Getting Started - Your Assistance and Input Appreciated

Status
Not open for further replies.

grayscale

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Sep 30, 2013
636
310
DFW
So I'm getting ready to start a little DIY. I thought it would be easiest to start with trying to replicate my current ADV which is also a very simple one. However, I have some questions/concerns about a few of the details. Let me first start by telling you what my current ADV is -
Mt Baker Vapor Vanilla Butternut/Cinnamon Roll, mixed 50/50, 50/50 PG/VG, 12mgNic, 2 flavor shots added into 50ml bottles.

My first question, and biggest concern, is background flavor. Explained - I have had fluid from several different vendors that all had a similar note to them no matter the flavor, a couple being Nicoticket, GLV, and DFW Vapor. I can smell it straight out of the bottle, and it is quite apparent when vaping, thus I stay away from these vendors now.The obvious conclusion is that it has something to with the PG, VG, and/or flavoring brand used. It's not a dirty flavor so much, maybe even sweetener, which was my first thought when I first noticed it. The reason I have stuck closely to MBV is that I have found no traces of this in any of the flavors I've tried. I have also noticed that I do not get this with juice Mafia flavors, very clean. I'm hoping someone has had this or a similar experience that can help.

Edit - Saw something today that described a general juice flavor as "custardy" which is close to what I'm trying to describe.

So question A is - what vendor/products would you suggest?

The next piece is a bit more simple - Do flavorings, such as a cinnamon roll, already have sweetener in them? Of course sweetener can be added to suit, but do they start out sweet already?

The last question is more fun than the previous two - Any recipe ideas for the aforementioned ADV?

Thanks!
 
Last edited:

RocketPuppy

Veteran Puppy
ECF Veteran
Dec 19, 2013
1,656
1,661
Bay Area, California, USA
The flavoring in question that you dislike may be acetyl pyrazine. I could easily be wrong though.

http://wizardlabs.us/index.php?route=product/product&path=79&product_id=332

In terms of sweeteners, it depends what version and what supplier you buy of said flavor. When you choose your flavors, look at the ingredients or description to see if it's sweetened. I've never purchased cinnamon roll, so I can't help you there.

You may be able to find MBV clones here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...mount-baker-vapor-mbv-flavorings-recipes.html

Edit: bad link
 

Wingsfan0310

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Oct 2, 2013
2,366
3,202
Flat Rock, MI, USA
Last edited:

grayscale

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Sep 30, 2013
636
310
DFW
The flavoring in question that you dislike may be acetyl pyrazine. I could easily be wrong though.

http://wizardlabs.us/index.php?route=product/product&path=79&product_id=332

In terms of sweeteners, it depends what version and what supplier you buy of said flavor. When you choose your flavors, look at the ingredients or description to see if it's sweetened. I've never purchased cinnamon roll, so I can't help you there.

You may be able to find MBV clones here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...mount-baker-vapor-mbv-flavorings-recipes.html

Edit: bad link

Interesting. Thanks for the MBV link, didn't know it was buried here :)
 

grayscale

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Sep 30, 2013
636
310
DFW
Well let me start by saying I haven't compared MBV Nic/PG/VG to other companies. But you can buy the Nic, PG, VG and flavorings they use directly from them.

Flavorings: Electronic Cigarette flavors, E cigarette flavors, and e flavoring.

Nic, PG, and VG: USP grade propylene glycol, USP grade vegetable glycerin. The highest quality Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin on the market

Hope that helps :toast:

Cheers,
Steve

"Edit Fixed flavor link*

Yep, problem there is the flavorings seem odd to me - 15ml bottles, recommend 15% on all of them? That and the pre-mixed nic bottle price is a tad high for DIY, but to each their own. Although I do like the fact that it's mixed and ready to go. Kind of handy.
 
Last edited:

Wingsfan0310

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Oct 2, 2013
2,366
3,202
Flat Rock, MI, USA
Yep, problem there is the flavorings seem odd to me - 15ml bottles, recommend 15% on all of them? That and the pre-mixed nic bottle price is a tad high for DIY, but to each their own.

I don't buy mt stuff from there. You were trying to duplicate the taste of their juice so I linked you to them.

I buy my flavorings and Nic from Wizard Labs. My PG and VG from Essential Depot (1 gallon each of PG and VG for $55 shipped).

PS My understanding is MBV uses Flavor West Flavors - probably cheaper if you get it directly from FW.

Cheers,
Steve
 

Dakota Jim

Ultra Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Apr 14, 2013
1,423
1,221
in a warehouse buried near Univille SD
Here is my recommendation for a supplier

One Stop DIY Shop

I would not recommend starting with higher than 48mg nic base until you are sure of what you are doing

Do NOT mix with distractions around (kids, pets, spouse etc)

Get syringes for measuring - counting drops gets old quick and pipettes are pain and inaccurate (IMHO)

Start with small sizes of flavorings until you know what you like

Make small test batches, 3-5ml with no nic to test flavors

you can taste test flavors by putting a drop or 2 on a teaspoon of whipped cream

get a small amount of sweetener (cotton candy is just EM @ 10%), menthol flavor (TPA has this already dissolved - much easier than working with crystals - a drop or 2 per 5-10ml will help some flavors/recipes "POP")

and another very good resource is the diy recipe group in Facebook (it will take awhile to get added right now as they have frozen adding new members until after they are done with their 5000 member giveaway extravaganza - but you can request to get added now and get in the queue for when they start - it is a closed group due to nonvaping spammers request to get added daily)

and there is a diy show here novabroadcastings on Vapers.tv on Tuesdays from 8-10 eastern - Mixing with Mandycat that is also very informative (you can ask questions in chat or you can call in)

hope this info helps some
 

grayscale

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Sep 30, 2013
636
310
DFW
I don't understand that question. ?
I have heard that MBV uses Flavor West flavorings, so those pretty high (to me) percentages would be normal-ish for that company.

The element in the other vendors juices that is so off-putting to me. RocketPuppy has suggested - "The flavoring in question that you dislike may be acetyl pyrazine.", and I want to get more feedback on this point. Would a vendor use acetylpyrazine in almost all of their fluids?
 

glasseye

Vaping Master
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Dec 15, 2012
4,224
6,634
NJ
Ah OK. I went back and read your first post too so I understand now but I have no answer, I haven't had any liquids from any of them. I really can't imagine a vendor putting AP in almost everything though! That's the cool (and I admit, very frustrating) thing about DIY- mixing what you like to your own taste.
 

grayscale

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Sep 30, 2013
636
310
DFW
Ah OK. I went back and read your first post too so I understand now but I have no answer, I haven't had any liquids from any of them. I really can't imagine a vendor putting AP in almost everything though! That's the cool (and I admit, very frustrating) thing about DIY- mixing what you like to your own taste.

Yeah, I just don't want to dump money into supplies to find out it's a particular VG or something.

Another question then - isn't there an additive used to make flavors bolder, stand out more? Kind of like MSG for liquids? Maybe that's it.
 

grayscale

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Sep 30, 2013
636
310
DFW
In terms of that flavor you dislike, what particular flavor group has it? Tobaccos? Fruit? Bakery?

It'd be easier to figure out that way. If you're finding it in tobaccos, my bet is AP or maybe flue cured.

Well, that's the catch. Like I said, it seems to be in everything they have.
 

RocketPuppy

Veteran Puppy
ECF Veteran
Dec 19, 2013
1,656
1,661
Bay Area, California, USA
I've never purchased from MBV, but after checking their site, their prices for pre-made are really good, especially if you really like it.

A 236 ml bottle is $0.15-$0.16 a mil. After a lot practice, diy for me is around $0.05 ml. That's not including all the trial and error and supplies like syringes and bottles. Personally, if I found a commercial juice I loved at $0.15, I'd buy it.
 

buckethead

Super Member
ECF Veteran
Verified Member
Apr 19, 2013
321
403
NW Indiana, United States
Could it be sucralose that you're not liking in the juices? I know that GLV uses sucralose for sweetener. Not sure about Nicoticket though.

As a test maybe when you get supplies... Mix up some PG/VG by itself in one bottle. In another bottle mix PG/VG/Sucralose. See if the sucralose bothers you.

Just an idea.

MBV has a wholesale site where everything is cheaper in bulk. If you want to get their flavorings I would check that out.

As mentioned they use Flavor West so it's probably cheaper to order directly from them.

For the recipe I would do 5% each of Vanilla Butternut and Cinnamon Roll both from Flavor West. Add maybe a percent of EM if any. Adjust the percentages from there.
 
Last edited:
Status
Not open for further replies.

Users who are viewing this thread