Ready to mix my first batch but need some help

[Bubba]

So I got my stuff in from wizard labs and am going to make my first batch tonight. Just a couple of quick questions:

What flavor percentage should I start with? For example, I'll be using the caramel capuccino (which I hear is super strong) so what's a good rule of thumb? Obviously I'll have to start small and tweak/refine the flavors to taste but don't want to overdo it from the beginning. I can always add more if needed.

What size batch should I make? I know to start small, but what's the smallest you can feasably make and be accurate? I was thinking about 10mL?

Any other advice before I start? (Not starting right now, still at work)

I have the calculator so I should be good there, have all supplies now in hand so I'm ready to go.

Thanks!

 

[patkin]

I don't use those particular flavorings so this will just be general:

1. I first put a few drops of any flavor in a shot glass about half full of distilled water and finger taste to get an idea of how strong it is and if I like it at all. (Most of my juices contain some distilled water because I like it to keep my nose hydrated especially, so I often use this flavored water in my juice.)
2. I read the recommended % where I bought it or somewhere else that sells it.
3. I start lower than recommended. IE: If it says 5%, I start at 2% and work up if need be. I don't like strong flavor.
4. I mix in 5ml size.
5. I can never share recipes because I adjust to taste after adding the nic. That's sometimes a few drops more flavoring and in a larger ml bottle.

Edit: for tip.... remember that, when using more than one flavoring, you have to watch the over-all percentage. For instance, let's say one of them recommends 5%... what they mean is anything over that might come out perfumey... so if you're going to use another one that recommends 5% also, then adjust the amount of each to not go over 5% between them.

 

[dannyv45]

Great advice from Patkin. Any coffee flavor is usually strong so I would visit the site and see what they recommend. If you can't find a recommended percentage then I would start a coffee at 1% then work up. You should be able to taste it right away because not to much steeping time is needed for coffee flavors. Then adjust from there. 5ml test samples are a good size to work with. If you have problems with accurate measuring then go to 10ml. If you have some 1ml syringes on hand then accuracy should not be an issue at 5ml.

 

[Bubba]

OK so looking at the calculator, it's default setting is 1 mL = 20 drops. Is this accurate? If I'm making 5 ml batch, it calls for 1 drop - but that's assuming that there are 20 drops per ml.

This is my first try so I have no reference point for any of this.\

Thanks!

 

[Rickb119]

I wouldn't use drops as a measurement as every bottle will "measure" a little different. There are some that do use drops but they have measured the drops per ml for each bottle.

I agree with Danny in that 10ml is a good size for a little more accurate measurement.

As to the caramel cap, it's very strong but so very good! I actually bought my first (very small) bottle to make for a friend as I'm not a coffee drinker. Liked it so much I made some for myself and then ordered a larger bottle. Here's my recipe if you're so inclined.

2% Caramel cap-TFA
2% Hazelnut praline-TFA
2% Red USA-Hangsen
1% Sweet cream-TFA
1% Vanilla classic-FA
1% Irish cream-FA
1%-Dulce de leche-TFA
I also add 1 drop of stevia per 10ml. (I like sweet)

I would imagine that most of these could be substituted with something similar. No Red USA? Try a different tobacco flavoring, etc. Don't like Hazelnut? Leave it out.

For me, DIY is about creating something that "I" like. I first started out with a recipe I found for RY4. Tweaked it a little, liked it better and I'm still tweaking. I will admit that I have over tweaked at times so you have to be careful and tweak in small increments and with small batches. Like I've heard said, "Take my advise, I'm not using it".

 

[Bubba]

I started at 1% and it's a little weak. Thought I had a 1 mil syringe but smallest was 3 mil. so I used a dropper. I missed the part about making 10 mil so made 5. It's not unvapeable by any stretch, just a little weak in the flavor department.

how long do you let it steep before making adjustments? Some say not at all, others say weeks at a time

 

[Rickb119]

I use an ultrasonic to speed the steeping process. Tobaccos take the longest. Fruits (from what I've read) and coffee (from what Danny said) should be good right after mixing.

I too started at 1% and found it too week. 2% is just right for me.

 

[Bubba]

I use an ultrasonic to speed the steeping process. Tobaccos take the longest. Fruits (from what I've read) and coffee (from what Danny said) should be good right after mixing.

I too started at 1% and found it too week. 2% is just right for me.

So I should be good to add more flavor then. Hell, it's just 5 ml even if I ruin it.

What do you use to test your juices? I'm thinking an rda would be best but alas, I have none.

 

[dead not sleeping]

Drops are all over the board depending on what it drops from. We should refrain from using 'drops' in descriptions without saying from what. Most calculators account for this. An insulin syringe I use has a 28 ga needle. Tough and timely to draw anything up into it, but for the micro 1-4 ml test batches I do it works extremely well. The 28 ga needle will drop ~250 drops per ml. Thats a 12.5x difference from 20. If people post 'drops' in your descriptions please tell us from what you are dropping from, or better yet post percentages or mls. This would be extremely helpful for new diy'ers and remove a lot of potential errors in measurement.

 

[jkellems]

its really all about your preference all the posts i've read is exactly what i've found while doing research. I ordered a kit from vapeplay and they supplied me with syringes and 10ml bottles gloves etc. when i mixed my first few i put 1ml of flavoring into my 10 ml bottle. it's all about the specific taste your looking for i personally dont dilute my liquids but if you do decide to dilute it make sure you take that into account as you will need to adjust the percentage of everything except what your trying to dilute. hope this helps and best of luck on making future brews

 

[Bob Chill]

I have caramel cap. Someone posted 1-2 drops tops per 10mls so that's what I did. I did 3 drops in 15mls with 1.5% EM and it came out really nice. I was surprised because of people posting that it tastes like burnt tires if you don't do it right. I let it steep for 2 weeks before trying it. Turned a nice pink/purple color even with such a small amount of flavor. It's the only coffee vape that I've been able to mix and enjoy. I have kona flavor and everything I try tastes like crap.

 

[Bubba]

I'm thinking mine needs to steep as well. Hasn't turned color yet, still clear. I also have the kona and will be mixing it with caramel here soon

 

[ExMarbRed]

Bubba,
I love coffee vapes. I always have a 30ml (or more) of KBV Caramel Cappuccino on hand. But since I got into DIY I've been trying to find another I'd like as well that's a little easier on the pocketbook.

headinclouds posted this a while back and it's really worth trying. I didn't think the candy cane would be good with it but damn! It's really good and I haven't touched anything else since mixing this up last weekend. It's an easy two ingredient mix. Give it a try, you won't be sorry!

CLONE OF HALO'S TWISTED JAVA:
10% FW (Flavor West) Candy Cane
2% TFA Caramel Cappuccino (don't skimp)

edit: BTW, this has been mixed for 4-5 days and is still crystal clear and hasn't really changed much in flavor. The CC may be slightly stronger than it was fresh but this was wonderful fresh and still is.

 

[Huckleberried]

I wouldn't use drops as a measurement as every bottle will "measure" a little different. There are some that do use drops but they have measured the drops per ml for each bottle.

I agree with Danny in that 10ml is a good size for a little more accurate measurement.

As to the caramel cap, it's very strong but so very good! I actually bought my first (very small) bottle to make for a friend as I'm not a coffee drinker. Liked it so much I made some for myself and then ordered a larger bottle. Here's my recipe if you're so inclined.

2% Caramel cap-TFA
2% Hazelnut praline-TFA
2% Red USA-Hangsen
1% Sweet cream-TFA
1% Vanilla classic-FA
1% Irish cream-FA
1%-Dulce de leche-TFA
I also add 1 drop of stevia per 10ml. (I like sweet)

I would imagine that most of these could be substituted with something similar. No Red USA? Try a different tobacco flavoring, etc. Don't like Hazelnut? Leave it out.

For me, DIY is about creating something that "I" like. I first started out with a recipe I found for RY4. Tweaked it a little, liked it better and I'm still tweaking. I will admit that I have over tweaked at times so you have to be careful and tweak in small increments and with small batches. Like I've heard said, "Take my advise, I'm not using it".

Does the nuttiness in this recipe mellow out? I've mixed it, it smells AWESOME. I placed in a quick hot water steep, now it's settling in in a dark cabinet.

I appreciate the recipe!

 

[Rickb119]

Does the nuttiness in this recipe mellow out? I've mixed it, it smells AWESOME. I placed in a quick hot water steep, now it's settling in in a dark cabinet.

I appreciate the recipe!

The nuttiness is VERY light. The hazelnut praline is much more praline than hazelnut but yes, it does mellow out.