VG for diluting crystals?

[watson_5]

Everyone says just dilute Menthol or Ethyl Maltol
with PG or PGA. I don't have PG, and I didn't want
to use PGA.
Is there a reason VG isn't mentioned besides
difficulty dissolving the crystals?
TIA,
Watson

 

[eikon]

<post 11:11pm PDT>
....good question.... experimenting now....
</post>
<Update="12:08am PDT">
....1/8 tsp EM Crystals in 5ml VG - glass vial in hot water.
....only about half the EM has dissolved.
....putting vial into double boiler on stove-top.
</update>
<Update="1:40am PDT">
....after an hour in double boiler, aprox 3/4 EM dissolved
....will let solution cool and see what happens.
....thinking undissolved crystals will act as seeds...
</update>
<FinalUpdate="11:45am PDT">
....after sitting at room temp overnight, aprox half the crystals
....have fallen out of the solution
....Conclusion: the saturation point of VG is too low for it to be an
....effective carrier.
</FinalUpdate>

 

[eikon]

Anyone else have success with crystals dissolved in pure VG??

 

[LucentShadow]

I've tried it. VG will work, but it will not dissolve as much EM as PG will. If you don't want to use PG, you can make a weaker solution in VG, and just use more of the finished flavoring.

Heat will dissolve more quickly, but also gives a false indication of how much will stay suspended in the VG, as EM will re-crystallize when the solution returns to room temp, if you put too much in.

Unfortunately, I don't have a clear idea just how much EM that VG will dissolve, and I have no idea about menthol at all. I'd suggest trying about 1/2 of the finished amount of liquid that you want in VG, with about 1/4 of the suggested crystal amount for PG, and see how it goes. If they don't all dissolve, add more VG until they do.

 

[watson_5]

I also tried the same experiment(mostly). Same results -)
not surprising. A difference was, I poured off the dissolved
VG prior to cooling.
Lessons learned.
About half (not accurate) will dissolve in VG.
Anything more than 3-5 seconds in a microwave will change the
shape of small plastic bottles lol. eg. Do Not wait for 6!
Ty both.

 

[watson_5]

Menthol was much more reliable. 1/8 tsp
in 5 ml. A little heat and all dissolved.
Waiting not so patiently on glass bottles.

 

[eikon]

a soak in a nice hot water bath is much better than nuking the bottle IMHO

 

[patzi]

I just bought some EM from perfumers apprentice in liquid form. Should I be using crystals instead? Also, I'm trying to emulate Cignot's english toffee since they've discontinued it. Vicki gave me the recipe but didn't say how much EM to use. Thanks in advance

 

[eikon]

I just bought some EM from perfumers apprentice in liquid form. Should I be using crystals instead? Also, I'm trying to emulate Cignot's english toffee since they've discontinued it. Vicki gave me the recipe but didn't say how much EM to use. Thanks in advance

EM liquid is just the crystals pre-dissolved. It's cheaper to get the crystals and make it yourself, but you are fine. Start with 1 drop per 5ml and work up form there, it's easy to add, hard to take it away. If you could post what you have of the recipe somewhere, others with much more experience than me would be glad help out.

<!-- Edit -->
IF Vicki gave you the recipe in confidence, do not post it! Cignot is a great company and I'd hate to get you in trouble with them. (I got my first 510 starter kit, and my first eGo from them)
<!-- Edit -->

 

[watson_5]

Please do not read my posts w/o understanding I am brand new and this and just feeling my way around.

Heat will dissolve more quickly, but also gives a false indication of how much will stay suspended in the VG, as EM will re-crystallize when the solution returns to room temp, if you put too much in.

No sooner did I say the menthol was easier, even though it had plenty of time to cool,
it has recrystallized. A little more VG, some heat, and hopefully it will stay dissolved.

Eikon said it best, make your life easier, if you have liquid, use it -)

 

[LucentShadow]

No sooner did I say the menthol was easier, even though it had plenty of time to cool,
it has recrystallized. A little more VG, some heat, and hopefully it will stay dissolved.

Honestly, I don't think it's a big issue to get some crystals re-formed on the bottom of the bottle. It's just nice to get a good idea of how much to use for best saturation.

I leave the crystals there if the bottle is too full to add more VG, as they form a pretty solid mass, usually. If some bits do manage to slip out during a mixing session, they'll just dissolve in the less-saturated e-liquid, perhaps making it a bit sweeter than normal. I'll add a bit more VG later, when there is room.

 

[buffaloguy]

Use steady heat. Break out your glass bottles and put em in a hot water bath in the crock pot. I shake and heat... at 125°F for about three hours. I follow the same recipes I have written someplace for the pg solution of EM and menthol crystals I got on the forums.... and Ive never had crystals left undissolved. Ive only done it twice cause I dont use much em or menthol. But the 60ml bottle I made of em last year in VG is still fine.... all disovled.

Try steady heat for a longer period of time. Works for me.

 

[watson_5]

Yea lucent, that is what I did, top it off with more VG.
Only problem is that the crystals are rather significant.
I'd say 1/4 inch in a 4 inch tall 20 ml bottle.
Thanks buffalo, I don't know why I didn't think to try
a longer bath. I will try that now.
Once it was dissolved I figured that is
all that was needed and if they recrystallized then it
was over saturated.
Funny because I should be getting my PG tomorrow -)

 

[unloaded]

If I didn't want any PG or PGA in my juice I'd add a little distilled water to the VG. It should help dissolve the crystals much better.

 

[watson_5]

Ty unloaded. I don't know why I never thought of it.
Did I mention I'm noob?? hehe

 

[watson_5]

Oh, btw, the easiest and/or first to dissolve(menthol) actually turned
out to also be the first to recrystallize and the most to fall out of suspension.
Varying at times between 50 and 100 % of the recipe I read (1/4 tsp per 10 ml).

 

[clphoton]

What was the reason for not using pga?
Works best as solvent, and you only need to allow it to evaporate if you don't want to vape it.
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