The Flavor Apprentice Flavoring Thread

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Fantastic. Thank you. I got my shipping notice from WL for my order of 18 new to me flavorings. They should be here by Friday. I'm gonna have a lot of fun this weekend

Me too! Fun this weekend that is. Here's what I need to make, "requests" if you will:

1. My Cool Breeze menthol recipe in 24 mg
2. Cocoa Puffs )
3. Rice Crispies ) Always looking for good cereal recipes
4. Captain Crunch Berry )
5. Chocolate Covered Strawberries
6. Root Beer Float
7. Fudge Brownies....ala mode?
8. Cherry Cheesecake
9. Black Licorice
10. Red Vines - Red Licorice
11. Red Velvet Cake
12. Cinnamon Red Hots/Cinnamon Fireball
13. Oreo Cookies, and/or Cookies and Cream
14. A Signature tobacco Recipe
15. An Orange/Wintergreen Mix - Forgot who even wants this???
16. Fire and Ice
17. A straight Menthol
18. Crispy Cream Donuts
19. A new Fruit Loops recipe, mine can be improved
20. A new Strawberry Cheesecake - Not happy with the one I made a year ago

I can't imagine I can get all 20 done, but I'll be happy if I can get half of them done. In the old days, there would be no way, because I believed that all the samplers would have to "steep." Since I've adopted the good out of the can thinking, I go for very good immediately, knowing that they may/may not become great with steeping. This has substantially improved the time in which I can make mixes, and allowed me to make 150 good/decent recipes. Previously, I was happy if I could get one or two done in a month.

Also, I make new juices by the drop. One drop=1%. Very fast, very easy, and I can zero in on percentages and nuanced supporting flavors very quickly. Many of the new juices I already know the starting recipes as they are similar to what I've already done. A lot will depend on how good a starting base will be, how close it is to where I want it to go, and I won't know that until I find the sweet spot, and understand the flavoring....Taste testing is the only way. If I were going to make a bananas and cream, I would NOT start with a bananas and cream base, but, rather, bananas flavoring added to a cream flavoring. This is the only way I've found that is reliable to give me a full flavoring on the primary and secondary base flavorings.

Anyway, I've been out of the lab for a month now, and I'm really backed up, and need to rock and roll on these. Should be fun. Received 30 flavors this week, several new to me. So, a lot to do. I can generally get the sweet spot in ten minutes or less, and understand the flavoring as well. So, if I have say ten new flavorings, that's a couple of hours just to get the starting percentages and begin to craft ingredients and percentages for supporting flavors. Figure maybe an hour to "Get the Mix" right on each one. So, no way I can really do 20 new juices in a weekend. So, this is going to take me two weekends to do. Better prioritize, huh? Just some thoughts, and two cents....Ciao!

 

[tdtyler]

This sounds very good. Thank you Bill. I have everything but the Toffee. I ordered English Toffee. Is there a taste difference between English Toffee and just Toffee?

Bill answered no difference. This is great news! Thanks for asking, Mattie.

Tim

 

[tdtyler]

My Taifun Eye came today:

View attachment 372801

24 watts, .7 ohms, 23mm. Lovin' it!

And yes, Ginger, my Corgi had chicken nuggets for lunch...

What's on top of the Taifun?

 

[Borescoped]

How are the bottom feeders, my friend?

Well, I've got 4 now. Keep tellin ya to get one, but you've held out!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Slots]

Me too! Fun this weekend that is. Here's what I need to make, "requests" if you will:
5. Chocolate Covered Strawberries

Boy .. if you get that one figured out, please post
Chocolate covered Cherries or Strawberries are my "problem children"
Mainly (I think) because I haven't found a good, satisfying chocolate.
I've gone through about 6, and there's still more to try, but I gave up on that recipe until I find a good chocolate to start out with .. the fruit isn't a problem.

 

[renilyn]

I do make a separate base of the PG ingredients at 30% of mix overall. So, in the case of the apple pie at 30.5% flavoring, there would be no additional PG added, but some mixes have less than 30% flavoring, and I'll add PG to get to 30% PG. I keep these bases in reagent bottles and then mix in VG and VG Nic later, as strength dictates. In this way, my juices are always at a 30/70 PG/VG ratio. This eliminates steeping time later, or at least 90% of it.

In this way, the flavors are not only fully bonded, but, over time, become syrupy, darker, thicker, mature. While they don't instantly mix with the VG, they are ready to go by the time the air bubbles are gone, usually two hours, or less, later. Here's what that looks like:

View attachment 372448

Those are 500 ml reagent bottles, and I usually keep about 100 - 200 ml of base around in my 20 favorite flavors. These will then make about 330 - 650 ml of juice at a 30% base mixture.

Since I vape with 6 mg/ml Nic, I also keep my favorite flavors around as backups in 240 ml bottles and fully mixed and ready:

View attachment 372449

I'm slowly taking over this bar cabinet. Soon, I'll have to take the bar stuff out, and then it'll be the Juice Shack, or, whatever. And this is what the family uses every day for daily Juice:

View attachment 372450

These are 30 ml juice bottles, that get replenished from the 240 ml bottles, as needed. I usually keep 120 ml of my ADV CD here, as well.

Ok, so pardon my newness.... Does that mean yes? LOL I'm just headed into the DIY world and have a few things on order as of tonight. Since I'm only creating for my son and myself, I just flat ordered pre-made bases with nic. Yes, the lazy dog way to go, I know. However I figured that if I find that this is where I want to head for my ADV and make a bit for the kid in the meantime - it's not a bad thing.

I've spent more time reading the DIY information here than I have actually vaping! See... I'm really into baking (at home) and that seems to me to work on a similar wavelength as this. Perhaps I'm mistaken? Anyway, I ordered the basics of the flavors we are after and hope to see them by weeks end, Monday at worst. All of my flavors are TFA at this point because she seems to work along the way art side of flavor more than anyone else. I appreciate that. Besides, I've enough LA flavor from candy making to kill a horse lol

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance!

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

How I made Chocolate, step by step.

Start with a good deal of patience. First I thought through what ingredients I wanted to start with. In the case of chocolate, I thought this 14% flavoring would be a good start:

1. Double Chocolate - 2%
2. Bittersweet Chocolate - 2%
3. Milk Chocolate - 2%
4. Vanilla Swirl - 2%
5. Sweet Cream - 2%
6. Cotton Candy - 2%
7. Sweetener - 2%
8. PG - 16%

I would make up 6 test beakers, adding 64 drops (64%) of VG and 6 drops (6%) VG Nicotine (100 mg/ml) to each of the 6 beakers:



I added each of the ingredients, 7 at 2% (2 drops ea) plus 16 drops of PG to get to my 30/70 PG/VG ratio. This is always the same for me. I filled up my newly coiled and wicked Taifun GT and vaped for several minutes and made the following observations:

1. I can detect chocolate, but it's a little weak. Noted increase overall chocolates to 8%. Increase milk chocolate by 2%
2. A little more milk chocolate than the other two chocolates, which is interesting since the other two are 4% combined and the milk chocolate is 2%
3. The whole mix is flat. It doesn't pop at all. Noted increase sweeteners by 2%, Add vanilla Swirl to 4% to see what that does. Pop? We shall see.

New 20% flavoring recipe now looks like this:

1. Double Chocolate - 2%
2. Bittersweet Chocolate - 2%
3. Milk Chocolate - 4%
4. Vanilla Swirl - 4%
5. Sweet Cream - 2%
6. Cotton Candy - 3%
7. Sweetener - 3%
8. PG - 10%

I throw on a new mini tank on the GT, fill with the new mixture, and vape. It'll take a few draws before the new flavoring comes through. Between tastings, I vape a different flavor, something that will reset the palate. I have many, many mini tanks, and for just this reason....taste testing. I also have 5 GT bases coiled and wicked and ready to go if I need them. I am ready....all these setup measures require me to have patience. I remind myself it's the journey, not the destination, though I have a good idea where I want to go with this, i.e., a chocolate covering for a fruit, such as cherry or strawberry. I'm thinking dark chocolate with fruit, but I still like the taste of that milk chocolate. Maybe adjust chocos on next batch. I vape....

1. Chocolate is more pronounced....good, but it's still not popping.
2. Not as flat, was it the vanilla swirl or the sweeteners?
3. Something is missing.....but what?
4. I ask myself, would this be good with fruit? Answer: so-so, it's not great...
5. Think I'll punch the vanilla and see if that helps. Increase vanilla swirl to 6%, so

New Test Batch will look like this:

1. Double Chocolate - 2%
2. Bittersweet Chocolate - 2%
3. Milk Chocolate - 4%
4. Vanilla Swirl - 6%
5. Sweet Cream - 2%
6. Cotton Candy - 3%
7. Sweetener - 3%
8. PG - 8%

Notice the mini tanks, perfect for these little approximate 2.5 ml batches (38 drops per ml with these droppers):



I start vaping the new batch in the new tank. Definitely chocolate. Not as flat, but still not popping for me. Missing something....but what? Caramel? Also, I'm kinda wanting that chocolate syrup flavoring. More sweetener? Maybe, but it seems sweet enough, and getting sweeter with the vanilla swirl anyway. Yeah, let's add caramel, but how much? 2% maybe? What else is missing? Maybe butter? Butter scotch? Hmmm....Ok, let's add 2% butter and 2% caramel. See if that pops better. Now:

1. Double Chocolate - 2%
2. Bittersweet Chocolate - 2%
3. Milk Chocolate - 4%
4. Vanilla Swirl - 6%
5. Sweet Cream - 2%
6. Cotton Candy - 3%
7. Sweetener - 3%
8. Butter - 2%
9. Caramel - 2%
10. PG - 4%

Both the caramel and butter smell wonderful! These may be POP nuances. We shall see. Stir for 30 seconds. Smells better too. I vape a couple. Ok, that is better. I taste the caramel now. Do I want to? I wanted POP, now I have a new flavoring. Reduce to 1%? Probably. Interesting. The butter and caramel added a nut taste. That's pretty good. Did I want nutty? No, but this is tasty now. The chocolate is diminished now. What is this? This is a candy bar, and it's pretty good, too. I'm going to add this to my candy bar collection. Not sure which one, but this is not a new flavoring, I've tasted it before. Lucky me. Another accidental discovery! Why is it nutty? But, wait, I want chocolate. Where is the chocolate? This would be good with a little coconut, huh?

Whoa, Nellie....reduce caramel to 1%, add chocolate....the double chocolate I think. If 2% caramel can kill the chocolate primary, maybe I need more? Ok, add 2% double chocolate. What else? There's a lot of flavoring here now, just not chocolate flavoring, I smile.

Where's the rich chocolate syrupy yummy goodness? So, now reduce caramel to 1%, add double chocolate by 2%. I know that Bavarian Cream is very rich. Maybe with the extra chocolate, that I can taste with 1% less caramel, that might do something good? Do this now:

1. Double Chocolate - 4%
2. Bittersweet Chocolate - 2%
3. Milk Chocolate - 4%
4. Vanilla Swirl - 6%
5. Sweet Cream - 2%
6. Cotton Candy - 3%
7. Sweetener - 3%
8. Butter - 2%
9. Caramel - 1%
10. Bavarian Cream - 2%
11. PG - 1%

Now I'm running out of room. I don't like to make mixes over 30% flavoring as it messes up my 30/70 PG/VG ratio. But first, let's mix and vape this new juice.

First vape....chocolate.....good. Caramel dropped off as a secondary....good. This is a fuller chocolate....good. The Bavarian Cream did add richness and thickness and body. This is not leaning toward the milk chocolate any longer. This is a darker chocolate....good. Vaping, vaping.....this is good. It's not the syrupy sweet chocolate that I crave, but I'll bet I'll get that more with steeping. Works that way with everything else. Bavarian Cream and Caramel always adds a nice richness to the mix. I don't know that the bittersweet chocolate is doing anything, and may be flattening me out. May POP better without it....so, remove bittersweet chocolate. Creaminess is good, maybe 1% too much, but I'm not worried about it. I'm now thinking this will be a 30% flavoring, no PG added. What to adjust? Maybe this:

1. Double Chocolate - 5%
2. Milk Chocolate - 5%
3. Vanilla Swirl - 7% ) Let's just see, increased 1%
4. Sweet Cream - 2%
5. Cotton Candy - 3% )
6. Sweetener - 3% ) Go with 7% cotton candy, increased 1%
7. Butter - 2%
8. Caramel - 1% ) Do we even need this now? Drop and see if it hurts us...
9. Bavarian Cream - 2%, so now:

A new 30% Chocolate Flavoring for a fruit (cherry/strawberry)

1. Double Chocolate - 5%
2. Milk Chocolate - 5%
3. Vanilla Swirl - 7%
4. Sweet Cream - 2%
5. Cotton Candy - 7%
6. Butter - 2%
7. Bavarian Cream - 2%

Ok, this is good...with a steep, it may improve, who knows? Great? Possibly, I'm thinking good, not great. Time will tell. Adding the fruit may also add that syrupy yumminess I'm looking for. I'm going to add maraschino cherry to it now. 4%? Okey dokey. So, here now is:

Chocolate Covered Cherries:

1. Double Chocolate - 4%
2. Milk Chocolate - 4%
3. Vanilla Swirl - 6%
4. Sweet Cream - 2%
5. Cotton Candy - 6%
6. Butter - 2%
7. Bavarian Cream - 2%
8. Maraschino Cherry - 4%

Notice I reduced the chocolates, the vanilla and the cotton candy all by 1%. But remember I increased them to sorta hit my 30% flavoring on the chocolate. I don't think they are required at the 1% higher, and the cherry is sweet too, and needs "Room" in the mix, so we added it. Now to vape.

Ok this is too much cherry and not enough chocolate. So, I'll reduce cherry to 2%, increase chocolates by 2% (1% each), and see if that's the ticket. I know I'm close now. I want more a hint of cherry with the chocolate. Regarding Maraschino cherry, you could use cherry extract, or black cherry, as well. All about YOUR taste. I will try again with cherry extract to see if that's better for me.

Ok, tried the cherry extract and it was better for me, so I have a final recipe:

Chocolate Covered Cherries

1. Double Chocolate - 5%
2. Milk Chocolate - 5%
3. Vanilla Swirl - 6%
4. Bavarian Cream - 4%
5. Cotton Candy - 6%
6. Butter - 2%
7. Cherry (extract) - 2%

I consolidated the Sweet and Bavarian Cream into just Bavarian Cream. Just a personal preference. Ok, vaping now. Good. Happy with this now. Needs to steep. At the moment, I'm getting cherry primary on inhale, chocolate on exhale. Interesting. Those will likely blend out with steeping into a homogenous flavoring. This one is ok good out of the can. It will hopefully improve. I've made better chocolate covered cherries/strawberries with LorAnn and Lorann Naturals before, but I'm trying to stick to TFA flavorings on this thread. Also, keep in mind that I'm a little vaped out on this at the moment.

As an experiment, it went pretty well. 800 drops, 8 toppers, 15 droppers, 11 different flavorings, 8 beakers....I have some clean up to do now! As I'm vaping, I'm not 100% happy with the cherries at 2%. I could probably go 1 - 1.5% and be fine. It may need more cream to cut the cherry a bit as well, but I'm going to let this one steep for a wee bit. It's good out of the can, and that's my goal. Maybe it becomes really good, maybe not. Only time will tell. But, I wanted to walk through this exercise with you to show how I arrive at flavorings in 800 drops or less, and usually less.

No doubt this can be improved, but not by me, tonite! I'm ready to move on for the moment. Good luck to you all in your vaping endeavors! Ciao!

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

What's on top of the Taifun?

A Taifun GT sits atop the Taifun Eye.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Boy .. if you get that one figured out, please post
Chocolate covered Cherries or Strawberries are my "problem children"
Mainly (I think) because I haven't found a good, satisfying chocolate.
I've gone through about 6, and there's still more to try, but I gave up on that recipe until I find a good chocolate to start out with .. the fruit isn't a problem.

Just as an experiment, I made chocolate covered cherries above. I can't say it's great out of the can, or ever will be great. The truth is that we may not be able to get there with TFA flavorings. I know how to do it with LorAnn flavorings, but I made a good effort at it, and steeping and time may surprise me with some really good juice. In the attempt, I wanted to just show how I do it, my thought process, the steps and sequences, the choices we make along the way, etc. The fact is that we can't make a winner every time, but each effort teaches and gets us closer to our goals of good juice.

Interestingly enough, there was a candy bar discovery in there that was far better than the final juice recipe. An accidental discovery that was a pleasant surprise, so if nothing else, we accomplished that! Also, the last chocolate wasn't bad at all. I could vape that, and it will improve in time. The problems were at the end with the fruit, which I wasn't expecting, and I'm too tired to do anything about at the moment. Like you, great chocolates are very hard with TFA. I've had really good luck with chocolates as secondaries, and peanut butters and caramels as primaries, and have already posted a number of those type recipes. Anyway, gave it the old college try. Kindest regards!

P.S. When are you going to spill guts and post recipes? We need 'em!

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Ok, so pardon my newness.... Does that mean yes? LOL I'm just headed into the DIY world and have a few things on order as of tonight. Since I'm only creating for my son and myself, I just flat ordered pre-made bases with nic. Yes, the lazy dog way to go, I know. However I figured that if I find that this is where I want to head for my ADV and make a bit for the kid in the meantime - it's not a bad thing.

I've spent more time reading the DIY information here than I have actually vaping! See... I'm really into baking (at home) and that seems to me to work on a similar wavelength as this. Perhaps I'm mistaken? Anyway, I ordered the basics of the flavors we are after and hope to see them by weeks end, Monday at worst. All of my flavors are TFA at this point because she seems to work along the way art side of flavor more than anyone else. I appreciate that. Besides, I've enough LA flavor from candy making to kill a horse lol

Thanks in advance for any and all assistance!

Forgive me renilyn, but if there's a question for me here, or if I missed one earlier, would you please kindly ask it again?

Welcome to DIY. Crazy good juice times here, better, far less expensive, and easy to make, once you know how, and you can learn how right on this thread, and others. Regarding premixed nicotine bases, can you give me some detail as to what you actually ordered and what Nic level you actually vape at? Just want to make sure you get off on the right foot, so to speak. Thank you!

 

[tdtyler]

How I made Chocolate, step by step.As an experiment, it went pretty well. 800 drops, 8 toppers, 15 droppers, 11 different flavorings, 8 beakers....I have some clean up to do now! As I'm vaping, I'm not 100% happy with the cherries at 2%. I could probably go 1 - 1.5% and be fine. It may need more cream to cut the cherry a bit as well, but I'm going to let this one steep for a wee bit. It's good out of the can, and that's my goal. Maybe it becomes really good, maybe not. Only time will tell. But, I wanted to walk through this exercise with you to show how I arrive at flavorings in 800 drops or less, and usually less.

No doubt this can be improved, but not by me, tonite! I'm ready to move on for the moment. Good luck to you all in your vaping endeavors! Ciao!

This is EXACTLY what I needed. A "walk through" of the process. I can't tell you how much I know this is going to help me.

Now to go back through the whole thing and look at the gear, too.

My deepest thanks, Bill.

Tim

 

[renilyn]

Forgive me renilyn, but if there's a question for me here, or if I missed one earlier, would you please kindly ask it again?

Welcome to DIY. Crazy good juice times here, better, far less expensive, and easy to make, once you know how, and you can learn how right on this thread, and others. Regarding premixed nicotine bases, can you give me some detail as to what you actually ordered and what Nic level you actually vape at? Just want to make sure you get off on the right foot, so to speak. Thank you!

Dang, I thought it included the original message.

Ok, the basic question was:

Do you typically use a pre - mixed base to start with when you flavor?

I like 75VG/25PG/6-12Nic in my B&B juices-so I purchased 70VG/30PG/12Nic for myself and 70VG/30PG/6Nic for my son (his nic needs are little to none and isn't VG/PG picky at all- but we've found that the flavors aren't "right" for him with 0 nic). Mental theory is: if the VG/PG/Nic gets watered down, so to speak, with the flavoring-that's ok for us both.

I worked the math out on a few recipes, to see if the ratios would work out before I ordered, and they will - typically additional VG is needed to work it perfect in small quantities. (this is very similar when I bake breads for multiple tastes-start with a base of ingredients and where something gets "watered down", you add back the ingredient(s) to level up the base when needed)

Ok, so the original question is above [emoji2] My newb theory in the middle
And my new question is: am I even on the right track?

Btw, the two end flavors that are needed would be:

Mango (sweet w/ a slight bit of cream he says)

Butterscotch Cream (probably sickeningly sweet for most palettes, but what I require)

 

[renilyn]

Forgive me renilyn, but if there's a question for me here, or if I missed one earlier, would you please kindly ask it again?

Welcome to DIY. Crazy good juice times here, better, far less expensive, and easy to make, once you know how, and you can learn how right on this thread, and others. Regarding premixed nicotine bases, can you give me some detail as to what you actually ordered and what Nic level you actually vape at? Just want to make sure you get off on the right foot, so to speak. Thank you!

Dang, I thought it included the original message.

Ok, the basic question was:

Do you typically use a pre - mixed base to start with when you flavor?

I like 75VG/25PG/6-12Nic in my B&B juices-so I purchased 70VG/30PG/12Nic for myself and 70VG/30PG/6Nic for my son (his nic needs are little to none and isn't VG/PG picky at all- but we've found that the flavors aren't "right" for him with 0 nic). Mental theory is: if the VG/PG/Nic gets watered down, so to speak, with the flavoring-that's ok for us both.

I worked the math out on a few recipes, to see if the ratios would work out before I ordered, and they will - typically additional VG is needed to work it perfect in small quantities. (this is very similar when I bake breads for multiple tastes-start with a base of ingredients and where something gets "watered down", you add back the ingredient(s) to level up the base when needed)

Ok, so the original question is above [emoji2] My newb theory in the middle
And my new question is: am I even on the right track?

Btw, the two end flavors that are needed would be:

Mango (sweet w/ a slight bit of cream he says)

Butterscotch Cream (probably sickeningly sweet for most palettes, but what I require)

-Reni

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Dang, I thought it included the original message.

Ok, the basic question was:

Do you typically use a pre - mixed base to start with when you flavor?

I like 75VG/25PG/6-12Nic in my B&B juices-so I purchased 70VG/30PG/12Nic for myself and 70VG/30PG/6Nic for my son (his nic needs are little to none and isn't VG/PG picky at all- but we've found that the flavors aren't "right" for him with 0 nic). Mental theory is: if the VG/PG/Nic gets watered down, so to speak, with the flavoring-that's ok for us both.

I worked the math out on a few recipes, to see if the ratios would work out before I ordered, and they will - typically additional VG is needed to work it perfect in small quantities. (this is very similar when I bake breads for multiple tastes-start with a base of ingredients and where something gets "watered down", you add back the ingredient(s) to level up the base when needed)

Ok, so the original question is above [emoji2] My newb theory in the middle
And my new question is: am I even on the right track?

Btw, the two end flavors that are needed would be:

Mango (sweet w/ a slight bit of cream he says)

Butterscotch Cream (probably sickeningly sweet for most palettes, but what I require)

-Reni

Does this seem repetitive? Oh well....

Your first question was "Do you typically use a pre - mixed base to start with when you flavor?"

Not in the sense that you have outlined. I add 100 mg/ml Nicotine in VG to my mixes at 6% of solution, or 6 mg/ml.

Regarding your starting 12 mg/ml base, if you wanted to end up at 50/50 PG/VG using say 30% flavoring like in the Chocolate Covered Cherries Juice, you couldn't. the best you could do is 55% PG (assuming your flavoring is all PG), and 45% VG, which you would have to add. The highest you could go on Nic is about 8% (slightly higher), but your PG would go to about 66%. I recommend you get at a base mix with at least 30 mg/ml, so you could make a 50/50 PG/VG solution at 12 mg/ml. It's less expensive this way too.

Mango Custard:

Mango - 11%
Cotton Candy - 7%
Vanilla Custard - 6%
Bavarian Cream - 6%

You could make this with your Nic base and the juice would be 55% PG/45% VG at 6 mg/ml.

Butterscotch Cream:

Butterscotch - 5%
Butter - 2%
Jamaican Rum - 2%
Strawberries and Cream - 3%
Sweet Cream - 2%
Bavarian Cream - 3%
Cotton Candy - 6%

Flavor and sweeten both to taste. They are yummy. I think that's it for your questions. Because of dilution and the need for flexibility, you really need about 3x your Nic in a 50/50 base to meet your Nicotine and ratio goals. If you use Nic in 100% VG, you only need twice the Nic (2x). That makes sense? Do you use the Juice Me Up Calculator? Good luck, and thank you for the kind words. Ciao!

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

This is EXACTLY what I needed. A "walk through" of the process. I can't tell you how much I know this is going to help me.

Now to go back through the whole thing and look at the gear, too.

My deepest thanks, Bill.

Tim

Thank you Tim, I not only wanted to try and make a decent Chocolate/Chocolate covered cherries for Slots, but wanted to use the process to explain how you can be all over the place in the mix and still land on your feet, so to speak. The Choco/Cherry is considerably better now 3+ hours later. The missus tried it and thought it was pretty good, and was able to identify what we were shooting for, i.e., choco covered cherries, so, I'm good with it. This may steep out and become really good. We'll see.

Regarding the gear, I used the same base, coil and wick and traded out tanks for each test taste. FT has the mini tanks for about $20 for the bunch, as I recall, but it makes it really easy, and I'm not trying to taste the mix and decide in 5 drops or less! It can take me a dozen draws to really get a feel for the vape mix, and I can't do this without a lot of "drops." The mini tank will hold 2-3ml's, perfect for taste testing. I use a Taifun GT base setup with mini tanks/caps. Here's the Taifun:

$19.65 Taifun GT Style Rebuildable Atomizer (5.0mL) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

and here's the mini tanks:

$2.15 Replacement PC Colored Nano Tank for Taifun GT - foggy / w/ acrylic top cap at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

The Tasting mix beakers I use are:

213D24 Karter Scientific 100ml Glass Low Form Griffin Beaker (Pack of 12): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

The droppers/pipettes I use are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088ARCUU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The mixing glass rods I use are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009RQX5AU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My mixing and steeping regent bottles are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FRFLEU/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My Reagent bottles that hold my Flavoring Bases are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FRFLS6/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's about it for gear. Thus far, this setup has been the very best way to taste test juices with the 100 drop method. Overall, all in, about 30 ml's total to make this mix including Nic, carrier bases and flavoring. Works really well for my purposes. I should note that I have permanent vaper's tongue. I think I lasted tasted flavors in 1976, so my taste is only reliable for me, and not for everyone. Strangely, others seem to like my juice, even the ones that can taste.

 

[tdtyler]

Thank you Tim, I not only wanted to try and make a decent Chocolate/Chocolate covered cherries for Slots, but wanted to use the process to explain how you can be all over the place in the mix and still land on your feet, so to speak. The Choco/Cherry is considerably better now 3+ hours later. The missus tried it and thought it was pretty good, and was able to identify what we were shooting for, i.e., choco covered cherries, so, I'm good with it. This may steep out and become really good. We'll see.

Regarding the gear, I used the same base, coil and wick and traded out tanks for each test taste. FT has the mini tanks for about $20 for the bunch, as I recall, but it makes it really easy, and I'm not trying to taste the mix and decide in 5 drops or less! It can take me a dozen draws to really get a feel for the vape mix, and I can't do this without a lot of "drops." The mini tank will hold 2-3ml's, perfect for taste testing. I use a Taifun GT base setup with mini tanks/caps. Here's the Taifun:

$19.65 Taifun GT Style Rebuildable Atomizer (5.0mL) at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

and here's the mini tanks:

$2.15 Replacement PC Colored Nano Tank for Taifun GT - foggy / w/ acrylic top cap at FastTech - Worldwide Free Shipping

The Tasting mix beakers I use are:

213D24 Karter Scientific 100ml Glass Low Form Griffin Beaker (Pack of 12): Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific

The droppers/pipettes I use are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0088ARCUU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i02?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The mixing glass rods I use are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B009RQX5AU/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My mixing and steeping regent bottles are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FRFLEU/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

My Reagent bottles that hold my Flavoring Bases are:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B008FRFLS6/ref=wms_ohs_product?ie=UTF8&psc=1

That's about it for gear. Thus far, this setup has been the very best way to taste test juices with the 100 drop method. Overall, all in, about 30 ml's total to make this mix including Nic, carrier bases and flavoring. Works really well for my purposes. I should note that I have permanent vaper's tongue. I think I lasted tasted flavors in 1976, so my taste is only reliable for me, and not for everyone. Strangely, others seem to like my juice, even the ones that can taste.

Impossible to place on value on the generosity of sharing all this info. It would take many moons for me to arrive at the eminently workable tools in this message. Thank you, Bill. Seriously grateful for your generosity.

Tim

 

[clnire]

Great info Bill! Thanks!

I am working on a Blueberry Vanilla Cake. So far the "best to me" variation so far is:

Vanilla Cupcake 11%
Blueberry, wild 8%
Vanilla Swirl 2%

But it is still kinda flat. I am tempted to add some Bavarian Cream for more creaminess, but thought I would throw it out here for some feedback. I have several little 3 ml bottles of experiments going on (all labeled and with detailed notes taken in my notebook). I have a separate little box for them all!

Thanks in advance for all your help with everything Bill and everyone. I am learning so much just reading and tinkering... I have not gone whole hog into DIY yet, but I have lots of flavors and enjoy experimenting when I get the time. Not enough of that (time).

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Great info Bill! Thanks!

I am working on a Blueberry Vanilla Cake. So far the "best to me" variation so far is:

Vanilla Cupcake 11%
Blueberry, wild 8%
Vanilla Swirl 2%

But it is still kinda flat. I am tempted to add some Bavarian Cream for more creaminess, but thought I would throw it out here for some feedback. I have several little 3 ml bottles of experiments going on (all labeled and with detailed notes taken in my notebook). I have a separate little box for them all!

Thanks in advance for all your help with everything Bill and everyone. I am learning so much just reading and tinkering... I have not gone whole hog into DIY yet, but I have lots of flavors and enjoy experimenting when I get the time. Not enough of that (time).

Good start to what looks like a great recipe. I would increase vanilla swirl and taste (6%). If not too sweet, I would add cotton candy or sweetener (4-6%). Bavarian Cream (3-5%) combined with cotton candy and vanilla swirl is just like the candy man says. It makes the world taste good. Sorry....

I prefer the blueberry flavoring (NOT wild) for its sweet fruitiness, just as I prefer Strawberry (NOT ripe) and banana (NOT ripe). They have their places in our juices, we just have to pick our spots carefully with them. That is not to say that YOU wouldn't like the Wild better. Just a preference for OUR tastes, but just throwing it out there for consideration. I think you're right there with those changes. Please share when you get it to Nirvana, because that is where you are headed, my friend!

Your juice is about to take off!

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

By the way, I generally taste test juices at 9 watts, though I vape at 11-12 watts generally. Helps me get a little better handle on the flavoring when I'm not super heating it. With off the shelf gear, I would probably taste test at 7 watts. I use standard kanthal, 29 gauge, and KGD wicks. I now feel so naked and exposed... You guys now know everything....almost....

Your juice is about to take off!

 

[renilyn]

Does this seem repetitive? Oh well....

Your first question was "Do you typically use a pre - mixed base to start with when you flavor?"

Not in the sense that you have outlined. I add 100 mg/ml Nicotine in VG to my mixes at 6% of solution, or 6 mg/ml.

Regarding your starting 12 mg/ml base, if you wanted to end up at 50/50 PG/VG using say 30% flavoring like in the Chocolate Covered Cherries Juice, you couldn't. the best you could do is 55% PG (assuming your flavoring is all PG), and 45% VG, which you would have to add. The highest you could go on Nic is about 8% (slightly higher), but your PG would go to about 66%. I recommend you get at a base mix with at least 30 mg/ml, so you could make a 50/50 PG/VG solution at 12 mg/ml. It's less expensive this way too.

Mango Custard:

Mango - 11%
Cotton Candy - 7%
Vanilla Custard - 6%
Bavarian Cream - 6%

You could make this with your Nic base and the juice would be 55% PG/45% VG at 6 mg/ml.

Butterscotch Cream:

Butterscotch - 5%
Butter - 2%
Jamaican Rum - 2%
Strawberries and Cream - 3%
Sweet Cream - 2%
Bavarian Cream - 3%
Cotton Candy - 6%

Flavor and sweeten both to taste. They are yummy. I think that's it for your questions. Because of dilution and the need for flexibility, you really need about 3x your Nic in a 50/50 base to meet your Nicotine and ratio goals. If you use Nic in 100% VG, you only need twice the Nic (2x). That makes sense? Do you use the Juice Me Up Calculator? Good luck, and thank you for the kind words. Ciao!

Bill,

Yes, outlined that way, it makes perfect sense to me. And yes, I do have that calc, but have only recently downloaded it. I was using good ole math and some other calc I found in the Google Play Store for my phone/tablet. I like this new one much better! Thank you for your recipes and your time. You're AMAZING!

(and you're welcome for the other [emoji6])

Me