Hi everyone, I’m posting this as a serious heads up for anyone currently stocking up on supplies from Darkstar (UK). I’ve just performed an audit on a large order (15L VG, 15L PG, and several 1L concentrates), and the results are not good and should concern anyone who mixes by weight or purchases from darkstar.
If you are using the ELR calculator to mix by weight, your recipes are currently mathematically incorrect.
1. The Gravimetric (Weight) Data
I used a calibrated scale and medical-grade syringes (testing without needles to ensure zero dead-space or air bubbles). I also control-tested the scale with known weight (50G) to ensure 100% accuracy. For a 20ml sample at room temperature, here are the findings:
VEGETABLE GLYCERIN (VG):
USP Target Weight: 25.22g
Actual Weight: 24.87g
Deficit: -0.35g (Approx. 6.7% Light)
PROPYLENE GLYCOL (PG):
USP Target Weight: 20.72g
Actual Weight: 20.52g
Deficit: -0.20g (Approx. 5.5% Light)
2. The Findings
Systematic Dilution: The fact that BOTH the VG and PG are significantly under their USP density suggests this isn’t a simple one-off batch error add to that that this is across 6 seperate 5L jugs and it becomes blatently obvious. The liquid is physically too light to be pure. The VG failed the standard viscosity bubble test and pulls into a syringe with the ease of a 70/30 blend.
The Volume Skimming: On top of the density issue, every 5L jug was short by 300-350ml (although it is worth noting the PG jugs were 5L). The 1L concentrates were also short by 30-50ml each. Across my total order, I am missing over 1.5 Liters of product that was paid for (when accounting for both the dilution percentage and also the mismeasure across 30L of base this is a huge issue.)
3. The Impact on Your Mixes
If the base is cut, your final E-liquid will be significantly thinner than intended. Expect increased popping/spitting in your coils, potential leaking in pods, and muted flavor profiles as water/thinners do not carry concentrates as effectively as pure PG/VG.
- The ELR Discount Code: It is also worth noting that the ELR community discount code did not work before the March sale was announced, nor did it work during the sale so ive not recieved the ELR discount. It was actually turned off from thier end as they admitted when pulled on this apparently due to thier sale (despite it not working WEEKS before the sale was even announced). Given the recent issues with them not honouring the ELR code for people, pairing that with the physical product skimming and dilution it feels highly relevant to mention.
The Question:
If a major supplier is “watering the milk” on the cheapest bulk ingredients (VG/PG), can we actually trust the concentration and purity of the expensive parts like nicotine or flavour concentrates?
I have recorded a continuous video of these weigh-ins as evidence for the supplier and will be raising this issue with them on tuesday once they reopen. You can see the community discussion over on the Planet of the vapes where im also discussing this issue.
Check your jugs, folks. The math doesn’t lie.