I'm about ready to give up...

[Saltraker]

Still sorta new to vaping, but I really wanted to DIY some juices. So, I bought the PG, VG, nic base, some syringes, some droppers, downloaded ejuice Me Up, watched tons of YT videos, read on ECF, ordered from TFA, on and on. The first couple of batches I made... something with banana...tasted like, well, it was overwhelmingly banana! I cut it with PG and it tasted muted. I tried to make some juice with vanilla, caramel, root beer, RY4, coconut, on and on. Right now, I'm steeping a simple recipe of strawberry and coconut, but I could not taste a thing using my atomizer. Maybe it will get better?

Anyway, I seem to be having a lot of trouble getting flavors to "pop" and actually taste good. It's a lot of work with very little reward and I'm thinking maybe this just isn't my thing. Maybe I should just pack everything up and buy juices from sites that apparently know more than I do about making them! I'm getting real tired of mixing and shaking and steeping to no avail. Any suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong? Or am I just not a DIYer?

 

[Susan W.]

I'm not even going to attempt making my own juice. Measuring and being clean isn't really my thing. I do believe it's a lot of experimenting and disappointing tries before getting one that is good. Part of the reason why I'm not doing it.

Have you tried some of the recipes on ECF?

 

[Hillbillie]

If I can do it, I firmly believe anyone can. I'm a wreck in the kitchen and cannot complete a math problem without a calculator or writing it down (yes, even simple math).

At what % are your flavors when mixing and are you using "drops" or "mls" to measure?

 

[cookiebun]

Still sorta new to vaping, but I really wanted to DIY some juices. So, I bought the PG, VG, nic base, some syringes, some droppers, downloaded eJuice Me Up, watched tons of YT videos, read on ECF, ordered from TFA, on and on. The first couple of batches I made... something with banana...tasted like, well, it was overwhelmingly banana! I cut it with PG and it tasted muted. I tried to make some juice with vanilla, caramel, root beer, RY4, coconut, on and on. Right now, I'm steeping a simple recipe of strawberry and coconut, but I could not taste a thing using my atomizer. Maybe it will get better?

Anyway, I seem to be having a lot of trouble getting flavors to "pop" and actually taste good. It's a lot of work with very little reward and I'm thinking maybe this just isn't my thing. Maybe I should just pack everything up and buy juices from sites that apparently know more than I do about making them! I'm getting real tired of mixing and shaking and steeping to no avail. Any suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong? Or am I just not a DIYer?

Try starting with something easier like Capella's.
You're expecting too much too soon.
Read about sweeteners and other additives.
I've been doing this 2 years and can still only make 2 good vapes .

 

[Saltraker]

Thanks for the comments. Re the comment about Caps...I ain't spending any more money on flavors until I get one that works with the flavors I already have. I hear they're good, tho. Yes, I'm measuring in mls. Percentages have ranged from 1 to 20%, depending on the recipe. As far as expecting too much too soon, how much simpler can it get just adding some strawberry and coconut? I've searched ECF for simple, and I mean simple recipes...tasteless.

Maybe it's my taste buds? Although I can appreciate the juices I've bought from various sites.

Oh, OK...I'll give it a couple more tries. But, after that, I might have to agree with Susan...it's easier, and less frustrating, to simply buy juices from people that know what they're doing!

 

[Thunderball]

I am having the opposite results that you are having. Im a pretty new DIYer and ha ve bought all TFA flavorings. I have used recipies other members have suggested here in the TFA recipie forums and my juices have been stellar. I might add that you shouldnt have to steep/age if your mixing fruits.

I actually read the DIY recipe forums and when I see something I think I might like, I copy and paste it and try it. I hate to hear you are having problems. ......................Ive copied and pasted every recipie in the TFA recipie section.

 

[Road_House]

Don't give up! You will have success if you stick with it. We all have gone through what you are in the beginning of our DIY journey.

Here's a list of recommended percentages for TFA flavorings. Starting at the low end is best. http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...0-flavor-apprentice-flavoring-thread-135.html

Where did you buy your pg, vg, and nic from? Have you tried vaping each without flavor to see if the offending flavor is coming from one of those ingredients? Test the pg and vg by themselves first and if they are good, cut your nic to an acceptable level and vape it.

If you can tell us what pg/vg ratio you are mixing and TFA flavor percentages you've tried someone here should be able to offer some advice. Banana can be a tough one to get a good result, so don't be discouraged.

 

[Wow1420]

I couldn't get TFA Root Beer to work for me. I'm having pretty good luck with their fruits.

Have you tried starting with just single flavor mixes, and once you get the percentage right, start combing?

 

[HeadInClouds]

What SueGeo said. I've only been at it a few weeks but have had good results. I'll tell you what works well for me.
I got flavors of things I like to actually eat/drink. I made 5ml for each single flavor, individually. My first ones were Capella's, and I used 15% flavor for each. I tried each one by itself to see if I needed stronger or weaker flavor. Lucky for me, most were right on for my taste. A few I needed to add more flavor.

Once I had the % right on individual flavors, I combined ones I liked by putting a drop of this and a drop of that into a cartomizer. That way I could see how they taste combined without using up all my single-flavor bottles. I took notes on what went well together.

Only then did I combine flavors directly in the base to make a bottle of a "recipe". I started with just 2-3 flavors combined. I have to fine-tune some by adding a few more drops of flavor, or a bit more base, or a little sweetener, but I haven't mixed any un-vapeable combinations this way. Important to remember if you're mixing 2 flavors that were each good at 15%, you'll add just 7.5% of each when mixing them. Sorry if that sounds obvious

When I get new flavors I still make a 5ml bottle of it to see what the right flavor% is for me. If it's anywhere 10-20%, all is good and I put a checkmark on the flavor bottle so I know I can use it in mixes without hassle. If it's one that takes much less than 10%, I mark the bottle to be sure I don't use too much in any mix (some extra strong coffee flavors and tobaccos, especially).

So what do I do with all those single-flavor 5ml bottles? I keep them to try mixing with new ones, still right in a cartomizer.

Out of every 10 flavors I've bought, I usually love 1-2, can use most of the rest in mixes, and there are always a couple I can't stand. But I have bought batches where I hated them all :-( Just luck of the draw, I guess.

It's not too expensive to experiment if you use small samples, and if you find a few you like, you'll save lots of money over pre-made mixes.

 

[Rin13]

You have to be patient and write everything down. Sometimes it takes multiple tests to get the right percentage... steeping is also a factor especially with tobaccos. It's a learning process. Requires time and effort for most (some people have a natural knack for it... I do not) TFA are also tricky.

 

[zapped]

Then dont mix your own juices. I had a similar experience with RBA's, tried them, got a couple to work and then decided they were too "fiddly" for me.

I much prefer opening the package of a new pre-punched carto and filling my tank with store bought juice. Sure I could save money, but for me its about convenience.

Thats the great thing about electronic cigarettes now, (and also the bad thing) there are so many choices out there.

The trick is to find what works best for you and not worry about everyone else or trying the "next best thing".

 

[Ladiekali]

Still sorta new to vaping, but I really wanted to DIY some juices. So, I bought the PG, VG, nic base, some syringes, some droppers, downloaded eJuice Me Up, watched tons of YT videos, read on ECF, ordered from TFA, on and on. The first couple of batches I made... something with banana...tasted like, well, it was overwhelmingly banana! I cut it with PG and it tasted muted. I tried to make some juice with vanilla, caramel, root beer, RY4, coconut, on and on. Right now, I'm steeping a simple recipe of strawberry and coconut, but I could not taste a thing using my atomizer. Maybe it will get better?

Anyway, I seem to be having a lot of trouble getting flavors to "pop" and actually taste good. It's a lot of work with very little reward and I'm thinking maybe this just isn't my thing. Maybe I should just pack everything up and buy juices from sites that apparently know more than I do about making them! I'm getting real tired of mixing and shaking and steeping to no avail. Any suggestions as to what I may be doing wrong? Or am I just not a DIYer?

Im ready to give up and i havnt wven miced anything yet... Where is the new to diy forum!? I need that place.

 

[ScandaLeX]

Im ready to give up and i havnt wven miced anything yet... Where is the new to diy forum!? I need that place.

I've been reading to the point my eyes are ready to fall out my head.
Honestly, I'm looking for the thread that's more or less a beginners DIY- what exactly to buy to get started.
Everything I read is a mix mash of SO many different opinions that just thinking about where to start is completely overwhelming.

 

[Ladiekali]

Well i started at wizard labs. Look around and you can kinda tell most of it
But i forgot gloves lol, dont forget those lol and some sort of labeling

 

[zhentipede]

i tried diy and ended up with way too much flavor that it ended up down the drain=(........ so for my next diy i will definitely be more careful............. this time i know i like more vg less pg...... and so fort...

 

[Pickleskunk]

I just started a week ago and am having good results 80% or more I like as is, with about 30 flavors. I have just been making simple plain flavors(mostly fruit, that's what I like). I did hours and hours of research before starting. Being patient and steeping properly before trying to change any recipe has paid off. Many at first didn't have 'pop', but after steeping, they turned out very good. Capella's flavors seemed to taste good without much steeping, while TFA flavors, for the most part, needed steeping. Maybe you should post what flavor you are wanting to make and ask for a simple recipe? I typically now start with 7.5-12.5% flavor(depending on popular opinion about % for particular flavor) and for 10ml 1-2 drops TFA sweetener, 1-2 drops Ethyl Maltol, 2-4 drops Saline 3%(which i diluted with distilled water to about .5%) and 2 drops lemon juice(oh ya, and close to 50/50 vg-pg mix. Most flavors have come out well enough to vape, haven't even begun phase 2- which is tweaking recipes to try and find my desired taste for each particular flavor. Hope that helps. It has been a fun experience for me.(Although they say I'm easily amused)

 

[john333]

I've been mixing for all this year. I have to say I get much more satisfaction mixing than I did from buying sample packs only to find I didn't like them. Do you know what liquids you do like? I have not found one single fruit or chocolate flavor I like. That pretty much wipes out 80% of whats available. What I do like is tobacco and bakery flavors. If you can provide a list of the flavors you have and the recipes you have mixed we can go from there. Also provide what nicotine you have i.e. supplier and mg percent. Does the nicotine have an odor? It should not and will taint all your mixes. Let us also know what vape gear you use. Don't give up, all it takes is a couple of mixes you can vape to keep you satisfied. I will subscribe to this thread and try to help you work it out.

 

[Hoosier]

I've been reading to the point my eyes are ready to fall out my head.
Honestly, I'm looking for the thread that's more or less a beginners DIY- what exactly to buy to get started.
Everything I read is a mix mash of SO many different opinions that just thinking about where to start is completely overwhelming.

Heh, sounds like my kitchen... I need to have a high-carbon steel wok shaped by hammer blows before it is a kitchen I feel comfortable in. Meanwhile my wife requires measuring cups and spoons before it is a kitchen she feels comfortable in. I don't use those cups or spoons and she doesn't wok. Which one of us can tell you EXACTLY what you'd need to get started? Both, but we have different cooking styles.

There are many mixing styles. DaMulta's style uses minimal, like nearly none, equipment and it works for him meanwhile I don't start mixing until the computer is fully warmed up with my modified version of Scubabatdan's calculator loaded, 20 1ml syringes, 1 5ml syringe, 2 10ml oral dosing syringes with wedge stoppers, 3 120ml glass bottles with various PG/VG ratios, 1 120ml bottle of 100mg/ml nicotine in PG, a Brother label maker, a large selection of clean and uncapped bottles, and a large number of flavoring bottles all sitting out and staring at me. (And that's my bare minimum...)

There are mixers on here that just use a graduated cylinder. There are some that might use a syringe, but not always. There's a bunch who use needles, but I've never seen much of a need for them. And there are a bunch of other ways to mix that I haven't even hinted at. So you're always going to get a number of different opinions just like cooking. (Beyond the differences in sense of taste too.) And just like cooking, everyone is right. I know they are right because they mix juice they like which is the entire reason to mix.

 

[Ladiekali]

I would suggest starting with single flavors.
And watch banana, that stuff cracked my tank!

Im getting ready tomstart this weekend, and have done a whole lot of planning.
So my first step is to be successful at one ingredients.
I have grape candy, bubblegum, juicyfruit, blueberry, menthol, coffee, whippedmcream and marshmallow.
But im not mixing flavors yet.
Start basic. And small. Goodluck!

 

[GaryInTexas]

I would suggest that new vapers need to be very patient. You are not only trying to create flavors in a new environment to you but you are still in a transition to vaping itself. It took a few months for my taste buds to recuperate from years of smoking and acclimate to vaping. I suggest you stay with very simple recipes while supplementing with store bought juice during your transition. A couple of months down the road your taste buds will be better and you will also have a better ideal of what type of flavors you actually want to vape.