Building My Flavors...Need Advice

[MsGoddess2U]

So...I've been looking at recipes and reading threads...I want to have the basics on hand for recipes that sounds good. I have TFA Cheesecake, HA Turkish, TFA Kettle Corn, TFA Caramel Candy, TFA Sour, TFA Coconut, TFA Hazelnut, HA Italian Cream, TFA Vanilla Swirl, FJ Honey Peach.

I also have FW Lemonade, FW Strawberry, FW Watermelon, FW Pina Colada, FW Cheesecake, and sweetener from Mt Baker (but unless I can figure out how to work some serious magic with my FW flavors, I'll be getting rid of them)

I'm getting ready to put in an order for FA Strawberry, Signature Watermelon, FA Fuji Apple, FA Lime Tahiti, FA Lemon Sicily, FA Coffee Espresso, Capella Raspberry, FA White Peach, Signature Double Chocolate, FA Marshmallow, FA Bavarian Cream, and FA Magic Mask.

Am I going overboard? Are there any flavors used for sweetening that I am being redundant with, like not needing Bavarian Cream cuz I already have Italian Cream or Marshmallow.....?

 

[Muero]

Well, for whatever it's worth, I've collected around 50+ flavor most of which I'm not using regularly. You will want to be trying as many flavors as possible to find some good recipes. I almost never sweeten any juices because most flavors that I've come across are sweet enough by themselves. Most of your second order flavors will probably not need any additional sweeteners.

 

[MsGoddess2U]

Well, for whatever it's worth, I've collected around 50+ flavor most of which I'm not using regularly. You will want to be trying as many flavors as. possible to find some good recipes. I almost never sweeten any juices because most flavors that I've come across are sweet enough by themselves. Most of your second order flavors will probably not need any additional sweeteners.

So...I'm not going overboard on flavors...this is good but I understood that Bavarian Cream, Italian Cream, Cotton Candy and Marshmallow are all used to sweeten. Forgot to include that I also have Ethyl Maltol. I'm wondering if any of these are so similar to one or more of the others that I'm just basically duplicating the same sweet flavor with just a different name...?

 

[WarBlaze]

2U i have over 100 flavors but only 9 bottles that are 4 oz sized the big bottles are flavors that i like alot and use most so far and flavor west is a good vendor is it possible your using them at too high a %? i know i just used fuji apple at a whay high amout and havent tried it again but i wouldnt get rid of them cause later down the road youll find you may want to give em ashot again

 

[Rat2chat2]

I hang my head in shame at my own diy collection compared to yours but I only bought juice one time last year so I am either pretty darn good or easily satisfied.

(and I'm leaning towards the second choice)

Hey, you have lots of flavors that you are going to have so much fun with. I look forward to reading about what you do. It will not sway my sloth-like mixing technique, but I love to read what others are doing. Good luck to you and always, always keep meticulous notes on what you are creating and tweeking. Just my 3¢ (inflation)

 

[MsGoddess2U]

I hang my head in shame. at my own diy collection compared to yours but I only bought juice one time last year so I am either pretty darn good or easily satisfied.

(and I'm leaning towards the second choice)

Hey, you have lots of flavors that you are going to have so much fun with. I look forward to reading about what you do. It will not sway my sloth-like mixing technique, but I love to read what others are doing. Good luck to you and always, always keep meticulous notes on what you are creating and tweeking. Just my 3¢ (inflation)

Hahahaha! Love the 3 cents worth! I am using an online program and I'm keeping track best I know how.

 

[Ablonz]

You can never go over board with flavors I have about 20 so far and soon to be ordering about 37 more. As far as Bavarian cream and such, each one will add its own uniqueness (sp?) to the mix. For example, Cotton Candy will sweeten, Marshmallow will add like a fullness taste and Bavarian Cream will add a creamy sweet taste to it. When you make your mixes, I suggest getting a mech mod to be able to test em out without having to fill a tank every time. The way I do mine is shake it good,let it air (breathe) with the cap off for 2 hrs. Shake it again and test. let it sit in a cool dark place for 20 hrs cap on, shake it again and then let it sit with cap on for about a week. Try it and take notes. I try to shake it good about once a day if I remember to but then try it after 2 weeks and take more notes. Then of course you do the same and let it sit for 3 weeks and then 4 weeks when you are using creams and such. Custards I have heard take about 4 weeks. I also suggest you find one you like that you can vape right away and use that while your others are aging to perfection or as some call it here in vapeland, steeping. Good luck with your DIY and wish you great success on making your own premium juices

 

[sedition]

Is that the recipe website that allows you to search for recipes based on a flavor you have, or see a list of the recipes you have all ingredients for? Looks like I can't put the name of the website here without it being censored..

 

[MsGoddess2U]

Is that the recipe website that allows you to search for recipes. based on a flavor you have, or see a list of the recipes you have all ingredients for? Looks like I can't put the name of the website here without it being censored..

Ecigvape.com...as far as I know, it's just a site for calculating with many different variables. I think I know what you're talking about. The place that has you're own flavor stash and it gives you recipes you can make from your stash. I still have a lot of flavors to add to that one but look forward to seeing what it puts together for me.

 

[MsGoddess2U]

You can never go over board with flavors I have about 20 so. far and soon to be ordering about 37 more. As far as Bavarian cream and such, each one will add its own uniqueness (sp?) to the mix. For example, Cotton Candy will sweeten, Marshmallow will add like a fullness taste and Bavarian Cream will add a creamy sweet taste to it. When you make your mixes, I suggest getting a mech mod to be able to test em out without having to fill a tank every time. The way I do mine is shake it good,let it air (breathe) with the cap off for 2 hrs. Shake it again and test. let it sit in a cool dark place for 20 hrs cap on, shake it again and then let it sit with cap on for about a week. Try it and take notes. I try to shake it good about once a day if I remember to but then try it after 2 weeks and take more notes. Then of course you do the same and let it sit for 3 weeks and then 4 weeks when you are using creams and such. Custards I have heard take about 4 weeks. I also suggest you find one you like that you can vape right away and use that while your others are aging to perfection or as some call it here in vapeland, steeping. Good luck with your DIY and wish you great success on making your own premium juices

I was hoping that was the answer cuz I got to anxious to wait for an answer on that and went ahead and ordered...LOL! Perhaps I should get a spiral notebook to keep notes in....waiting on them to steep is most definitely a time consuming process and it seems like they all need to steep. I'm starting to crave cigarettes cuz I haven't been able to get anything right so far (due to first ordering my base premixed with my preferred nic level, which dropped dramatically, once mixed).

I bought a RBA but I don't like how it works (almost no vape and way too airy). Don't know if it's put together right but I took it to a vape store and the guy in there set it up for me. He only put one coil in it though. Someone suggested cartomizers and said something about pulling most of the cotton out....?? I can't recall exactly but now that I think about it, I believe it's in a thread I posted asking for help cuz I couldn't get a flavor out of my tank...found it. "For DIY, a good solution is to use a carto with the stuffing pulled out (but not the coil!) as a mini-dripper. Let's you do a quick taste."
I don't know where to find these or how to pull the stuffing out..

You seem to have quite a bit more knowledge than I do...do you see one of my flavors that would fit that criteria? I just mixed some turkish at 7% and warned it in hot water and shook it...it's not too terribly bad but still missing something...maybe a little EM...?

 

[sedition]

What's your vaping setup - which atomizer/battery?

 

[MsGoddess2U]

What's your vaping setup - which atomizer/battery?

I have a couple Smoktech1300 mAh twists, a Vision Spinner, a little ego twist and an MVP 2.0 Shine. My tanks are mostly Aspire BDC/BVC Glassomizers, a Nautilus Mini and a Nimbus V3 Come that either isn't set up right or is a POS....I'm thinking it's just not set up right but haven't had the time to learn about it and try to build it right

 

[dannyv45]

I was hoping that was the answer cuz I got to anxious to wait for an answer on that and went ahead and ordered...LOL! Perhaps I should get a spiral notebook to keep notes in....waiting on them to steep is most definitely a time consuming process and it seems like they all need to steep. I'm starting to crave cigarettes cuz I haven't been able to get anything right so far (due to first ordering my base premixed with my preferred nic level, which dropped dramatically, once mixed).

I bought a RBA but I don't like how it works (almost no vape and way too airy). Don't know if it's put together right but I took it to a vape store and the guy in there set it up for me. He only put one coil in it though. Someone suggested cartomizers and said something about pulling most of the cotton out....?? I can't recall exactly but now that I think about it, I believe it's in a thread I posted asking for help cuz I couldn't get a flavor out of my tank...found it. "For DIY, a good solution is to use a carto with the stuffing pulled out (but not the coil!) as a mini-dripper. Let's you do a quick taste."
I don't know where to find these or how to pull the stuffing out..

You seem to have quite a bit more knowledge than I do...do you see one of my flavors that would fit that criteria? I just mixed some turkish at 7% and warned it in hot water and shook it...it's not too terribly bad but still missing something...maybe a little EM...?

A lot of what you have are accent notes. You need to understand flavor profiles such as what work good as base flavors and what are good as top notes and accents. Until you fully understand that, combining flavors will be a chore. A lot of what you have are also additives such as marshmallo, EM, Sweetener and some flavors act as additives not to add flavors but to bring out flavors of other flavors. Quality of flavoring, amount of flavoring used, Steeping and properly preparing your base are also big factors and very misunderstood by many but it all play's a major part in the entire process.

May I recommend some reading to help you better understand this.

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DYI, from steeping to what supplies to have on hand to a basic walk through mixing your first E-juice.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

Then read hoosier's blogs. These blogs concentrate on fine tuning your mix and give insight on additives.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

Then read Boletus's blog's. These blogs concentrate on formulation of nicotine baces regarding proper calculations methods for figuring Nicotine concentration as well as safety.

E-Cigarette Forum - Boletus - Blogs

Then read Ginger's book "E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid". It is a book which I've contributed to that delivers an in depth easy to follow guide in the art of DYI.

E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid

I recommend viewing VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety and bookmark it for future reference. It explains safety in all aspects of DYI.

VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

this will explain a lot of the how's and why's.

 

[sedition]

Regarding your equipment, I'm asking mainly to see if there's anything we can help out with right now so that you don't end up going back to cigarettes. I think every vaper fears that. I'd suggest that you stick to the Nautilus and/or the other glassomizers for the present - they should be able to perform well enough in terms of vape quality. I haven't tried the Nautilus, but the reports I've read seem promising regarding flavor. The Nimbus isn't much different to the majority of 3 post drippers, but it can still take time finding a build that works for you.

DannyV is on point regarding DIY - he and Bill (BillsMagicVapor) are both kinda 'must read' guys when you start DIY. Based on my own experience, start with single and two flavor recipes. It makes things much simpler for mixing, testing and adjusting - you'll find something you enjoy quicker. I got serious about mixing when I found that 13% TFA Cinnamon Sugar Cookie and my preferred high VG was MORE satisfying than over-hyped juices that I'm spending 20-22 dollars a bottle on. Not long after that, I was able to use 2 flavor combinations to approximate a couple of juices I adore, and because I could make them high VG, I now prefer mine over the bought ones.

 

[MsGoddess2U]

Regarding your equipment, I'm asking mainly to see if there's anything we can help out with right now so that you don't end up going back to cigarettes. I think every vaper fears that. I'd suggest that you stick to the Nautilus and/or the other glassomizers for the present - they should be able to perform well enough in terms of vape quality. I haven't tried the Nautilus, but the reports I've read seem promising regarding flavor. The Nimbus isn't much different to the majority of 3 post drippers, but it can still take time finding a build that works for you.

DannyV is on point regarding DIY - he and Bill (BillsMagicVapor) are both kinda 'must read' guys when you start DIY. Based on my own experience, start with single and two flavor recipes. It makes things much simpler for mixing, testing and adjusting - you'll find something you enjoy quicker. I got serious about mixing when I found that 13% TFA Cinnamon Sugar Cookie and my preferred high VG was MORE satisfying than over-hyped juices that I'm spending 20-22 dollars a bottle on. Not long after that, I was able to use 2 flavor combinations to approximate a couple of juices I adore, and because I could make them high VG, I now prefer mine over the bought ones.

I have read some of Danny's blog entries. He suggested it a while back and that's what inspired me to get some of the things I have. If anyone read my thread there, please excuse me for repeating myself but I can't expect that everyone has read my little whine about how busy and hectic my life is. I'm a single mom to 2 beautiful girls. The oldest has given me 2 grandchildren...my youngest is only 7. I'm an apprentice in powerline clearance...work 40 hrs a week and go to school, which requires homework every night. My grandson was born 2 weeks ago and he's still in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I sleep 3-5 hrs at night...normally just 4; 5 hrs is a luxury (whine is now over). I have tried to educate myself best as possible under these circumstances, even tried reading during my commute...that was not so intelligent and was quickly tossed out as an option. I must've missed the one about top notes and accents. I am aware that the ones I ordered that are used mainly for sweeteners are just that....that's why I was asking if I was being redundant with those ones...if any of them were basically the same as another. I do however also understand that each of those sweeteners will have a slightly different taste to them...that's why I got all of them Now, as for the other flavors...my thinking was something like this...I like some stand alone fruit. Double Chocolate an raspberry. Chocolate and coconut. Chocolate pecan and caramel (pecan is out of stock though) peaches alone or peaches and cream. Espresso was just a random impulse purchase....lol. I like Cheescake alone. I was gonna order Graham cracker but I forgot but that would go with marshmallow and chocolate for smores. Bavarian Cream was also an impulse purchase...thinking, "what the hell, let's try it." strawberries and lemonade for the obvious strawberry lemonade. Coconut and lime....this is where my thinking took me. Maybe I shouldn't be thinking for myself .

 

[sedition]

Haha.. that's where the fun is! There's heaps of knowledge available around here, you sound ultra busy so don't let yourself get snowed under by all of this. I mentioned my Cinnamon Sugar Cookie juice because despite how intimidating DIY can be, it can also be that easy - one flavor at 13%, add nicotine, PG/VG as required, shake, done. Ready to vape.

Don't be afraid to have too many flavors - your tastes will likely change over time. Same goes for sweetener. I'll have around 80 or so (mainly the small 4ml vials) by the time my next order arrives, that's really handy when you read about a new juice people rave about (right now Cereal Killa is getting alot of hype) - you can try out the flavor combination, and probably even make something more to your taste than the 20-30 dollar original.

 

[MsGoddess2U]

Haha.. that's where the fun is! There's heaps of knowledge. available around here, you sound ultra busy so don't let yourself get snowed under by all of this. I mentioned my Cinnamon Sugar Cookie juice because despite how intimidating DIY can be, it can also be that easy - one flavor at 13%, add nicotine, PG/VG as required, shake, done. Ready to vape.

Don't be afraid to have too many flavors - your tastes will likely change over time. Same goes for sweetener. I'll have around 80 or so (mainly the small 4ml vials) by the time my next order arrives, that's really handy when you read about a new juice people rave about (right now Cereal Killa is getting alot of hype) - you can try out the flavor combination, and probably even make something more to your taste than the 20-30 dollar original.

EXACTLY!! I was already thinking about going the DIY route because I was getting really tired of the inconsistency in the same flavors from the store I was purchasing at. I can't tell you how many times I had to go back because it wasn't exactly the same...still searching for that first cheesecake flavor that rocked my taste buds . They switched distributors once and that one felt like it ripped my lungs out. One day the guy mixed up a couple little 10 ml test bottles for me 60/40 PG/VG and 40/60. I asked him how much he wanted for doing that and his reply was not to worry about it, that it only cost him about 20 cents to make it...20 cents to make a 10 ml bottle and they sell their 15 ml juices for $8, $15 for 30 ml. Anyways, one of the other apprentices started talking about DIY and said it was super easy and so much cheaper...$15 and it costs me like around $3 to make my own...I just need to get the ideal percentages on the flavors figured out before I go nuts and buy a pack of camels

 

[sedition]

Hang in there. If all else fails, you always have the option of mixing up some unflavored juice. Better quality nicotine than a camel, as strong or weak as you like, and it won't take you a couple of days to get the foul cigarette taste out of your mouth and clothes!

I won't keep bombing you with info, but Bill (BillsMagicVapor) has made a few blog posts specifically about flavor percentages. These two specifically that should give you a head start:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...t-juice-average-flavoring-percentages-me.html
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ime-try-high-flavor-percentages-time-mix.html

The second has a rough explanation of Bill's 100 drip test - it's a quick and easy way to make a test sample, perfect for dialing in flavors without using/wasting too much of anything. Just a thought - do you have any preference between PG and VG? That can have a large impact on getting to a satisfying vape.

 

[WarBlaze]

time is always an issue but never the less find a sweet spot for one of your fruits or other main flavors you like and add small amounts of sweetner or creams to it if thats your fancy
dont get to complicated 1,2,or 3 flavors mixed up can taste awesome
my go to mix is
6%cantalope(tfa)
4%honeydew(tfa)
2%melon(la)
sweeten by 1% till i found my love'n' it spot

and ive subbed the melon for pear,peach,apple,and a few others

 

[dannyv45]

I have read some of Danny's blog entries. He suggested it a while back and that's what inspired me to get some of the things I have. If anyone read my thread there, please excuse me for repeating myself but I can't expect that everyone has read my little whine about how busy and hectic my life is. I'm a single mom to 2 beautiful girls. The oldest has given me 2 grandchildren...my youngest is only 7. I'm an apprentice in powerline clearance...work 40 hrs a week and go to school, which requires homework every night. My grandson was born 2 weeks ago and he's still in Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I sleep 3-5 hrs at night...normally just 4; 5 hrs is a luxury (whine is now over). I have tried to educate myself best as possible under these circumstances, even tried reading during my commute...that was not so intelligent and was quickly tossed out as an option. I must've missed the one about top notes and accents. I am aware that the ones I ordered that are used mainly for sweeteners are just that....that's why I was asking if I was being redundant with those ones...if any of them were basically the same as another. I do however also understand that each of those sweeteners will have a slightly different taste to them...that's why I got all of them �� Now, as for the other flavors...my thinking was something like this...I like some stand alone fruit. Double Chocolate an raspberry. Chocolate and coconut. Chocolate pecan and caramel (pecan is out of stock though) peaches alone or peaches and cream. Espresso was just a random impulse purchase....lol. I like Cheescake alone. I was gonna order Graham cracker but I forgot but that would go with marshmallow and chocolate for smores. Bavarian Cream was also an impulse purchase...thinking, "what the hell, let's try it." strawberries and lemonade for the obvious strawberry lemonade. Coconut and lime....this is where my thinking took me. Maybe I shouldn't be thinking for myself

I'm a father, home owner, I work 2 jobs just to make ends meet. I find very little time to do this and when I do finally find time I'm just to darn tired so I know what your going through. I was a smoker for over 45 years and vaping helped me quit. My thought is "It's worth taking the time to learn" it just may save your life. This is what makes me find the time to do this. You need to put the time into it to get something out of it. I'm sure your family will thank you in the long run. Don't think you need to get it perfect right away just use small steps and appreciate small successes. Don't let fustration get the better of you. If it gets to be to much walk away and come back later when your mind clears. If you don't have the time then vape a plain unflavored VG/PG/NIC base until you do have more time. I did that just about through my entire learning process until I found something I enjoyed. If it keeps you off cigarettes it's one of those small successes I speak of. Were all here for you so keep your chin up