Relationship between percentages & steeping?? Also, best VG?

[mzlynnem]

I've had this thought bugging me for the past couple of weeks, and would like to hear others' experiences and thoughts on the matter. There seems to be two pretty large camps, each insisting that their percentages bring stronger flavor. Not surprising, but it struck me odd that the percentages are so far apart. We have some people saying, for example, 2-6% total flavoring (excluding tobaccos here) makes flavors strongest. Others insist it needs to be more in the 15-25% range.

What I began to notice- when it was mentioned- is that people mixing in the low range are vaping their mixes pretty much right away, or at least within the first few days. And I remember seeing more "steep time" notes on recipes with higher total flavoring percentages. I know some flavorings are more concentrated than others... So let's just say for example TFA and Capella's. Especially TFA... I see numbers ALL OVER the board for many of their flavors, as well as total flavor % in recipes. I know, I should just give it a shot, and I will, but I'd rather hear comments on this first... Just to see if a consensus has already been established, or if I'm just seeing something that isn't there.

________________________________________________

My other question is, simply, which brand of VG do you prefer? I've used Nude Nic's VG mostly, but it has this inherent syrupy-sweet taste that messes with my mixes a LOT. I know VG is supposed to be sweet, but is there perhaps a brand or two with minimally invasive taste? I do care about quality... Didn't like WalMart VG. Thanks!

 

[Heabob]

Percents are based on taste buds, your own...
Higher percents generally require more steep/melding time.
Same for high VG mixes but DW helps with that issue.
Best VG is what "you" like best, as some can taste a difference, some can't.

All the VG I've tried have a sweet taste, I think, just because it is Glycerin after all.

You could try 80/20 for less sweet.

 

[DeloresRose]

In my limited experience, it seems the people who use low flavor percentages are using a dripper, and the ones who use higher percentages, say 10 to 20%, are using clearomizers. How long each of us steeps is a whole different convo. I prefer bakery flavors after a couple weeks, but some fruits seem okay right away. Blueberry is my exception. I made several fruit samples and blueberry was most disappointing until it had sat three weeks. Now, it's the best of the bunch. Go figure.

I've used TFA, FA, Cap, and a couple others, but none of the super-concentrates yet.

I've only used VG from Essential Depot, so I can't comment on that. I don't find theirs too sweet, for what it's worth, but I tend to never find anything too sweet.

 

[clh2121]

Here's my 2 cents.... Multimix flavors usually like some steep time. It allows them to blend and mellow and play nice. Single flavors don't always need to. Creams and tobacco need time to settle in to. However, some fruit flavors when mixed in certain %'s seem to play well right of the bat. Flavor % are essentially the same as spices in cooking... You may <3 lots of red pepper, and I may hate it.
No one is EVER going to agree 100% on any of that.

For VG I use Essential Depot... I've had a few others, but this is my current and best so far. YMMV

 

[DetraMental]

I agree with Heabob, Delores, and Clh2121....they've pretty much covered it. I buy a 50/50 mix for my base mix so I get the best of both worlds, throat hit and vapor. It's the same brand whether I order it from Wizard labs or Ecigexpress. I have found that the more flavors I have in a recipe the longer the steep time, not that it isn't pleasant right at the start, it just gets better over time as it melds. The simpler the recipe the less it needs to age, as with fruit. It's true that you don't need to go with higher percentages if you drip or use a RBA but do need them if you use a clearo, I found this out the hard way! Cough cough...

 

[Wingsfan0310]

My theory is people who are using 20-25% of a single flavor (I'm not talking about complex 6+ flavor mixes) are overflaving. In that case I can see why long steeps would be needed in order to evaporate some of the flavor away. I mix lighter in general (other than a few 6-7 flavor mixes) and find they for the most part are shake and vape. Some get marginally better tank by tank, but not a night and day difference. I'm sure I'm in the minority in my way of looking at steeping, but I honestly believe for the most part, if you have a good recipe (ie not overflavored) and quality ingredients, that steeping is generally over-rated. Just my opinion.

As for the VG, I use Essential Depot and find it has a slightly sweet taste, but not overly so. I haven't tried them all, so I can't speak to which brand is best. I can say that I've been very happy with my Essential Depot VG & PG.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[mzlynnem]

Thanks for being so helpful. I try hard to find answers so I don't have to post questions, but when I do post a question, it's very nice to see how many people here take the time to help me out... Even though it may be a question that has been answered a thousand times.

There is some great info on this thread already, and I really do appreciate it. So challenging to play catch-up with something that is still evolving relatively quickly. Interesting bit about the difference between juice used in clearo or RBA, and nice general steeping guidelines. Hopefully I'll have something to really contribute to the forums in the not-too-distant future. In the meantime, thanks again.. I learn a LOT on ecf alone!

Ah, I just remembered another question I had, sorry. I wonder if there is any additive/flavoring that would tone down the VG sweetness without killing my flavorings? Bitter Wizard sounded like an option, but that stuff kind of scares me. Going to order a different brand, but in the meantime have over 200ml Nude Nicotine VG I'd like to use or at least experiment with it so it isn't wasted.

 

[clh2121]

I use a 10% citric acid to tone down sweetness. Some use vinegar. Its trial and error there too... I mixed up my base (10ml) and added one drop at a time until it was neutral tasting... That is the one place I use drops.

 

[Aheadatime]

%'s are relative to the company being used. For flavor west, its not uncommon for me to use 10% and above. For hangsen, flavour art, or inawera, I'd puke if I used that much. For TFA, some of them are low % and some are high %. There is no correct answer, as each company and flavor concentrate is unique. Thus, it just takes time and experience.

As for steeping, do what you like. Some use hot water baths, some use ultrasonic cleaners, some use good old time (myself), and others don't even steep. Get yourself a few drippers and just taste a drop every day as time passes and see what you think.

 

[Aheadatime]

Oh and I agree with WingsFan regarding Essential Depot VG.