Newbie DIY vape mix fail. Help please

[MMSD64]

At a friends recommendation I changed from my first test mixes with Wizard Labs Nic, PG, VG and their concentrate flavorings (30pg/70vg 12 mg with total 5% flavoring - vanillin, Bavarian cream & honey tobacco) which were near zero flavor taste at 2 days aging (I now realize it was not steeped when vaped due to my impatience. I changed to 50/50 PG/VG, 12mg and a simple vanilla cupcake at 20% with a dash of cotton candy. I got a sonic cleaner with heater and after waiting two days put the new test mix in the cleaner for 3 1/2 hours at 30 min cycles alternating heat on/off. The color went from near clear to a dark pink which from what I read about "speed steeping" was the sign to taste test it. Also the pg throat hit (or over flavoring is tough on the throat and stings the lips a bit).

Well.... It tastes like vanilla cupcake perfume with a hint of sweet aftertaste. Grrr. Is this a sign of waaaaay to much flavor concentrate? Any advice would be appreciated please.

Feeling like a failure at what I was hoping would be more simple.


I am using an Aspire nautilus mini with a fresh 1.8 ohm atomizer on a Aspire VV+ set to a bit under 3.8 volts.

 

[Vaslovik]

Sorry to hear you are having such trouble. I got into DIY about a year ago, using Mt. Baker flavors and I've been very happy with the results. I use a 70 PG to 30 VG mix with 20 ml of 4 different flavorings and 12 ml of 100 proof nicotine in a 100 ml batch. It's always worked very well for me. You use a different atty than I do also, I use an RSST built straight genny with mesh and coiled at .7 ohm on a mech.

 

[mountaingal]

Since the flavor is already steeped, you can add some unflavored nic liquid to it to "cut" the flavor some. It's that simple. No more steeping would be required. JMHO

 

[joesquid]

Welcome to ECF! Sounds to me like you're way over flavored. Check out Hoosier's and Danny 45's blogs in the DIY sub forum under "General Eliquid Discussion". There is also threads with recommended flavor percentage for most brands.

 

[Spazmelda]

Okay, I'd recommend a little bit more of a systematic approach. Pick a single flavor. Make test batches at 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. Make small batches, maybe 5 ml if you have the tools to measure flavorings at those volumes. Let those steep a few days then test them out. Take notes and decide what percentage tastes the best.

20% IMO, is a little high for vanilla cupcake. I usually use this flavor as an enhancer in a juice with another flavor as the dominant flavor (it is still noticeable in the mix even at very low percentages, like 1-1.2%). Alone, I'd try it at 5, 10, and 15% to see if it tastes better. If I were you, I'd play with single flavors for a while until you get an idea of what percentage works well for those. Then, when you work your way up to multiple flavors you can learn how to adjust each flavor percentage down so that they mix well together.

 

[Spazmelda]

Since the flavor is already steeped, you can add some unflavored nic liquid to it to "cut" the flavor some. It's that simple. No more steeping would be required. JMHO

Oh yea, good idea. You can actually use this method to test different percentages. Use your 20% as a starting place and dilute by half to get 10%. Dilute 1:4 to get 5%, etc... Depending on how much you made, you can use it to test other things like amount of sweetener or adding a second flavor (maybe save that for future, but using a flavored 'base' that I already know I like to test 'enhancer' flavors is a technique I find very useful).

 

[MMSD64]

Thanks, I am going to mix (dilute) down two 5ml batches today 1 at 10% the other at 5%. I have measuring syringes etc from Wizard Labs and the e juice me up calc. My other issue is I have only vaped (in my 3 weeks of exoierience) high at or near 100% VG 12mg and like the smooth feel and vape clouds (though ny atomizers barely go a week with very high use). I read more PG would help with flavor retention over VG and also help with not "gunking up" the atomizer as much. Reading about the increased throat hit is one thing, but trying to figure out whether or not the throat "burn" is from the big jump in PG for me or potential over flavoring is worrying me.

Adding to the fun when I dumped the liquid from the tank out (with a brand new atomizer) and put in some store bought to vape some stress away, an almost menthol-like burning sensation of the horrible test batch seems to be hanging on messing up the store bought..

 

[zoiDman]

...

Well.... It tastes like vanilla cupcake perfume with a hint of sweet aftertaste. Grrr. Is this a sign of waaaaay to much flavor concentrate? Any advice would be appreciated please.

Feeling like a failure at what I was hoping would be more simple.

You are not a Failure. And Don't get Discouraged.

Very Few recipes turn out perfect the on there first Mix. And this goes for Newbies and "Experts" alike.

If I was doing it, I would do what Spazmelda suggested. Try Making a 5, 10, 15 and 20% 10ml test batches at the Same Time. Then put them in a Cool Dark Place for 3 ~5 Days. Then you can Test and see what % you like. And don't have to wait another 3 ~ 5 Days to make a New Test Batch.

I would Also Ditch the Heating and Ultra-Sonic Cleaners for the Time Being.

Once you have a Recipe Down and you like it, then you can Try the Multitude of Methods people have Dreamed up to save on Steeping Time.

But Until your Recipe is Final, you Don't Know if the Heating/Ultra-Sonic is Changing the Flavor.

 

[GMayberry]

An addition, the "perfume" taste you are getting is from the flavors themselves. You have done a good speed steep, but have you let the juices breathe? Leave the caps and drippers off of the bottles for a day or so and let that chemical taste evaporate.

 

[Caridwen]

You can even try some practice bottles without the nicotine-just your PG, VG and flavoring.

Nicotine does change the taste somewhat but you'll get a general idea about whether you like the flavoring or not.

 

[MMSD64]

I didn't let anything really wait very long or breathe. I popped the caps and let new air in several times, but not a patient airing out.

I somehow thought I could hurry all this up to avoid spending so much on store bought juice and to "recover the difference" on the Wizard Labs spending. Silly me. To be honest I do not even know where I stand on PG vs VG ratios. My first rush mixes were at 5% total flavoring 12mg anda 30PG/70VG. Of couse with only 48 hours of "resting" the flavor was virtually nothing, but the PG jump from my 100% VG store bought was a bit throat hit raspy with a lot of Vaping.

Haven't had an analog smoke in over three weeks and putting all my hopes on Vaping, so am overdoing a bit right now.

 

[GMayberry]

You should download a calculator for mixing. This isn't the one I use, but it is a fan favorite on here.

eJuice Me Up - Best eJuice Calculator

 

[GMayberry]

And no, you aren't overdoing it unless you feel overwhelmed, which even then isn't always a bad thing. I tend to learn more by being overwhelmed at first. Now I DIY 85% of all my juice and have found many wonderful combinations. I have also made many bottles barely even worthy of dumping down the drain in the process. Live and learn!

 

[MMSD64]

Thanks am using e juice me up calc.

 

[zoiDman]

...

Haven't had an analog smoke in over three weeks and putting all my hopes on Vaping, so am overdoing a bit right now.

This is the Most Important thing.

You have lots of Time in front of you to Perfect DIY. I would just Concentrate on having a Supply of Retail e-Liquids that you like. And some Backups to your e-Cigarette Hardware.

And then Chip Away at DIY as you go.

 

[Satiated]

Can anyone walk me thru the ejuice me up calc. I want to start of using all vg with 20% distilled water total amt 15 mil with 12mg nic. I keep looking at the numbers and want to make sure you and I get the correct results so I don't screw up lol. Anyone around who can shoot me back their numbers? My Nic strength is 100mg and has not been deluted.

 

[MMSD64]

This is the Most Important thing.

You have lots of Time in front of you to Perfect DIY. I would just Concentrate on having a Supply of Retail e-Liquids that you like. And some Backups to your e-Cigarette Hardware.

And then Chip Away at DIY as you go.

Waiting on my base hardware order from Aspire to assemble a second tank fron the top half leftover from adding the metal top to my first one and I have 2 VV+ batteries. Also, bought 20 1.8 atomizers from Workd of Vape (to save on shipping).

I am heading out today to "give in" and buy more store bought from a great local shop. I am lucky and have several awesome places to choose from within 1 mile.

It's difficult today not to light up an analog after my throat and lung trashing Vaping my DIY "pefume" last night. It was better with my near no flavor 30pg/70vg 12mg. Made me feel if I just could figure out a better pg ratio to enhance flavor, add life to my atomizers and get it up to a rich vanilla with a touch of tobacco flavor I'd be in money saving DIY heaven. Right now, well let's say I don't feel in heaven.

 

[zoiDman]

Waiting on my base hardware order from Aspire to assemble a second tank fron the top half leftover from adding the metal top to my first one and I have 2 VV+ batteries. Also, bought 20 1.8 atomizers from Workd of Vape (to save on shipping).

I am heading out today to "give in" and buy more store bought from a great local shop. I am lucky and have several awesome places to choose from within 1 mile.

It's difficult today not to light up an analog after my throat and lung trashing Vaping my DIY "pefume" last night. It was better with my near no flavor 30pg/70vg 12mg. Made me feel if I just could figure out a better pg ratio to enhance flavor, add life to my atomizers and get it up to a rich vanilla with a touch of tobacco flavor I'd be in money saving DIY heaven. Right now, well let's say I don't feel in heaven.

Don't think about buying Retail e-Liquids as "Giving In". Think of it more as Keeping you from Smoking Cigarettes.

You'll get DIY down. It just takes some time. And I'm sure in 2 or 3 Months you be the One Answering DIY Newbies Questions.

Don't Get Discouraged. Keep Good Notes/Records of what you Mix. And Remember that even with All the Failures that you will make, DIY is Still Cheaper in the Long Run.

 

[keonee]

Can anyone walk me thru the ejuice me up calc. I want to start of using all vg with 20% distilled water total amt 15 mil with 12mg nic. I keep looking at the numbers and want to make sure you and I get the correct results so I don't screw up lol. Anyone around who can shoot me back their numbers? My Nic strength is 100mg and has not been deluted.

1st field - Nicotine Strength ejuice....put what your nicotine is ( VG, PG or 50/50, ect )
2nd Field -Target Nicotine ( what you want your nicotine to be 24mg, 18mg, 12mg, ect )
3rd Field - Amount to make - 5ml, 10ml 15ml, ect ( talking about bottle size )
4th field - Water/Vodka/PG ( if you plan on using amy of those...I don't so I leave it blank )
5th field - Flavors ( put your percentage # in each field )
Target PG, Target VG ( what ratio you want for your e juice...50/50, 40/60 70/30, ect ) Just back the 3 of and it will change the VG.
On the right side hit calculate and it will tell you how much to add to make your e-liquid.

Good Luck to You!!!

 

[keonee]

Satiated what's your Nicotine ( PG, VG, 50/50, ect ). Need to know that for the 1st field.