I'm about ready to give up...
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That's what I'm doing....experimenting with simple recipes while supplementing with store bought juices. I'm a noob but have purchased all of my supplies and the only thing I messed up on when ordering was not enough bottles or syringes. You (any one mixing) will need tons of bottles. I ordered 15 10ml bottles and during my first sitting to do some mixing I used them all to make test samples of each of the flavors I ordered and now I have nothing to mix in, and I'm itching to mix! I don't want to dump any of my test batches cause I want to note how each flavor does or does not change over a 4 week period. I dumped out a glass bottle of a store bought that I had that was so so just so I could use it to make Lynda's Luscious this morning. I'm getting desperate so better get to ordering!
For anyone interested in mixing, just read read read here, and order the basic supplies needed and go. Try starting out simple and see if it's something you like doing and if you do then expand from there.
For anyone interested in mixing, just read read read here, and order the basic supplies needed and go. Try starting out simple and see if it's something you like doing and if you do then expand from there.
Hi I've found that Organic Flavors blow the artificial crxxp away
You might find this post interesting:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-iq-higher-than-80-you-can-make-recipe-2.html
You might find this post interesting:
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...-iq-higher-than-80-you-can-make-recipe-2.html
You do often have to steep fruits. At least if you expect consistency.
Straight TFA strawberry starts out clear and turns yellow. Something is changing. It might taste OK at the start but something is changing.
TFA watermelon definitely changes in taste.
Banana and Raspberry has a color change like strawberry.
Then when you get into mixes what was overpowering at the start may end up being overpowered.
I find most of the TFA fruits have a perfumy/chemical flavor that goes away with age. Everything I make gets 3 weeks in the bottle (that's just the habit I've fallen into).
Some flavors are strong, some are not. There's a TFA percentage thread around here you can look at but it's based on personal opinion that may not reflect your own. What I've learned to do is mix up 5ml @2% flavor to try out new flavors, if it's too weak you can always add another drop of flavoring. Unless it's something I hope to mix with a lot of other flavors and use as a single flavor, then I'll mix up 10ml and maybe start with 5%. I add that single flavor mix to others to get an idea what they do together and how much of each will be required.
Other people's recipes is a good place to start. They won't always be exactly to your taste but they are often vapeable and you can tweak from there.
Too much flavor doesn't go down the drain. Mix up some unflavored nicotine at the right mg and cut the one with too much flavor.
But too much does seem to be a common issue with DIY around here. A lot of people blindly jump in with new flavors at high percentages and then hit on one that is better used at 1%. To cut a 10% mix of Caramel Cappuccino down to 1% is going to end up with a lot of Caramel Cappuccino. It's always easier to add more flavor later.
A bad flavor mix that has unintended consequences (perfume on a smelly dog ends up smelling worse) is what goes down the drain.
Straight TFA strawberry starts out clear and turns yellow. Something is changing. It might taste OK at the start but something is changing.
TFA watermelon definitely changes in taste.
Banana and Raspberry has a color change like strawberry.
Then when you get into mixes what was overpowering at the start may end up being overpowered.
I find most of the TFA fruits have a perfumy/chemical flavor that goes away with age. Everything I make gets 3 weeks in the bottle (that's just the habit I've fallen into).
Some flavors are strong, some are not. There's a TFA percentage thread around here you can look at but it's based on personal opinion that may not reflect your own. What I've learned to do is mix up 5ml @2% flavor to try out new flavors, if it's too weak you can always add another drop of flavoring. Unless it's something I hope to mix with a lot of other flavors and use as a single flavor, then I'll mix up 10ml and maybe start with 5%. I add that single flavor mix to others to get an idea what they do together and how much of each will be required.
Other people's recipes is a good place to start. They won't always be exactly to your taste but they are often vapeable and you can tweak from there.
Too much flavor doesn't go down the drain. Mix up some unflavored nicotine at the right mg and cut the one with too much flavor.
But too much does seem to be a common issue with DIY around here. A lot of people blindly jump in with new flavors at high percentages and then hit on one that is better used at 1%. To cut a 10% mix of Caramel Cappuccino down to 1% is going to end up with a lot of Caramel Cappuccino. It's always easier to add more flavor later.
A bad flavor mix that has unintended consequences (perfume on a smelly dog ends up smelling worse) is what goes down the drain.
Mixing success depends a lot on consistency and repeatability of measuring. Try to use ml instead of counting drops if you can. If you must use drops, calibrate whatever equipment you measure with against your recipe calculator. The syringes and pipettes I use came out to 27 and 33 drops/ml, not quite the 20/ml that the calculator defaults to. Fill a syringe with 3ml of water and count the number of drops, then divide by 3 to get drops/ml and then use that number in the calculator. You can't just drop x number of drops from one device thats 33/ml and then switch to using another (for another flavor, etc) that is 20/ml, so be consistent and use the same type of equipment to measure everything.
When buying unflavored nic and deciding if you want it in a PG or VG base, it depends on what target PG/VG ratio's of final recipes you want to end up with. If you want high PG recipes, get nic in a PG base. High VG recipes are better off starting with a VG based nic (the final PG content minimum will be the sum of all the PG-based flavors). If you mix everything at or near 50/50 PG/VG it doesnt really matter. Having both PG and VG base unflavored nic onhand probably isnt a bad idea if you mix different ratio recipes, just be sure to label everything.
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Speaking of failure... I just tested the 5 juices I made this last time and OMG... Only 1 of them is even remotely vapable... and they've been steeping 2 weeks. I think I've given up on trying to make complex mixtures. They have all turned out to be horrific. Most of them were tobacco blends and I suspected the Tobacco Absolute percentage was far too high (and I was right). I must have read the recipe wrong because one was 7% and the other was 5%... which from my list, Tobacco absolute is recommended at less than 1%. Lol
I too wanted to over complicate things. Too many choices. After 7 months of making my own ejuice this is what I find usefull. First you will need a mixing container. I use 10ml dripper bottles and/or 1 dram or 7ml glass vials. Glass vials are nice because they are cheaper and easier to clean for reuse. They will also work better in an ultrasonic cleaner if you choose to go that route. You will want at least 2 bottles for each flavor. Remeber just because you have a 10ml bottle does not mean you have to make a full bottle. I usually make 3-5ml test batches.
Then you will need a device for measurement. I've tried everything from digital scales to chemisty glassware. All you need is a couple of syringes. I use 1ml and 3ml syringes with the largest needles available.
I would also purchase an Ultrasonic Cleaner. While it is true that it will help signifigantly shorten your steep times but it will also save you allot of manual shaking and scrubbing of hard to clean equiptment. While most of us seem to have heated models, I would call this an optional feature since most also get too hot for steeping. I would also avoid the battery powered Ultrasonic cleaning machines because they won't have the power needed. I use a 60watt device and steeping tobacco still takes 3-6hours.
Choose a flavor that you already like. And focus on that. Keep in mind that some flavors are no good on their own. Blueberry is a common troublemaker. The solution for blueberry is to use more then one blueberry flavor. So if I would have had it to do over again I would have just purchaed every blueberry flavor first and avoided tobacco flavors till later.
There are other additives that can be used to modify flavors. (ie.. Sweeteners, Smooth, VapeWizard, Ethyl Maltol, Sour and etc...) Don't worry about these untill you have a flavor that is already usable. These will not make bad flavors better. These add an additional variable and you should only adjust one variable at a time.
On a final note make sure to write everything down. I use the notepad app on my computer since I use a web based calculators. And for testing ejuice I like to use a Rebuildable Atomizer. These are easy to clean and after rinsing in Alcohol and burning with a lighter they can be reused within minutes.
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Good advice, however pg based flavors are thicker than water and likely produce larger drops, so better to at least calibrate using plain pg rather than water
Mixing enuff for one tank by drops works for me,so what if im a drop or 2 off,i know im 12mg or under.If doing large batches i can see using pro equipment,this is not rocket science.
You either have a lot of 1-3ml bottles or else you're not experiencing steeping.
The difference between TFA Caramel Cappuccino from just mixed to 3 weeks of age is from burnt barf to great.
I just started my adventure down the DIY path. I was remixing pre-made store bought juices to get the flavors I wanted but still most were too sweet for an all day vape. I lurked & really studied the TFA/TPA & Wizard Labs threads like cramming for finals. The flavor percentage guide is my new bible. Saturday, I got out all my stuff and made 4 10ml batches of simple flavors--Ripe Strawberry, Raspberry, Mocha and Green Apple with a touch of Cinnamon flavor. Believe it or not, only the Mocha was ready to vape immediately but the fruits need to age. The Raspberry wasn't ripe until today and the Green Apple was still not ripe for my taste. I think it needs a little more flavor and a little sweetener but I'm giving it another day to ripen. I used a syringe for measuring and chose 10 ml batches to make the math a lot easier! I triple rinsed the syringe after each use in a different liquid to keep any cross flavoring to a minimum--I only have 1 needle at present. I thoroughly washed empty 30 ml bottles from my past store bought purchases for my first attempt. I kept all the little sample bottles, too but until I get some type of accurate dropper, I'll stick with my 10 ml test batches. Fruit & chocolate only for me for a while but that's what I like so it will keep me entertained and out of the "juice" bars--lol.
It's not hard but you do have to be precise in your measurements. One drop in a tiny little 5ml batch can ruin it and you have to start over or get creative. I choose creative but I cook that way, too.
It's not hard but you do have to be precise in your measurements. One drop in a tiny little 5ml batch can ruin it and you have to start over or get creative. I choose creative but I cook that way, too.
03FXDWG if you have a Walmart close you could pick up some 3ml syringes with 18ga needles for about $0.25 a piece. They also have some 1ml syringes but the needle is 29ga which is too small to use so I use a pair of needle nose pliers and just pull the needle out and use it that way I think they were $.13 -.15 a piece.
the best way to start with diy is first gets some apealing flavors from a good company. I recomend tfa. their flavors are rich with no chemical taste. next do some simple diy and mix single flavors to start once you get an understanding of it move on to mixing flavors. also get some em and koolada. I dont think any diyer should be without them. thats pretty much how I started I was able to weed out flavors I could never vape and even some that though I did not like them alone would probably be good with others like hazelnut honey and peanut butter. and always mix new flavors and recipes in small quantities like 3 mil and dont use nic. once you like it then add nic and make larger bottles. and last write down everything in a notebook as you try a new mix and make notes you can refer to on your next try. once i'm happy I can add it to my perminant recipe book.
this is the best advice i've read so far! Even though i'm not the OP this helps me alot. i didn't even to think to do 3ml bottles or no nic! I did 10ml bottles lol. but i chose single ingredients i think i'll like.
Saltraker ... I have been playing with DIY for well over a year. In fact I tried a couple years ago and gave up from my very disappointing results. After about six months I decided to give it another shot. I have to say I am still a little disappointed. I have well over 200 flavors in the small bottles. After all this I am finally ready to buy a 4 ounce bottle of flavoring. Double RY4 by TFA is the only one out of over 200 that I repeat mix. It is a great base to add other flavors too for some variety. I mix it at 11%, let it steep at least two weeks. Then I may add some hazelnut and vanilla butternut to the presteeped mix. This is the only concoction I can vape 80% of the day. I'll never have an ADV. I just have to vape something different a few times a day.
The only thing that keeps me going is when I try a vendor juice that just tastes disgusting to me. I always say to myself...Heck I can do just as bad and not have to pay an outrageous price for it.
I think I have thrown just as much vendor juice down the drain as I have DIY.
Took me a while but I finally have something I am happy with. Hope it clicks for you sooner.
The only thing that keeps me going is when I try a vendor juice that just tastes disgusting to me. I always say to myself...Heck I can do just as bad and not have to pay an outrageous price for it.
I think I have thrown just as much vendor juice down the drain as I have DIY.
Took me a while but I finally have something I am happy with. Hope it clicks for you sooner.
DIY ca be very rewarding and also very discourging like most new things one trys. My wife of 50 years was the youngest in the faimly, two older sisters aand two older brothers. All of the girls helped with he cooking as didone of the boys so I married a very good cook however t took her awhile to learn to cook some of my favorites just like I wanted them. Some of the popular ready to vape juices took months , numerous tral batches nd sampling by a lot of vapes to get good enough to maket and deelop following and yet most are not enjoyed by all.
I recently purchased some Boba"s Bounty , a much sought after ,often not available one and to me it is only OK and many of my DIY ones are much better IMO. I could have made over 100 ml of my most expensive DIY juice for what 30 ml of the BB cost me.
Have patience ,except the fact that most mixes need time to mature , often less flavoring is better than more and that posted recepies are merely a starting point.
I recently purchased some Boba"s Bounty , a much sought after ,often not available one and to me it is only OK and many of my DIY ones are much better IMO. I could have made over 100 ml of my most expensive DIY juice for what 30 ml of the BB cost me.
Have patience ,except the fact that most mixes need time to mature , often less flavoring is better than more and that posted recepies are merely a starting point.
Root Beer, Coconut, Banana..
Among the most difficult flavors to work with DIY in my opinion. I think part of the OP's fail is that he's simply working with the more complex flavorings. I mean that in how vastly different each of those flavors are between vendors, but also how much just a tiny % of being off can totally ruin a batch. I've added 2% bananna creme to one of my best recipes and turned it into unvapable vomit.
All new DIY'ers should (be informed to) start with simple flavor profiles. I found TFA menthol liquid the easiest to work with for easy good results. LA licorice is exceptional without needing additional sweeteners, and little to no modifications. LA pina calada is also an easy mix.
Other (LA) flavors I've found difficult to perfect are:
Cherry
Caramel
Butterscotch
Banana Creme
County Fair Cotton Candy
Blueberry
Strawberry
Watermelon
Spearmint
Chocolate Mint
I wish I had more recommendations, but I stick mostly with licorice, pina calada, and menthol.. I have a few other ADV's that are more complex, but it's all subjective at that point- there's most certainly more simple single-flavors out there for beginners.
Among the most difficult flavors to work with DIY in my opinion. I think part of the OP's fail is that he's simply working with the more complex flavorings. I mean that in how vastly different each of those flavors are between vendors, but also how much just a tiny % of being off can totally ruin a batch. I've added 2% bananna creme to one of my best recipes and turned it into unvapable vomit.
All new DIY'ers should (be informed to) start with simple flavor profiles. I found TFA menthol liquid the easiest to work with for easy good results. LA licorice is exceptional without needing additional sweeteners, and little to no modifications. LA pina calada is also an easy mix.
Other (LA) flavors I've found difficult to perfect are:
Cherry
Caramel
Butterscotch
Banana Creme
County Fair Cotton Candy
Blueberry
Strawberry
Watermelon
Spearmint
Chocolate Mint
I wish I had more recommendations, but I stick mostly with licorice, pina calada, and menthol.. I have a few other ADV's that are more complex, but it's all subjective at that point- there's most certainly more simple single-flavors out there for beginners.
Bubblegum and menthol are easy peasy! Im loving it! Great for a first time mix, i mean who doesnt like bubblegum? Lol
I think i bought all of the above hahahaha, but its ok i bought a lot of others too, i decided to make pumpkin pie my first complex vape juice. But im gonna make the 3 ingredients seperately, get those flavors right and then mix those batches together and see, i might be able to do a couple different 2ml versions... We will see right now one ingredient and menthol is all im doing. Might try coffee and cream later this week!
I think i bought all of the above hahahaha, but its ok i bought a lot of others too, i decided to make pumpkin pie my first complex vape juice. But im gonna make the 3 ingredients seperately, get those flavors right and then mix those batches together and see, i might be able to do a couple different 2ml versions... We will see right now one ingredient and menthol is all im doing. Might try coffee and cream later this week!
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