DIY Vanilla

[myxomatosis]

I can't seem to find one I like. I've tried several pre-made blends and attempted my own sweet, rich DIY Vanilla blends with MULTIPLE vendors versions to come up empty-handed. They all share the same false flavor that I can only describe as vaping vanilla plastic.

When I first broke into vaping, I used Smoketip.com's 808 and ordered Vanilla pre-filled cartos. A year later I've yet to find a Vanilla that tastes even remotely close to their authenticity. "Vanilla Bean", "French Vanilla", "Vanilla Love", "Vanilla Ice Cream" - all these are variations of the plastic false vanilla I mentioned before.

I'd be willing to chalk it up to one of those few flavors that are impossible to dial into IF it weren't for how enjoyable the Smoketip cartos were. I know there's one out there, I just don't know where. The directions I'm usually pointed all end in the same plastic vanilla vape, even the pre-mixed blends.

Anyone have any suggestions out there for a truly authentic, maybe milder, sweet, subtle vanilla w/o the unauthentic flavor tones? Surely I'm not the only one that has noticed most Vanilla flavorings leave much to be desired..

 

[Sandiej02]

I'm not sure what the Vanilla is like in the pre-filled cartos ...

But I like the Holy Vanilla from DIYFlavorshack. It's a very dark, "authentic" flavor to me, almost like a vanilla extract - very tasty.

Another one "I" like is TFA Vanilla Swirl (sweeter, lighter, but very good).

Hope that helps.

 

[LucentShadow]

It's hard to say if it will fit the bill for you, but your description sounds like The Flavor Apprentice - Bavarian Cream to me, as long as you don't mind the creamy flavor. It's my favorite vanilla, and is more subtle than the others that I've tried. I don't get the 'imitation vanilla' taste from it, personally.

If you're a bit adventurous, you could try making a real vanilla bean extraction. You can use PG or VG, and chopping, shredding, or grinding it would probably speed up the extraction. I've done several spices and such using VG, with a method that's somewhere between these two:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/239733-coffee-flavor.html#post4603820

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/95754-vg-pipe-tobacco-essence.html

These extractions will usually end up including some of the plant's oils (I assume) and some sediment, so I don't use them often, but they usually come out good if done well.

 

[graffinfected]

TFA Vanilla Cupcake<--- i like this one alot.. i dont feel like it has a plastic taste,

 

[glassmanoak]

LucentShadow beat me to the punch by suggesting doing a vanilla bean extraction. I've never tried it but what do you have to lose, except money. Those beans are expensive, but, if it works for you, it could well be worth it.

I have to agree with you on the vanillas available. Definitely sub-par!!

 

[windozehater]

triple v from dark city vapor or any one that uses capella's flavors, also look at rice crispies flav. sounds dumb, but with the vanilla base & mashmallo and malts in there they enhance the vanilla without adding sweetness and give it more earthy tone, just remember to judge the flavor dont compair it to the name for accuracy, personally i love blu's vivid vanilla, but as it does have a great taste, the flavor level, and the vapor, throat hit is really low not to mention too costly and its proprietary from J.C. Good Luck fellow vanilla lover

 

[Quoiyaien]

forgive my ignorance here, but it would seem a lot of DIY flavorings use an alcohol base... could you use a store bought vanilla extract and just mix it with PG/VG like any other flavoring?

You can also buy straight vaninlin crystals, but I dont know how to use those.

 

[myxomatosis]

Some awesome suggestions here. I'm considering investigating vanilla extraction. Many thanks to you for all the responses.

I don't mind the sweetness associated with vanilla personally, but I don't get that in a lot of the DIY flavorings I've used thus far - perhaps I'm mixing my percentages too high. I usually start @ around 10%. I realize it depends on the flavor, but I can just smell the plastic-y vanilla taste in most of my Capella, TPA, and FW stand-alones. I always give them the benefit of the doubt but the result is generally the same. Of those I've tried they all share the same fragrance tones, whether it's vanilla custard, french vanilla, vanilla cup cake or... whatever. Bavarian Creme has the same effect for me unfortunately.

I'm going to try out Holy Vanilla and TFA Vanilla Swirl before I seriously start researching extraction methods. I've tried A LOT of vanillas - these I haven't yet.

Keep the suggestions coming! I'm going to dedicate my DIY efforts to finding my personal vanilla holy grail. In the interim, the search continues.

 

[Drael]

Seems a food grade vanilla absolute is highly expensive (absolute is like an extraction, except it contains the whole essence and no ethanol - usually done with co2). Vanilla is the worlds 2nd most expensive spice (after saffron).

An food grade extract or true "essence" might work okay, cept it would have ethanol in it.

Probably the easiest bet is to do an infusion (ie soak some in pg/vg) with some store brought vanilla, or perhaps use some kinda true essence if the ethanol werent a problem. Apparently vanilla has 171 flavour compounds of which vanillin is just one, so no wonder the artifical ones fall short.

Actually ive not tried it, but looks like perfumers apprentice has a vanilla made from extract.

 

[Cookster]

I haven't tried it, but this looks pretty snazzy

Organic Vanilla Extract (Aged) - 1x Fold

 

[BakuPeg]

Myxo, I've experienced the "plastic Vanilla Yuck", and I solved it by using.. Patience and a lower %.

I had the EXACT thing happen to my Root Beer float recipe when I added Vanillan/French Ice cream/other vanillas. My husband vaped it 1 day after mixing and told me it was HORRIBLE, completely fake tasting. Mostly the vanilla. I remixed it at a slightly lower %, and let it sit.. and it sit.. and it sit.. It was consigned to the back of the cabinet. 30ml of.. letting it sit...

Over a month later he tried it again. It has become one of his favorites. When he re-visits it, He vapes every jar I make and asks for more when its gone.
It "seems" Vanillas (at least for me) need a bit of steeping. My logical guess is the alcohol used for the flavor extraction gets in the way. The more you steep it the more it has a chance to dissipate. But thats only a guess.

I've shared my juice with friends (they love it too!) but I only let it leave the shelf if its had a month steep. It probably doesn't need a full month but thats what works for me.

 

[glassmanoak]

I find several flavors to be this way........Tirasimu, chocolate, vanilla, most tobaccos. Many flavors are just a ...... I still haven't found a Butterscotch I like and I've tried 3 from different companies. Steeped or not, Butterscotches are just TOUGH!

 

[myxomatosis]

Myxo, I've experienced the "plastic Vanilla Yuck", and I solved it by using.. Patience and a lower %.

I had the EXACT thing happen to my Root Beer float recipe when I added Vanillan/French Ice cream/other vanillas. My husband vaped it 1 day after mixing and told me it was HORRIBLE, completely fake tasting. Mostly the vanilla. I remixed it at a slightly lower %, and let it sit.. and it sit.. and it sit.. It was consigned to the back of the cabinet. 30ml of.. letting it sit...

Over a month later he tried it again. It has become one of his favorites. When he re-visits it, He vapes every jar I make and asks for more when its gone.
It "seems" Vanillas (at least for me) need a bit of steeping. My logical guess is the alcohol used for the flavor extraction gets in the way. The more you steep it the more it has a chance to dissipate. But thats only a guess.

I've shared my juice with friends (they love it too!) but I only let it leave the shelf if its had a month steep. It probably doesn't need a full month but thats what works for me.

No idea why I didn't think of this before.

I'm guilty of having absolutely no patience with juices. I guess I've been spoiled - several of my favorites are r2v right away. I tend to forget about the steeping process entirely. I'm going to mix a batch and start the steep tonight. I recently discovered the benefit of steeping with a ry4 double flavor that was awful day 1, day 2 much better, day 3 it's on it's way to excellence.

Great idea ty I hope it works out I have soo many vanillas I don't use.

 

[myxomatosis]

I haven't tried it, but this looks pretty snazzy

Organic Vanilla Extract (Aged) - 1x Fold

Added to my "to do" list.

 

[klynnn]

I have made my own vanilla extract using vodka and it's real good but not strong enough for diy purposes. I end up drinking more of it than baking but......Beanilla is a good source for beans from all over and they ship fairly fast.

 

[myxomatosis]

I have made my own vanilla extract using vodka and it's real good but not strong enough for diy purposes. I end up drinking more of it than baking but......Beanilla is a good source for beans from all over and they ship fairly fast.

Have you ever tried Organic Beanilla Vanilla Extract (Single-Fold 1X) | Beanilla in one of your blends?

 

[Sandiej02]

Have you ever tried Organic Beanilla Vanilla Extract (Single-Fold 1X) | Beanilla in one of your blends?

Hum ... that's interesting. It would be GREAT if you could simply use Vanilla Extracts, etc.

However, I'd be concerned using anything with "sugar" in it ... could be bad in cartos, tanks, etc.

Interesting thought ... but I "dunno".

 

[klynnn]

I am looking for something like the decadent vanilla bean from HBV. Can't find anything that will serve my purposes as a mixer. Don't think the extracts will work unless you can somehow make it yourself. I may try the holy vanilla from onestopdiy and see how it is. Havent tried the link you posted, if you've used it let me know what you think.

 

[Sandiej02]

...

Here's a link to the Holy Vanilla that I use:

HOLY Vanilla Flavoring DIY

 

[myxomatosis]

...

Here's a link to the Holy Vanilla that I use:

HOLY Vanilla Flavoring DIY

Been delayed a little longer than I'd like waiting on a Wizard Labs nic shipment, but I'm interested in trying this and attempting to steep one of my vanilla flavorings. I've hated all the ones I have thus far, but attempting this might be the lifeline. I'll report the results back in a couple days.

I'd really like to hear from someone who has checked out a Organic Beanilla Vanilla Extract (Single-Fold 1X) | Beanilla -ish flavor in their DIY.