I need an expert in Menthol - Menthol Juice/Menthol Crystals?

[Sully]

I have ordered so many juices from FS, CigNot, & VKs. I've tried PG/VG and every kind of Menthold & Mint flavor these vendors have offered, even with extra flavor shots - NOTHING has given me the menthol satisfaction. I have found out that I don't like the mint flavors, spearmint, peppermint, mint cookie, salem mint, menthol mint, icy mint, eco mint etc etc. I used to smoke PAD MML.

The closest thing has been pre-filled Menthol cartos from VKs. So I have all these supposed menthol juices but none of them give me that cool hit I crave. When I take off the lid to these juices and take a whiff, I get no menthol odor, taste, nothing nor when I vape it does it give me that cool refreshing feeling...and there are several brands, makes, etc etc. I want it to reach out and smack me in my face. I really held out high hopes for FS double flavor shots. I think that's why I've had a hard time quitting analogs.

I just read someone mentioned Menthol Crystals in a DIY thread. What do you do with them? Is there any certain kind you need to buy? How are menthol juices made? How can I salvage the menthol juices? Thanks!

 

[jerrydon10]

Hello Sully:

We juicers tend to make our juices the way we think (via past experience) that the bulk of our users will like them. It seems that many menthol users like a mild menthol. But from what you write above it sounds like you like some punch.

You might ask your supplier (those who custom mix) to mix you a punchy bottle, or you can spice them up yourself.

Mint flavors contain "some" menthol. However, as you note, pure menthol normally comes in the form of crystals and it is these crystals that are used to make a "true" menthol blend. But, crystals are hard to work with in that form with any consistency (let's see, 3 really big crystals in this mix, 4 medium sized or maybe 7 or 8 tiny ones??)

So, most of us turn those crystals into a liquid that we can measure by the ml or the drop.

You can buy menthol crystals from many suppliers on here (or eBay). When you get them, they will usually be in a small baggy.

To get them to dissolve properly, the first step is to crush those crystals into a fine powder and you can do this by simply leaving them in the bag and using something (a rolling pin, a weight??) to powder them. They powder very easily. In fact, my lab is so high-tech that I use the round handle off an old wooden spoon I stole from the kitchen.

One of my favorite liquids used to place the crystals into solution is PGA (pure grain alcohol). You can get this at any liquor store (in my area) under the brand name Everclear and the PGA won't hurt your mix at all (it will even add a bit more throat hit). You can use PG as well, but you will have to heat the solution in a bowl of hot water for several minutes to get the powder to completely dissolve. In fact, if you have trouble getting it to dissolve in PGA your solution is a bit cold, run hot water into the sink, hold the container in the water for a couple of minutes and poof...chemical magic.....it will go into solution the next time you shake it.

I mix 34% PGA to 66% menthol powder. This percentage is an industry standard if there is such a thing in this business (hoping for the future).

OK, an easy way to mix this is to take a 10ml graduated cylinder. fill it 3.4 ml with PGA, add menthol powder to the 10 ml line, cap the cylinder with an index finger and shake until dissolved.

You can then place the solution in a dropper bottle and spice up your juices a drop or two at a time until you reach the menthol level you like, and..... viola.....custom mix.

Just a few caveats here: This stuff is potent. Don't get this in your eyes or other sensitive areas. Wash your hands thoroughly after handling it (wear disposable gloves). If you are a guy and take a leak without remembering to wash your hands after handling menthol, it will get your attention.... Also, never heat PGA in the microwave, with a flame or on the stove. It is highly flammable. The only safe way to heat this chemical is via the instructions I gave you: a water bath.

Finally, remember when you mix that a little bit of this stuff goes a LOOOooog way. ;0)