Nailing sweet flavors (how to get them ultra-sweet)

[jordypants]

Hello all,

I've been buying all sorts of DIY mixing gear and batching together some odd flavors. Some winners, others drain lubricators. My dad really likes flavors that are 'sweet', in his case, ridiculously sweet. We've been experimenting with various flavors but I can't seem to find something that will trip his trigger. I feel like he may be chasing a unicorn around but I thought that before I break it to him that there is no magical ultra-sweetness, I would ask a few questions here to be %100 that there's nothing more that can be done beyond the normal scope of juice mixing.

• What are the 'sweeteners' that can be used in juice mixing (including universally 'sweet' flavors and/or other ingredients that can be safely added)?
• Are HealthCabin's flavorings notoriously bad (I feel like they should be)?
• I keep all of our mixing supplies (flavor, nic+PG, VG, PG) in the fridge, is this beneficial or worthwhile?
• I usually microwave a small 5ml batch in 3 second bursts after mixing to achieve hyper-steeping, is this safe? Is BPA a concern amongst juicers? Does the hot water method work as well? I've seen nominal results thus far.
• We're after a more confectionary/savory/lip smacking sweetness in the vain of a delicious marshmellow/rice krispy treat/vanilla toffee/cinnamon goodness (he's partial to the Atomic Cinnacide), any advice on achieving this variety of 'sweetness'?
• What are these 'flavor enhancers' that I see the 1,849,000,000 existing juice 'companies' out there offering in addition to a typical batch? Where can I procure said enhancers? What are they?

Sorry for the list of questions, just trying to solve this problem. Thanks in advance to any help offered.

 

[eddy-r3]

Sorry to jump on but im to interested in sweetening some juice i have!

The only thing i have found that contains next to anything but sweetner is a powdered sweetner that also contains maltodextrin, anyone have experience with this? The ingredients are:

Sucralose
Maltodextrin

Again, sorry for jumping on your thread but felt it was fitting!

Many thanks

 

[my4jewels]

I cannot comment on many of your points. I also like my juices uber-sweet. I purchase ethyl maltol crystals. Dilute them 1/4 tsp. per 10mg of pg. It's very sweet, and you can add as much as you like.

I assume some vendors use sucralose, but, IMHO, the ethyl maltol tastes better, and is kinder to your equipment. When you buy the cotton candy flavor from TPA, it's just ethyl maltol diluted as I said. It's cheaper to buy the crystals and do it yourself.

Hello all,

I've been buying all sorts of DIY mixing gear and batching together some odd flavors. Some winners, others drain lubricators. My dad really likes flavors that are 'sweet', in his case, ridiculously sweet. We've been experimenting with various flavors but I can't seem to find something that will trip his trigger. I feel like he may be chasing a unicorn around but I thought that before I break it to him that there is no magical ultra-sweetness, I would ask a few questions here to be %100 that there's nothing more that can be done beyond the normal scope of juice mixing.

• What are the 'sweeteners' that can be used in juice mixing (including universally 'sweet' flavors and/or other ingredients that can be safely added)?
• Are HealthCabin's flavorings notoriously bad (I feel like they should be)?
• I keep all of our mixing supplies (flavor, nic+PG, VG, PG) in the fridge, is this beneficial or worthwhile?
• I usually microwave a small 5ml batch in 3 second bursts after mixing to achieve hyper-steeping, is this safe? Is BPA a concern amongst juicers? Does the hot water method work as well? I've seen nominal results thus far.
• We're after a more confectionary/savory/lip smacking sweetness in the vain of a delicious marshmellow/rice krispy treat/vanilla toffee/cinnamon goodness (he's partial to the Atomic Cinnacide), any advice on achieving this variety of 'sweetness'?
• What are these 'flavor enhancers' that I see the 1,849,000,000 existing juice 'companies' out there offering in addition to a typical batch? Where can I procure said enhancers? What are they?

Sorry for the list of questions, just trying to solve this problem. Thanks in advance to any help offered.

 

[jmlott]

I like uber-sweet juices as well and use Splendex to get me there. It is pure concentrated sucralose, so a little goes a LONG way. I have heard sucralose gunks up attys and such, but havent had that experience with this stuff. I assume because I only have to use a couple of drops per 30ml bottle it works better.

 

[jordypants]

Thanks for the replies all, no problem on joining the thread. Solving problems together is always better!

I ordered some ethyl maltol. We'll see how I fair. Otherwise, thanks for the info!

 

[my4jewels]

I used splendex for a long time, and I didn't realize it was decreasing my carto life until I tried using ethyl maltol. Maybe it's just me, but it sure seems like my cartos last longer now. I use the splendex in my coffee...

 

[JewelzBagz]

I use both the EM and TPA sweetener in my mixes. I like sweet!

When it comes to sugar free cooking, it is recommended to combine different types of artificial sweeteners as the combination somehow boosts each one idividually. It does work, so I always use the two in my juice. One of these days I'll get brave enough to try a pin ..... of stevia as well.

I got the free sample of EZsweetz also, just haven't given it a try yet.

 

[Str8V8ping]

WHat is stevia supposed to taste like . I have a bottle and i tried it once but it gave me a taste like that of dissolved tylenol in my juice . I did use too much (3d in 5ml) when i tried it but was wondering what it supposed to taste like .

 

[JewelzBagz]

WHat is stevia supposed to taste like . I have a bottle and i tried it once but it gave me a taste like that of dissolved tylenol in my juice . I did use too much (3d in 5ml) when i tried it but was wondering what it supposed to taste like .

It's supposed to taste sweet. But quickly tastes yuck when you've used too much. That's why I would start testing with a teeeeeensy bit of it.

 

[GoodDog]

I use stevia all the time but I only add between 1-3 drops to 30mLs. I've read that some stevia tastes bitter but the one I have doesn't, just sweet. Lately I've been mixing EM, stevia and sucralose when I want something insanely sweet and it's been working out well. I've also upped my EM (20% in PG) to 1mL per 30mL on all my sweet mixes. I don't include it in my % of flavorings and just count it as my PG.

 

[AzPlumber]

When I am going for a ultra sweet, I will use several sweeteners to get a wider range on the toungue. Usually TPA Sweetener, TPA Cotton Candy (EM), TPA Brown Sugar Extra and Maybe Marshmellow or Sweet Tart.

 

[vittiv]

• I usually microwave a small 5ml batch in 3 second bursts after mixing to achieve hyper-steeping, is this safe? Is BPA a concern amongst juicers? Does the hot water method work as well? I've seen nominal results thus far.

BPA is a concern for me, I don't know about others. However, you shouldn't worry about it in your juice bottles. Everything I've seen is PET, PP, LDPE or HDPE. None of those contain BPA.

As best I can tell, you really only need to worry about Polycarbonate and PVC. The former is very common in cartomizer tanks, but is not economically sensible for bottles, syringes or other disposables.

Obviously, if you get it hot enough you can melt the plastic and that'd be bad. I think as long as you keep it to short bursts and pay attention to how hot the bottle is getting you should be fine.

 

[L7D4N]

I've been plagued with this issue as well. For the past couple of weeks, I have had absolutely no luck in making sweet liquids, despite using the same flavorings/base as the supplier I purchase from. I'm thinking there may be crack or something in his liquid to keep me coming back, but that's another story

I buy the pre-mixed base at 50/50 with 24mg NIC, use 15% - 20% flavoring, which is the same amount the aforementioned supplier uses in his single/double flavors, and mine just never taste the same. No matter how little I go on the flavoring or how much, it's never right...

I purchased "sweetener drops" which is Ethyl Maltol, but this is cut with PGA instead of PG. Could this be contributing to my DIY demise, or am I just not getting the hang of this?

I don't mean to thread jack, but I am ONLY interested in sweet flavors, and this will create a single thread with all this info for the greater good. THE GREATER GOOD!

 

[GoodDog]

I doubt any vendor is going to sell the exact flavorings they use or tell you which flavor manufacturers they are. Gourmet Vapers lists what flavors are in each of their mixes but I imagine it would still be hard to duplicate their juice. I've seen some vendors sell LorAnn because it's easy to get wholesale but that doesn't necessarily mean that's what they use in all their juice. Trying to duplicate a vendor's juice is the hardest DIY to do and it's not recommended to begin your DIY journey this way.

 

[Str8V8ping]

I doubt any vendor is going to sell the exact flavorings they use or tell you which flavor manufacturers they are. Gourmet Vapers lists what flavors are in each of their mixes but I imagine it would still be hard to duplicate their juice. I've seen some vendors sell LorAnn because it's easy to get wholesale but that doesn't necessarily mean that's what they use in all their juice. Trying to duplicate a vendor's juice is the hardest DIY to do and it's not recommended to begin your DIY journey this way.

Brain surgery would be easier then duplicating Msts juices . SOme vendors like tvr are easy to duplicate but vendors like msts use such complex mixes that its damn near impossible to recreate .

 

[jordypants]

I have yet to receive my Ethyl Maltol but once I do, I'll be sure to post my results. I ordered some splend too. I've got cotton-candy, marshmallow, and brown sugar.

I'll try to do a write up with percentages used, results in common single/double mixes, etc.

 

[Str8V8ping]

I have yet to receive my Ethyl Maltol but once I do, I'll be sure to post my results. I ordered some splend too. I've got cotton-candy, marshmallow, and brown sugar.

I'll try to do a write up with percentages used, results in common single/double mixes, etc.

COtton candy is just ethyl maltol . They are the same . I think the problem here is the op is using em suspended in PGA . PGA to me ruins juices and removes all the sweetness .

 

[bamsbbq]

i like mine uber sweet as well...i am ok with sweet did i forget to mention that i like it sweet?..lol

i use EM...i used marshmallow to sweeten before i got EM...it also balances out some flavor mixes as well.

i am not a fan of PGA in my juice either..i find it adds to the bitter taste that i do not like and try to avoid...i really dont notice a throat hit from it so i dont use it anymore...if i want more throat hit, i just up the pg a bit...

a fresh new boge 2.0LR on a 3.7 - 50/50 PG/VG seems to give me plenty of throat hit and plenty of vapor...pure pleasure

 

[vlee]

I have yet to receive my Ethyl Maltol but once I do, I'll be sure to post my results. I ordered some splend too. I've got cotton-candy, marshmallow, and brown sugar.

I'll try to do a write up with percentages used, results in common single/double mixes, etc.

Hey Jordypants!
Thanks for starting this post. I like very sweet as well for some juices. I have begun my DIY lab and this is what I have discovered thus far, keep in mind that I have only used TPA flavorings as many have said they make a very high quality flavor and I have been satisfied so far.

I ordered the EM in crystals from TPA so I can create my own very strong version sweet liquid, much cheaper. I heat a cup of water in microwave (be careful not to super heat, add plastic spoon/fork b-4 hitting start, it will not boil over when making additions) or from tea kettle. These are not exact measures but seems to work for me. You can tweak as you like.

To make 30 ml:

30 ml bottle. PG, EM crystals
Fill bottle about 1/3 full with EM crystals.
Fill rest of bottle with PG.

I use PG because VG is way to thick to use with many tank systems. When creating my juices I use a 70:30 or 80:20 PG to VG ratio.

Place cap on bottle and shake up well. Then put bottle in the hot water. I use a coffee cup or pyrex measuring cup. Let this steep for a long time until crystals are dissolved. You can keep adding hot water to speed up this process. it may take 24 hours or more if you use cool water. You may want to prepare this a few days ahead to ensure crystals are all dissolved.

Some things I have found out thru experimentation is that some flavors taste very good when sweetened and others do not and taste the pure YUK! So if you like to tinker around and have that time you can invent your own flavor profiles or you can buy small batches of already made e juice and sweeten it up to your own liking, then buy bigger when you have it figured out.

I do small test runs courtesy of instructions from THE ONE STOP DIY SHOP listed on the ECF venders page. You can find instructional videos on their site for how to stuff, plus reasonable priced DIY kits.

I make up 1 ml at a time to test. I have a small bottle of 70:30 PG:VG made up to use only for this testing. I usually start with a 80% PG/VG to 20% flavor and tweak this as I test. I add drops of my EM sweetener to this after flavoring and also adjust to my liking. I use this e-liquid calculator because it is free works with my MAC. You can save your own recipes and view recipes from other as well.It is very easy to use and read. e-Liquid Recipes - e-Liquid Calculator

I have found that certain flavoring can really help enhance EM flavor. TPA sweet cream really can enhance EM as well as TPA Coconut extra, Vanilla deluxe, Lemon, Sweet-Tart and MT dew. I am not very found of cinnamon. The key is flavor is very subjective, you make like other do not. Nicotine will change the flavor somewhat but I have found that if I like at the test stage, I also like it after the nicotine is added. I also make nicotine free batches of the flavors I really like because I will vape them like crazy and end up with a headache, dehydrated and bad dreams. I also found I like the flavor better on a LR cartos or VV mods. The sweet is more intense at a higher temperature vapor.

Okay this is getting really long, but I am glad I found this thread to share information and learn a few things about how others sweeten and my new hobby. Keep me posted on your progress.

Here is one of my favorites, really nice if you like a strong vanilla vape.
This is a 6ml size 12 mg Nicotine. Use e-juice calculator to adjust nicotine strength and batch size.

Vanilla Coconut Cream - by lea, 15/1 21:01
Ingredients in: ml/Drops/%
Nicotine e-juice 36 mg: 2 ml or 50gtt or 33.3%
PG dilutant: 0.8 ml or 20 gtt or 13.3%
VG dilutant: 0.8 ml or 20 gtt or 13.3%
TPA French Vanilla: 1.2 ml or 30 gtt or 20%
TPA Coconut Extra: 0.6 ml or 15 gtt or 10%
TPA Sweet Cream: 0.6 ml or 15 gtt or 10%

Totals: 6 ml or 150 gtt or 100%
Strength: 12 mg

 

[vlee]

I have yet to receive my Ethyl Maltol but once I do, I'll be sure to post my results. I ordered some splend too. I've got cotton-candy, marshmallow, and brown sugar.

I'll try to do a write up with percentages used, results in common single/double mixes, etc.

Oops Forgot to add sweetener to recipe:

I start with 25 gtts or 1 ml added this is very sweet to start. Taste and add more if needed. It will get sweeter as it sits a while so you may want to let it sit a while, a day or so and taste again b-4 adjusting.