DIY trials and tribulations

[Scott M]

hi there.

im pretty new to DIY and have been making a few trial bottles, using all TFA flavorings I got from heartlandvapes.com with their 100mg 100%PG nic as well.

I noticed that when i first made some my e-juices they were stronger on flavor (right after shake/vape or overnight steep even) but then as they got darker color in the vape tank (from using) it seem they losing flavor alot and/or tasting like chemicals at times. wondering if its that im not using enough flavoring or what. seems

few recipes ive done have been 10%strawberry + 10% bavarian cream .
10% straw + 7% bavarian cream + 3% vanilla cupcake +2% graham cracker .
10% banana + 10% bavarian cream
(those are all the flavors i picked up from them to start out with on first order/DIY attempts)


all have been 70 PG / 30 VG with various nicotine levels ranging around 18-24mg (using breaktru software calculator)

I mostly use a horizon spartan tank, but also have a eGo MT3s(vape pen) and an eleaf iJust 2(sub-ohm) . The iJust2 i was almost getting too much flavor from when using, at first, but then the other vapes it seems lose their flavors after a while.

My iJust2 battery stopped charging for me less than 1 week after getting it, so can no longer test recipes with that at all.

any thoughts/feedback would be appreciated. thank you

 

[Archer74]

i have tfa flavors. you have to breath them at least overnight and steep them at least 3 days for a small batch. bigger batches need longer breathing and steeping time.

 

[sketchness]

It sounds like your taste buds/olfactory senses are going haywire like vapers tongue. I have a hard time sampling new juices in the evening. Also fruits seem muted to me after only a few vapes. You might try mixing up a recipe with just the flavors in a bottle. So make a 10 ml bottle with your flavorings and no base. Then each day you add that to how much you will vape that day. I find some mixes I prefer fresh and don't really like them after they steep for a day. also you can dry a drop per 10 mls of citric acid as a preservative.

I would also say you need to work out your hardware issues. Find something you enjoy that is reliable. I vape and test on the same mod and atty. rewicking or rebuilding as needed. Some flavors just won't go without recoiling. I switch between a sigelei 100 watt with an Alliance dripper and a sig 75 watt with a TVF4.

 

[MMcQ]

TBH I've found that the only stuff I use at 10% or more is when I use an already mixed juice as a flavoring. Try starting with a lower percent and then bumping up if necessary after steeping. For straight flavoring I start thinking 'drop' per ml..

 

[Scott M]

its almost as if the flavorings arent withstanding the heat - that once they get heated up some, they're losing their flavor -- but I didnt think that was a problem with TFA flavorings... not sure though if Heartland adjusts them at the repackaging stage or not...

as for the vapers tongue -- my girlfriend said it tasted like chemicals too, and she been vaping for years now. i just started 4 months ago or so

but yea- my equipment isnt the best either. The Spartan burns through coils very fast. Sometimes in a week or less even

 

[PilotNY]

Do a YT search for "Steeping E Juice". My favorite vid is the one titled "Why does my e juice suck"?

 

[dannyv45]

It could be vapors tounge and the chemical taste is usually over flavoring. A Chemical taste from over flavoring is pretty typical for TFA Flavors. Steeping for a few weeks may help the chemical taste. But I would start with a lower percent.

Here's some reading that may help.

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DIY, 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 bases 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.

 

[sketchness]

Danny has some good stuff above. Just think you now know a couple recipes that don't work for you.

It took me many tries before I mixed something I really liked. I have a 4oz bottle of Bavarian cream from heartland. I am still on the fence about it. There are some creams I like a lot better. Sweet cream from Capella and Vienna cream from FA are two that come to mind.

And like Danny suggested above try reducing your flavoring. 7-10% Bavarian cream is pretty high. Hopefully you find something you like.

Keep us posted.