.I don't remember any commercial juices that suffered when I was vaping those
That is a fair judgement (at least; to me). However, keep in mind, commercial offerings are often(?) mixed at very high (compared to current DIY trends) flavoring percentages, and using specific ingredients. Short of using identical ingredients, and percentages, it is unrealistic (to me) to expect the same results. Because neither suppliers, nor percentages are revealed (for obvious business reasons), it is not "unreasonable" to get different results. No?
I always steep and test as I go...1 week 2 week and so on.
I am even more .... than that. I taste new/unfamiliar flavors (individually) immediately after mixing, at 24 hours, again at 3 days, and then weekly thereafter... until they seem (to me) to standardize, or diminish. This may not give me a true/complete picture of the concentrate's behavior; but it gives me a good basic (general?) understanding of how
I might best prefer to use the flavor in question. Only then... can I better judge how I might be able to use them.
The particular mix in question suffers less than most and has a reasonable strawberry profile even after a steep...it does fade/intermingle though.
I personally differentiate commingling/blending, and flavor fade. "Blending" is finding a stabilized, harmonious, balance... each individual flavor settles into a harmony with all the others. Verses "fade;" which is nothing more the the gradual, or sudden, loss of a specific/identifiable flavor note(s).
Individual concentrates will likely behave differently. I can take six different strawberry, or lemon concentrates, and each can (likely?) behave differently... at least for my taste buds. Some might be "fresh," other's might be "candy" or even "artificial." Some hold steadfast; while others may quickly bloom, and then just as quickly fad away. Each concentrate is different.. at least to my
cockamamie taste buds.
I have to say i'm not a fan of this add at the last minute idea although for obvious reasons it will work. IMO a mix should be able to stand up to the test of time....
And that is (at least in part) what you are paying for... the right concentrates, at the right percentages, to give you ( the consumer) a stable, enjoyable mix.
If we could all do it, we would put the commercial e-liquid manufacturer out of business. Instead, we chase "better" (whatever that is; more pleasing, more complex, more accurate) taste. We decide what we are willing to sacrifice: convenience, cost, longevity, patience, ???.
Often, though not always; commercial juice is based on high percentage-flavorings, that are both economical (aka. "cheap"), and simple (the fewer the ingredients the less complicated, and therefore the less costly to produce).
High percentages appeal to current/new-ex smokers damaged taste buds(plates). They may be more stable/less prone to flavor fade.
Simple(r) (aka. fewer) concentrates, lend themselves to more consistent results.
If you follow an individual's mixing timeline (more often than not), you will find both a reduction in percentages required, as well as fewer ingredients called for. I attribute this to both a recovering palate; as well as a better understanding of the ingredients used.
To me... it is like comparing a Southern Pit-Master, and a French Chef. Both are skilled; and yet can not replicate the other's results. Not, because one is better than the other. But, because each is skilled in their own ingredients, and preparation.
Likewise; the skilled DIYer knows their concentrates, and what each requires (percentages, aging, durability).
I use to vape some lemon profiles and tobacco like tribecca, torque 56, and loved jazzy boba.
Those are two very different profiles... at least to me. Tobacco (or tobacco-forward) profiles are slow, steady, and again slow-to-fade, profiles. While (most) lemons are fast to bloom, and then, just as quickly to fade. Of course, there are always exceptions to every rule.
I have a tobacco concentrate that I like in as little as three days; and no more than 21 days (the most common/popular/repeated belief is "all" tobaccos require "at least" a month). While I haven't found a lemon that survives two weeks; yet others say they have found a lemon that is stable for a month or more (ecig express Signature Lemon as one example).
Are we saying here that if I buy a strawberry milk commercial juice and sit it on the shelf for a few weeks it will lose its strawb. profile in say 4-5 weeks??
Honestly? I have no idea. I learned long ago, to only judge any mix on a case-by-case (maybe recipe-by-recipe would be better) basis. Typically(?), commercial e-liquids have tended to lean to high flavoring percentages, and substantial amounts of a sweetening agent. How these influence the longevity of a given e-liquid... I am completely ignorant.
My personal DIY journey has led to to a lot more, of smaller volumes, of a broader range of mixes. To compare it to food; I am no longer having to choose only between steak and lettuce salad. Instead, I am looking at more of a "what might I want for breakfast, lunch, and dinner... and while you are thinking about it; can you throw in a couple of snacks, and a bedtime nosh as well?" kind of mixing.
To be honest, I vape unflavored (just PG, VG, and nic; without flavoring) 90% of the time. But, when I do vape flavors, I enjoy them so much more. They have become my "treat."
Every ingredient behaves differently. And, every ingredient reacts differently with other ingredients that are included. That, to me, is why DIYing is as much an art, as it is a skill. I am fairly confident that I can take many/most other's recipes, and adapt them to my own demands. But, creating my own... from scratch... takes many more hours, and iterations, to arrive at an acceptable (to
me) result. I do not have the intimacy with the individual ingredients, that my peers, and superiors do. Not because I am a lesser mixer, or they are better. It is only because they have a better understanding (of the specific ingredients, and their own tastes).
Time (patience), trials (practice), and a willingness to learn and grow. Those are the marks (to me) that define a true DIYer. But, bottom-line; the real definition of any successful vaper; is the ability to stay away from cigarettes. If you can do that, are happy (not always dwelling on "how nice a cigarette would be right now." Then... you are doing what is right... at least for you!
I'm begining to think that I am a problem strawberry taster. I d'ont have too many profiles yet..I have sweet st (Cap), red touch and juicy (FA)
Strawberry (as I understand) is one of the more common flavors that is "can/can't" taste. If/when you decide strawberry is a flavor you just can't taste/enjoy... move on. You are not alone. I don't begin to understand it; but, there are more than a few, who share your inability to taste it.
It can be an issue of using too much, not enough, or just a concentrate you are unable to fully taste. Spend a little time with various percentages, and brands. But, if you can't find something that works for you... move on. There are just too many flavors, flavor combinations, to limit you to a "Yes or No" ultimatum.
Another thing I seem to be getting a lot is taste problems. What I am doing at the moment is mixing a lot of 30ml testers of new recipes and then mixing a bit more when I find one that clearly stands out. But with all of them I find that I need a rest. So I start vaping it an whayever flavour is coming over really strongly but then after a couple of days i can't taste it properly anymore.
First, 30mL "testers" is WAAAY too much. Unless it is a keeper, to my logic, you are just wasting resources. 5mL is sufficient for single flavor testers, and 10-15mL is adequate for flavor combinations. (For
me anyhow.)
Flavor overload is not uncommon. We, in the vaping community, will often refer to it as "vapers' tongue." This is a rather ambiguous condition referencing loss of flavor/ability to taste.
Back off of same/similar flavors. Hydrate (drink water), give a little extra attention to oral hygiene (brushing your teeth and tongue more often). And, be patient. If you have just recently quit smoking, ot like to eat lots of strongly flavored foods (and/or beverages), your palate can simply scream "uncle."
Be kind; keep your smoking, food, and beverage, choices to a minimum. Oils (plant, and synthetic) have a tendency to coat the tongue. Be kind to yourself; and give them a rest.
I'm vaping a vaporesso cascade with the mesh coil at 0.2 ohms. I have been consciously been keeping my total flavour %'s low eg 15ish max but more often 10-11. I don't change or clean the coil (well rarely) and just vape the new mix until the profile comes through...Any thoughts??
Total flavoring percentage can be all over the board. If it tastes good to you... stay with it.
However, based on the coil, resistance, and (assumed) power/temp settings; I would
guess that your are over-flavoring. Flavor, and heat, tend not to be good companions.
If you are most interested in "checking clouds," then reduce your flavors by 50-75%, and enjoy the clouds.
If your are all about the flavor; then reconsider your current setup. Higher resistance, lower power, often results in better flavor... but not so good with clouds. If you are looking for a happy medium; then that is going to take some experimentation on your part. only
you can define what is the acceptable medium between cloud and flavor.
I don't change or clean the coil (well rarely) and just vape the new mix until the profile comes through...Any thoughts??
Dirty, "gunked up," fouled coils, are often overlooked. Dirty coils can significantly impact the way an e-liquid tastes. From "full of flavor;" to "no flavor at all," can often be attributed to a dirty coil (and/or wick).
Testing new flavors/recipes, will (almost) always give you the best feedback, when clean.
This reply is ending up way longer than I wanted... if you got to this point, give yourself a gold star.
Bottom line; mix a
small batch, test-vape, and adjust as you think best. Repeat.
Just always keep your mind open to alternatives. You will find what works best for you. It is only when you decide "that can't work" that the doors begin to close.
I am wishing you all the best. Let us know how your experiments progress (our failures often teach us more than our successes). Don't give up. And, enjoy the ride. Welcome to the rabbit hole we call DIY!
7days dark drawer.
but my mixes have been on the mild side so thought that it was probably not possible. I'm going to break out my digiflavor mesh pro I think...I've just been a bit lazy because this cascade tank works so well...we shall see
