DIY Juice Mixing basics and a safety primer

DISCLAIMER: THE INFORMATION BELOW IS INTENDED ONLY AS A GUIDE, ANY ACTIVITY INVOLVING NICOTINE IS DONE AT EACH PERSON'S OWN RISK. (ie. dont blame me if you poison yourself...)



Juice mixing...

Measurements: several methods you can use, counting the drops, using a syringe, weight (different liquids have different weights)
Of these using a syringe or pipet are probably the most accurate. It doesnt make a massive difference what method you use so long as it is accurate and repeatable (same result each time)

Useful hardware: Graduated cylinders, brown bottles for storage, measuring syringes, drawing blunts (blunt syringe needles), scales for measuring dry ingredients (menthol and ethyl malto), LOTS of dropper bottles for your world shaking creations.

Nicotine content: One thing I would recommend is getting a titration kit from supersports666 (member here), that will allow you to confirm the concentration of nic in your base, there HAVE been instances of people ordering once concentration and finding it's way different upon testing.

How much of what!?
I could give you the formulas to work it out but I'd use one of the many online calculators. Drop the numbers in the right places and they'll tell you what you need to mix.
mixing-e-liquid-a-basic-guide
e-liquid-calculator
ejuice-calculator also lots of recipes here

Now that stuff that will keep you safe...
Location: very well ventilated (treat it like petrol for fumes etc), no distractions, running water to hand, good lighting.
Safety gear: QUALITY gloves (one study I found stated that 3mm thick gloves had a 10min break through time with 50% nic solution in water, this is the time the solution needed to remain in contact before it started to get absorbed by the skin), face shield (DONT get on youyr face or eyes!), long sleeves.

What happens if I spill nic liquid on myself?
Try not to breathe any fumes.
Before you start cursing, remove any clothing that got contaminated immediately, dont let others handle it, rinse the exposed area/s VERY well (treat this stuff like battery acid, get it the hell off you ASAP). It has been found that a weak vinegar solution will slow absorption through the skin, so you may wish to keep some on hand.

Once YOU are clean, monitor yourself for signs of poisoning (look for the biggest nic rush you're ever had). You start to feel sick get to the emergency dept, call an ambo if you have to!

Clean up: double glove and deal with your clothes, warm wash and watch out for your septic if you have one... Household cleaners (acidic) should be OK to deal with benches, if it's on a rug stick it outside, the nic will evaporate off in time. If it's on carpet... Carpet shampoo?

Storage:
It is recommended that your nic base be kept in either a cobalt blue or brown (or light proof) bottle in the freezer (be aware that VG will thicken significantly).
Your successful juices should be kept in a cool dark place for best long term results, UV light and heat can degrade e-juices over time.

Steeping:
This aging or mellowing your fresh juices, like anything else that is aged it's character changes with time. As for methods... well everyone has their own. Everything from the microwave to a heated ultrasonic jewellery cleaner can and has been used.
Just search the forums or Google for steeping and you'll get several options.


Document everything!
Document everything you do! If you want results to be repeatable you need to know exactly what you've done.
Info should include the following.
Brand, date of manufacture and name of nic base/flavour/s used.
Method of measurement (including the equipment)
Ratios as a percentage of total volume (this will allow you to scale up or down a subsequent batch)

On the bottle: Label with the same name as in your recipe book and DATE it! How often have you read of someone mixing something up that tasted like a sewer at mixing but was divine several weeks later? (making a note of the dates you re-test in your recipe book is also a good idea, you might be able to identify trends for the flavours, EG. The Coconut from XX XXX seems to taste good only after a 9 day steep where as the vanilla from the same supplier is good to go right away)


Related studies and research papers:
http://www.cdc.gov/niosh/docs/81-123/pdfs/0446.pdf (Centres For Disease Control Nicotine handeling proceedures)
ADMET-Absorption, Distribution, Metabolism, Excretion, and Toxicity Toxicity tab
http://annhyg.oxfordjournals.org/con...6/405.full.pdf (glove safety)


Hope this makes sense and helps


EDIT 2: added section on documentation
EDIT: If anyone finds anything I've missed or they think something should be added/corrected post below and I'll ad it in.

 

Maybe include nicotine storage in UV glass bottles in the freezer and MAKE SURE IT IS LABELLED! also label the bottles with correct nic concentration.

 

Added section on documenting your mixes.

 

kamakazzie or anyone who knows - I use 36mg as my base and then dilute it down to 3mg for vaping. What sort of safety pre.comtions do I need to take with that?

 

KamaKazzie, i'm stealing this for the AVF guide if that's ok with you matey?

 

Go for it, it will always be a WIP.

Sent while atop the porcelain throne

 

Same with the guide... easier to keep it all in one location though!

 

Well, 3mg is nothing, however everyone has their own nic levels. Still u wanna be careful with kids. 3mg to them will probably be a mid strength. Haha. Label and keep out of reach of children and pets!!!!!

 

KamaKazzie, thanks, added to guide and noted participation within the guide!