Menthol crystals

[Kate]

Some people have been saying that the commercially produced eliquids don't really satisfy menthol smokers and that they have found a good substitute with using crystals.

I thought it might be worth having a thread here for those who want to know more about making menthol eliquid. Methods, safety, recipes, etc.

This thread talks about it from this post if you're interested in some reading - Menthol

This is what Dr Loi said on that thread about using crystals -

"First of all get a 5ml eyedropper bottle and fill it up with (at least half) menthol crystals which is available commercially at the pharmacy...and then filled it up to 5ml of homemade alcohol(mine made from rice..) or some people will use ethanol(white wine)...aloow the alcohol to dissolve the menthol crystals with occassional shaking of the bottle....once it is fully dissolved if left standing will separate into 2 layers...the top clear layer will be menthol liquid and the lower will be alcohol....but can only be used if it is mixed into a murky solution...now mixed it to e-liquids of your choice (my preference is Flue-cured Tobacco and homemade Menthol at the ratio of 3:2)..."

[KatyS]

I took a couple of small menthol crystals, put them directly in my tobacco juice(about 5 ml). Put the bottle in my microwave uncovered. Microwaved about a min. shook bottle, crystals desolved. If menthol too strong add more juice. If menthol too weak add a small crystal and reheat. Worked for me. Note I only use the menthol off and on. Someone stated they were loosing their voice using the menthol all the time. Don't know what strength he was using. Don't know if this is safe do at your own risk.

[Brian S.]

Originally Posted by KatyS

I took a couple of small menthol crystals, put them directly in my tobacco juice(about 5 ml). Put the bottle in my microwave uncovered. Microwaved about a min. shook bottle, crystals desolved. If menthol too strong add more juice. If menthol too weak add a small crystal and reheat. Worked for me. Note I only use the menthol off and on. Someone stated they were loosing their voice using the menthol all the time. Don't know what strength he was using. Don't know if this is safe do at your own risk.

I would be worried about overheating the juice and exploding the bottle in a microwave. Hot tap water works fine for warming the juice to make the crystals disolve. I have been using my menthol crystal mix for a month now with no issues. Smoking a kissbox and Jane's mint flavor juice. Haven't cleaned an atomizer once since I started using Jane's and got off the JC juice. I find that the e-juice kick is a little too strong for me and makes me cough if I draw too much. The menthol smooths this out some so I can take big draws without coughing.

It is best ot mix a small amount at a time as the crystals are strong and you may need extra juice to thin out the flavor if you overdo it with the crystals. For a 15 ml bottle a pinch is all that is necessary if you keep away from the larger crystals. Maybe a quarter teaspoon for a 30 ml bottle. Best to start with a little and add to it rather than having to thin it out. You can easily get an extremely strong mix that might cause you to temporarily lose your voice or some such and still have a smokable mix. Just be sensible about it please. If your breath smells like a Halls cough drop it is too strong.

The crystals are readily available on eBay for just a couple of bucks. Just type in menthol crystals. A couple of bucks gets you a lifetime's supply. For true menthol smokers this is the only way to go. I have been a happy camper since I got on the crystals.

Brian

[Brian S.]

I should also add that the menthol crystals help with the sore throat you sometimes get from e-smoking too much.

Brian

[Janet]

I melted some crystals in just plain PG. I don't need much nicotine. One of my e-cigs has nic juice, but the rest just have my own concoctions made with PG and flavorings/essential oils (you need just the teensiest bit of EO). I rotate 4 or 5 penstyle e-cigs throughout the day, so I'm always having a banquet! I've found that just a little of my homemade menthol juice added to a fruit flavoring is a special treat.

[Tumbleweed4829]

Where do you buy menthol crsytals? Are menthol crystals all the same? I've been looking for some and noticed on a few websites it says : "Menthol crystals come from freezing the base concentrate oil from a common mint, Mentha arvensis." Wouldn't that be bad for our atomizers if it is basially concentrated oils? (I thought oil was bad for your atomizer?) Since it is freezing the oil and we are melting the crystals isn't it just becoming oil again? I'm just a little confused. Can anyone explain this to me and give me some ideas of where to get these from?

[Brian S.]

Originally Posted by Tumbleweed4829

Where do you buy menthol crsytals? Are menthol crystals all the same? I've been looking for some and noticed on a few websites it says : "Menthol crystals come from freezing the base concentrate oil from a common mint, Mentha arvensis." Wouldn't that be bad for our atomizers if it is basially concentrated oils? (I thought oil was bad for your atomizer?) Since it is freezing the oil and we are melting the crystals isn't it just becoming oil again? I'm just a little confused. Can anyone explain this to me and give me some ideas of where to get these from?

OK lots of questions.

Go to ebay. Search for "menthol crystals". 2 ounces is enough for a life time.

The crystals are a byproduct of concentrating oils, but not themselves an oil. I have been using mine daily for three months with no atomizer problems. Been using the same one and haven't cleaned it once.

Warm the juice under hot tap water for a minute or so. Add a couple of crystals. Shake till they dissolve. Drip some. Add more crystals as needed. It is very easy to put too much in. A pinch for 15ml is what I use.

The menthol crystals smooth the back of the throat hit some and help keep you from getting a sore throat from e-smoking to much. The mint flavored liquids you can my are not menthol. You will definitly notice a difference when you get the real thing.

Brian

[Tumbleweed4829]

Thanks Brian for explaining all that to me. I think I'll buy mine from an organic herb shop instead off ebay, that is why I was wondering if they were all the same. (Ebay scares me when it comes to things that people can tamper with. ie cosmetics, menthol crystals, food).

[Brian S.]

Originally Posted by Tumbleweed4829

Thanks Brian for explaining all that to me. I think I'll buy mine from an organic herb shop instead off ebay, that is why I was wondering if they were all the same. (Ebay scares me when it comes to things that people can tamper with. ie cosmetics, menthol crystals, food).

The ones on ebay are 99% pure so check the ones you are buying. The percentage should be similar. Good luck. I have really enjoyed vaping since I got mine.

Brian

[Kate]

I'm adding this link here because there could be an issue with menthol crystals not being suitable for inhalation. If you use crystals please read this - Heavy Breathing