How do you measure powders like Ambroxan?

[Logocracy]

I'll try and explain my dilemma. I pre-dilute all my materials 10%, 1% and 0.1%, weighed out these percentages with grams on a scale (10g = 1g material).

I come into a problem when it comes to creating a formula.

Let's say a formula is:

Formula	Dilution used to mix
30% Hedione	100%
10% Ambroxan	100%
0.7% Vanillin	10%

Two of these (Ambroxan and vanillin) are powders at 100% but all dilutions are in alcohol.

Problem: For this formula, I might use 100% undiluted Hedione weighed out in grams. And my 10% dilution mix for the vanillin, weighed out in grams. This is all fine.

But with the Ambroxan, because there's so much of it in the formula, I should be using the powder (100% undiluted), but I don't know how I should weigh it. So instead I use the 10% dilution version, which dramatically increases the alcohol volume in the mix.

TLDR: when you mix a formula that has a combination of liquids and solids, how do you do it? I try to make everything a liquid with dilutions, first; but with some ingredients where there is a lot in the formula, using a dilution increases the alcohol content of the overall blend. Is that a bad approach?

 

[steventeddy]

My MO is to weigh out all the powders first, then add the liquids.

 

[Emanuel76]

but I don't know how I should weigh it.

What do you mean?

Put your vessel on the scale, set the tare, grab some powder with a spoon/scoop/spatula/whatever and throw it in carefully, in the required quantity.

 

[Casper_grassy]

Just add the powder first undiluted because for something like this it is easier then adding 10x the amount of a diluted material.
Or you can do that but your final concentration will be lower.

Just an opinion, I find most powders to be pretty easy to work with undiluted but resins and absolutes are definitely easier diluted.

 

[Bladeisdead]

I don't know if you figured this out yet, but just stick with 10% dilution. Don't worry about powders till you start mixing neat. I'm guessing you're using the jean carles method?

 

[rococo]

I use disposable “weigh boats” that are flexible so they can be folded to help funnel the powder into my blending vessel. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07T7B7SYJ?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share

This lets me get an accurate measurement in isolation before adding to the blend. I too dislike using predilutions unless it’s for getting fine resolution of very powerful materials, or for things that need to be heated to be pourable like absolutes/resins/frigging cashmeran and cetalox etc