Flavors - Why are we using so much?

[DuaneNeveu]

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...ng-ratio-pg-create-sweetener.html#post8424790

Aside from the many great explanations already posted, in the case of Ethyl Maltol (for example), 1 gram can flavour (or solve into) substantially more water (56ml) than Propylene Glycol (17ml). I have to imagine that all the flavourings we use are more water soluble than PG soluble as well.

 

[DrMA]

I think things come from thinking that more is more! You like chocolaty chocolate milk? Add more syrup! I could make pages out of things that I love to add more to - Cheese and Bacon is another good example. The problem is this doesn't work with flavorings people seem to think 5% is the Minimum! 15-20% is a Good Number! I find this all to be insane! I use 0.25-2.5% (Flavour Art exclusively). I think as you go you will find out the old adage less is more to be truer and truer.

That's the first I've read about someone using flavor at <1%. I'll definitely give it a try.

To be honest, I too use very small quantities of flavor "conditioners" in some of my mixes, as I find them overpowering otherwise. For example:
- acetylpyrazine <0.1% (one small drop per 30mL)
- ethyl maltol 0.5%
- sucralose 0.5%
- triacetin <1.5%

But I've never deliberately tried flavors below 2.5%. In fact, every new flavor I get, I simply start experimenting with its use at 5%, and increase if I find it too weak. The only flavor I use below 5% is chocolate (2-2.5%).

 

[DuaneNeveu]

Several tobacco flavours shine brighter under 5% as well. Some are rather deplorable even at just over 2%.

 

[DrMA]

I rarely use tobacco flavors, though one of my faves is Captain Black (TFA).
My recipe is:
50% PG, 40% VG, 10% Vodka
16 mg nicotine
7% Captain Black (TFA)
1% Triacetin (aka "Smooth" from TFA)

BTW Duane, I think you've got it backwards. Most of the flavors we use are more soluble in PG than they are in water. I.e. it takes more water than PG to dissolve the same quantity of flavor.

 

[Xylocaine]

That's the first I've read about someone using flavor at <1%. I'll definitely give it a try.

Note I use Flavour Art concentrated flavors exclusively so I cannot attest for my practices being best practices for other types of flavorings (though I have heard similar results from VZ Concentrate users). I honestly tried and gave up on several types of flavorings as I replaced their corresponding flavors with FA and they tasted so much better.

 

[DuaneNeveu]

BTW Duane, I think you've got it backwards. Most of the flavors we use are more soluble in PG than they are in water. I.e. it takes more water than PG to dissolve the same quantity of flavor.

BTW DrMA, I'm French-Canadian, so I think I should get a pass for that ...but you're right, I'm bass ackwards.

I had it in my head that the same amount of EM would flavour more water than PG. It's also doing my head in that dissolution and solubility may have become convoluted in the discussion.

 

[Bosco]

After reading this post I tried out some flavors in water . . it was very interesting. A few drops of TFA blackberry and you get a nice blackberry taste . .a few more and it tastes wierd and chemically . .just like with e juice. I think I can use water to gage the relative strength of new flavors and get a better idea of what percentage to start with without wasting any other DIY supplies.

Nice post - thanks!

 

[klynnn]

I have been using my mint flavorings to make buttermints. They are pretty good at about 1/2 tsp flavoring. Taste as you go.