DIY chit chat and musings

[redgirl]

Just thought I'd start a thread to BS a little and just chat about DIY ventures.

I tried to make a cucumber melon this weekend and did almost half cucumber flavoring. Boy that was a mistake! After several different flavors went in my atty, including Cinnabomb, I can STILL taste cucumber!

And how in the heck does Ms. T get her blueberry and gingerbread to come out so flavorful? I WANNA KNOW THE SECRET!!!! I cannot get my blueberry to come out half as flavorful, no matter how much flavoring I add. There's gotta be some secret flavor enhancer out there somewhere, I tell ya.

[SimpleSins]

The whole DIY thing does give me a healthy appreciation of those people who make juices I can taste and enjoy. I've been "tinkering" for about two weeks now and so far the only thing I've put together that is even remotely vapable is the base mix of 70/30 PG/VG. Other than that, I've got about six little bottles (after dumping all six of week #1's bottles). It doesn't help that I don't in general like most flavors anyway. Most of the vaping chocolate tastes bitter and the baked goods stuff never seems to have the pastry part, just hints of whatever fruit/flavor goes with it.

I've been trying to do a white chocolate mocha using FA's cappuccino, starting at a low percentage of 10%, going all the way up to 20% because of my still-smoke-deadened taste buds, tossing in a drop of PA's white chocolate, a drop of chocolate, some sweet cream, and a couple of drops of EZSweetz, and it still tastes like essentially nothing. My lips by golly are really sweet, but I'm getting nothing vapable.

I think I would have to produce something good before I got adventurous enough to try something like cucumber anything. I'm not a fan of that particular vegetable, but for those that are, I bet that would be almost refreshing on a hot summer day. I'm with you...there must be some secret flavor enhancers or stabilizers that the juice vendors know, sharing only if you know the secret handshake. Kinda like the people that give you their recipe for something and leave out a critical ingredient so it will never be quite as good as they make it.

Maybe the key is to KISS. How hard is a cinnamon roll to put together?

[GoodDog]

I agree, Redgirl and I'd love to figure it out too. Blueberry is a perfect example and nothing I make tastes as good as TV's Blueberry Cheesecake - never tried Mrs. T's blueberry stuff.

Yeah, it's most likely an enhancer and an industry "secret".

[Springbird]

Hi all, I love the thread! I am trying out a brand new Ego, and simultaineously, the butterscotch that I mixed last week. So I have my V4L passthrough (known quantity) and the new Ego both loaded with the new butterscotch. This because the distinct if mild flavor of dish detergent was present on the Ego and I wanted to rule out the new device. They both taste like dish soap. I used PureVapes mixing guide and the fact that my taste buds are destroyed, to mix it at 15%. Is this the cause of the dish soap taste? Should I dilute with some same nic base? What ever possesed me to mix 30mL of this? Should I add chocolate, coconut, both? Should I wait for the too much taste testing light-headedness to dissipate before I make any more decisions? These are just musings, they don't require a response. Thanks so much for all your helpful posts.

[redgirl]

Hi all, I love the thread! I am trying out a brand new Ego, and simultaineously, the butterscotch that I mixed last week. So I have my V4L passthrough (known quantity) and the new Ego both loaded with the new butterscotch. This because the distinct if mild flavor of dish detergent was present on the Ego and I wanted to rule out the new device. They both taste like dish soap. I used PureVapes mixing guide and the fact that my taste buds are destroyed, to mix it at 15%. Is this the cause of the dish soap taste? Should I dilute with some same nic base? What ever possesed me to mix 30mL of this? Should I add chocolate, coconut, both? Should I wait for the too much taste testing light-headedness to dissipate before I make any more decisions? These are just musings, they don't require a response. Thanks so much for all your helpful posts.

Where did you get your PG & VG from? Also, what flavoring are you using and what mg did you mix to? And are you using attys or cartos? And have you used the flavoring in anything else prior? I usually use around 20% and use PA, Capella's, & Flavourart.

[GoodDog]

To add to redgirl's questions, how long have you been vaping? It could be your taste buds. If you do add anything just add it to 3ml of the mix you made. That way if you mess it up you're not messing up the whole 30ml.

[Jynn]

I agree, Redgirl and I'd love to figure it out too. Blueberry is a perfect example and nothing I make tastes as good as TV's Blueberry Cheesecake - never tried Mrs. T's blueberry stuff.

Yeah, it's most likely an enhancer and an industry "secret".

Might have to play around with some of the flavor molecules from PA and see if any of those give you what youre looking for

I use the Raspberry Ketone in some of fruity recipes and it really gives them that little special something.

[redgirl]

SimpleSins, it sounds like a good recipe for the white choco mocha! I just don't know how much white chocolate you would have to use to bring the flavor out. I tried to make a chocolate covered cherry using PA maraschino cherry and DIYFlavorshack expert chocolate. It turned out pretty good, I just have to use less cherry next time. But, yeah, that chocolate is really good if you ever want to give it a go.

I still have a drawer full of DIY fails from when I first started! It is very time consuming and takes a lot of patience. It can get frustrating at times. Especially for me because I work so much and have limited time at home. I wish I didn't have to work, dammit! And because I wish I knew all of the methods and ingredients that my favorite juice makers have.

I think once you come up with a simple flavor that you really like, it'll give you more confidence. That's what happened when I made cinnamon pear, it's just that the flavors are so strong and good it's hard to mess it up!

[Springbird]

Redgirl,
Lets see, PG and VG from Essential Wholesale, USP grade. I am using FA butterscotch at 15% flavor. Nicotine from Xtreme Vaping. I am mixing to 18mg. With a 50/50 PG/VG mix. I have an atty on the Ego, and a carto on the V4L passthrough. I have not used the flavor in anything else. I think that I have just used too much flavoring and that if I cut it down it will be better. I will try to be smart though and only experiment with 5mL at a time. I've been vaping for seven weeks, no cigs, but I smoked for 42 years and while my sense of taste and smell are definitely better, they may be pretty damaged. For this reason I tend to mix pretty strong flavors, usually to the high end of the recommended range. Thanks for the response.

[redgirl]

Springbird, yeah, I thought it might be the Vg or something. I have the VG from EW too and it is good. I would definitely take some out of that 30 mls like a small amount like GoodDog said and add more nic/pg/vg and see how that vapes. Or just make a new small amount, like 2 or 3 mls with no nic just to find out the right % of flavoring for you. I've never tried FA's butterscotch, so I can't comment, but I generally use a high % of FA.