Troubles with DIY

[MelvinTheDude]

I'm new to DIY and I haven't found recipes for the flavors I'm interested in, so I'm fumbling through my first days trying. The flavoring % guide is even missing this stuff. All my mixes are either 55/45 or 60/40 (I stupidly did not order extra PG to dilute and I'm aiming for 16-18mg)

First, a general question: How important are Koolada and Maltol Ethyl exactly? It seems like I am missing sweetness from just about everything. I wonder how much of it could be adjusting the amount of flavor vs. does it really need sweetener.

Should I try Koolada? most of my experiments so far have dried me out because it's just too warm compared to premixed juices. Top suspect is PG base and PG/VG ration, but even higher nic stuff with more PG I've gotten is less harsh. Is the use of Koolada on fruit type and candy flavors common?

The flavor I thought would be easiest was TPA Hawiian Drink. Mixed at 10%. It was nasty right after mixing, but settled down with a day. It's been 72 hours now but I would best describe it as "warm, less sweet Hawaiian Punch that hurts my throat." Not throat hit, mind you. More like a harsh coating. I'd be interested if anyone has some any tips on how I could bring in a bit more fresh fruit and reduce the harshness.

My green apple Jolly Rancher adventure is something else. I think it will take a more complex mix of green apple, apple candy and sour with the possible addition of another flavor.

I was excited about the possibility of TPA Energy Drink, but that is not very good straight at 5%-10%. I'm going to attempt 1% TPA Raspberry. Does anyone mix Energy Drink with something else?

I like Dekang RY4, which is a much drier, non-sweet RY4. I tried Mt. Baker RY4 and that was a turn off. I got the TPA Asian RY4 because it sounded like it would be that. At 10%, it tastes like... urine... to be quite honest. I'm going to try it with a higher % and see if that helps, but was I wrong to to thing Double RY4 or Type-1 would be too sweet? I've seen AP and caramel as adders, but should I just get a different RY4 type to begin with?

TPA Citrus Punch turned out disgusting at 10%. I'll try lowering the % and adding EM, but it's just a crazy syrup taste. More like Country Time Lemonade sludge.

That's round one.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

I made the Asian RY4 at 8% iirc and it was strong enough for me but I don't really care for it. RY4 is too floral for my taste. RY4 Double on the other hand is my favorite flavor (EDV). I mix it at 8% and add 1 drop of AP per 5ml for nuttiness (Halo Tribeca clone). For a sweeter treat, I add 2-3% Caramel and 2% Vanilla Swirl (or Bavarian Cream if you prefer). I'm vaping that mix as I type.

To me koolada is sort of like menthol without as much taste. What I mean by that is it gives me the same hit in the back of my throat that I got if I accidentally hit a menthol cigarette when I use to smoke (I wasn't a menthol smoker). EM I really don't use even though I have it. Good luck!

Cheers,
Steve

Edit All flavors I mentioned above are TFA

 

[flowerpots]

First, a general question: How important are Koolada and Maltol Ethyl exactly? It seems like I am missing sweetness from just about everything. I wonder how much of it could be adjusting the amount of flavor vs. does it really need sweetener.

Koolada should be used sparingly, in my experience, 1-2 drops/10ml. It has a cooling effect, not minty or menthol, but like cool/icy feel. It pairs well with fruits, but don't over do it. It does not add any sweetness. EM does add sweetness and mouthfeel or texture. But, it will change the way your recipe tastes and should also be used sparingly. It can add richness, texture, and moistness to a recipe at the right %. I am fairly new to DIY also and have not yet worked with EM, so I can't say exactly what it will do for a recipe, just passing on information I had read here on the forums. I would dilute a very small amount into a teaspoon of PG and test it on your tongue, see what it does, how it feels. This will give you the best idea of what it will do for a recipe.

Is the use of Koolada on fruit type and candy flavors common?

For vendor juices, I think so. Once you've tasted koolada, you can easily spot it. Try this one on your tongue also, mixed with either cool whip or PG. This is how you can tell what it will do for your recipes.

The flavor I thought would be easiest was TPA Hawiian Drink. Mixed at 10%. It was nasty right after mixing, but settled down with a day. It's been 72 hours now but I would best describe it as "warm, less sweet Hawaiian Punch that hurts my throat." Not throat hit, mind you. More like a harsh coating. I'd be interested if anyone has some any tips on how I could bring in a bit more fresh fruit and reduce the harshness.

For an sugary sweet, like the hawaii drink, you could use sucralose. Try from 1%-4%, depending on how sweet you are wanting it to be.

Many recipes are tied in well with additions like: EM, Smooth, Magic Mask, Koolada, creams, lemon juice, distilled water, vinegar, saline.

 

[DetraMental]

I always make a small 1ml-3ml batch of each individual flavor to taste in a 510 atomizer before I ever mix up a batch. I need to know how it's gonna taste, what type of flavor it has on inhale and exhale. Is it sweet, sour, tart, flat, etc.... Would it be better as an additive or as a base? Things like that. I hope someone can help you with your flavors. I use TPA and haven't had any of the problems you're experiencing. Have you tried just vaping your base without adding any TPA flavors to see if it's the pg/vg or nicotine causing the harshness?

 

[flowerpots]

First, a general question: How important are Koolada and Maltol Ethyl exactly?

This is directly quoted from Hoosier's blog, which I highly recommend you read: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...diy-mixing-staples-misc-blending-flavors.html

"EM = Ethyl Maltol. You may as well tie one hand behind your back if you do not have some of this in your stash of stuff. (Two flavoring companies that I know of also sell this in a 10% solution as Cotton Candy Flavoring.) I use EM in a 10% solution and here is what it does:

Tiny Bit (A fraction of 1% in your mix) - Gives a "body" to the vapor and may slightly reduce sharp notes.
A Bit (Close to 1% +/- in your mix) - As above but will take the edge off sharp notes and may very slightly sweeten.
A Bunch (1%-5% of your total mix) - As above plus sweeten
A Load (10%+ of your total mix) - Cotton Candy flavor"

 

[township]

I like Dekang RY4, I also like TFA Asian RY4. They don't really taste alike though. Calling the Asian RY4 "urine" tasting at 10% was probably an understatement. It is a STRONG flavor. Try mixing around 3% and go up from there if you feel it necessary. I like it around at 3%, at 5% I think it is even a little strong.

Can't help with the fruit flavors, never tried 'em. Good luck

 

[MelvinTheDude]

Thanks, township! I had read on the forum that the mix was 10-15%, but in hindsight that just sounds crazy.

One thing that helped with the Hawaiian Drink is I changed the coil... oops. Still warm, less sweet Hawaiian Punch, but it got rid of the sore throat and is very tolerable. It might not be great, but it won't go to waste. This requires 24 hour steep, but hasn't changed much since. Will try .5% EM before adding other fruit tones.

Trying a lower mix of 7.5% TPA Citrus Drink right now. I'm sure by the taste and smell, it's going to need a mixer. I thought it was going to be Mountain Dew but it's much less a soda and more of a lemon syrup.

 

[MelvinTheDude]

So TPA Citrus Punch at 7.5%, 50/50, ~16mg immediately after mixing...

Very, very light Country Time lemonade-type flavor on a cotton wicked RBD at 6.5 watts. Loses flavor at 7 watts. It's my experience that the flavor starts coming out within 24 hours. Will retest and possibly add more flavor, but it seems promising.