How can I sample juices?

[Liz W]

OK, they say the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask, so here goes.....

Can you sample flavors at a vape shop - without buying a $5 - $8 bottle you may not like? What set up do you need to do it? I just got a Kanger-clone pro tank 3 mini and a few 650 batteries as my first set up. I only have one tank, maybe I should get more??

Right now I only have 3 juices on hand that are too high in nic and making me sick to my stomach and cough a bit. Two bottles I bought at the shop when i got my set up (20mg, 50/50 PG-VG I think.... the juices were made in the shop and the seller wasn't really sure of the PG-VG mix ). I also have a bottle of pure VG 24mg that I add a bit to the tank to get more menthol taste from the weak menthol I got at the shop. I got that VG one randomly at a smoke shop before I got my set up, was using it to TRY to reload my cartomizer on a cigalike I was using (not the best idea).

I guess I have a few questions/problems here, but mostly want to know about the world of sampling at the shops, if that is a even a thing....

I really can't wait for mail order since I am still a newbie cig quitter and NEED my vapor right now. So I am just using what is making me cough and feel sick, along with old nasty cigalikes, just so I don't pick up a cig. What dedication!! hahaha

 

[bacc.vap]

Many vape shops have liquid sampling, you just have to check out the different shops. You don't usually use your own device, they have devices set up to use at the shop.

 

[suprtrkr]

You can usually try juices at your local vape shop. They have them in disposable cartos and will loan you a battery if you need it. Many juice vendors will offer a selection of their wares in tiny bottles, say 10 or 15 bucks for 5 to 8 flavors, 2 or 3 ml each. Some of the online vendors will also send a small sample of something they're trying to move with your order.

 

[BrotherBob]

I guess I have a few questions/problems here, but mostly want to know about the world of sampling at the shops, if that is a even a thing....

Might want to give the shops a phone call first. Could ask them the juice price range and how many flavors you can sample.
Concerning the e liquid with too high a nic content, those juices can be thinned down to an approximate desired nic strength and boosted (to counteract the thinning down)with like or similar flavors. You would probably need someone with DIY experience to help you do it. Anyway, could hang on to them until you figure out how to go about it.

Could try a 1 part distilled water with 4 parts (adjust to suit---3 or 5,6 parts etc.) high nic content juice. Your effort will be rewarded. Hang in there.

 

[Liz W]

Anyway, could hang on to them until you figure out how to go about it.

Good advice, I will keep them for down the road when I am smarter

Thanks everyone, will go shopping tomorrow after looking at local shops on Yelp, etc. I assume most will be closed on Sundays. I can make it one more day!!

 

[dbrandt01]

Every shop I've been to have juices in iClear tanks or sub ohm tanks to try out juices. One shop had their own devices to use as well to try them. I've even had shops let me drip on my own setup to try them. I wouldn't go to a shop if they didn't allow people to try them.

 

[suprtrkr]

Good advice, I will keep them for down the road when I am smarter

Thanks everyone, will go shopping tomorrow after looking at local shops on Yelp, etc. I assume most will be closed on Sundays. I can make it one more day!!

Regarding the down mixing of juices, I recommend no more than 10% water. Water does not wick well and has a tendency to spit on the coil. Another option is to buy VG and PG, mix them in the ratio you like, and use that to thin the nic content, but this will attenuate the flavor. Another good option is to buy some zero nic in the same flavor as the too-high juice and mix them to thin the nic out; like buy a bottle of 12mg and a bottle of 0, then mix them together for some 6mg.

 

[John Songer Jr]

OK, they say the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask, so here goes.....

Can you sample flavors at a vape shop - without buying a $5 - $8 bottle you may not like? What set up do you need to do it? I just got a Kanger-clone pro tank 3 mini and a few 650 batteries as my first set up. I only have one tank, maybe I should get more??

Right now I only have 3 juices on hand that are too high in nic and making me sick to my stomach and cough a bit. Two bottles I bought at the shop when i got my set up (20mg, 50/50 PG-VG I think.... the juices were made in the shop and the seller wasn't really sure of the PG-VG mix ). I also have a bottle of pure VG 24mg that I add a bit to the tank to get more menthol taste from the weak menthol I got at the shop. I got that VG one randomly at a smoke shop before I got my set up, was using it to TRY to reload my cartomizer on a cigalike I was using (not the best idea).

I guess I have a few questions/problems here, but mostly want to know about the world of sampling at the shops, if that is a even a thing....

I really can't wait for mail order since I am still a newbie cig quitter and NEED my vapor right now. So I am just using what is making me cough and feel sick, along with old nasty cigalikes, just so I don't pick up a cig. What dedication!! hahaha

Most if not all respectable vape shops have samples you can try. My favorite local shop has 233 CE4 tanks full of different flavors and 9 bottles for dripping to try before you buy. Most have this approach.

 

[LouisLeBeau]

Hi Liz, Welcome to ECF! Congrats and good luck on kicking that nasty old habit! I hope you find flavors, nic levels, and hardware that you REALLY like, soon! It does make it all SO MUCH easier..

Yep, just find a GOOD shop, plan on spending an hour or more, sample like crazy, and DON'T feel compelled to buy something, if you don't find something that REALLY suits you. I've thrown away more juice just because I was too nice to just say, sorry, nothing here really does it for me..

Congrats and good luck again!

 

[Train2]

Definitely visit more shops.
Finding the right liquid can be a bit of an adventure, but it's important.
You should enjoy vaping - and once you get a flavor (or a couple) that you like, then you might find (as I did - very quickly), that you like it MORE than a cigarette - and then it's easy to quit smoking! Not for everyone...but for some, it's that simple.

The store probably only has one PG/VG blend and one strenght (or 0-nic) to taste, but then you at least know you like the flavor.

You still may need to fiddle with those variables (VG/PG and nic) to find what's right for you.

Good luck, and don't give up!

OK, they say the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask, so here goes.....

Can you sample flavors at a vape shop - without buying a $5 - $8 bottle you may not like? What set up do you need to do it? I just got a Kanger-clone pro tank 3 mini and a few 650 batteries as my first set up. I only have one tank, maybe I should get more??

Right now I only have 3 juices on hand that are too high in nic and making me sick to my stomach and cough a bit. Two bottles I bought at the shop when i got my set up (20mg, 50/50 PG-VG I think.... the juices were made in the shop and the seller wasn't really sure of the PG-VG mix ). I also have a bottle of pure VG 24mg that I add a bit to the tank to get more menthol taste from the weak menthol I got at the shop. I got that VG one randomly at a smoke shop before I got my set up, was using it to TRY to reload my cartomizer on a cigalike I was using (not the best idea).

I guess I have a few questions/problems here, but mostly want to know about the world of sampling at the shops, if that is a even a thing....

I really can't wait for mail order since I am still a newbie cig quitter and NEED my vapor right now. So I am just using what is making me cough and feel sick, along with old nasty cigalikes, just so I don't pick up a cig. What dedication!! hahaha

 

[eddiea]

OK, they say the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask, so here goes.....

Can you sample flavors at a vape shop - without buying a $5 - $8 bottle you may not like? What set up do you need to do it? I just got a Kanger-clone pro tank 3 mini and a few 650 batteries as my first set up. I only have one tank, maybe I should get more??

Right now I only have 3 juices on hand that are too high in nic and making me sick to my stomach and cough a bit. Two bottles I bought at the shop when i got my set up (20mg, 50/50 PG-VG I think.... the juices were made in the shop and the seller wasn't really sure of the PG-VG mix ). I also have a bottle of pure VG 24mg that I add a bit to the tank to get more menthol taste from the weak menthol I got at the shop. I got that VG one randomly at a smoke shop before I got my set up, was using it to TRY to reload my cartomizer on a cigalike I was using (not the best idea).

I guess I have a few questions/problems here, but mostly want to know about the world of sampling at the shops, if that is a even a thing....

I really can't wait for mail order since I am still a newbie cig quitter and NEED my vapor right now. So I am just using what is making me cough and feel sick, along with old nasty cigalikes, just so I don't pick up a cig. What dedication!! hahaha

Congrats on your plan to quit the sticks.

As others have mentioned, most well-established vape shops will offer sampling (just need to find the right one in your area) and online vendors offer sample packages too. There's a few local shops just up the 5 freeway a few minutes from me who always have a dozen or so samples setup at all times for immediate sampling...lounging and relaxing there just vaping and having some small-talk with folks for a while - that's good business sense for prospective buyers.

Many people are sensitive to PG, so if your vape shop can't tell you the VG/PG ratio then I would be cautious about buying from them (or ask someone else there who knows).

When I first started vaping approx a year and a half ago, I ventured into DIY after only a couple weeks of vaping. Since then, I rarely buy pre-made juice because "I can't get no satisfaction" [] from most pre-made juice and I prefer to be able to control what I put in my juice and how much flavoring I use.

I've accumulated numerous tanks over time (maybe a dozen or so which I no longer use) but keep at least 3 in rotation at all times each loaded with a different flavor. You might considered having at least 2 tanks for that reason.

For beginner vapers, there's really no dumb question...just ask (or don't hesitate to pm me) because there's plenty of folks who can/will offer great advice here.

 

[Liz W]

"I can't get no satisfaction" []

I see what you did there Thanks for the info.

 

[dcfluegel]

howdy! and welcome!

hopefully, local shops should be a decent resource for you - any good one will have a tasting set up so that you can sample flavors to find what you like

(and if they don't know the mix in their OWN juice... prolly want to watch out for 'em)

 

[Two_Bears]

OK, they say the only dumb question is the one you didn't ask, so here goes.....

Can you sample flavors at a vape shop - without buying a $5 - $8 bottle you may not like? What set up do you need to do it? I just got a Kanger-clone pro tank 3 mini and a few 650 batteries as my first set up. I only have one tank, maybe I should get more??

Right now I only have 3 juices on hand that are too high in nic and making me sick to my stomach and cough a bit. Two bottles I bought at the shop when i got my set up (20mg, 50/50 PG-VG I think.... the juices were made in the shop and the seller wasn't really sure of the PG-VG mix ). I also have a bottle of pure VG 24mg that I add a bit to the tank to get more menthol taste from the weak menthol I got at the shop. I got that VG one randomly at a smoke shop before I got my set up, was using it to TRY to reload my cartomizer on a cigalike I was using (not the best idea).

I guess I have a few questions/problems here, but mostly want to know about the world of sampling at the shops, if that is a even a thing....

I really can't wait for mail order since I am still a newbie cig quitter and NEED my vapor right now. So I am just using what is making me cough and feel sick, along with old nasty cigalikes, just so I don't pick up a cig. What dedication!! hahaha

At Velvet Vapors here in Tucson they have a little sample Atomizer in front of the bottles of juice. These samples holds at most -2 ml. The bottom of the sample attaches to a special mod kept behind the counter. Attach the sample to the mod plug in a drip tip and taste away.

 

[OlderNDirt]

I agree with Suprtrkr about buying the same flavor in 0 nic to reduce nic strength if needed.

As far as tasting at the shop, all the shops I've been to have their samples at 0 nic. So even if you think you like a flavor, buy the first bottle small as the addition of nic to it can alter that taste. If you still like that flavor, stop back and pick up a larger bottle. Tasting is relatively quick for each flavor and I can't count how many times I thought I liked a flavor until I hit it over a period of time and that "niceness" waned considerably.

Welcome onboard the vape train and good luck!

 

[Liz W]

So even if you think you like a flavor, buy the first bottle small as the addition of nic to it can alter that taste.

Thanks. I also read I think that the ones in the shops may be steeped longer than what they sell, and you get home to a different flavor juice until it sits for weeks! That doesn't sound very good....will I usually be able to ask the shop if the juice is already steeped, and trust that?

 

[dionysuskiss]

Hi. A lot of good advice here. Also, try to find a shop that mixes there own juice. Quite a few shops out there, have their stuff pre-mixed. All they do is add the nic. This may be why, they didn't know the pg/vg blend of their own stuff. Places that mix their own, will allow you to customize the vg blend, and flavors (extra flavor for example) as well as nic.

 

[nyiddle]

Thanks. I also read I think that the ones in the shops may be steeped longer than what they sell, and you get home to a different flavor juice until it sits for weeks! That doesn't sound very good....will I usually be able to ask the shop if the juice is already steeped, and trust that?

It's just kind of the nature of the beast.

If you were buying juices online, you'd likely be steeping them for some time before you vape them too. Although some juices are a bit more "shake n vape" friendly, meaning they don't need quite as much steep time, or don't differ very much with steep time. If you ask about this in stores, they'll likely be able to tell you whether it's a juice that requires some steep time or is good to go straight away.

Either way, don't worry about it! It's a lot of fun either way, and you're bound to find something you like. If you buy it and it isn't quite as good, put it on a shelf and come back to it later. It'll be like a wonderful surprise if you forget about it.

 

[OlderNDirt]

Thanks. I also read I think that the ones in the shops may be steeped longer than what they sell, and you get home to a different flavor juice until it sits for weeks! That doesn't sound very good....will I usually be able to ask the shop if the juice is already steeped, and trust that?

Short answer:

With a good shop, yes. As my shop tells me, all their juice is shipped in, even their "house juice". They rotate their stock, so it is unlikely to get a "fresh mixed bottle" of juice. That does not necessarily mean "letting it breath" a bit before use might help it some.

Much longer answer you can read or skip over:

I can only speak to my own experiences. I have subscribed to the theory that the addition of nic, especially at higher levels, contributes more to that "change in flavor" then the effects of steeping or lack thereof. But that is but one of many factors in the trial and error of finding a juice. And no matter what you do, there will be trial and error in this process.......until you find "that juice", where you got it, whether you need to steep or not, and how you are vaping it. While this whole process may sound a little daunting, you'll soon find it all worth the effort.

First, find your "go to" vape shop, one with the staff and variety that interest you. I'm very rural and have only two shops within about 50 miles, but I use neither, choosing instead to bypass them on my way to my favorite 100miles away (how I envy those who live in a city with many options!). A good vape shop will take your interest to heart and want to help you in your efforts. A good shop wants your business and will do what it takes to get you coming back. And as they get to know you and you build that rapport, they will know what you use and what you like. I only get to my #1 shop every month or two, but after only a couple visits, my wife called them wanting a gift certificate to give me for Christmas last year. They asked who it was for and not only remembered me, but knew what gear I was using and what flavors I liked. Now when I go in, I am greeted with a "hey! You gotta try this new flavor" or "tell me what you think of this" and they let me try it on their dripper instead of their test pens (they know I only use sub tanks). Sorry, I guess I'm rambling now, but you get the idea.

Once you find that "go to" shop and a few flavors you like, don't stop trying new places. I no longer even go to my first "go to" shop since finding this better one. Then again, I am not a one or two flavor guy for life. I am always on the hunt for and even better vape experience while others are quite content with what they currently use. It's all good once you find your happy place!

And I'll end my long post with this: Some vapers seem to abhor B&M's, I have no idea how many they have tried, but have seen enough shops I've been in once and never gone back, I can understand. Worst case scenario, you'll find someplace to get a few flavors that are working for you while you search for better, be it B&M's or online. But if lucky enough to find a great place like I did, you will be quite happy you put forth the effort.

 

[Baditude]

Typical flavor sample bar setup. Flavor labeled clearomizers filled with corresponding bottles behind them. Ego batteries supplied by the sales staff. You are free to try as many flavors as you wish. If you use your own drip atomizer/mod setup, you can use the bottles on the bar instead of the clearomizers.