So I bought a 100mg bottle of nicotine and wanted to dilute the nic down to 20mg to make it a bitsafer to work with. I've seen a lot of people talking about adding Distilled Water in nicotine bases. I just wanted to ask if it's absolutely necessary to add DW in the mix if my base isn't 100%VG. I want to make a 20mg/ml 20%PG 80%VG mix.
DW in nicotine base
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I'm not understanding why you want to dilute the nic. Why not just by less mg nic. Idk why people make it out to be harder than it is. @JCinFLA and I have talked about this in the past. She was my mentor when I got into mixing (she may chime in to put her ¢.2 in on the subject) and we both think a lot of people think you have to get dressed up in a hazmat suit with a respirator and thick gloves to mess with 100mg nic. I mix with no gloves on my desk. Never have had a problem and have dropped some on my hand. I simply got up from my desk and washed it off in the bathroom. Never got nic poisoning or felt the effects of of the nic. As long as you wash your hands or whatever part of your body you got the nic on within a reasonable amount of time you will be ok. I've been mixing for almost a year and never had any issue so don't make it out to be more hassle than it is. Just my opinion though. Your an adult as all of us here and do what you think you should. Just letting you know my thoughts. Enjoy and have a good one.
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It's not necessary at all. You may find you like to put some DW in, but it's your equipment, your DIY mixes, your choice.
I generally do put some in mine, 5%-10%. I keep a couple big bottles with a 5mg nic/vg/pg/dw mix for ease in mixing. All I need to do is add the flavors to the smaller bottles. It doesn't matter to me the exact mg of nic. 3mg to 4.5mg is good enough. Plus I only have to get out the really big bottles of pg, vg, nic, and DW every couple of months. It's not for safety purposes because, as stated above, if you're careful and aware, the risk is minimal with precautions...no kids, pets, or other distractions. But everyone has their own comfort zone with that too.
I generally do put some in mine, 5%-10%. I keep a couple big bottles with a 5mg nic/vg/pg/dw mix for ease in mixing. All I need to do is add the flavors to the smaller bottles. It doesn't matter to me the exact mg of nic. 3mg to 4.5mg is good enough. Plus I only have to get out the really big bottles of pg, vg, nic, and DW every couple of months. It's not for safety purposes because, as stated above, if you're careful and aware, the risk is minimal with precautions...no kids, pets, or other distractions. But everyone has their own comfort zone with that too.
First, I've never heard of anyone adding DW to their nic base. If they add any to anything...it's usually a very small % to the eliquid while they're making/mixing it (PG + VG + Nic base + flavorings). It's usually only done, IMO, if the eliquid needs a little thinning to wick better.
Also, about what @Wheelin247 said above...I agree. As long as you use common sense and reasonable care while using any nic base (even 100mg/mL), there's no reason to be leery or afraid about using it. If you get a few drops on you...there's no reason to panic. Using just soap and water to wash it off will take care of it.
If you're apprehensive about a possible spill while making your eliquids...do what some people do to minimize the spill. They make their mixes with a flat tray (like a lipped cookie sheet) or low-sided pan of some other type, underneath the bottles of their ingredients and the eliquid bottle. That way, in the event of a spill...it's all contained within the pan.
I too would suggest diluting your nicotine base (if that is what you prefer) with PG, and/or VG, and leave the distilled water (if you want to use it at all) for when you mix your individual recipes.
You mentioned "a lot of people talking about adding Distilled Water in nicotine bases." But, I think if you go back and reread those comments, you will see the majority were likely talking about doing so during the recipe phase of mixing; and not prediluting straight nic base.
I would be concerned about adding DW directly to my concentrate; as I don't know if this might provide an unwanted oxygen source. Oxygen, along with heat, and light, are the three things we DIYers try to minimize exposing our nicotine concentrates to, because it will accelerate oxidation. Oxidation can provide unwanted flavors, and throat hit, as well as a decrease in potency.
As for diluting for safety's sake; I would agree with what has already been said in general. For the average, healthy adult, home DIYer, the risk is probably negligible. I, like the previous posters, work with 100mg/mL nic concentrate routinely, and find it unnecessary to dilute it (with anything) prior to the final recipe. But, for a minority, extra care may indeed be necessary.
I have read one ECF participant's experience, that ended with her having to seek emergency medical treatment, and I believe she was working with significantly lower than 100mg/mL concentration. Now she freely admits to having a skin condition, that leaves her sensitive to many different chemicals, so her reaction is not surprising. And, in two and a half years of reading virtually every DIY-related post here on ECF, it is the only report I have come across.
I only mention it, to say that all nicotine concentrates deserve your respect and attention (regardless of concentration); both concerning storage, and handling. I suggest being aware of any special physical limitations for anyone who might come into contact with the concentrate; use common sense, and avoid distractions, while mixing; and have a plan for accidental spills, or contact, before they happen. A little bit of thought, and preparation, goes a long way toward keeping a nuisance from turning into a disaster.
DW is never "absolutely necessary," unless you are avoiding PG, AND you find your recipe too thick (viscus) to wick properly, in your preferred atomizer. Some attys will wick 100% VG just fine without any dilution. Others require something, to thin out the mix, before a satisfying vape can be achieved. That something will most often(?) be PG, DW, or some combination thereof. But DW is never "mandatory."
If I had to guess, I would guess that a rather large majority of DIYers, do not use DW at all. I don't often see it mentioned in recipes (though that could simply be from omission; the way PG/VG ratios are often omitted), and I don't often see it discussed. My own experiments with DW, yielded little (if any) benefits, so I abandoned it after just a few trials. Of course, others (such as @glasseye) find it beneficial, and I fully respect their preference. I bow to their experience and knowledge, to discuss why, when, and how, best to use it.
JMO.
Adding a small amount of DW to a High VG e-Liquid can Dramatically improve wicking. It also may Improve the Taste of a flavored e-Liquid.
But as others have mentioned, adding DW is usually done in the Final Mixing stage of a Finished e-Liquid. Because if you Alter your Nicotine Base there Isn't a very good or easy way to Un-Alter it.
If you are not experiencing any Wicking Problems or don't want to alter the Taste of a Finished e-Liquid, then No, adding DW is Not Necessary.
But if you are, or would like to see if there is a Flavor improvement, then it would be something I would suggest doing to a 30ml Test Batch.
Thank you very much for your replies guys. The only reason I wanted to dilute my 100mg nicotine is that I've only ever worked with 20mg and saw some people saying 100mg is dangerous if you get some on your hands etc.
I bought 100mg because I got it from Cyprus because the new TPD bottles here in europe are ....ing ridiculously priced. I used to get a 20mg 100ml bottle for 10-13 euros. Now they cost about 5 euros for 10 ml...
Thank you guys again for your replies
I bought 100mg because I got it from Cyprus because the new TPD bottles here in europe are ....ing ridiculously priced. I used to get a 20mg 100ml bottle for 10-13 euros. Now they cost about 5 euros for 10 ml...
Thank you guys again for your replies
Thank you very much for your replies guys. The only reason I wanted to dilute my 100mg nicotine is that I've only ever worked with 20mg and saw some people saying 100mg is dangerous if you get some on your hands etc.
I bought 100mg because I got it from Cyprus because the new TPD bottles here in europe are ....ing ridiculously priced. I used to get a 20mg 100ml bottle for 10-13 euros. Now they cost about 5 euros for 10 ml...
Thank you guys again for your replies
No Problem diluting your 100mg/ml Nicotine Base down to something like 20mg/ml. Especially if you are used to working with 20mg/ml. I would just do it with PG or VG or PG/VG.
I would leave the Adding of DW for the Final Stages. And treat the DW just like you do a Flavoring.
Sidenote: While I don't recall the DW/PG/VG ratio at the time, I found that otherwise non-leaking atomizers leaked when I added DW. I currently use Max VG and have no leaking problems with those same atomizers (original styled Aqua's with clear tanks).
Thank you very much for your replies guys. The only reason I wanted to dilute my 100mg nicotine is that I've only ever worked with 20mg and saw some people saying 100mg is dangerous if you get some on your hands etc.
I bought 100mg because I got it from Cyprus because the new TPD bottles here in europe are ....ing ridiculously priced. I used to get a 20mg 100ml bottle for 10-13 euros. Now they cost about 5 euros for 10 ml...
Thank you guys again for your replies
Like we said the only time dangerous is if you get it on yourself and don't wash it off but if it does happen, simply go wash your hands and you'll be good to go. Anything else comes up, put it on here and we will be there to help you!
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The only time you may need to add DW is if your e-juice mix is to thick to wick properly (Dry hits, burnt wicks etc). Generally this is done to an already made mix and not a NIC base. I guess some may do it to a 100% VG base just to make it easier to work with but I find warming it up just a little warmer then room temperature makes it plenty easy enough to work with. Just soak the bottle in some luke warm water for 15 to 20 minutes before you use it.
Well, some add DW as part of a recipe so as to get better wicking without diluting the flavor, nic, PG/VG ratio further down, which I'd also recommend instead. Also some use DW as an ingredient to change/enhance the flavor or to enhance TH(DW reduces droplet size of vaporized VG + lowers boiling-point of entire liquid). I use it as part of a recipe to improve wicking(as not using PG), to lower sweetness of VG and enhance TH.
As said by all, you never need add DW to a nicbase and you don't need it either in a recipe or to thin a finished recipe unless having a specific need to do so, which you'd already know then already
Btw, if the nicbase you bought from cyprus is in all VG, then it already includes 5% DW(I've mailed with the owner before)
As said by all, you never need add DW to a nicbase and you don't need it either in a recipe or to thin a finished recipe unless having a specific need to do so, which you'd already know then already
Btw, if the nicbase you bought from cyprus is in all VG, then it already includes 5% DW(I've mailed with the owner before)
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I think you are getting all the right answers here, I was a bit fearful of 100 mg nic base until I actually handled it, and worked with it. I do wear gloves just due to clumsiness, but I don't usually even wear my mask anymore. I do use a baking tray to minimize any spills and clean up with ETOH then a cleaner afterward, but we do have a pet, so I'm extra careful.
You could dilute it down, the only thing I would add is, I would suggest using the SAME base that you've gotten your nic in, if the nic is PG based, dilute ONLY with PG, if it's VG based, dilute ONLY with VG. That way, you'll have more accuracy when you are making your mixes, in other words, if you have a mixed VG/PG nic that you don't know the exact percentages of, that might make the rest of the process harder. I use max VG an occasionally add a tiny bit of distilled water, but only if I'm having wicking issues. I actually use the h20 in my TANK, not even my flavor, as I sometimes mix flavors and some of mine just seem to be more viscous than others. That works out fairly well, but nic base needs to be stable and like others have said, dilution with water may leave you with very thin, hard to vape juice and/or change your nicotine base into something less stable.
The easiest solution of all is to just use the base as it is, and add less to your mixes? IF you get to the point of being comfortable with that. Nic DREAD Oh my warnings are usually concerning PURE nicotine, which no home vaper should EVER buy as it has hazmat requirements that are pretty heavy duty. I wouldn't want it around the house but at 100 m.g. you are still in a fairly safe zone unless something incredible happens, which I doubt it will.
Best of luck!
You could dilute it down, the only thing I would add is, I would suggest using the SAME base that you've gotten your nic in, if the nic is PG based, dilute ONLY with PG, if it's VG based, dilute ONLY with VG. That way, you'll have more accuracy when you are making your mixes, in other words, if you have a mixed VG/PG nic that you don't know the exact percentages of, that might make the rest of the process harder. I use max VG an occasionally add a tiny bit of distilled water, but only if I'm having wicking issues. I actually use the h20 in my TANK, not even my flavor, as I sometimes mix flavors and some of mine just seem to be more viscous than others. That works out fairly well, but nic base needs to be stable and like others have said, dilution with water may leave you with very thin, hard to vape juice and/or change your nicotine base into something less stable.
The easiest solution of all is to just use the base as it is, and add less to your mixes? IF you get to the point of being comfortable with that. Nic DREAD Oh my warnings are usually concerning PURE nicotine, which no home vaper should EVER buy as it has hazmat requirements that are pretty heavy duty. I wouldn't want it around the house but at 100 m.g. you are still in a fairly safe zone unless something incredible happens, which I doubt it will.
Best of luck!
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