipped it yet. Has this happened to any of you? Does it happen allot? How long can I expect to have to wait? Should I be worried? Are they going out of business or something?
I've ordered a couple times from them and got my stuff without ever getting a shipping confirmation. Usually happens when I go for the cheapest shipping option.
I've noticed that sometimes the tracking number they send me via email doesn't work, so i have to log into my TFA account, look at my order history and then click on the tracking number from there.
Mixing by weight? I read a tutorial on ECF about mixing by weight. It was mostly about taking into account specific gravity and the math involved was a bit beyond my comprehension (which is sad, because specific gravity is a big part of my real job). Does anybody know of a handy calculator designed for mixing by weight?
I have tasted (and wasted money on) some bad vendors juices, which smelled not bad but had such a perfumey taste, I still shudder thinking about them. I heard steeping helps this but it's been over 3 weeks and no real change. How do you avoid this when doing DIY? Is it just a matter of mixing correct ratios? I prefer fruit based stuff, so I am worried I will be facing this problem.