DIY n00b Here

[FunkyVapes]

So, I just made a rather large purchase. I have about 40, 1 dram flavours from PA and LO. I Purchased a 48mg/ml VG (118ml) and I have virtually unlimited amounts of plain PG and VG.

I started mixing flavours, using plastic pipettes, at 20% flavouring aiming for 12mg/ml nic (VG), and the rest PG.

I've found that none of my blends taste like anything when they're done, just mild, MILD, background notes of something reminiscent of what they should taste like (even just pure flavours).

I then tried the juice at 25% flavour and things didn't improve much.

The only thing I can think is that maybe the drops of VG are bigger than the drops of flavour due to the viscosity, but I'm just speculating.

Does anyone have any thoughts or tips?

Thanks so much.

 

[36tinybells]

The vg drops are bigger, in my experience. I use a syringe so I can measure mls in the nic, vg, and pg. I use drops for the flavorings, though.

 

[markfm]

20 - 25% total flavoring using perfumer's apprentice or natures flavors flavorings is the zone I tend to end in, for liquid up to 0PG (roughly 85 - 90% VG, since there's some alcohol and the flavorinig essences themselves)

 

[FunkyVapes]

Thanks so much guys. I went directly to my syringe, and Still no satisfaction. I am shaking them really good, but not letting them "steep".

I have read tons of opinions on the subject and, scientifically speaking, I can't understand why letting them steep for a long time would be much use. The flavours in the Jar smell pretty spot on, but they taste nothing like the pre-mixed counterparts I already own.

I've done:

RY4
Blueberry
DK tobacco and
Pumpkin Spice.

They all just taste like unpleasant stale water with a hint of spice flavour.

 

[cookiebun]

Steeping makes all the difference.
I haven't been doing this long but I've read several times on several threads that tobaccos definitely get better as they age.
A simple blueberry should be vapable prettly quickly especially if you soak the bottle in hot water for about an hour.
Don't rely on drops, measure things out.

 

[36tinybells]

+1 on the hot water soak.

 

[Hoosier]

Nonscientifically speaking. Have you ever made chili? Cooked for hours? Did it taste good? The next day you heat it up and it's great? That's steeping.

Works for tea too

And soups

Not all mixes need it, but those that do, it makes a world of difference.

With that said, I mix until it tastes close, then steep before I add or up another thing.

So, don't worry about steeping yet. Find your flavor level, at least close to it, and then try steeping to see if it helps.

 

[MaxUT]

I wouldn't expect much flavor for the first 24 hours. 48 hours after mixing should see it at maximum flavor development for non-tobacco flavors.

 

[FunkyVapes]

Awesome guys! Thanks for the input.

Ironically I'm actually a Chef lol. I understand the principals of chili, but they involve breaking down complex ingredients. Tea is basically extracting more substances from the tea bag, which can over-steep as well. As far as I know, there isn't a chemical reaction from mixing the flavour essences with the PG or VG. I could be mistaken though. And the Nicotine should only have to mix with the base and flavours.

I fear I have ruined my atomizer now, everything tastes like stagnant water Could it be that my Nic base has gone sour or something? It was in the mail for almost a week. I was told that DIY juices could taste as good as purchased ones. Nothing is even coming close.

 

[FunkyVapes]

+1 on the hot water soak.

What does this do?

 

[wrecks]

What does this do?

Suppose to speed up the steeping process.

I too an have lack of flavor on my juices on some lorann flavors. I posted earlier today about making my mixes up to35 percent, and the fine folks said it should be okay. I did a quick mix using 35% flavoring and it turned out great, quite possibly it will be to strong in a couple of days.

 

[FunkyVapes]

Suppose to speed up the steeping process.

I too an have lack of flavor on my juices on some lorann flavors. I posted earlier today about making my mixes up to35 percent, and the fine folks said it should be okay. I did a quick mix using 35% flavoring and it turned out great, quite possibly it will be to strong in a couple of days.

Awesome, I'll give that a shot. I am also going to try making a batch without nic, because I have a sneaking suspicion that the musty taste might be coming from a spoiled batch of nic juice.

 

[MaxUT]

Ironically I'm actually a Chef lol.

Then you should have an advantage over most DIYers out there. Geoff of Tasty Vapor is also a chef, and he makes some of the best juices available.

As far as I know, there isn't a chemical reaction from mixing the flavour essences with the PG or VG.

I think it depends on distributing the flavor molecules evenly throughout the mixture. I've used heat and the vibrations of an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to speed the process up somewhat, but it's still no substitute for time.

Could it be that my Nic base has gone sour or something? It was in the mail for almost a week. I was told that DIY juices could taste as good as purchased ones. Nothing is even coming close.

The only change I've observed in nicotine liquid is some darkening from oxidization, but the taste remained the same.

The nic is extracted from tobacco. I believe much of it comes from China, so I can easily imagine producers using old moldy tobacco and industrial chemicals in the process. A number of members have complained of bad or harsh taste that was traceable to the nic, so there must have been contaminants in it.

If you want top quality nic, your best sources are Xtreme Vaping, My Freedom Smokes, Totally Wicked, Crystal Clear Vaping, Gourmet Vapor and Box Elder Chemical Supply. I've never gotten anything bad from these companies.

Except for vanilla and cinnamon based flavors, I've found the best-tasting recipes are somewhat complex and will use at least 3 flavorings. This is where your experience as a chef will come in handy, in balancing the intensity of the flavorings in a juice mix.

 

[JackSam]

I fear I have ruined my atomizer now, everything tastes like stagnant water

Have you tried a premixed juice in this atomizer afterwards, does it taste any better? I would venture to guess the answer is no.
Try cleaning it.

 

[FunkyVapes]

Have you tried a premixed juice in this atomizer afterwards, does it taste any better? I would venture to guess the answer is no.
Try cleaning it.

I did, in fact. The first toot was still stale, but then it tasted just like normal. I just got three brand new LR 510s today. My premixes vaped in them excellently but my custom stuff, which has sat for about 36 hours, still tastes stale. Are there generally any problems with LO, OA, or Flavor West?

I am just letting my pure VG, no nic juice steep. Hopefully it will fare better than the stuff with nic and I can isolate the poor taste to it.

 

[FunkyVapes]

Then you should have an advantage over most DIYers out there. Geoff of Tasty Vapor is also a chef, and he makes some of the best juices available.



I think it depends on distributing the flavor molecules evenly throughout the mixture. I've used heat and the vibrations of an ultrasonic jewelry cleaner to speed the process up somewhat, but it's still no substitute for time.



The only change I've observed in nicotine liquid is some darkening from oxidization, but the taste remained the same.

The nic is extracted from tobacco. I believe much of it comes from China, so I can easily imagine producers using old moldy tobacco and industrial chemicals in the process. A number of members have complained of bad or harsh taste that was traceable to the nic, so there must have been contaminants in it.

If you want top quality nic, your best sources are Xtreme Vaping, My Freedom Smokes, Totally Wicked, Crystal Clear Vaping, Gourmet Vapor and Box Elder Chemical Supply. I've never gotten anything bad from these companies.

Except for vanilla and cinnamon based flavors, I've found the best-tasting recipes are somewhat complex and will use at least 3 flavorings. This is where your experience as a chef will come in handy, in balancing the intensity of the flavorings in a juice mix.

Unfortunately, I am stuck with certain suppliers here in Canada, and it makes things even harder to come by at a good price. I have literally tried dozens of combos, percents from 15-45 in 5% increments, various PG/VG blends and I cannot shake this stale taste.

Will keep the thread posted on the pure VG and Pure PG blends.

 

[zoiDman]

As someone who is new to DIY, do yourself a favor and get yourself a 10ml Graduated Cylinder.

Something like this...

Graduated Cylinders Graduated Cylinders : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies

There is nothing wrong with using drops. It is easier if all the droppers have the same crossections but corrections can be made.

But this is difficult for someone just starting out.

So get yourself a Graduated Cylinder and make a "Ladder" recipe so you know that your percentages of all your ingredients is correct.

 

[FunkyVapes]

As someone who is new to DIY, do yourself a favor and get yourself a 10ml Graduated Cylinder.

Something like this...

Graduated Cylinders Graduated Cylinders : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies

There is nothing wrong with using drops. It is easier if all the droppers have the same crossections but corrections can be made.

But this is difficult for someone just starting out.

So get yourself a Graduated Cylinder and make a "Ladder" recipe so you know that your percentages of all your ingredients is correct.

This is an excellent idea! I have been using syringes, but I find that VG takes forever to properly measure.

For everyone that has been helping me and is interested in my progress: I was able to narrow down the source of the off-putting taste to a bottle of VG from one of my orders. I made a virgin recipe using only my newest VG and PG with flavours and it turned out awesome. I split that batch and added my VG nic juice, and balanced the flavours out, still tasted awesome.

I used the other half of the virgin recipe and added about 10 drops of my original bottle of PG, and it instantly tasted like laundry that had been sitting in a washing machine over the weekend. I have no idea why that particular bottle of PG tastes the way it does. Another bottle from the same site tastes perfectly neutral, and the two bottles I have from yet another site, taste fine too..

Again, thanks for your help everyone, Once I nail down some recipes I'll be sure to pass some samples on!

 

[zoiDman]

If you realy want to look like the Mad Scientist, check out this set...

Micro Glassware Set Micro Glassware Set : United Nuclear , Scientific Equipment & Supplies

Not exactly sure what I would do with the it but Erlenmeyer and Florence Flasks are just too cool.

A Grauated Cylinder is a Great way to make a Liquid Composite. That is, if you do it via a "Ladder".

I've posted about using a "Ladder" many times and I have never had anyone ask about it. I guess everyone knows what I'm talking about.

 

[MsTick]

A Grauated Cylinder is a Great way to make a Liquid Composite. That is, if you do it via a "Ladder".

I've posted about using a "Ladder" many times and I have never had anyone ask about it. I guess everyone knows what I'm talking about.

Actually, no. I saw you recommend a "ladder" recipe on another thread and have been searching ECF to find out what you meant. I guess you mean measuring by adding each component to the same cylinder and adding up the volumes ("5 ml of this is 5, plus 3 ml of that is 8, plus 2 ml of the other thing makes 10..."), but I'm only guessing based on how I will measure multiple liquids when I bake. If that's not it, then I have no idea what you meant.