murky menthol crystals

[JustMeAgain]

I was trying to dissolve some menthol crystals today and at first they seemed to have melted, but then a few minutes later there was a waxy looking substance floating around in little chunks.

At first I was putting them in straight VG, then I added a bit of Everclear. I didn't like the the looks of it, so I threw it out. Then I boiled some water and mixed a few crystals into a dropperful of the hot water, and it looked the same way.

Is it supposed to look like this and I've just forgotten or is something amiss here?

 

[Scubabatdan]

I was trying to dissolve some menthol crystals today and at first they seemed to have melted, but then a few minutes later there was a waxy looking substance floating around in little chunks.

At first I was putting them in straight VG, then I added a bit of Everclear. I didn't like the the looks of it, so I threw it out. Then I boiled some water and mixed a few crystals into a dropperful of the hot water, and it looked the same way.

Is it supposed to look like this and I've just forgotten or is something amiss here?

The easiest way I have found is to crush up the crystals into a powder by putting them into a zip lock bag and then into another ziplock bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. Then use 7.5ml of the powder or fill a 10ml bottle with them to the top. Then pour in everclear, it will only take 3.5ml of everclear. Cap it and shake, then run under hot water for a couple minutes shaking occasionally. The end result clear dissolve concentrated Menthol juice that will not reform the crystals. I use 1 drop per ml and it is perfect every time, I have a bottle I did 2 weeks ago that is half ful and it is still in liquid form no crystal regrowth and clear.
Dan

 

[tmbrown327]

Or, you could just buy some menthol drops where the menthol is already permanently dissolved in ethanol. Much easier to use and much more repeatable. Check Juicy Liquids.

 

[KevinD872]

I posted in another thread (kind of highjacked it after the OP got his answer) but it apparently went unnoticed so I am gonna try again:

I just got some menthol drops and was wondering: I can just add 1 drop per ml to nic (or nic-free) PG to create a basic menthol, right? My wife wants minty throat hit and figured this would be the easiest way.

 

[Scubabatdan]

Or, you could just buy some menthol drops where the menthol is already permanently dissolved in ethanol. Much easier to use and much more repeatable. Check Juicy Liquids.

The reason I suggest everclear and crystals, is the OP already has the crystals and everclear, kinda of a waste of money not to use what you have when he is so close. For those that can not get everclear in your area I would opt to get the premade liquid concentrate from Juicy Liquids. IMO $4.00 for a 10ml bottle that equates to 7 drams of menthol crystals is too expensive when you can get 3oz for that price and make 50 bottles of the concentrate, that is if you can get everclear in your area.

I posted in another thread (kind of highjacked it after the OP got his answer) but it apparently went unnoticed so I am gonna try again:

I just got some menthol drops and was wondering: I can just add 1 drop per ml to nic (or nic-free) PG to create a basic menthol, right? My wife wants minty throat hit and figured this would be the easiest way.

Yes I have read reports and have tried it my self, you do get a throat hit but not a major one by adding menthol drops to straight PG/VG. But adding it to nic juice turns any flavor into menthol. My wife likes the banana menthol I made for her.

Hope this helps
Dan

 

[tmbrown327]

Yup, just a suggestion. If you do use the drops, be careful, they quickly overpower just about any flavor or base. I've ruined a number of mixes, partially, I think, because my taste is continually changing as I get further and further removed from analogs. Start small and work up, slowly.

 

[JustMeAgain]

The easiest way I have found is to crush up the crystals into a powder by putting them into a zip lock bag and then into another ziplock bag and crushing them with a rolling pin. Then use 7.5ml of the powder or fill a 10ml bottle with them to the top. Then pour in everclear, it will only take 3.5ml of everclear.

Thanks, Dan -I'll try it this way today. Hoping for nice clear liquid.

Or, you could just buy some menthol drops where the menthol is already permanently dissolved in ethanol. Much easier to use and much more repeatable. Check Juicy Liquids.

I may try these sometime tm, but I have these on hand. Thanks for the suggestion.

IMO $4.00 for a 10ml bottle that equates to 7 drams of menthol crystals is too expensive when you can get 3oz for that price and make 50 bottles of the concentrate, that is if you can get everclear in your area.

My wife likes the banana menthol I made for her.

I'm in the Ozarks, so Everclear is no problem. I could upgrade to moonshine in this part of the world.

I keep trying to figure out which flavors will taste good w/menthol. I loved the Sweet Dreams Vanilla, even though it wasn't menthol. Banana is interesting - know of any other flavors that work w/menthol?

I'm going to go see if your banana/menthol recipe is in the recipe thread.

 

[Scubabatdan]

Thanks, Dan -I'll try it this way today. Hoping for nice clear liquid.




I may try these sometime tm, but I have these on hand. Thanks for the suggestion.



I'm in the Ozarks, so Everclear is no problem. I could upgrade to moonshine in this part of the world.

I keep trying to figure out which flavors will taste good w/menthol. I loved the Sweet Dreams Vanilla, even though it wasn't menthol. Banana is interesting - know of any other flavors that work w/menthol?

I'm going to go see if your banana/menthol recipe is in the recipe thread.

Any of the fruit flavors are pretty safe with menthol, my wife likes the following:
Banana, Cherry, Stawberry, Rasberry, Pina Colada, and my Cherry Dreams mix, all with menthol using 1 drop per ml from the above process.
The banana recipe is easy, basically 15-20 drops of Lorann banana 9ml of ejuice, and 10 drops of menthol, adjust to taste.
Hope that helps.
Dan

 

[JustMeAgain]

Any of the fruit flavors are pretty safe with menthol, my wife likes the following:
Banana, Cherry, Stawberry, Rasberry, Pina Colada, and my Cherry Dreams mix, all with menthol using 1 drop per ml from the above process.
The banana recipe is easy, basically 15-20 drops of Lorann banana 9ml of ejuice, and 10 drops of menthol, adjust to taste.
Hope that helps.
Dan

Thanks for the recipe Dan...I did try it and had mixed results...the bad news - I pretty much confirmed that I have a problem w/PG, which is a pain b/c all I have are PG liquids. I'm going to have to order some VG based liquid and try again w/that.

In the meantime, I am trying some liquid that is snus I've had soaking in VG and Everclear, and so far the results aren't bad. Not as much of a hit as I'd like, but thanks to your recipe I've learned two good things: The menthol really is helping with the TH, and your menthol crystal mix worked perfectly. But the best think I learned is mixing the fruit flavors w/the menthol, which I had read about but didn't think I'd like. Before the PG monster reared it's ugly head, I did really like the banana/menthol flavor. They kind of enhance one another.

It's been odd how the things I think I would love disappoint, and the things that don't appeal to me initially are pleasant surprises. I guess the heating changes flavors in a way I don't understand.

There's a new juice vendor on the block - The Bear - that will also do custom VG/PG blends as well as straight VG. I contacted them for advice and I think I'll give them a try since ppl seem to be happy w/them so far. Going to wait a bit to order, though - I'm going out of town and I'd hate for my "overly inquisitive" -putting it lightly there, lol - 14 yo to get it in the mail before I'm back. Who knows what he might decide to do with it.