Advice on finding the right mix (not flavor)

[madmaveric]

Hi all,

Wow this is big site, congrats.

I've, been looking around for a while and have yet to find a post or site that has the info I'm after so thought I'd try here. I haven't started mixing yet (all the kit is ready to go) but wanted to start with finding 'my' mix. I'm not talking flavor here but the vapor that carries it.

Having not mixed before I wanted to start by getting the basics right for me (as every ones taste is different) before messing with flavor, so though it might be an idea to start with basics, feel free to tell me if this is a waste of time or even dangerous to me or e-cig. Also if you have tried this yourself or have any ideas let me know.

The E-cig I'll be using for this is an itaste MVP with iClear 30 tank. I'm not 100% sure on the voltage wattage to use for the following so may end up doing several runs with different settings.

What I'm currently planning is the following
1) Work out my mix of PG/VG for my taste
This will involve pure vaping of PG and VG so I can see what they taste like to me and be able to recognize what is wrong with the mix. Then I can try to work out (should that be taste out) what % mix of PG/VG gives me the best result without dryness or clammy mouth I have found with some liquids (although this could be something else in the liquid)

I have heard of water being used for the base but i'm not sure if trying to vape pure water would be a good idea or not (for me or the e-cig). I will probably try adding water after I have a mix to see if I can then see what effect that has on it.

2) Find out what strength/taste the nic has
This will involve using the above mix but with nic added (starting low and working up). currently I'm on 24mg brought liquid and this is a bit strong sometimes so will probably end up somewhere between 10-20mg. This will then allow me to see (if at all) what the taste/vape of nic is like compared to no nic (I think this may help with flavorings later if there I find I have a taste of it)

3) Start with the flavoring
This bit I won't bother too much about here as I can find lots of info about this elsewhere.

I hope this isn't too much for a first post but thought I would try and ask a something useful rather than just try and get my post count up.

If anyone has any thoughts on this process, or links to better ways to work out my own vapor taste I'd love to get hold of them, or even to tell me I'm wasting my time and should just start mixing Google only seems to throw up flavoring information when I search.

thanks in advance.

 

[dead not sleeping]

Well, its trial and error. Sounds like you are on the right track, just mix small samples at first - 1 to 5 mls. Save the water for later experimentation. More PG = more throat hit and a bit more harsh. Drink lots of water with high PG as it dries out your throat a bit. VG will make clouds and is a bit sweeter tasting, but less throat hit. The nic will add a bit of a peppery taste (imo), and more throat hit. The more nic, you could use less PG. Keep that in mind if you try your PG/VG without nic. Start at a 50/50 and go from there. A warm water bath will thin things out and will mix better. Welcome to ECF and have fun.

 

[Burn_notice_fan_NY]

Make a 50/50, 60/40, and a 40/60 of the same flavor and nic content. Decide which of the three you like best. Then use that as the starting point for the next test and either bump up by ten or lower by ten on either PG or VG. Don't forget, you can also go into fives or lower, just start with 10% differences at first to determine which you want more of: PG or VG

 

[edyle]

Hi all,

Wow this is big site, congrats.

I've, been looking around for a while and have yet to find a post or site that has the info I'm after so thought I'd try here. I haven't started mixing yet (all the kit is ready to go) but wanted to start with finding 'my' mix. I'm not talking flavor here but the vapor that carries it.

Having not mixed before I wanted to start by getting the basics right for me (as every ones taste is different) before messing with flavor, so though it might be an idea to start with basics, feel free to tell me if this is a waste of time or even dangerous to me or e-cig. Also if you have tried this yourself or have any ideas let me know.

The E-cig I'll be using for this is an itaste MVP with iClear 30 tank. I'm not 100% sure on the voltage wattage to use for the following so may end up doing several runs with different settings.

What I'm currently planning is the following
1) Work out my mix of PG/VG for my taste
This will involve pure vaping of PG and VG so I can see what they taste like to me and be able to recognize what is wrong with the mix. Then I can try to work out (should that be taste out) what % mix of PG/VG gives me the best result without dryness or clammy mouth I have found with some liquids (although this could be something else in the liquid)

I have heard of water being used for the base but i'm not sure if trying to vape pure water would be a good idea or not (for me or the e-cig). I will probably try adding water after I have a mix to see if I can then see what effect that has on it.

2) Find out what strength/taste the nic has
This will involve using the above mix but with nic added (starting low and working up). currently I'm on 24mg brought liquid and this is a bit strong sometimes so will probably end up somewhere between 10-20mg. This will then allow me to see (if at all) what the taste/vape of nic is like compared to no nic (I think this may help with flavorings later if there I find I have a taste of it)

3) Start with the flavoring
This bit I won't bother too much about here as I can find lots of info about this elsewhere.

I hope this isn't too much for a first post but thought I would try and ask a something useful rather than just try and get my post count up.

If anyone has any thoughts on this process, or links to better ways to work out my own vapor taste I'd love to get hold of them, or even to tell me I'm wasting my time and should just start mixing Google only seems to throw up flavoring information when I search.

thanks in advance.

1: Make 50/50 base.
Make a batch of 50/50 base; it's usefull and handy just to have around. Kind of a standard all purpose no-nic no-flavor base liquid useful for priming coils, taste testing a new tank, rinsing tanks etc.

2: note your nic strength will seem stronger in a high pg mix than a high vg mix

Don't vape 100% vg, you'll get heavy chest.
For vg-only you can add 10-20% distilled water to thin it.

Higher VG gives more for.

 

[madmaveric]

Thanks for the quick reply (was just going to bed and thought I'd check the forum).

Interesting to see that the nic will add to the hit, it will be fun to see if I get the pepper taste or a different one (given that I've just given up smoking may mean my taste may be different and/or change over the coming weeks. I guess the taste could also come from the manufacturer of the nic you buy, so I may need to redo the tests with new batches when I get them (although I have enough to keep me going for quite a while at the moment).

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Definitely trial and error. I would create a spreadsheet. Variables like PG/VG ratios, nic content, flavor and flavor content, what mod was used...

I would use a simple wickless atomizer like this one. Put in 3 drops...6-7 draws

This one from Discount Vapors - I use them for flavor testing

 

[edyle]

Thanks for the quick reply (was just going to bed and thought I'd check the forum).

Interesting to see that the nic will add to the hit, it will be fun to see if I get the pepper taste or a different one (given that I've just given up smoking may mean my taste may be different and/or change over the coming weeks. I guess the taste could also come from the manufacturer of the nic you buy, so I may need to redo the tests with new batches when I get them (although I have enough to keep me going for quite a while at the moment).

Yes your tastebuds are going to change for the next few weeks and months.
Hang on it's going to be a ride!

 

[GPC2012]

DIY is a fun hobby, I'm just getting into it myself. Something for you to think about with your mix

VG = more Vapor
PG = palate (throat hit) how strong is seems as you inhale it.
I'd start with a high VG and add PG till you get a comfortable throat hit, write each test down, don't toss failed tests just add additional PG to it till you find your spot. Flavors are generally 5 to 20% of your liquid. there again start light and note everything. Add more till you get what you are looking for. But be aware some of your mixed juices will need to steep for up to two weeks for the flavor to mature.

Hope this helps

 

[Rat2chat2]

You have already gotten your answers but I just wanted to welcome you to ecf. Lots of wonderful and informative threads on DIY. Good luck to you and I hope you have fun with it. I enjoy mixing mine very much and not just because it is cost effective. Happy mixing.

 

[donesmokin]

I'm happy with a 70pg/30vg mix. This is the juice calculator I use:

Postmodern Smoking DIY Mixing Calculator Quality Electronic Cigarettes & Supplies

 

[madmaveric]

Thanks again for the replies, some good tips in there.

I'll definitely be getting a spreadsheet up and running to log various things (taste, vapor, dryness etc) for each mix. I also plan on re-running the test in a couple of weeks/months to see how much things change (should be interesting).

I hadn't thought much about wickless testing. I could use my old ego atomizer by removing the wadding, then again if I am going to be mixing a lot I guess a proper wickless tester would be useful. I'll look at getting one before I start, thanks.

I like the idea of starting with three in the middle of the range rather than pure, the 40%/50%/60% idea sounds good as I guess I will still get an idea of my taste difference for PG and VG by varying it at that amount.

I'll check out the calculator, I had found one on my phone that I liked but to start with I will be using the laptop to log in the spreadsheet so might as well get a calc on that as well.

Off to buy some more kit wickless atomizers here I come lol (so far my first couple of weeks spending has matched what I spent on cigarettes, the difference is if I stopped spending on it now I could still vape for the next 6 months lol).
Apart from the MVP this little lot arrived the end of last week

 

[Rickajho]

Did you locate the DIY section of ECF yet? Lot's of great info there. Check out all the information stickys. => DIY E-Liquid

You should be able to at least read there now, but your post count will need to be higher before you can post. Not to worry - as you have already figured out New Members Forum is where any and all questions are fair game.

As more than one person has said: Whatever method you decide on - take notes. Nothing more frustrating than to get a perfect bottle - that you cannot recreate because you forgot to write something down and can't recall what that last adjustment or addition was that got you there.

About the water? My take is - don't overdo it. If you need to thin a gloppy high VG mix down to your liking that's one thing. But ultimately keep in mind that water does not make for a satisfying vape. (VG or PG produce vapor. Water produces... steam.) Vendors selling pre-mixed liquids stop at a 70% VG/30% h2o mix if they offer it and personally that's too much water for my liking.

Welcome!

 

[dice57]

When I started and then learned about vg/pg ratios I then bought one juice at 50/50 blend, one at 70% PG and one at 70% VG. Everybody is different, some are intolerant/allergic to one or the other. I found High PG to be more harsh and unacceptable, 50/50 was ok, but 70-80% VG is just right for me. Offers a smooth satisfying Vape, and great flavors. High VG juice flavors do take a bit longer to fully develop, and is thicker, so wicking can be a concern or at least an area of focus.

Everything effects everything else in the land of Vape, but once one finds the preferred mix and flavor's of juice, everything else becomes easier to find. I now mix DIY juice and can totally customize all aspects of my vape. That's what I love about Vape, can tailor it to ones own expectorations and desirers.

Vape it to the Limit!!!

 

[madmaveric]

I had found the DIY forum but couldn't find much about finding the right base mix (if that makes sense). It may be there somewhere but there are a lot of posts in there (I am currently going through them slowly but as I want to start mixing soon I decided to post to get started quicker).
I have found quite a bit of useful info on things like the differences in PG/VG depending on where you got them from (I had assumed that these were basically the same from wherever you got them but it seems not, I guess it’s like assuming all water is the same). Once the base mix is done then I will probably not be asking too many questions, just about everything seems to be covered in there so it’s easy to find an answer to most questions

The problem I had with a starting point is that, until I looked into making my own juice, I’d never looked at PG/VG percentages (I didn't even know it existed lol). Most of the purchased Juice I have only has the nic content on it without any PG/VG values, and there are quite some difference between them, even the ones I like I don't know what the levels are, hence the reason to do this kind of testing.

I will leave the water alone I find a mix I like, then only add it, if needed, to thin the mix out.

 

[madmaveric]

First mix tried.

Went for 4ml (was going to do 2ml but thought it would be more accurate at 4ml) of 50/50 base.

Interestingly it was actually a pleasant smoke, I was expecting it to not be something I'd want to vape at all with no flavor or nic in it, but interestingly I found it a pleasant experience, obviously it feeds the habit of smoking but not the nic addiction

My notes on it go along the lines of
No noticeable flavor.
No real throat hit.
No dryness
A little moist/clammy but not unpleasant.
High vapor

This tells me to go higher on the PG so the next one will be 75/35 PG/VG (binary chop search method for any computer geeks out there ), I'm actually enjoying sat here vaping the 50/50 pure mix lol, should only get better from here.

So I'm now up and running, thanks for all the advice.