having some separation problems with DIY juice.

[mrjaguar]

or I guess I could've titled it separation anxiety!
Hi All,
having a problem with separation, as in I mix vg and pg and flavoring, and after a while it separates with flavor at the top. I also noticed it's a bit lumpy looking when I go to put it in the carto. I've never had this problem, but I'm using a new flavor (flavor west cinnamon red hot). Does anyone have a clue what I could be doing wrong? too much vg and not enough pg?

HELP!
thanks
pat.

 

[CarrieM]

No idea, I use a 80/20 VG/PG mix with mostly Flavor Arts flavorings (including the Cinn Red Hot). I've never had them separate. Are you using any additional sweetener?

 

[mrjaguar]

nope, vg, pg and flavor. I wonder if this is anhydrous vg.. does anyone know if that would make a difference?

 

[CarrieM]

Maybe, I have never used anhydrous that I know of. Where did you get the VG? Is this happening after it sits for a while or fairly quickly? The only thing I can think of trying is to put your bottle of mix in a cup of hot tap water and let it sit for about 5 min then shaking it up well. That might help get things blended better

 

[TinyTimberGal]

Another possibility is the cinnamon could be an oil. If so, it could explain the separation.

 

[mrjaguar]

it happens after several minutes of sitting. I got the VG from tasty vapor. I'll try the heated water idea, thanks. the cinnamon could be an oil, I'd just like to figure out how to mix it without having that separation..

 

[SuziesMom]

My guess is that they're using cinnamon oil in the flavoring. You can mix the flavor with a little bit of PGA, or PG, and that will dissolve some of the oil, but in my experience it separates after a few days anyway.

My solution is just to shake it up when I use it, or mix in a little bit of other flavor hoping that whatever they've used to dilute their flavoring will dissolve the oil- that works some of the time too.

 

[mrjaguar]

ok, maybe I'll email the vendor and see what they suggest.

 

[marcielynn]

I would mix the cin with PG first, it seems to disolve the cin better for me, then add in vg. It works most of the time for me and I use (UNRECCOMMENED) Loranns Cin oil,its worth a try if all else fails, good luck!!!!

 

[CarrieM]

If it is an oil than that is most likely the problem I know the FA has some oil in it but not much

 

[mrjaguar]

I was kinda hoping some of the more experienced DIY'ers would give me a hand.. so here's a little bump.

 

[donnah]

I've been mixing my own for a few months now and have never had this problem. My VG came from nicvape.com I agree with the rest about it might be an oil in the flavoring you're using. wish I could offer more help.

 

[Religion]

I'm also trying to use an oil with zero PG recipe. Maybe try mixing the flavor with the PGA or PG first. Am I right? DIY vets please chime in

 

[MaxUT]

I was kinda hoping some of the more experienced DIY'ers would give me a hand.. so here's a little bump.

It sounds like your cinnamon flavoring is based on a natural essential oil.

My experience has mostly been with Perfumer's Apprentice (AKA Flavor Apprentice) Cinnamon, which is made with a natural extract of Sri Lanka cinnamon spice. It seperated quickly in a VG mix.

I had the same problem with a recipe that used Lime flavoring, which also had a natural oil in it.
I tried mixing the Lime flavoring with real rum and letting it stand overnight before adding the other ingredients. So far the juice hasn't seperated. (I still have most of the batch, now 3 weeks old; I subbed Key Lime for the usual Lime and didn't like it as much)

So... I recommend premixing the cinnamon with an equal amount of PGA or double that amount of vodka or other spirit. Shake the bejeezus out of it and let the mixture stand for at least a few hours before completing the recipe. This seems to work for the natural oil flavors.

 

[MaxUT]

I wonder if this is anhydrous vg.. does anyone know if that would make a difference?

Anhydrous simply means "excluding water". It would be more viscous, but that's all.

 

[Switched]

I have never had separation issues but then again I don't use any natural oil flavourings.