PH and e-liquids

[SouthernBliss]

We have mentioned this in another thread and it is something I have been thinking about on and off since I started to read the DIY boards. Is it possible that there is a PH level we should be aiming for and if so anyone have a clue what that might be?

 

[gtbb]

Great question Bliss! Subscribing thanks.

 

[Road_House]

If you are referring to the "Vinegar?" thread iirc someone mentioned that vendor juice is typically in the 7.5 to 8 range.

 

[SouthernBliss]

Thank you for that info Road_House!

 

[Road_House]

Actually was 7 to 8 with a comment that flavor possibly suffers at the higher end. See quote below from Str8v8ping on page 44 of the Vinegar? thread.

I tested one or two . I havent really got around to trying much yet . The flavoring i tried were both 7's . I just tested some BWB MT which came out the highest so far at a solid 8

PG = PH 7
Apple cider vinegar and white Vinegar = PH 4
Lemon juice (LEMON shaped bottle) = PH 3
36mg GP nic base = PH 9 !(tested both PG and VG base with same results)
Sucrulose = PH 5
PGA = PH 6
TAP and Distilled water was a very blotchy reading with spots ranging from 5-7 (mainly 7)
EM - PH = 7
Tart and sour PH = 2-3
2 Vendors Bakery ejuice PH=8 and PH 7 on the other
VG PH= 7
Saliva =7 (varies per person)
EVW tobacco RY4 PH7

I am noticing that the ejuice that taste like cheaper quality and less flavorful to me are a higher PH than the juices i love . May just be a coincidence though .

Looks like theres not a big difference between using lemon juice and vinegar . Also both WHite and ACV are exactly the same in PH .Everyone i tried so far is in that 7-8 PH range though .


Last edited by Str8V8ping; 02-04-2012 at 06:27 PM.

 

[SouthernBliss]

I may actually have read that at some point Road_House but it sure didn't click at the time. I've got more reading to do about acidity/alkalinity but I have learned a couple of interesting things. The 7 listed for saliva is about what is expected since the ideal PH for human blood is 7.365. That is actually just about neutral. That also means that our taste receptors work best with the mouth is around 7 PH as well. But based on the numbers above it looks like most e-juices are currently skewed toward a more alkaline/base PH. It may be that one of the reasons people get vapors tongue is if the vapor is also alkaline and altering the PH of the mouth. I know I've read one of the suggested fixes for vapors tongue is swishing lemon or vinegar around a bit. Another thing that may be of note is that most of the foods we eat skew toward the acid side. Fruits for example are pretty acidic. Just something to ponder while i finish my reading.

I'm adding a link to some information about PH and tobacco http://tobaccodocuments.org/product_design/3223.html

 

[Steven Pye]

wow, I never thought of this really until now, but you have my attention-- subscribe

 

[SouthernBliss]

At some point this got really complicated for me. I found this thread http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...cussion/3204-ph-values-harshness-eliquid.html which has a link in it about the free base (not that kind) nicotine in it and that link really leads one to believe that a higher alkaline is better because of the free nicotine. But the link I posted last night sort of leads me to believe that it has more to do with how your getting the nicotine. In things like snus and cigars (not inhaled) a high alkaline content is important because the nicotine goes into the body via contact. However inhaled smoke is more acidic and the absorption is via lungs/membrane contact. So I'm fair confused as to which is more correct for vaping.

All of that is balanced by the fact that most of the foods we eat are acidic. There are very few alkaline foods that humans eat regularly it seems. Logic dictates to me that flavors on the acid side of neutral are going to appeal to us.

Added a link to the full Vinegar? thread-http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/252238-vinegar-17.html

I think some of this will really have to roll around in my head a while longer since there are reports that seem to contradict themselves in the case of TH that it is a deterrent for most people.

 

[Road_House]

Lots of good info in those links. Sounds like higher ph increases nic absorption but at the expense of flavor and increased harshness.

Adjusting to a lower ph along with a slight increase in nic may be the ticket to the best of both worlds. Lots to digest. Busy schedule so I'll be back in a few days to share my thoughts.

Right now 6.5 to 7 seems reasonable. Anybody with test strips care to test some of their favorite juices and report back?

Also curious about whether ph changes after steeping? A test out of the mailbox and then after a week or 2 of steeping may reveal interesting results and prevent over adjusting a diy batch if my suspicions are correct.

 

[SouthernBliss]

I think your right about the PH. I suppose the very bottom line as far as PH and nic goes would be if people inhale into the lungs or not.

No clue if the PH would change over time due to evaporation etc. I think that is way over my head science wise.