DIY - Tasting your flavors.

[sunnyskyez]

OK here is quit possibly the most stupid question you will read to date. Im going to risk it and ask.

Im still researching DIY whilst I await for the rest of my supplies come in. Im reading the order of how some put their flavorings in first and the nic last. So Im talking to myself out loud and wondering if you just mixed up your flavorings (w/o nic) first why couldn’t you just take a little taste to see whats-what? When Im making cookies/brownies, I always taste the batter and its got raw egg in it. The flavorings we are using are all food grade, natural, gluten free- etc.

This is from a cooking view point, it popped in my head and now I lay it out before you all.

 

[Izan]

I've put a drop on my hand and tasted almost every liquid I've ever vaped.

Cheers
I

 

[JCinFLA]

First, no question is a stupid one, except for the one you have in mind but you don't ask it.

I'm not clear on whether you're asking about taste testing: (1) the flavorings and the plain PG and plain VG...before you add nic base. Or...(2) if you're talking about taste testing just the flavorings mixed together only.

Personally, I'd do it if it's (1) above. I wouldn't do it if it's (2) above. Reason I say that is some flavorings are really potent and/or have ethyl alcohol in them. Taste testing them without having them diluted with the plain PG and VG, could definitely be unpleasant IMO. Based on some personal experience with these flavorings and similar ones in recipes (TFA Ripe Banana, Cheesecake Graham Crust, Cinnamon, Key Lime, etc.)...they're all great once the plain PG and VG are in there, too. But just some of the flavorings together...wowza...some stayed on my tongue for hours and others made my cheeks pucker!

Also, about this that you wrote above: "The flavorings we are using are all food grade, natural, gluten free- etc." Well, actually, quite a few flavorings may also have some of any of these other ingredients in them too: artificial flavors, ethyl alcohol, triacetin, etc. If you'll check the ingredients shown for a flavoring, it'll usually show if any of those are in it.

 

[BrotherBob]

why couldn’t you just take a little taste to see whats-what

Go for it. Won't hurt a bit.

 

[tazzle]

I do this, just a drop on the back of my hand and taste, even with the nic mixed in. (I'm very low-nic, for what it's worth; but I don't think it matters. If you've ever had a spit-back, you've had a drop of e liquid in the mouth.)

 

[sunnyskyez]

I've put a drop on my hand and tasted almost every liquid I've ever vaped.

Cheers
I

That is wonderful to know! I was hoping this could be done and it would help to not waste so much. You made my day! Cheers Back At Ya!

 

[sunnyskyez]

First, no question is a stupid one, except for the one you have in mind but you don't ask it.

I'm not clear on whether you're asking about taste testing: (1) the flavorings and the plain PG and plain VG...before you add nic base. Or...(2) if you're talking about taste testing just the flavorings mixed together only.

Personally, I'd do it if it's (1) above. I wouldn't do it if it's (2) above. Reason I say that is some flavorings are really potent and/or have ethyl alcohol in them. Taste testing them without having them diluted with the plain PG and VG, could definitely be unpleasant IMO. Based on some personal experience with these flavorings and similar ones in recipes (TFA Ripe Banana, Cheesecake Graham Crust, Cinnamon, Key Lime, etc.)...they're all great once the plain PG and VG are in there, too. But just some of the flavorings together...wowza...some stayed on my tongue for hours and others made my cheeks pucker!

Also, about this that you wrote above: "The flavorings we are using are all food grade, natural, gluten free- etc." Well, actually, quite a few flavorings may also have some of any of these other ingredients in them too: artificial flavors, ethyl alcohol, triacetin, etc. If you'll check the ingredients shown for a flavoring, it'll usually show if any of those are in it.

Yes #1 is what I meant. Yes Ive read about some of the flavorings may have some unsavory ingreds in them that might make you cheeks pucker (LOL), so I will watch my step.

THANKS!

 

[glasseye]

Unlike Izan (and many others), I've had no luck actually tasting the e-liquid by putting it on my tongue and having it taste good. It all tastes terrible to me as liquid. I have better luck with smelling the flavors to see if I'll like them and for me at least, it's pretty accurate. I still have to mix and vape to get a true feeling for each one though.

 

[JCinFLA]

Yes #1 is what I meant.

Then go ahead and do it. I do it for every eliquid I make. But for #2 way...uh no...no how, no way, ever again!

You might be interested in learning about Bill's Magic Vapor's 100DT (100 drop test). It's a simple way to get a small (3-4mL) amount of a new recipe made, and tweaked to your own taste...before you ever make a larger batch of it. I use for every new recipe I try for the first time. Never had an eliquid I've made be "bad" so far when I've been using that method. I could always get it tweaked to my own liking every single time.

Here's a link to his Blog, that has the steps for the 100DT and explanation for how/why it works so well:

Using Bill's 100DT Taste Test Method | E-Cigarette Forum

By the way, Bill is a longtime ECF member who's helped many many people with DIY. He used to make eliquid commercially for years, and is a wealth of information, hints, tips, etc. that he shares with all of us.

 

[zoiDman]

OK here is quit possibly the most stupid question you will read to date. Im going to risk it and ask.

Im still researching DIY whilst I await for the rest of my supplies come in. Im reading the order of how some put their flavorings in first and the nic last. So Im talking to myself out loud and wondering if you just mixed up your flavorings (w/o nic) first why couldn’t you just take a little taste to see whats-what? When Im making cookies/brownies, I always taste the batter and its got raw egg in it. The flavorings we are using are all food grade, natural, gluten free- etc.

This is from a cooking view point, it popped in my head and now I lay it out before you all.

When I DIY Full Flavored e-Liquids, after Mixing I would put a Drop on my Finger and Taste it. And then after it had sat in a Cool, Dark Place for a Few Days, I would Drop Taste it again.

You Can't get a 100% Accurate measure of how it will Vape by doing this. But you can get a Pretty Good feel for the Sweetness or Bitterness of the e-Liquid. You also can get a decent gauge of How Much the Flavor has changed from "Steeping".

 

[IDJoel]

Lots of good advise already but I'm going to chime in with my anyway. I agree with everything @JCinFLA has said (especially about stupid questions ). Most components of e-liquid have been designed for ingestion to begin with (with the exception of nicotine), and our intention is ultimately to inhale them, so you are not placing yourself at any increased risk by taking a taste of the liquid form (esp. prior to the addition of nicotine).

What I would add is be cautious about your expectations and interpretations of taking that taste.

You are absolutely right that most chefs taste repeatedly as they create. The important thing to remember is; with food you are generally working with food on a 1 for 1 level, while, as DIYers, we are always working with our medium in concentrated form. Even after we add our PG and VG to the final dilution goal/target; we are still left with a concentrate that is going to be further dissipated by converting it into an aerosolized form (heating it to a steam). So this means you may, or may not, get worthwhile feedback by directly tasting the liquid.

Some people find this very useful and can tweak their recipe directly from these perceptions. Others simply taste a very unpleasant chemical-like mess and get no worthwhile information at all (except for maybe they won't try that again ). I think this has a lot to do with the individual and their specific palate.

I have also read of people who will place a drop or two in a small amount of water (maybe +/- 1/2 oz.?) and swish that in their mouth to get a little better idea. I haven't tried it myself so I can't offer any first-hand feedback.

And, as @glasseye suggested, still others find smelling their mixes useful. I have tried this one, and unfortunately, 30+ years of smoking has really trashed my sense of smell along with a big portion of my sense of taste, so it doesn't offer me much help. Though, I should add, smelling the undiluted flavor concentrates has been useful for me to understand how any given flavor might aid my ultimate goal. (Though there are exceptions to this too... TFA's Bavarian Cream just plain smells rank to me but I love it in many of my mixes.)

If you are going to explore tasting the liquid I would suggest tasting the liquid directly, cleanse your palate with some water, and then immediately taste the same liquid by vaping a few drops to see how the two taste samplings compare and if you find the information useful.

Good luck and let us know what you discover!

 

[Maestro]

I saw a good video on the water method. What he did was use a pipette and put about 1 pipette of water into a half dozen shot glasses each. Then he would put a drop of flavoring to a glass, swish and taste it and spit it out. Then he'd do a drop in the second glass and add a drop of something else, and see how they go together. He did this with various flavors and various amounts of drops to get a good feel for a mix to try. The water dilutes it so the flavor is not so concentrated and you don't waste so much juice trying combinations of flavors.

 

[IDJoel]

I saw a good video on the water method. What he did was use a pipette and put about 1 pipette of water into a half dozen shot glasses each. Then he would put a drop of flavoring to a glass, swish and taste it and spit it out. Then he'd do a drop in the second glass and add a drop of something else, and see how they go together. He did this with various flavors and various amounts of drops to get a good feel for a mix to try. The water dilutes it so the flavor is not so concentrated and you don't waste so much juice trying combinations of flavors.

Nice! Any recollection on the title or suggestions on a search phrase? I like the concept but never could figure out an appropriate dilution ratio.

 

[Maestro]

Here it is

 

[SteveS45]

I use many different ways to test my flavors but mainly I just fill some in a tank of a flavor with the same flavor profile. The best way is to use a Dripper RBA because of fresh cotton. But that is just my opinion because I do not think that what I taste is the same as what I get from a vape for taste.

Good Luck and Vape On Safely

 

[sunnyskyez]

Unlike Izan (and many others), I've had no luck actually tasting the e-liquid by putting it on my tongue and having it taste good. It all tastes terrible to me as liquid. I have better luck with smelling the flavors to see if I'll like them and for me at least, it's pretty accurate. I still have to mix and vape to get a true feeling for each one though.

Like a fine wine I will smell it also.

 

[sunnyskyez]

Then go ahead and do it. I do it for every eliquid I make. But for #2 way...uh no...no how, no way, ever again!

You might be interested in learning about Bill's Magic Vapor's 100DT (100 drop test). It's a simple way to get a small (3-4mL) amount of a new recipe made, and tweaked to your own taste...before you ever make a larger batch of it. I use for every new recipe I try for the first time. Never had an eliquid I've made be "bad" so far when I've been using that method. I could always get it tweaked to my own liking every single time.

Here's a link to his Blog, that has the steps for the 100DT and explanation for how/why it works so well:

Using Bill's 100DT Taste Test Method | E-Cigarette Forum

By the way, Bill is a longtime ECF member who's helped many many people with DIY. He used to make eliquid commercially for years, and is a wealth of information, hints, tips, etc. that he shares with all of us.

Thanks for the advice and link.

 

[sunnyskyez]

Lots of good advise already but I'm going to chime in with my anyway. I agree with everything @JCinFLA has said (especially about stupid questions ). Most components of e-liquid have been designed for ingestion to begin with (with the exception of nicotine), and our intention is ultimately to inhale them, so you are not placing yourself at any increased risk by taking a taste of the liquid form (esp. prior to the addition of nicotine).

What I would add is be cautious about your expectations and interpretations of taking that taste.

You are absolutely right that most chefs taste repeatedly as they create. The important thing to remember is; with food you are generally working with food on a 1 for 1 level, while, as DIYers, we are always working with our medium in concentrated form. Even after we add our PG and VG to the final dilution goal/target; we are still left with a concentrate that is going to be further dissipated by converting it into an aerosolized form (heating it to a steam). So this means you may, or may not, get worthwhile feedback by directly tasting the liquid.

Some people find this very useful and can tweak their recipe directly from these perceptions. Others simply taste a very unpleasant chemical-like mess and get no worthwhile information at all (except for maybe they won't try that again ). I think this has a lot to do with the individual and their specific palate.

I have also read of people who will place a drop or two in a small amount of water (maybe +/- 1/2 oz.?) and swish that in their mouth to get a little better idea. I haven't tried it myself so I can't offer any first-hand feedback.

And, as @glasseye suggested, still others find smelling their mixes useful. I have tried this one, and unfortunately, 30+ years of smoking has really trashed my sense of smell along with a big portion of my sense of taste, so it doesn't offer me much help. Though, I should add, smelling the undiluted flavor concentrates has been useful for me to understand how any given flavor might aid my ultimate goal. (Though there are exceptions to this too... TFA's Bavarian Cream just plain smells rank to me but I love it in many of my mixes.)

If you are going to explore tasting the liquid I would suggest tasting the liquid directly, cleanse your palate with some water, and then immediately taste the same liquid by vaping a few drops to see how the two taste samplings compare and if you find the information useful.

Good luck and let us know what you discover!

WOW great info, I will need re-read to soak it in.

 

[sunnyskyez]

THANKS TO YOU ALL-YOU ROCK!

 

[IDJoel]

Here it is

Outstanding! Thanks!