Just about ready to throw in the towel...not really, but need some help

[Saltraker]

I have mixing my own juices for several weeks now. I follow the recipes, follow TFA's flavor percentage recommendations, steep for days, etc., etc. I have probably 70% of TFA's flavors and have tried various mixes and %s. And I have yet to come up with a good tasting juice. Well, one, which is a straight bubblegum that I will adjust the % up on the next batch. Anyway, I am so frustrated that I can't seem to just mix and go. I know everyone's taste is different, but I would expect to have at least a few juices that I can, at least, adjust to suit my taste. So far, I have trashed almost all of them. Is my experience normal or am I doing something wrong?

 

[GaryInTexas]

Not strong enough, too strong, bad flavor, chemical flavor? Simple flavors or complex? What is it you're trying to do.

 

[Steve K]

Please list the flavors you have.

 

[Saltraker]

Not strong enough, too strong, bad flavor, chemical flavor? Simple flavors or complex? What is it you're trying to do.

I have tried simple mixes (one flavor as with the bubblegum previously mentioned, mixed per recipe and still a little weak) several two flavor mixes (ex: orange cream with vanilla swirl or RY4+caramel) more complex mixes (ex: a Deadly Sin clone with 6-7 flavors). I am more into bakery flavors, some tobaccos. Not into straight fruits, but would like to make something like blueberry danish/muffin. No chemical flavor noticed. No bad flavors...if you don't count NO flavor!

 

[lasttango]

I liked my DIY a lot more once I started using nic from XTREMEVAPING and Aqueous VG from TW.

 

[Hoosier]

... Is my experience normal or am I doing something wrong?

Yes and yes.

 

[Saltraker]

Please list the flavors you have.

Steve, I have a bunch, mostly from Wizard Labs, mostly TFA, but some LA. I have more in the USPS...should be here tomorrow if the creek don't rise!

 

[Saltraker]

Hoosier...you are a real confidence builder.

Maybe what I need is a recipe that you all know, with certainty, will deliver.

 

[AzPlumber]

Mix up a batch of unflavored in your nic strength and see how that tastes. Could be an issue with your nic base, your PG or your VG.

 

[prairie guy]

Look up Hoosies recipe for blueberry muffin. I make it for my wife and she likes it right after mixing, but gets better with some time behind it

 

[Hoosier]

Mix up a batch of unflavored in your nic strength and see how that tastes. Could be an issue with your nic base, your PG or your VG.

So much of this!

Gotta' know what we're starting with.

 

[Myah_June2014]

So much of this!

Gotta' know what we're starting with.

Where do you get your nic, PG & VG Hoosier? I assume I will know something is off when I mix unflavored as u mentioned to OP lol?
Where are your recipe(s) that someone mentioned on previous page? Ty

 

[dannyv45]

Could be the flavor. TFA is very hard to work with. Try this bubble gum and use 10 drops per 10ml base and you will be vaping bubbles in no time. It needs no steeping. It's very good and easy to make. Taste like the old "double bubble" bubble gum. The vender is located in the USA.

Donald Bubble Gum (WG) - Vapers Tek


The inawera flavorings they sell are very good and easy to work with. If you suspect a problem with your NIC they also sell a very clean tasting NIC. Most use the flavoring by the drop and not by percentage and the recommended percentage the venders give are also in drops. I am a percentage guy and usually measure by ML's and percent but for these particular flavorings the drop recommendations work quite well.

For more on these flavors see this thread. It's a very long thread

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/477601-inawera-few-reviews.html

 

[Hoosier]

Where do you get your nic, PG & VG Hoosier? I assume I will know something is off when I mix unflavored as u mentioned to OP lol?
Where are your recipe(s) that someone mentioned on previous page? Ty

Vapers Tek is good. Xtreme Vaping is good, but higher priced. Essential Depot has some good PG and VG too.

Recipes? There's a few of my early ones in the recipe sub of this sub. I imagine an advanced search of threads started by me in the recipe sub only would turn them up.

Yes, always taste test batches of nicotine. I've got a few I have to taste test next time I sit down to mix before I get started mixing. I also try to remember to taste test new batches of PG and VG. If something is off with your bases, then everything will be off and that's a waste of mixing time. Best to know before starting.

 

[dycero]

what percentage pg/vg are you using. could you give an example recipe? are you mixing by eye or by drop?

 

[Saltraker]

OK, here's what I've done, all in an IGO L at 1 ohm on a fully charged mech, organic cotton....
One 5ml 50/50 batch of 9% nic PG base...a little on the harsh side. There was a slight "off" taste to it, but nothing I haven't experienced before.
One 5ml 50/50 batch of 9% nic VG base...definite sweeter taste. "Cleaner."
Added 5 drops of LA strawberry to batch with nic in PG base...tasted "burnt." Maybe due to off taste of the PG nic? Added 5 more drops (10 total)...no flavor, but off taste was there. Added 5 more drops (15 total)...nothing. Added 5 more drops (20 total)...burnt taste with strawberry in the background..
Added 5 drops of LA strawberry to batch with nic in VG base...strawberry was there but weak. Added 5 more drops (10 total)...strawberry there but weak. Added 5 more drops (15 total)...flavor started to "be there." Added 5 more drops (20 total)...tasted "burned."

In general, it appears that the PG based nic gives a harsher taste and the off taste carries into the mix. The VG based nic was better, but I still didn't get that "hmmm...strawberry" that I would expect to be there.

Yes, I agree that I should test the nic, PG, and VG prior to mixing and I will do so in the future. I can see where it might make a difference. I think the VG based nic was cleaner tasting, but I still am wanting more flavor.

One other question...I've been getting VG from WallyWorld. Should I forget that source and buy from Wizard Labs or RTD, or the like?

 

[Hoosier]

You said, "started to 'be there'"... That's what is call "almost" and with VG heavy mixes particularly, that's where you stop, cap, and set it back for a bit.

Sometimes the line between "almost" and "too much" is very fine and a bit of steeping might make all the difference in the world.

I think life is too short to use nicotine that is off, no matter how slight, and me, myself, and I would throw that in the freezer with a label "Emergency Use Only".
Sent by big fingers on a tiny phone via Tapatalk

 

[Saltraker]

Thanks, Hoosier. In the freezer it goes. And thanks to all the other comments, too. I'm not giving up, but I might stick to more simple mixes.

No comment on the WallyWorld VG. What is your opinion?

 

[Hoosier]

It works. I'm not a fan of the mouth feel of the Humco.

I really like the consistency, mouth feel, and neutral flavor of the Proctor & Gamble VG, but it's darn tough to find and I have settled with ED's stuff lately.
Sent by big fingers on a tiny phone via Tapatalk

 

[Myah_June2014]

Could be the flavor. TFA is very hard to work with. Try this bubble gum and use 10 drops per 10ml base and you will be vaping bubbles in no time. It needs no steeping. It's very good and easy to make. Taste like the old "double bubble" bubble gum. The vender is located in the USA.

Donald Bubble Gum (WG) - Vapers Tek


The inawera flavorings they sell are very good and easy to work with. If you suspect a problem with your NIC they also sell a very clean tasting NIC. Most use the flavoring by the drop and not by percentage and the recommended percentage the venders give are also in drops. I am a percentage guy and usually measure by ML's and percent but for these particular flavorings the drop recommendations work quite well.

For more on these flavors see this thread. It's a very long thread

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/477601-inawera-few-reviews.html

I just started & have about 20 TFA sample flavors. You & Hoosier definitely know what your doing & I know taste is subjective but where do you get the bulk of your flavoring? I know some companies strawberry may be better then the other but, in general who do u prefer? Why do you say TFA is hard to work with? Maybe that's why I'm so frustrated lol.. That & I'm new.