PG/VG/Nicotene + chemical taste. Advice wanted.

[Szalvias]

I recently made my first e-juice order, and at first all of the flavors I got tasted wonderful... but a few hits into them, I detected a chemical taste. It makes me feel as if I should be getting a headache from all the chemicals, but I do not. Also there is a bit too much throat hit.
All of my juices are 80/20 mix from Highbrow Vapors and Vaperight. 24mg nicotine. Before this I'd been using a blu (18mg, 100% VG) and it didn't have enough throat hit or nicotine... but I wonder if part of that issue could be from the batteries and/or the cartridges they use more than just the VG.

Anyway, my question is if you all think the chemical taste is from the PG or the Nicotene, and given that I liked the blu cigs "ok" aside from reliability/battery issues, what kind of mixture should I try to combat this chemical taste + throat hit?
I was thinking of ordering some 100% VG, or maybe a 20/80 mix or something... I'm just trying to get some advice so I don't waste more money than needed on my juices.

(idk if it matters much, but I'm using a Vision Vivi Nova, some Boge carto's (w/tank), and some Kanger T3's. I can't tell much taste difference between them, but I prefer the vivi nova and the boge carto's on my vision spinner, between 3.3 -3.8 volts)

TY in advance

 

[Baditude]

Hard to pinpoint what could be causing the chemical taste you are experiencing.

The 24mg nic strength is high, and some people can detect a peppery taste sometimes. Usually too high of nic strength can cause headaches or jitteriness like too much caffeine can.

Some people are sensitive to high ratio's of PG. I'm not sure if that is what you are experiencing, though. Remains a possibility.

Some juice carrying devices, especially the ones with string wicks, have a primer liquid put on the wicks. Not sure why they do that, but I've heard that to taste like a chemically taste. You have the Vivi Nova that uses the wicks, but you are experiencing the chemical taste with all of your devices, which makes me think it has to do with your e-liquids.

I'm not real familiar with ECBlend juices, but I do use Vaperite. Their juices are all natural and organic flavored, and all vg unless you requested a different mix. I like using them because the flavors seem more pure and clean, not artificial or chemically. Many of their flavors benefit from some steep time - anywhere from 1-2 weeks. Until the mix has had time to settle out, you may detect some strangeness to your taste. Maybe set these aside and return to them later.

That's about all that I can come up with. Sorry not to be of more help.

 

[Boothvilleboi]

The only time ive tasted the chemical taste was in juices that i didnt know the pg/vg ratio i.e. halo e liquid. I use a 30/70 pg/vg. Try different ratios to see what you like better. I vape 36 mg so im not sure if it is your nic level.

 

[Szalvias]

OK. Thanks for the input. I've ordered a small bottle of 50/50 16 mg and pure VG 26 mg. We'll see how that goes.
The funny taste is not fishy or spicy... but distinctly chemical.. actually it tastes like my inhaler but stronger (I'm an asthmatic, taking albuterol inhalers).
Additionally, from reading blogs and guides and other posts I'm increasingly inclined to believe that it's the PG giving the taste. A couple of the flavors I got (received them all about 3 days ago) are a bit better now. I'm not sure if that's from steeping or if I just got used to it.

 

[Baditude]

.. actually it tastes like my inhaler but stronger (I'm an asthmatic, taking albuterol inhalers).

That might be a clue there. I'm quite certain I've read that Pg is used in asthma inhalers. Interesting if the pure vg liquid that you'll be getting also has the same taste...if it doesn't, that might point the problem as to being the Pg.

Please keep us updated so that we can all learn from your experience.

 

[Thompson]

I've read a lot of people mention a perfumey/chemically taste with ECB.

Have you tried steeping without the cap on? If they use alcohol based flavors this will allow it to evaporate.

 

[Szalvias]

What's this about ECBlends? are they the same as Highbrow or something?

 

[yzer]

This one is hard to pin down. I don't taste PG or VG that much. All I get is a sweeter taste with VG. Nicotine has a slight peppery taste that will vary with the quality of the nicotine base. The wattage of your devices will have an effect on flavor. Going too high or too low on the wattage can affect the flavor for you. Some atomizing devices (atomizer, cartomizers and clearomizers) and even tanks can impart a chemical taste. If these are used improperly they can impart a burned taste.

My best guess is that a burned carto or clearo or flavoring ingredients are the culprit.

 

[Szalvias]

My best guess is that a burned carto or clearo or flavoring ingredients are the culprit.

I checked out all the innards and nothing seems to be burned... but I'm familiar with this taste from the blu cigs that would sometimes burn out on me. I have a single friend who vapes, although sadly I don't see him much.
Jus now he brought me some juice that's 50/50 and 24mg... I taste nothing of the odd flavor. Also, I've just had a chance to try out another of my flavors I ordered (only so many things to put it in, so I had 2 flavors I had not tried until I emptied out a clearo)... it was a 50/50 with I think 16mg from vaperfection... tastes wonderful.
Maybe it's the flavors I got?

 

[TheShadowInc]

Try switching your atomizer to a new one and see if you still get the chemical taste, if so try something with less pg in it, chemical taste could also be from to much flavour, I know sometimes I have run into that mixing my own where i use to much flavour and I get a chemical taste, usually its a purfume taste though. just some things to think about besides just switching and playing around with different mixes

 

[Szalvias]

Try switching your atomizer to a new one and see if you still get the chemical taste, if so try something with less pg in it, chemical taste could also be from to much flavour, I know sometimes I have run into that mixing my own where i use to much flavour and I get a chemical taste, usually its a purfume taste though. just some things to think about besides just switching and playing around with different mixes

I just switched to a different cartomizer. no change.
The juices I'm having issue with have a very very strong flavor, so maybe that's it. I really couldn't say what a perfume taste would be though.... but now that you mention it and I've vaped it some more.. that may be what it is.
Based on the suggestions here, I think the problem is the flavoring in the juice. All except for one of the flavors are from the same vendor and all have very strong flavors. Trying a different juice from a different vendor (this one was 50/50 mix instead of 80/20 though) I had no issues. (IF you are interested, Highbrow Vapors juices are the ones consistently giving the weird taste... only one of three vaperite flavors had the odd flavor)
So.. for now... I'll try juice from other vendors and keep it at 50/50 that gives me about the right amount of TH.

 

[TheShadowInc]

I just switched to a different cartomizer. no change.
The juices I'm having issue with have a very very strong flavor, so maybe that's it. I really couldn't say what a perfume taste would be though.... but now that you mention it and I've vaped it some more.. that may be what it is.
Based on the suggestions here, I think the problem is the flavoring in the juice. All except for one of the flavors are from the same vendor and all have very strong flavors. Trying a different juice from a different vendor (this one was 50/50 mix instead of 80/20 though) I had no issues. (IF you are interested, Highbrow Vapors juices are the ones consistently giving the weird taste... only one of three vaperite flavors had the odd flavor)
So.. for now... I'll try juice from other vendors and keep it at 50/50 that gives me about the right amount of TH.

Ever been around someone that has way to much perfume on you can taste it? Kinda like a chemical taste? except its more mild in your vapour than on the lady or man that showered in it.
Easy solution to figure out if it is the flavour; but you will dilute your nicotine.... add normal pg to your bottle or better yet mix 2ml of the bottle you have with 2 ml of straight pg and see how the flavour is, the downfault is you need to buy pg. but if you are getting new stuff you will soon find out anyways.
P.S. I think its the flavour

 

[Szalvias]

Thanks for the advice everyone!
I thought I would drop back in and update this in case anyone is interested or having a similar problem.
I've now tried 100%VG in 24mg and 16, 50/50 in 16 and 26mg, 80/20 in 14 and 24mg, and 100%VG in 36mg. None of these gave me significant funny taste and the ones that had a bit of the chemical taste lost it after 2 days with the tops off the bottles and another couple days with the tops on.
After trying these different mixtures from different vendors the only ones that gave me significant funny taste were the ones from highbrow vapors. Some of those from highbrow have now lost most of the chemical taste after a couple of weeks sitting there steeping, but a few are still unusable for me because of the taste.
I don't want anyone to think I'm being mr. bad review here, so I would like to point out that the crème brulee from highbrow is quite nice. I like to mix that one 70/30 with a 100%vg kona cream from vaperite.

For what it's worth I've found that I like a 50/50 mix or a 30/70 mix.. and sometimes pure VG depending on the flavor and my mood... after a while of non-smoking now I find I don't want so much of a throat hit as I did a couple weeks ago.. and I like the clouds of smoke.
I'd highly recommend Vaperite e-juice. While I've gotten some good stuff from others, everything from Vaperite has been absolutely wonderful to vape (I mainly use a vivi nova, fyi) and I now have a whole grip of little sample bottles from them and not nearly enough devices to put it in!

 

[TheShadowInc]

hmm... interesting....
I understand you don't want to bash a company and thats good; I can respect that. You are still new to vaping some things take time to get use to, trust me after 5 years vaping I still have a hard time getting use to certain stuff. Its just part of the game.
Curious now... you steeped it and the chem taste died out or went away hummm.... I wonder if they are using alcohol in there flavouring or mixture. I know long time ago when I first started doing dyi I was always told to mix my flavours and let them sit out for 2 weeks, I have done it many times and have found better flavour tasting vape, it does work if you are interested in trying it with the ones that arn't working out to well for ya.
I know some that use PGA or water with there mixes, to be honest I tried it when I first started out and found it easier to just stick with Pg/vg and nico/flavour
One question is the liquid clear? Like see through? If so thats a good thing so humm... now you have me thinking. I have been told by a few who have vaped higher nicotine like 24mg (I never recommend higher) that they have a chem taste and when nico level drops it goes away although im not sure how true that is because I have never experienced it, and its hard to take a persons word when they first quit because so many changes happen (Headachs, musle achs, sweating, etc). Some even told me its not smoking... it feels weird(I can understand this one), and oh that just might help me quit.

 

[dashstrat23]

i vape 40/60 pg/vg chocolate hazelnuut tobac from ecb and i love it. I've found that i get a chemical type feeling from higher pg mixes and also from drink/fruit flavors

 

[Levins23]

sounds like your nic level is too high for you try a lower level like 18 or 15 i always vape a 50/50 mix as well maybe try this. and the chemical taste is definitely the nicotine.

 

[Szalvias]

I've found that i get a chemical type feeling from higher pg mixes and also from drink/fruit flavors

I've also found the chemical taste is more present in drink or fruit flavors. That being said, I do like the dekang red bull (I believe it's now called "energy cow") flavor although it has too much TH for me. PG has a certain taste that reminds me of a certain thing I smoked back when I was a teenager so to avoid that and TH I'm going with lower PG mixes now.

sounds like your nic level is too high for you try a lower level like 18 or 15 i always vape a 50/50 mix as well maybe try this. and the chemical taste is definitely the nicotine.

I couldn't tell a difference so far as a chemical flavor is concerned between the 16 and 36 milligram juices so I'm inclined to believe it was a brands flavoring instead of nic, but maybe I'll try a 6 or 0 mg mix next time I order some juice.

 

[TheShadowInc]

Just made myself orange flavour the other day and at 8mg, yes 5 years it has taken me to go from 24mg to 8mg finally getting there, I had to stop vaping it because it had a huge chemical taste, I mixed up a different batch Caramel this time and the Chem taste is gone, it happens to us all.... has to be the flavour.... gives an idea of at least one flavour it happened with for me....