Using Flavorings With Oil

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rbmayfield

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May 27, 2014
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I'm pretty new to this and just now considering the DIY route. I've been reading for hours on here and I guess I'm still a little confused as to whether you can use flavorings that contain oils (such as wintergreen oil or peppermint oil) in our juice or not and if so is there anything special you have to do with it. I know that oil wont vaporize, but I've gotten the impression that some people do indeed use oils. Maybe I've completely misunderstood, but that's the reason that I'd like to have some experienced input on the subject. I have a lot of trouble tasting my juice many days and the STRONG mints and menthols are about all I can actually taste sometimes. I'm sure hoping we can use oils, since they're a lot stronger flavors than the water based flavorings. Could I please get some advice from the ole pros?
 

boomerdude

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You can dilute oils with alcohol and then add them to your mix.

The whole point of vaping is to find flavorful juices that you enjoy. If you have trouble tasting your juice try a recipe that looks good to you from the recipe sub-forum. If you just started vaping you'll need some time for your taste buds to reset after smoking for however long.

What flavor of juice do you prefer?
 
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rbmayfield

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May 27, 2014
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I'm a 40 year pack to pack and a half a day smoker no more. It's been a little over 2 months now since I've smoked (Yipee!!! Never really thought I'd be able to say those words. :laugh: Do you think I'm needing longer to get used to this as opposed to smoking? I sure hope not. Anyway, I've been through the vapor's fatigue (tongue, mouth) a few times already, yuck. I taste food just fine, but not always my juice. I prefer the fruity and/or sweeter flavors (and do not like any of the tobacco flavors I've tried, and actually don't want something that reminds me of a cigarette!!!), but it seems like those fizzle out on me pretty quickly some days. I can almost always taste the mints and menthols, and I do really like the stronger flavored menthols, mints and wintergreen even though most pre-mixed juices are not all that strong. That is part of the reason I'm thinking DIY and the questions about using the flavored oils with stronger flavors.

So how much of what kind of alcohol? Is it good to inhale the alcohol, or can we leave it setting open for a while after mixing to let the alcohol evaporate? See, I told you I was new at this. They may sound like dumb questions to some people, but I'd rather not mess up and do something that's going to hurt me, well more than my 40 years of smoking already has that is.

Thank you for the advice
 

LeftCatcher

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Mar 10, 2010
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Atlanta, GA
I have just run into this problem.
I just tried to make a liquid from LA strawberry banana mix, which contains almond oil and some other additives that aren't in the TFA liquids.
The strawberry banana smells great, tastes like a birthday candle :(
The recipe I used is:
1.8 ml of 100mg/ml PG nic base.
2ml of LA straw/banana flavoring.
2.1ml of PG
4.1ml of VG
For a 10ml bottle.
All materials acquired from wizard labs.
How much alcohol should I cut it with?
Would you happen to have a link? Or should I just guess?...
If so what would be a good guess?


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
 

boomerdude

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Congratulations. It gets easier over time. Like you I smoked a pack and a half a day for fifty one years. I picked up an e-cig almost two years ago and haven't been tempted to smoke since then.

If menthol and mint is your thing, then by all means go for it. You can get Wintergreen, mint and menthol concentrates as well as menthol crystals for DIY. You'll be able to mix your juice to your taste and even start an nicotine reduction schedule if you want.

Buying an already pre-mixed base like 50/50 PG/VG 18 mg. nicotine base liquid makes things easy for a beginner. Most flavor concentrates are 100% PG so that will up the PG in your final recipe by a bit. I would suggest trying some Hangsen concentrates.

You can add Vodka or Everclear to an oil concentrate. Shake it and keep the top off for 15 minutes to let the alcohol dissipate. Then add the flavored oil to your base. Let it steep a few days and your good to go.
 

boomerdude

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Just a few drops of Vodka or Everclear. NOT Isopropyl Alcohol!!!! Shake the bottle, cap off for 15 minutes so the Alcohol dissipates. Then add the Strw/Banana to your base.

You need to let it steep awhile and I would suggest adding one drop of Lemon Oil per 5ml of juice. This will help enhance the fruit flavor.
 
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edyle

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Oct 23, 2013
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I'm a 40 year pack to pack and a half a day smoker no more. It's been a little over 2 months now since I've smoked (Yipee!!! Never really thought I'd be able to say those words. :laugh: Do you think I'm needing longer to get used to this as opposed to smoking? I sure hope not. Anyway, I've been through the vapor's fatigue (tongue, mouth) a few times already, yuck. I taste food just fine, but not always my juice. I prefer the fruity and/or sweeter flavors (and do not like any of the tobacco flavors I've tried, and actually don't want something that reminds me of a cigarette!!!), but it seems like those fizzle out on me pretty quickly some days. I can almost always taste the mints and menthols, and I do really like the stronger flavored menthols, mints and wintergreen even though most pre-mixed juices are not all that strong. That is part of the reason I'm thinking DIY and the questions about using the flavored oils with stronger flavors.

So how much of what kind of alcohol? Is it good to inhale the alcohol, or can we leave it setting open for a while after mixing to let the alcohol evaporate? See, I told you I was new at this. They may sound like dumb questions to some people, but I'd rather not mess up and do something that's going to hurt me, well more than my 40 years of smoking already has that is.

Thank you for the advice

You tastebuds are going to change alot over the next few weeks so be mindfull; what tastes ok today might not taste so good next month and vice versa.


A lot about taste in vaping is concerned with your hardware; so I'd suggest you pay more attention to hardware.
 

rbmayfield

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May 27, 2014
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Thanks boomerdude. So a couple drops of alcohol per bottle of flavoring? Does it depend on bottle size, maybe a percentage?? I've tried the pre-mixed mints and they just don't see strong enough to me (well 1 was pretty good, all the others are way too blah). They taste muted and just boring and almost flavorless. That's the reason I was wondering if oils could be used because I know from cooking that they're stronger than the others. Now I'd actually prefer to use the water based flavors, so if you, or someone else, knows of a particular brand(s) of mints, wintergreen, and menthol in water based formulas that are super strong enough to give me a quite strong finished product? Maybe I could add some to the very weak mint and wintergreen that I already have but don't like to use. I think I'm going to be one of those who prefer the much stronger flavorings in all flavors. Many of the fruity flavors that I've tried are pretty weak too. So I guess I'm going to have to find the flavor vendor(s) who offers the strongest flavors over all.

All help is GREATLY appreciated. Being new to the vaping world, I really do appreciate everyone's help!!!
 

rbmayfield

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May 27, 2014
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Iowa, USA
I am working on the hardware also. We've upgraded to vv batteries, and we're trying to find a clearomizer that we each like (oh yeah, both my spouse and I switched from cigarettes to vaping). I'm still trying to find the right clearomizer anyway. I've tried 4 different ones already and I'm not sure the one I have now is the answer either. I apparently let the single top coil types get too dry and end up with a burnt taste pretty quickly. I think the bottom coil may be a better option for me. I don't really want to carry a bottle around with me all the time, so I've not tried a dripping atomizer. I'll get the right mix of hardware and juice somewhere down the road. The trial and error just gets a little frustrating. Thank again to everyone for their help.
 

boomerdude

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A drop or three into the small dram bottles.

Have you tried any Kanger Evod's or Protanks? IMHO they are the best.

There really isn't any one brand that is stronger, some are more concentrated and so use less concentrate to base ratio. You mentioned Wizard Labs, so your using a really good base and nic. Try some TFA Wintergreen from Wizard at about 5% flavoring. Keep in mind that adding too much concentrate can actually muddy a flavor.
 

edyle

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Oct 23, 2013
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I am working on the hardware also. We've upgraded to vv batteries, and we're trying to find a clearomizer that we each like (oh yeah, both my spouse and I switched from cigarettes to vaping). I'm still trying to find the right clearomizer anyway. I've tried 4 different ones already and I'm not sure the one I have now is the answer either. I apparently let the single top coil types get too dry and end up with a burnt taste pretty quickly. I think the bottom coil may be a better option for me. I don't really want to carry a bottle around with me all the time, so I've not tried a dripping atomizer. I'll get the right mix of hardware and juice somewhere down the road. The trial and error just gets a little frustrating. Thank again to everyone for their help.

If you use topcoils, you might need to just give it a twirl to wet the coil area once in a while.


With bottom coil, the wicks are always wet because they are at the bottom of the tank, but on the other hand, because there are holes in the bottom of the tank for the wicks, you tend to get leaking/flooding.

for tanks i recommend the miniprotank2v2
http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/edyle/6350-faq-1-what-tank-new-user.html


for the latest/popular tanks there are the aerotank and the nautilus; both come with airflow control
 
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rbmayfield

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May 27, 2014
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Iowa, USA
Thanks again. I've been reading on here for MANY hours and I did see that info about using too much flavor, but thanks for the reminder. So Wizard Labs is a good nic base, that's good info to have. At this point, everything I do is pretty much a punt unless I get suggestions from the wonderful people on this forum like you. I have tried the protank mini, and it seems a bit too airy for me. Thought about plugging one or two of the air holes but wasn't sure if it'd hurt anything.
 

clh2121

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Air flow control sounds like it may be worth looking into. Thanks for the suggestion. Are they larger type tanks or smaller like the protank mini?

The nautilus is huge compared to the PT mini... it holds 5mls... It may work out or you since you're wanting a tighter draw. I'm not impressed with it myself, but some are. I haven't messed with those Aerotanks. Aspire also makes some smaller bottom dual coil tanks that have a similar style as the PT. I can't say as to the airflow on those either though.
 

edyle

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Oct 23, 2013
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Port-of-Spain, Trinidad & Tobago
Thanks again. I've been reading on here for MANY hours and I did see that info about using too much flavor, but thanks for the reminder. So Wizard Labs is a good nic base, that's good info to have. At this point, everything I do is pretty much a punt unless I get suggestions from the wonderful people on this forum like you. I have tried the protank mini, and it seems a bit too airy for me. Thought about plugging one or two of the air holes but wasn't sure if it'd hurt anything.

Won't hurt anything to plug a hole on the miniprotank; that's one of the good things about it; the airholes are accessible.
In fact to prime a new dry coil you can block the holes with your fingers and suck on the tip to draw liquid to the coil.
 
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