Rookie DIY'er questions....hoping for some clarification & guidance!

[Taylor7617]

Ok, wife and I are starting to move into the realm of DIY and made our first couple batches from the ejuice Me Up calculator. Turned out well but have started looking at some of the homemade recipes in the DIY recipe sub-forum. Here are my questions that I'd like to get answered. mod: if this belongs elsewhere, pls move.

1) For those that use UC's, is there a preferred model? Best place to buy? Or....better yet, is there a faster way to steep vs just letting it sit for a week?

2) Many recipe's say adjust EM to taste. Is this really a sweetener? What's the bottom line difference in this vs cotton candy or marshmallow (think I've seen these mentioned)?

3) Saw a comment on a recipe that said a Vanilla Bean or Vanilla Custard flavor contained Diacetyl (sp). Is this bad? or just bad for a device being used? WTH is it, lol....


Sorry for the noob questions, but I had a heck of a time trying to search for clarification on all these threads. Appreciate any and all guidance provided.

 

[MiamiMom63]

I can answer some of your questions, but I have only steeped the old-fashioned way by waiting and making my all day vape in advance on a rotation basis.

As far as EM, it's the same thing as Cotton Candy so I just use Cotton Candy. I'm not sure about the difference between EM and marshmallow though. I've used marshmallow slightly but not very much so I don't remember because it's been awhile.

As far as Diacetyl, it occurs naturally in the extraction of vanilla and some other creamy type flavors and is present in trace amounts at times. Some extracts state they are Diacetyl free. It is a very controversial subject as to whether or not people vape it, some do and some avoid it. I personally will catch alot of criticism in admitting that I personally love the vanilla cream organic from Natures Flavors which may contain traces of it. Some state the trace amounts are not enough to cause any problems. Others state you should just stay away from it just in case. Diacetyl is also present in pop corn made in a microwave. Some rare instances of an acquired fatal condition has been found in people working in areas with high concentrations of it in the air such as a factory that manufactures products that contain Diacetyl. Another report is of a man that acquired "popcorn lung", another phrase for the disease, because he consumed large quantities of microwave popcorn.

That's the short version of it. I'm sure others can be more scientific about it, or you can google "popcorn lung".

 

[awsum140]

1 - Ultrasonic cleaners will work faster, at least that's what everyone says. Check Amazon of Harbor Freight for inexpensive ones.

2 - EM, to me is more of a "smoothing" agent than a sweetener. I use it at 2.5% when I mix tobacco flavors and it seems to kill the "over the top" flavor and allow more of the true flavor to come through.

3 - Since I tend to stay away from confections, I don't worry about diacetyl. It appears to be something that you really don't want to inhale for long time periods.

One more general comment, the sweeter the liquid you vape the faster the coils will foul, gunk up, and require rebuilding or replacing. That seems to be a factor of the higher carbon content of sweeter flavors.

(to be read at double speed)
Just my opinion, worth exactly what you're paying for it. Your results and mileage may vary. No warranty or guaranty is expressed or implied. Proceed at your own risk. The end user assumes all liability and holds me completely without liability.

 

[Hoosier]

Ok, wife and I are starting to move into the realm of DIY and made our first couple batches from the eJuice Me Up calculator.

Cool. My wife would never be interested in mixing. She doesn't mind helping me cook though.

1) For those that use UC's, is there a preferred model? Best place to buy? Or....better yet, is there a faster way to steep vs just letting it sit for a week?

One thing to note, steeping in a controlled environment, like in a drawer in your house, always works like what happens to a large batch that takes weeks to finish. I'll use a hot tap water bath bump-start or a seed steep, but I've never gone to UC's.

2) Many recipe's say adjust EM to taste. Is this really a sweetener? What's the bottom line difference in this vs cotton candy or marshmallow (think I've seen these mentioned)?

EM, aka: Cotton Candy flavoring from Lorann's or TPA/TFA, does many things. Sweetening is one thing it can do. Smoothing is another thing it can do. I covered what levels tend to do what in my blog about unicorn tears and butterfly farts.

3) Saw a comment on a recipe that said a Vanilla Bean or Vanilla Custard flavor contained Diacetyl (sp). Is this bad? or just bad for a device being used? WTH is it, lol....

Naturally derived flavorings will have the D-word in them. Artificial, depends on who makes it. It won't hurt your hardware. It's up to you to decide for yourself if you're comfortable vaping it. Search it on the web or on ECF, and you should be able to find enough information to make your own risk assessment.

Sorry for the noob questions, but I had a heck of a time trying to search for clarification on all these threads. Appreciate any and all guidance provided.

Don't apologize, helping new folks is what most ECF folks enjoy doing. (And if they don't, they usually stay quiet.)

 

[Taylor7617]

Thanks all...........this does really help !

 

[jgoss]

I think that all of capella's flavors are diacetyl free if you want to go that route. I love their boston cream pie, vanilla custard, and butter flavors.