First experience with Ultrasonic Cleaner :)

[AH1968]

Hey there DIYer ECF people

Just wanted to pass along my first experience with an ultrasonic cleaner..

Been doing DIY juice for a couple weeks, and have been a little frustrated at times between juices changing flavor over a few days, and having to wait a week or more just to get an idea of what I had created... So, Mr. Impatient as I am had been reading about ways to"steep" quicker.. Some of which kind of scared me as to what it might do to the properties of the combined liquids... So I decided to see about trying the ultrasonic cleaner as it seemed (from a physics stand point) the most effective without really altering the ingredients...

So, here we go.. Picked up a generic (probably not too ultrasonic lol) jewelry cleaner at Walmart $25 and it was NOT listed on their website...

Placed 5 10ml bottles in the fingers of a rubber glove (to save the labels) in each small side of the cleaner.

Then filled the tray with the bottles in it, up to the max level line with warm (NOT HOT) water.

Turned it on it's high setting and let it do it's thing for 1 hour (this model has no timer)

Removed bottles from cleaner and glove, let set until cool (approx 1 hour) and proceeded to test the liquids.

Now, keep in mind a couple things, 1 the juice was mixed the day before and was for the most part unvapeable IMO.

But, what I ended up with was nothing short of AMAZING!! So far everything seems to vape nicely and tastes great!

********Editing this post as my first discoveries were not as accurate as I thought:

1. Flavors such as Vanilla, Cappaccino, and Horchata.. Seemed to still need a little time, however, I filled a partial tank, and it seemed to be ok, vapeable but not wonderful... by the end of the partial tank, they tasted bitter, and harsh??? Is this just a time thing or did I do something wrong?

2. the fruit flavors, especially the Capella flavors, seem fine, GF vaped a couple tanks worth over the course of the day, and says it has zero issues... How is this possible?

I am very confused here, how does the juice go from bitter, and unfavorable, to decent if not good, back to bitter and harsh???

***** End of edit *****

I have noticed that 2 of the flavors still need to either set a while longer or go back in the cleaner again as they still aren't quite the robust, deep flavor that I would like (Vanilla Swirl FA, and Horchata FA)

The mix ratios that I used are 60/40 PG/VG, 12% Nic in 100%PG, 20% flavoring Using the Ejuice me up calculator..

the Flavor brands used: Loran, Flavor Apprentice, Flavor Shack, Cappela

Some quick notes that I have found about specific flavors:

Flavor Shack Margarita.. 20% is OMG too strong, tried it at 5% and it's 100% better

Capella Blueberry.. Using 20% .. has a light flavor, not nearly as strong as there others

Capella Cappaccino.. Using 20%, tastes great, but getting that flavor out of your coil means replacing the wick..

That is all for now, just wanted to share my noob to DIY experience with all of you, and any suggestions are ALWAYS welcome

 

[dannyv45]

Congrats. I've been using UC steeping for months. Also a key is heat. When you steep in the UC don't wait to long between cycles letting the water cool down. 150F is a perfect steep temperature.

 

[AH1968]

Congrats. I've been using UC steeping for months. Also a key is heat. When you steep in the UC don't wait to long between cycles letting the water cool down. 150F is a perfect steep temperature.

My concern with the heat is that it does break down the nicotine, so I am trying to avoid that if possible. Have you found this to be an issue? 150F doesn't seem hot enough to cause that, but I for one am no chemist lol

 

[fogMann]

Hey there DIYer ECF people

Just wanted to pass along my first experience with an ultrasonic cleaner..

Been doing DIY juice for a couple weeks, and have been a little frustrated at times between juices changing flavor over a few days, and having to wait a week or more just to get an idea of what I had created... So, Mr. Impatient as I am had been reading about ways to"steep" quicker.. Some of which kind of scared me as to what it might do to the properties of the combined liquids... So I decided to see about trying the ultrasonic cleaner as it seemed (from a physics stand point) the most effective without really altering the ingredients...

So, here we go.. Picked up a generic (probably not too ultrasonic lol) jewelry cleaner at Walmart $25 and it was NOT listed on their website...

Placed 5 10ml bottles in the fingers of a rubber glove (to save the labels) in each small side of the cleaner.

Then filled the tray with the bottles in it, up to the max level line with warm (NOT HOT) water.

Turned it on it's high setting and let it do it's thing for 1 hour (this model has no timer)

Removed bottles from cleaner and glove, let set until cool (approx 1 hour) and proceeded to test the liquids.

Now, keep in mind a couple things, 1 the juice was mixed the day before and was for the most part unvapeable IMO.

But, what I ended up with was nothing short of AMAZING!! So far everything seems to vape nicely and tastes great!

I have noticed that 2 of the flavors still need to either set a while longer or go back in the cleaner again as they still aren't quite the robust, deep flavor that I would like (Vanilla Swirl FA, and Horchata FA)

The mix ratios that I used are 60/40 PG/VG, 12% Nic in 100%PG, 20% flavoring Using the Ejuice me up calculator..

the Flavor brands used: Loran, Flavor Apprentice, Flavor Shack, Cappela

Some quick notes that I have found about specific flavors:

Flavor Shack Margarita.. 20% is OMG too strong, tried it at 5% and it's 100% better

Capella Blueberry.. Using 20% .. has a light flavor, not nearly as strong as there others

Capella Cappaccino.. Using 20%, tastes great, but getting that flavor out of your coil means replacing the wick..

That is all for now, just wanted to share my noob to DIY experience with all of you, and any suggestions are ALWAYS welcome

Your note - Placed 5 10ml bottles in the fingers of a rubber glove (to save the labels) in each small side of the cleaner. I generally end up re-labeling. Your idea is a good one.

I'm wondering about the need for an ultrasonic cleaner, that is the vibratory action. I've seen a few posts that claim that all that's needed is the heat and time. Not that it matters if you already have the UC (as I do). It's not any more work to do that.

 

[AH1968]

Your note - Placed 5 10ml bottles in the fingers of a rubber glove (to save the labels) in each small side of the cleaner. I generally end up re-labeling. Your idea is a good one.

I'm wondering about the need for an ultrasonic cleaner, that is the vibratory action. I've seen a few posts that claim that all that's needed is the heat and time. Not that it matters if you already have the UC (as I do). It's not any more work to do that.

I had read where someone placed the labeled bottles in a plastic bag to protect them, but I thought the fingers of a rubber glove would work better (less air space, more contact with the water)

I will say this, I have only been doing this for a couple weeks, and some of the juice I mixed 2 weeks ago, still isn't that smooth flavorful vape that I enjoy... With that being said, from what I understand, YOU DO NOT need a UC. Time, a lot of time, in a cool dark place will accomplish the task.. In regards to heat, while it does speed up the process, it also seems to break down the nic (Nic tested some older store bought after it sat in the hot car a couple days, and from 24mg was down to 4mg, so there is definitely something that happens when the nic is heated too much, or at least from my novice, non-chemist point of view

 

[RocketPuppy]

I like really like the rubber glove method. Never thought of it but will be using the idea. Thank you!

 

[dannyv45]

My concern with the heat is that it does break down the nicotine, so I am trying to avoid that if possible. Have you found this to be an issue? 150F doesn't seem hot enough to cause that, but I for one am no chemist lol

I've been involved with some involved testing and it has been determined that heat does not effect the short term potancy of nicotine or the flavor of the mix. If you are going to heat steep it would be assumed that you were going to vape it in a reasonable amount of time (within 6mo.) and the short amount of time the heat steeping is done has no effect in potancy for the short term. Have a read (I must warn it's a long read).

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-times-ultrasonic-cleaner-part-iii-123.html

 

[AH1968]

I like really like the rubber glove method. Never thought of it but will be using the idea. Thank you!

Something else about this, once i've placed the bottles in the fingers, I tie a loose knot in the end of the glove (makes it kinda look like a cows udder lol) to keep any thing from getting in or out

 

[AH1968]

I've been involved with some involved testing and it has been determined that heat does not effect the short term potancy of nicotine or the flavor of the mix. If you are going to heat steep it would be assumed that you were going to vape it in a reasonable amount of time (within 6mo.) and the short amount of time the heat steeping is done has no effect in potancy for the short term. Have a read (I must warn it's a long read).

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-times-ultrasonic-cleaner-part-iii-123.html

WOW! Nice info!! although, and let me make this VERY clear, I AM NOT A CHEMIST, but the juice I checked from the car had dropped, but 2 points of fact with that, 1 I do not know what it was to start with other than the labeling, and 2, no way of knowing it's age prior to me purchasing it about 2 months prior to testing it... so it stands to reason that, at least in the short term, for juice that will be used quickly, heat may very well aid in speeding the process up

Thank you!!

 

[Blueser]

Turned it on it's high setting and let it do it's thing for 1 hour (this model has no timer)

Removed bottles from cleaner and glove, let set until cool (approx 1 hour) and proceeded to test the liquids.

Now, keep in mind a couple things, 1 the juice was mixed the day before and was for the most part unvapeable IMO.

But, what I ended up with was nothing short of AMAZING!! So far everything seems to vape nicely and tastes great!

From unvapeable to amazing in that amount of time...is truly amazing

 

[Wingsfan0310]

From unvapeable to amazing in that amount of time...is truly amazing

I was thinking magical, where did I put my wand

 

[AH1968]

From unvapeable to amazing in that amount of time...is truly amazing

Funny you should say that, as I can almost hear the snickers from here... I am noticing something odd, and as stated, I am new at this, so please bear with me...

1. Flavors such as Vanilla, Cappaccino, and Horchata.. Seemed to still need a little time, however, I filled a partial tank, and it seemed to be ok, vapeable but not wonderful... by the end of the partial tank, they tasted bitter, and harsh??? Is this just a time thing or did I do something wrong?

2. the fruit flavors, especially the Capella flavors, seem fine, GF vaped a couple tanks worth over the course of the day, and says it has zero issues... How is this possible?

I am very confused here, how does the juice go from bitter, and unfavorable, to decent if not good, back to bitter and harsh???

 

[Wingsfan0310]

If your gf and you are using different equipment, different voltages, etc, it could make a difference. Also,it could be just a matter of different taste buds.

If your coils were getting clogged/gunked up, it can make your vape taste harsh. Overflavoring can also make a vape harsh to me. Not sure if I helped you or not, just thoughts that come to mind.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[AH1968]

Well, our equipment is identical, so that's not the issue, and thinking that something either in the flavoring, sweetener, etc., could be gunking up the coil, I swapped to a new coil (3xs to be precise) and for the most part, the same results... I'll let is set a few days and try it again.. Maybe a few more rounds in the UC?... idk, maybe it's my patience that needs the adjustment lol...

Also, I think you may have something about the over flavoring, I am going to make a few and cut it back to 10% and see if that helps.

Thank you for your reply,

 

[Wingsfan0310]

Your welcome, I don't have any of the flavors you used but 20% on a single flavor seems high to me. Just keep at it and before you know it you will hit on some juices you really like.

Cheers,
Steve

PS When trying new flavors/recipes, I find it better to start low on the flavorings. It's easier to add more, than it is to have to make more base to dilute the flavor.

 

[AH1968]

Ya know what, I premix my base, so I have more than enough to dilute these in half, and see if that helps at all..

Once again, thank you I know I will get this eventually, but in the mean time.... it's a little rough lol

 

[Wingsfan0310]

Instead of diluting your whole batch you could always take out a small amount, say 2.5ml and add 2.5ml of base and give it a try. That way if that isn't the problem you won't have diluted all of it. Just thinking out loud. Good luck!

Cheers,
Steve

 

[AH1968]

That is a great idea!! I guess common sense isn't as common as I thought... or maybe I am just tired lol Seriously though, that would be a lot smarter than diluting down 22 10ml bottles... Yeah... I like variety, what can I say?... At least I mixed them all identically, so I could play with them if needed good thing too, cause it looks like I am going to have some "playing" to do

Seriously, thanks Steve,

Andy

 

[crxess]

Definitely reduce your Flavor percentages until you start getting a handle on the ones you are using.
Capella and Flavor west tend to be fairly uniform and a little weak. 15%-20% can work, but so can 10%

Flavors like Lorann and TFA can be all over the place.
Some are good at higher % and some work better around 10% while a few should not exceed 1-2 drops in 10ml, .02%

One good rule of thumb is the sniff test. If the flavor smells right, it is usually light and okay at higher %'s
If the Flavor smells Rancid, best to start at Very low % and work up as needed.

 

[dannyv45]

2. the fruit flavors, especially the Capella flavors, seem fine, GF vaped a couple tanks worth over the course of the day, and says it has zero issues... How is this possible?

If you say your GF says it's fine but yours is not then you should vape your GF's hardware and she vapes your's and see if there's a difference. It's kinda sounding to me like a battle of the taste buds more then anything else.

Sometimes if we are at it to long our taste buds start to play with our minds. When this happens to me I go on to something else. I pick it up the next day and it's something completely new kinda like having alzhimers I guess