How do you evaluate ejuice?

[rowdyplace]

Looking for a simple - mostly objective - way to evaluate/describe ejuice. I would like to define the minimum variables one can use to communicate their personal assessment of ejuice. I am not wanting to get technical. This is for the non-techie vaper.

I am thinking along the lines of cost, flavor, thickness (viscosity), etc., measured subjectively by the taster using a scale of 1 - 10.

If this has already been done, tell me where to go. Otherwise, please throw me a word (or 2) that you use to describe your favorite/worst ejuice.

If this is successful I will post my selection of the findings.

Remember - Keep It Simple - and Thanks In Advance!

 

[RuDawg7890]

You could start by checking out the juice review section for ideas
E-Liquid Reviews

 

[rsdntbplr]

Looking for a simple - mostly objective - way to evaluate/describe ejuice. I would like to define the minimum variables one can use to communicate their personal assessment of ejuice. I am not wanting to get technical. This is for the non-techie vaper.

I am thinking along the lines of cost, flavor, thickness (viscosity), etc., measured subjectively by the taster using a scale of 1 - 10.

If this has already been done, tell me where to go. Otherwise, please throw me a word (or 2) that you use to describe your favorite/worst ejuice.

If this is successful I will post my selection of the findings.

Remember - Keep It Simple - and Thanks In Advance!

I always write down my opinion of each juice I vape in my notepad for future reference. To be honest, there's not all that much you can really say about juices as there's only so many differences between different manufacturers of juices and PG/VG blends.

Personally, I find it's best to include the following in my private evaluations of juices:
- Price/Value
- Viscosity (Thickness)
- Vapour Production
- Taste (and the strength of it; how it compares; the accuracy of the taste - does it taste like what it's supposed to?)

If you just include those basics and expand on each point, you can make a pretty good juice review and/or evaluation. Remember that if you're planning on publicly revising on the forums or other social media (such as a blog), keep certain variables constant to ensure the validity and reliability of your results. By that I mean, with each juice you review, make sure the hardware stays the same - voltage, battery charge, tank/carto/clearo, ohms etc. Of course, this is only really an essentiality if you're wanting to accurately compare multiple juices to each other.

Hope that helps and I didn't go OTT instead of staying at the "Simple" adjective. Ha.

 

[Angiebubs]

For me it comes down to: "Do they leave a bad lingering after taste?" as i have found that to be the case in probably 50-75% of the vendors I have tried. After I get past that, my next question is "How pure/clean is the flavor? Is it organic/no additives?" and "Does the flavor stay true as I continue vaping it?" as too many juices I find the flavor disappears the longer I vape causing me to have to switch back and forth constantly.

 

[Kopfstimmen]

It's kind of included in viscosity and vapor production, but I would include PG/VG ratio.
What I would definitely include is how dark the juice is. In my experience, dark juice turns much darker quickly, and gunks up everything quicker.

 

[rowdyplace]

Thank you!!!

You guys are great!! This is exactly the kind of input I am seeking.

More, more...

Please.

 

[3bet]

A lot of people also include throat hit. To me vapor production and throat hit are useless though. I feel that if there was no vapor blown out I could probably vape anywhere (not now that everybody has seen big clouds but before vaping got more popular). To me throat hit is just a detractor since I don't like a big throat hit.
All of that being said I would like to say that if you put together a rating system you should explain how much of the score comes from each part of the rating so those that aren't interested can remove that part of the rating for themselves and see what the rating would be only considering the parts they are interested in.
Good Luck

 

[rsdntbplr]

A lot of people also include throat hit. To me vapor production and throat hit are useless though. I feel that if there was no vapor blown out I could probably vape anywhere (not now that everybody has seen big clouds but before vaping got more popular). To me throat hit is just a detractor since I don't like a big throat hit.
All of that being said I would like to say that if you put together a rating system you should explain how much of the score comes from each part of the rating so those that aren't interested can remove that part of the rating for themselves and see what the rating would be only considering the parts they are interested in.
Good Luck

Throat hit and Vapour are both very subjective. Some people hate too much throat hit and some love it (myself included). If I don't feel a throat hit from a cigarette or from a Vape, I feel very dissatisfied and have to Vape until I get the sought-after feeling. Others however don't like a throat hit and all, and I've definitely seen people pull pained faces when they've tried out my e-cig because of the way I like my throat hit strong.

In fact, people even feel throat hit differently to others. My friend likes a subtle throat hit and swears it's there on his disposable, but when I try it out I don't feel a thing! So yes, throat hit can be very difficult to score but I definitely like to see it in a review.

 

[DetraMental]

Would steep time fall into this category? Some juices are great from the get-go and others need to steep. To me this would be a plus or minus. I expect a juice to taste right directly upon receipt. I do not think juices need be dark to be great, this sometimes occurs with steeping. I'm a DIY'er and my juices are mostly clear, meaning that some have a slight tint. My darkest ones are those with coffee flavors included which is expected since it's a natural flavor I'm using and is dark by nature. Ok I think I went beyond simple, sorry.

 

[3bet]

Would steep time fall into this category? Some juices are great from the get-go and others need to steep. To me this would be a plus or minus.

This is a good question. Personally I wouldn't include that in the rating but I wold definitely list the steep time I found to be the peak flavor since that might encourage or dissuade others.

 

[firephly]

I am thinking along the lines of cost, flavor, thickness (viscosity), etc., measured subjectively by the taster using a scale of 1 - 10.

If this has already been done, tell me where to go. Otherwise, please throw me a word (or 2) that you use to describe your favorite/worst ejuice.

If this is successful I will post my selection of the findings.

Remember - Keep It Simple - and Thanks In Advance!

there are a few good juice review sites, Vapor Rater
eJuice Reviews Archives
Electronic Cigarette Juice / E-Liquid Reviews


For me what counts most is:
Flavor (can I taste it? Does it taste interesting and/or complex? Does it have a nice clean crisp natural flavor? Do I tire of it quickly or not? Is it unique? Is it satisfying enough to keep from wanting cigs?)
Consistency/Reliability (getting the same quality/flavor from a vendor each time I reorder)
Mouth feel (smoothness, creaminess, thickness, a full mouth feel, throat hit to an extent)
Performance as far as wicking (does it wick and vape well?)
Choices (can I have various VG/PG options & Nic level choices? Extra flavor if needed? Will they adjust a flavor to suit my preferences? Will they offer me a free pipette if the bottle has no dripper? Having the option of glass bottles is a plus for me too although not a deal breaker)
Out of the box (is it good to go right away or with a short wait? I lose interest if I have to wait more than a couple of weeks to see if I will like it. Is it packed well?)
Value (Is it worth the price to me? How much is shipping? Offering sales at least occasionally or a discount for return orders is always nice, or free samples with my order, and reasonable shipping)
Transparency/Customer Service (How much information is on site as far as steep times, ingredients, will they answer my questions regarding flavors or ingredients? will they listen to feedback?)
Aesthetics (nice labeling, nice clean uncluttered web site, good flavor descriptions, nice pictures, it's always a plus if they send you something unique along with the juice)

Out of these flavor is the main thing for me. Also if the website looks really garish and cluttered and they have way too many flavors I take this as a sign of low quality and run right away.

Otherwise, please throw me a word (or 2) that you use to describe your favorite/worst ejuice.

Best: Clean, natural flavor, smooth, complex, organic is a plus
Worst: chemical, sickening, harsh, scratchy