Guide to DIY Flavoring

[leech213]

Anyone ever try using raw chemicals for flavoring (i.e. Citral, Myercin, Limonene, etc) instead of the LorAnn, FA, and PA's. Would think you could use way less than 10-20% to achieve flavoring. Thoughts?

 

[SkinyFatMan]

Or just one place where I can get everything without going crazy. I have like 12 tabs open on the iPad trying to get all together and maybe save some $$$.. Also that they ship to Puerto Rico. Thanx..

I'm looking into going into DIY and I'm over at HDV are they good? And if so is there a coupon? And what would i need. No nic thought im scared of that stuff.. Thanx everyone!

Go to wizardlabs. They have flavors from loranns and the flavor apprentice in small quantities to try, the blunt needle tips, syringes, pg, vg, and nic all in one place.

Don't be afraid of the nic, just make sure you get an ejuice calculator to do the math for you, and start at low mg/ml until you get used to it (about 36 or 48 to start if you're worried).

Then the only thing you need is the bottles (I use usplastics for mine because they're CHEAP, but I do have to poke a larger hole for the liquids).

Sent with the power of Telemechanics.... and Tapatalk.

 

[NiNi]

I think I have just stumbled upon the "Holy Grail" of E-juice!!!! This is a fantastic thread! Why oh why did I order a bunch of samples from 9 different companies when I could have just made it myself?!?!?! Grrrrr! I really thought it was going to be a major undertaking... Not so!
Read the entire thread, woot, woot! Maybe I can get some ideas from the samples coming cause I got stuck on MBV's Peanut Butter Cup and Butterscotch months ago, and nothing else has been "interesting" *sigh* Don't enjoy tobacco flavors, drink flavors, fruit flavors.....I'm just bored of the same old same old. I guess I'll be compiling my list of DIY products over the next week or so and give it a try.
It actually sounds like a total adventure, I'm stoked!
Thanks, all you DIY peeps!

 

[Koman]

We are all looking for that Holy Grail man )

 

[erinarthur222]

who makes the best buttered popcorn?

LorAnn is the oldest brand, but every company has its strengths and weaknesses, and even general quirks or specialties. If you just want to see which brands carry which flavors, they're organized here.

FlavourArt - list of global resellers here. Best prices I've found so far at ecigExpress (30ml) and me (3ml).
Some of their flavors are very strong while others are average in strength, and have overall been reviewed as good quality. They taste more realistic and natural than other companies, many flavors have an Italian style to them, and unlike most companies they are not innately sweet. A full list of flavors and safety information here. Sometimes FlavourArt seems to take a little extra time to fully diffuse through the final solution, probably because it's so concentrated.
FlavourArt average strength needed: 2-15%
Spicy Cinnamon Candy: ?%, 1/5
Butterscotch: 10-15%, 5/5
Cappuccino: 10-15%, 5/5
Cherry: 10-15%, 5/5
Chocolate: 5-10%, 5/5
Citrus Mix: 10-15%, 5/5
Cocoa: ~5%, 5/5
Coconut: 5-10%, 5/5
Concord Grape: 10-15%, 5/5
Cookie: 5-10%, 5/5 <-- Recommended for combining with other flavors, not standalone.
Mango: ~10%, 5/5
Panettone: 5-10%, 4/5
Pear: 10-15%, 5/5
Peppermint: 5~%, ?/5
Pineapple: ~10%, 5/5
Strawberry: 10-15%, 5/5
Vienna Cream: 5-10%, 5/5
Whipped Cream: ~15%, 4.5/5 <-- Recommended for combining with other flavors, not standalone.

Following %'s taken from FlavourArt's site as suggestions for flavoring usage, however many people here report using some of these at up to 15% for good flavor. User recommendations here will be added in (parentheses):
Perique Black 1%
Cuban Supreme 2%
Dark Vapure 2.5%
Mellow Sunset 2%
Burley 3%
Latakia 2%
Virginia 2%
Maxboro Ultimate 2%
Cowboy blend 1%
Camel Ultimate 2%
Shade 2%
Desert Ship Blend 1%
Torrone 4%, 5/5
Coffee Espresso 2%
Blackberry 1%
Apple Pie 3%
Hazelnut 2% (~4%), 5/5
Chocolate 4%, 5/5
Vanilla 2%, 5/5
Tiramisu 3% (5-8%), 5/5
Anise 1%
Peppermint 3%
Spearmint 3%
Menthol 3%
Licorice 4%
Cinnamon Ceylon 3%
Black Cherry 3%
MaxUT has an excellent taste chart for FlavourArt's tobaccos converted from info on their site.

Capella - Available in Canada at HappyVaper and a few in the US at ecigexpress.
The flavor drops are more evenly calibrated in strength than other flavors and often innately sweet, and they specialize in more complex bakery/confectionary/drink flavors as opposed to the basic flavors. There haven't been a lot of specific reviews, but they don't seem to make anything that's just bad. Recommended for new mixers who don't want to get into combining multiple flavors right away. Their site also has a section for e-liquid use if you're wondering about safety.
Capella average strength needed: 10-20%
French Toast strength needed: 15-20%, 5/5
GoodDog's review of 11 flavors.

Faerie's Finest
These flavors have been pretty popular partly because they are made from all natural flavors unlike most other brands. The strength and quality from flavor to flavor varies like LorAnn's but none are overly strong. A list of which ones are safe for vaping is here.
Faerie's Finest average strength needed: 10-30%
Butterscotch: ?%, 4.5/5
Lemon-Lime: 10-20%, 5/5
Pumpkin: ?%, 1/5
Pie Spice: ?%, 4/5
Grape: 15-25%, 5/5
Rum Cream: ?%, 5/5
2x Clear Vanilla: ?%, 5/5

The Perfumer's Apprentice - 6ml/15ml available cheaper here with coupon code "ECF"
A relatively new DIY supplier, they are great for the price. They also sell other DIY materials and basic ingredients for mixers, notably Menthol Crystals and pre-diluted Menthol drops, diluted Sucralose sweetener (although I recommend using pure Sucralose), and Ethyl Maltol (links are to forum threads about how to use them, products are available on PA's site). A few flavors are clearly stated as being oils.
Perfumer's Apprentice average strength needed: 5-15%
Little_Girl has graciously blogged in detail about her experiences with a huge variety of TPA flavors. I will not attempt to reduce her analysis to numbers.
Almond Amaretto: 5-10%, 5/5
Apple: 10-15%, 4.5/5
Black Cherry: 5-15%, 5/5
Bittersweet (Choc): 10-15%, 4/5
Caramel: 10-15%, 5/5
Caramel Candy: 15-20%, 5/5
Cheesecake: 5-15%, 2/5
Chocolate: 10-15%, 5/5
Cinnamon Red Hots: 5-10%, 5/5
Coconut Extra: ~10%, 5/5
Cotton Candy: 10-20%, 5/5
Graham Cracker: 10-15%, 5/5 - This flavor recommended for combining with others.
Lime (oil-based): 1-5%, 4/5
Milk Chocolate: 20%, 4/5
Peanut Butter: 10-15%, 5/5
Pear: 10-15%, 4.5/5
Pizza: ~5%, 5/5
Plum: 5-10%, 4/5
Sweet Cream: 5-10%, 4/5 - This flavor recommended for combining with others.
Tangerine (oil-based): 1-5%, 5/5
Tobbaco Absolute (TA): <1%
Vanilla Bourbon: 10-15%, 4.5/5
Waffle: 20%, 5/5
Wintergreen: 20%, 5/5
PA Sucralose Sweetener: 2%+, 4.5/5

Bickford Flavors
These are often weak relative to the rest. They're said to be good, some moreso than others. A thread on safety information for all flavors available here.
Bickford average strength needed: 20-40%

Tasty Puff Flavors - available cheaper here or here.
These underdogs have received little attention but have gotten some consistently good reviews all around - here's the most extensive one. Their range of flavors isn't huge, but they seem to be worth it. Their flavors are safe for vaping, but some have artificial coloring.
Tasty Puff average strength needed: 1-15%
Chumpy Chocolate: 2-15%, 5/5
Chick Magnet Cherry: 2-10%, 5/5
Pucked Up Pineapple: 5-15%, 4/5
Midnight Spice: 2-10%, 2/5
Joosy Froot: 5-15%, 3/5
Rasta Rootbeer: 1-5%, 4/5
Electric Banana: 2-10%, 5/5
Pimpy Fresh Peach: ~4%, 5/5
Convicted Melon: 5-10%, 4/5
Awesome Apple: 2-10%, 4/5
Cotton Mouth Candy: 2-10%, 4.5/5
Jungle Juice: 2-10%, 5/5
Blueberry: 2-10%, 3/5
Strawberry: 2-10%, 5/5
Nilly Vanilla: 2-10%, 5/5

Seedman's Flavors
This company carries a lot of tobacco flavors along with a few others that go well with tobacco. Since they are aimed at home-grown tobacco users, make sure you buy the Top Note Flavors (at the bottom of their page). A thread with some initial reviews and recipes available here.
Seedman's average strength needed: 5-15%
Honey strength needed: 5-10%, 5/5

Other Flavoring Suppliers:
Decadent Vapours
Healthcabin
Nature's Flavors - Not recommended for new DIYers, PG-Free (Use Coffee & Tea Flavoring section)
BlueMist Vaping - 8-15% recommended.
McCormick's Extracts - Check ingredients, some unusable.
Spice Barn - Check ingredients, some unusable.
Flavor West
Splendex/EZ-Sweetz Sucralose - 0.5-1% (1-2 drops per 10ml)

Awards Section
When multiple brands carry a popular, similar flavor, people want to know which one to buy. There is no REAL best when it comes to flavor, this is just a recommendation.

French Vanilla (ice cream-like): 1) PA French Vanilla 2) LorAnn Bavarian Creme
Creamy Vanilla: 1) Capella Vanilla Custard 2) PA Vanilla Bean Ice Cream / Vanilla Custard
True Vanilla: 1) FA's Vanillas 2) PA Vanilla Bourbon
Chocolate Flavor: 1) Capella Double Chocolate 2) FA Cocoa / Chocolate 3) Tasty Puff Chocolate
Coffees: FA / PA
Toffee: 1) LorAnn English Toffee 2) PA English Toffee
Caramel: 1) PA Caramel Candy 2) FA Caramel
Honey: 1) Seedman's Honey 2) FA Honey
Cinnamon (Candy-like): PA Cinnamon RedHots
Cinnamon (Bakery): PA / FA Cinnamon, LA Cinnamon Oil (strongest)
Cheesecake: LorAnn Cheesecake
Licorice/Anise: PA / FA
Tobacco: Varies - Seedman's / PA / FA
Cherry (none are that great): 1) Seedman / FA Cherry 2) PA Black Cherry / Maraschino Cherry
Watermelon: 1) TastyPuff (fruit) 2) FA/PA (fruit-like) 3) LorAnn (candy-like)
Mint: 1) LorAnn Creme de Menthe 2) PA / FA

 

[erinarthur222]

ugh ! i got cola from loranns cause hubber wanted cola with lime .this cola just burns.its terrible!

 

[erinarthur222]

but ohhh is LA bav.cream goooood!

 

[SteelerFan]

what tobacco goes best with clove? or absinthe?

 

[nipurava]

can any one tell me which flavors are better for DIY Hard Candy or Candy from Lorann.
thanks in adv

 

[ZNinja]

Does anyone know the root source of the DIY flavors MBV sells?

 

[Bryan lord]

Does anyone know the root source of the DIY flavors MBV sells?

Flavor west.


-Lord

 

[ZNinja]

Thanks lord.

That sounded odd. LOL

 

[JulesXsmokr]

I read posts #1 thru #571 - and I couldn't have said it any better myself..not one word... I'm speechless.. This is priceless..Thank to all ..
and to all a good brew..

 

[djezewski]

Decided on a premix the one I had just had too high of flavoring to mess with.

 

[joaquingt]

hey guys, there is a vanilla ice/white ice on mbv, any idea what type of vanilla is that ?

 

[Acebandit]

After reading--I feel like I am ready to do some DIY---No longer buying e-Juice thats more than $.45

 

[Angiebubs]

Not sure if this is the right place to post this, but can't find an appropriate thread, so here goes:
I have not tried DIY yet, but am really wanting to jump in. Here are my questions/concerns:

I have tried 20+ vendors to date and there is quite a variety of quality. There are vendors who I dislike all of thier e liquids as they have a funny underlying flavor. What is the most important component of DIY e liquids that affects the overall flavor? (What causes all e liquids from a vendor to taste off)? I think what I am asking is which if the ingredients is the one that determines quality? Or is it truly all (Nicotine, flavoring, base, etc)? Ar there any ingredients that quality isn't as important?
Are there higher/artisan/gourmet suppliers for each of these? (I don't want to spend a ton of cash and get discouraged right off.)
I would like to find high quality 100% organic, VG-any recommendations for this?
Is there a chart anywhere that compares DIY supplier ingredients to pre-made vendors?
There is so much information out there, I am struggling to even know where to begin to get answers to these questions, so any input would be appreciated!!

 

[pmoraldo]

I get my nic from Wizard Labs and some flavors from capella's and others from TPA just dive in super easy after you take the first step

Sent while Hyper Vapin a Trippy tipped Reo

 

[Exchaner]

Could anyone please recommend the proper % to use for 7Leaves by Flavor Art? I have heard 2% and a few weeks of steeping....
Also wondering if anyone has tried Lorann's peach, and the proper % to use. I have tried 15% and find it a bit too strong.... Do I need any steeping for fruits? Thanks in advance.

 

[Exchaner]

Hello everyone, I have been checking out a site called Natures Flavors which some of you guys have used, and I am totally confused. What is the difference between "syrup", "extract", "concentrate" and "Flavor". Do they really mean it when they say a flavor is "natural" or is it a play on words. Which of their products is suitable for vaping, and at what %? I am interested in peach flavor, vanilla and an exotic flavor called "Cardamom" which I love. Sorry about the nubee questions. Here is a link to the site:

Nature's Flavors