Needing help with a very basic recipe

[Gatelyne]

This will be my first time trying diy liquid. I'm sure I'm in for some trial and error but I want to hopefully minimize the error part with some help lol.

First of all, i dont really need help wity percentages of all the other ingredients because I can do the math but the calculator makes it a breeze. I'm just looking on a good starting point for flavors.

I'm wanting to make a simple strawberries and cream flavor using sweet strawberry(cap) and sweet cream (tfa). That's all. I want to be simple for my first go.

So.. any suggestions on how much of each flavor will be greatly appreciated.

 

[Harlen]

Hello
6% of each the rest your mix
Then go frome there to tweet it out to what you like

 

[dannyv45]

sample each flavor separately so you have an idea of the taste of the flavors your dealing with. This will tell you the texture, strength and even if it's the right tasting type of flavoring for what your trying to mix. That will be your basis for amounts to combine of each flavor.

For instance some strawberry flavorings taste like candy others like unripe sour fruit and others like ripe fresh sweet fruit and others like pastry cream filling. And what about the cream flavor is it right for the recipe? Some taste like milk some like heavy cream others like sweet cream others like spice cream others like caramel cream.

So start with a 5 - 10 ml test sample of each and when you get those right you can combine them together in different percentages of each.

For instance

10% strawberry to 2 % cream
5% strawberry to 1 % cream
20% strawberry to 4 % cream....etc.......

Also understand steeping. Mixes with cream usually need time to mature.

Here is some research to help you along

My blogs will give insight into all aspects of DYI, from steeping to what supplies to have on hand to a basic walk through mixing your first E-juice.

E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs

Then read hoosier's blogs. These blogs concentrate on fine tuning your mix and give insight on additives.

E-Cigarette Forum - Hoosier - Blogs

Then read Boletus's blog's. These blogs concentrate on formulation of nicotine bases regarding proper calculations methods for figuring Nicotine concentration as well as safety.

E-Cigarette Forum - Boletus - Blogs

Then read Ginger's book "E-Cigarettes 102: DIY e-liquid". It is a book which I've contributed to that delivers an in depth easy to follow guide in the art of DYI.

E-Cigarettes 102: DIY E-Liquid

I recommend viewing VPLive vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety and bookmark it for future reference. It explains safety in all aspects of DYI.

VPLive Vape Team Episode #82: DIY Safety

then read the stickies at the top of the page.

this will explain a lot of the how's and why's.

 

[Gatelyne]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I was thinking 8% strawberry and 5 or 6% sweet cream but I seen some people say 3% and below for the sweet cream or the sweet cream with become 'spicy.'

 

[minimalsaint]

IDK, people can suggest percentages all day long but it's only going to end up mattering to you. I've tried recipes that call for 20% total flavoring and I landed happily at 5% total after a little trial and error.
As for mixing flavor separately to see how they taste individually and all that, I actually have found that there are several flavors I can't stand alone, but mixing them together is an improvement. If I had gone off the initial impression I got from the test batch, the flavoring would have gone in the trash bin straight away, but trying a different angle made them enjoyable.
I've been at the DIY thing for awhile now and I've tried mixing with all manner of equipment, by volume and weight, fancy and not. I now mix by using the most uber-scientific method available to man.... By drops. Some drops of this, some drops of that, shake it and vape it. It's only as scientific as you want it to be for the end means you seek.
Just have fun. Make some bad mixes. Make some good ones. Follow recipes or shoot from the hip. my only true advice to you is to start low with flavors and work your way up. Fight the urge to make that 30ml bottle and make 10 instead, at least while you're testing.... And always try everything right away. I don't steep anything besides for the length of time it takes me to finish a bottle I've mixed, but otherwise I like my mixes fresh and nobody can tell me that steeping benefits them, tobaccos and custards included.
So you see, ask 10 people and you will get 10 answers. If affirmation is what you're looking for, then sure, start with 8% strawberry and 5 or 6% sweet cream! Sounds good to me!

 

[dannyv45]

IDK, people can suggest percentages all day long but it's only going to end up mattering to you. I've tried recipes that call for 20% total flavoring and I landed happily at 5% total after a little trial and error.
As for mixing flavor separately to see how they taste individually and all that, I actually have found that there are several flavors I can't stand alone, but mixing them together is an improvement. If I had gone off the initial impression I got from the test batch, the flavoring would have gone in the trash bin straight away, but trying a different angle made them enjoyable.
I've been at the DIY thing for awhile now and I've tried mixing with all manner of equipment, by volume and weight, fancy and not. I now mix by using the most uber-scientific method available to man.... By drops. Some drops of this, some drops of that, shake it and vape it. It's only as scientific as you want it to be for the end means you seek.
Just have fun. Make some bad mixes. Make some good ones. Follow recipes or shoot from the hip. my only true advice to you is to start low with flavors and work your way up. Fight the urge to make that 30ml bottle and make 10 instead, at least while you're testing.... And always try everything right away. I don't steep anything besides for the length of time it takes me to finish a bottle I've mixed, but otherwise I like my mixes fresh and nobody can tell me that steeping benefits them, tobaccos and custards included.
So you see, ask 10 people and you will get 10 answers. If affirmation is what you're looking for, then sure, start with 8% strawberry and 5 or 6% sweet cream! Sounds good to me!

Nicely stated.

It's all common sense and the best advice is to let your taste buds be your guide. Some have made a complicated science out of DIY and if you take all that hype to heart you'll go crazy with confusion. Use drops, use exact measurements or just fly by the seat of your pants. Just have fun with it. When fustration sets in walk away and come back later with a clear head it will all come together in time..

 

[JeffreyD]

I've been making my own strawberries and cream for about 2 months now and every time I change something. Whether adding a new flavor or changing the percentages. Always love them, but that's DIY, right?
I started with tfa ripe strawberry 10% and cap Bavarian cream 6%, good flavor. I now have about 6 flavored in that original recipe (thanks to Wizard labs).
Like the other people said its all about your taste. I did find sweet cream a little milky tasting at higher percentages.

 

[dannyv45]

I've been making my own strawberries and cream for about 2 months now and every time I change something. Whether adding a new flavor or changing the percentages. Always love them, but that's DIY, right?
I started with tfa ripe strawberry 10% and cap Bavarian cream 6%, good flavor. I now have about 6 flavored in that original recipe (thanks to Wizard labs).
Like the other people said its all about your taste. I did find sweet cream a little milky tasting at higher percentages.

Funny you should mention that I'm vaping OSD strawberry milk as I read this and it is good and so easy to make. one flavor at 10% and it's done. THose OSD flavors are so good and easy to use.

Make Your Own DIY Eliquid/Juice and Candy

 

[Gatelyne]

Thanks for the replies! I should get the supplies in the mail today so tonight I will be experimenting.

Another thing... what's your cost per ml? I ordered everything from my freedom smokes. I'm somewhere at 13 cents per ml. From what I have read that's still on the high side.

 

[Train2]

Hey, that's still a 30 ml bottle for under $4.


I get top-notch nic.
I get PG and VG from Essential Depot
And I get almost all my flavoring in big ole bottles (4 oz) from TFA.
And my per-ml cost is probably half that.

Once you've got some regular recipes down, and buy in bigger volume, it'll be less.

Thanks for the replies! I should get the supplies in the mail today so tonight I will be experimenting.

Another thing... what's your cost per ml? I ordered everything from my freedom smokes. I'm somewhere at 13 cents per ml. From what I have read that's still on the high side.

 

[dannyv45]

Thanks for the replies! I should get the supplies in the mail today so tonight I will be experimenting.

Another thing... what's your cost per ml? I ordered everything from my freedom smokes. I'm somewhere at 13 cents per ml. From what I have read that's still on the high side.

I buy in bulk so I'm about $1.75 - $2.00 per 30ml. My flavorings are the more expensive inawera (10ml size bottles) and hangsen flavorings (50ml size bottles). Well worth it though.

Just recently found the OSD flavorings which are outstanding and very cost effective at $4.95 per 30ml. And cheaper yet in larger sizes. There so good they can't seem to keep enough in stock. They sell out quick but they restock very quickly as well.

Make Your Own DIY Eliquid/Juice and Candy

and

Make Your Own DIY Eliquid/Juice and Candy

 

[Gatelyne]

Success!

Turned out to be a nice and basic smooth strawberry. I mean it's no unicorn milk (one of my favs) butit wasn't a failure by any means.

 

[Troy Noh]

At the end of the day, it's your juice that your mixing for yourself. It's probley going to taste great to you, and other's will go "meh. try the recipe as you see it, but one suggestion TFA sweet cream at 6% is going way overboard, your going to get a funky aftertaste. try it at 1.5% and let it steep for 3 days