Want/need stronger flavor in my juices

[snssewell]

Hi,

been reading through some of the threads over the last few days, but now my eyes start to burn. Maybe I can get some more tips here that I have not found yet in other threads.

So I started DIY just because sometimes when I order my juices, my favorite juice is great and other batches are not so great. And I needed a new hobby anyway!

I ordered the flavor apprentice kit to get started and some additional flavors. I found the receipt for my favorite juice and am also willing to just play around and try new things. My all time favorite juice is Southern Freeze. Which is a mixture of Peach, Strawberry and Menthol, I also found an other receipt where koolada is also added, but I am waiting on that to arrive tomorrow.

The guy I used to get it from would mix it fresh and ship it to me and I would have it the next day, so lets say it would steep for about 1-2 days and then it would have a really strong Peach flavor and within a few days it would be steeped to perfection.

I mixed it the following way:
Nicotine 50/50 - 48mg (Strength 18mg)
TFA Peach 10%
TFA Strawberry 5%
Menthol 1%
PG 70%
VG 30%

It came out pretty lame. I could taste a little flavor, but it was pretty weak. I was expecting to at least taste the peach. I let it steep for almost a week and it's still pretty weak. Booooooooooo.

I tried TFA Citrus Punch to make Mt Dew type flavor as I like that too.
I added 15% flavor to PG 70/ VG 30.
I can taste it, but its not very great. Not really a TH either. I already went higher in PG cause PG is supposed to carry the flavor better than VG.

I've read in other threads that less flavor in the mix is sometimes more, so I didn't go straight to 20% flavor. Maybe I need to. Or are there any other combination I should try to make the flavor come out more?

All my juices are vapable, they are just not very strong in flavor. Makes me a little sad! Maybe I should try a different brand in flavoring? I read LA is pretty strong in flavor, but I also read somewhere that it is a bit oily tasting.

And I vape from my itazte MVP with a Innokin iClear 30S tank. So taste should be good if it was there!
I seen people use little trip tanks to taste their juices. Can someone help me out in finding some of those? That would probably be a better way to test the juices I make better.
Thanks in advance for any tips!!!

 

[flowerpots]

So I started DIY just because sometimes when I order my juices, my favorite juice is great and other batches are not so great.

Many people get bored with flavors, even their favorite ones. So, you aren't alone there. I switch between 5-7 flavors throughout the day and also find that my mood determines whether I like some juices or not.

The guy I used to get it from would mix it fresh and ship it to me and I would have it the next day, so lets say it would steep for about 1-2 days and then it would have a really strong Peach flavor and within a few days it would be steeped to perfection.

You may want to check with this guy to find out which flavorings he used, which brand and what % - if you can.

I mixed it the following way:
Nicotine 50/50 - 48mg (Strength 18mg)
TFA Peach 10%
TFA Strawberry 5%
Menthol 1%
PG 70%
VG 30%

It came out pretty lame. I could taste a little flavor, but it was pretty weak. I was expecting to at least taste the peach. I let it steep for almost a week and it's still pretty weak. Booooooooooo.

LorAnn seems to get mixed reviews. I know that TFA's Juicy Peach is a great flavor. You may benefit from trying a different brand of peach flavoring, if for no other reason, just to compare the two for later in your DIY endeavors. I have mixed 2 fruit combinations this week that are lame to me also, so I get that. But, sometimes, it's a matter of adding something else to enhance the flavors already there. Do you have nectarine? Or lemon? If you do, you may want to try a small % of those and see if it helps. The guy's juice may have had an ingredient that you can't discern, but that brings out the natural peach and strawberry flavors. There are other fruits you could try as well - maybe pear or mango, but again, only in a small % just to see if it helps your main ingredients to pop.

I added 15% flavor to PG 70/ VG 30. I can taste it, but its not very great. Not really a TH either. I already went higher in PG cause PG is supposed to carry the flavor better than VG.

Many fruits don't seem to offer a good throat hit. You may have to accept that with this juice. I know I have read that some people put PGA (pure grain alcohol) or DW (distilled water) to help bring out flavors in a juice and provide throat hit, but I'm not sure I would recommend the PGA. If you want to do either of these, I think the % is like 0.25-0.50 to start.

I seen people use little trip tanks to taste their juices. Can someone help me out in finding some of those? That would probably be a better way to test the juices I make better.

Thanks in advance for any tips!!!

If you mean drip tanks, then a simple 510 atomizer with a drip tip will be enough to get you started. These can be purchased for under $10 at most vendors.

 

[Rat2chat2]

Just my 3¢ (inflation) but sometimes when juices start tasting "meh" on me.......I'll vape unflavored for a bit and it seems to clean my tastebuds or something because when I go back to my flavors they taste better. I am not sure if this is what everyone talks about when they mention "vapors tongue" (http://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/ashtray-blog/2014/03/vapers-tongue.html)

I also change flavors many times a day. So my flavors each seem to taste great.

I hope some of the many suggestions that you get will help you through this. That is one of the best things about ecf. Good luck and happy mixing.

 

[snssewell]

Many people get bored with flavors, even their favorite ones. So, you aren't alone there. I switch between 5-7 flavors throughout the day and also find that my mood determines whether I like some juices or not.

The guy I got my juice from was a co-worker of my husband and just started his little e-juice business. I think he was still going through some trial and error maybe himself and that is why some orders of juice were awesome and others were .... well not so great!!

I used to switch between juice when I first started, but then got tired of wasting my money! So I would stick with 2-3 that I liked, but Southern Freeze was my ADV 99% of the time. That will be different now that I can make my own juices.

You may want to check with this guy to find out which flavorings he used, which brand and what % - if you can.

I was thinking about that too, but I don't really want to ask him if I don't have to. Since my husband used to work with him, it be kind of awkward and I don't want him to think I don't like his juice or that I am trying to steal his business! LOL.

LorAnn seems to get mixed reviews. I know that TFA's Juicy Peach is a great flavor. You may benefit from trying a different brand of peach flavoring, if for no other reason, just to compare the two for later in your DIY endeavors. I have mixed 2 fruit combinations this week that are lame to me also, so I get that. But, sometimes, it's a matter of adding something else to enhance the flavors already there. Do you have nectarine? Or lemon? If you do, you may want to try a small % of those and see if it helps. The guy's juice may have had an ingredient that you can't discern, but that brings out the natural peach and strawberry flavors. There are other fruits you could try as well - maybe pear or mango, but again, only in a small % just to see if it helps your main ingredients to pop.

I went ahead and placed another order of different brand juices (Hangsen, Flavor West, Signature, and Nature's Flavor) Those were some that I remembered reading about here on the forum. I was able to get LorAnn strawberry, but peach (of course - my luck) was out of stock! But I did get some other peach flavoring brands. For now I only got Peach and Strawberry so I can compare.

I read good and bad things about TFA as well, but I got the kit and the price was right for additional flavors, so I went with it. I also received my other shipment of TFA today and that had the koolada in it. I added a drop of koolada to the Southern Freeze I have mixed a little over a week ago, and I think I can taste a difference. I still had a small amount of Dew flavor in my Clearo, maybe that is the perfect mix, cause it tastes a lot better. So thanks for the tip to experiment with adding some other flavor.

If you mean drip tanks, then a simple 510 atomizer with a drip tip will be enough to get you started. These can be purchased for under $10 at most vendors.

Ok ok I think I know! Those were the things I used when I first started. Thanks for the info, now I know what I need to get.


I have another question. Does it matter what brand of PG/VG/Nicotine I use? Are some better than others? I know they don't really have taste, but does it alter the taste anyway depending on the brand, any experience with that? I hope that question makes sense. Or is the taste mainly depending on the flavoring only. I will definitely go back up on VG. The 70PG/30VG was a bit weak vapor wise. So I think 60/40 or 50/50 will be better for me.

 

[snssewell]

Just my 3¢ (inflation) but sometimes when juices start tasting "meh" on me.......I'll vape unflavored for a bit and it seems to clean my tastebuds or something because when I go back to my flavors they taste better. I am not sure if this is what everyone talks about when they mention "vapors tongue" (http://www.ecigarettedirect.co.uk/ashtray-blog/2014/03/vapers-tongue.html)

I also change flavors many times a day. So my flavors each seem to taste great.

I hope some of the many suggestions that you get will help you through this. That is one of the best things about ecf. Good luck and happy mixing.

LOL I just read about vapors tongue the other day. Read it in a post and wanted to know what it was
Hopefully I can get a few really good juices mixed up, then I can switch around as well and see if that makes a difference.

 

[flowerpots]

Just my 3¢ (inflation)...

Heehee...that made laugh

 

[flowerpots]

The guy I got my juice from was a co-worker of my husband and just started his little e-juice business. I think he was still going through some trial and error maybe himself and that is why some orders of juice were awesome and others were .... well not so great!!

That would explain the inconsistency from one bottle to another.

I used to switch between juice when I first started, but then got tired of wasting my money! So I would stick with 2-3 that I liked, but Southern Freeze was my ADV 99% of the time. That will be different now that I can make my own juices.

I have found 2 recipes I really like that use flavors I would not have ordered from a vendor. I am thinking my tastes will expand as I try more flavors.

I was thinking about that too, but I don't really want to ask him if I don't have to. Since my husband used to work with him, it be kind of awkward and I don't want him to think I don't like his juice or that I am trying to steal his business! LOL.

That's understandable

I went ahead and placed another order of different brand juices (Hangsen, Flavor West, Signature, and Nature's Flavor) Those were some that I remembered reading about here on the forum. I was able to get LorAnn strawberry, but peach (of course - my luck) was out of stock! But I did get some other peach flavoring brands. For now I only got Peach and Strawberry so I can compare.

Have you seen the thread that lists the most popular manufacturer of each flavor? I use it as a template before I order now.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/347885-2012-best-best-diy-flavorings-each-flavor-manufacture.html

I read good and bad things about TFA as well, but I got the kit and the price was right for additional flavors, so I went with it. I also received my other shipment of TFA today and that had the koolada in it. I added a drop of koolada to the Southern Freeze I have mixed a little over a week ago, and I think I can taste a difference. I still had a small amount of Dew flavor in my Clearo, maybe that is the perfect mix, cause it tastes a lot better. So thanks for the tip to experiment with adding some other flavor.

I don't think any manufacturer has the best of all flavors, and TFA has been the brand I have go with for the most part. I am now buying Inawera to see how they compare.

I have another question. Does it matter what brand of PG/VG/Nicotine I use? Are some better than others? I know they don't really have taste, but does it alter the taste anyway depending on the brand, any experience with that? I hope that question makes sense. Or is the taste mainly depending on the flavoring only. I will definitely go back up on VG. The 70PG/30VG was a bit weak vapor wise. So I think 60/40 or 50/50 will be better for me.

People have their favorite vendor for PG/VG/nicotine, nicotine most importantly. I have purchased from several vendors, but not enough to have a good idea of whose is the best, cleanest tasting. I hear good things about vaperstek nicotine and nude nicotine. They are more expensive than some other vendors, but from what I read, the taste is much better aka not as rough, peppery.

Vapers Tek

http://www.nudenicotine.com/

It really depends on whether you want to save money above all else or whether you want the best taste.

 

[Heabob]

You can also try mixing 2 different brands of the same flavor, as it sometimes helps.

I would think the menthol might kill flavors somewhat, IDK, don't like/use menthol, lol.

Or try adding like 1 drop real lemon, (for fruits).

 

[Steamix]

Mixing flavours can be a bit iffy....

Depending on the molecular make-up, they can cancel each other out.
Means you end up with something bland und wholly unexciting instead of the expected mixed flavour.

Steeping usually isn't helping , it just homogenizes the blandness.
For fruity mixes, a tiny drop of vinegar might do the trick.

 

[snssewell]

People have their favorite vendor for PG/VG/nicotine, nicotine most importantly. I have purchased from several vendors, but not enough to have a good idea of whose is the best, cleanest tasting. I hear good things about vaperstek nicotine and nude nicotine. They are more expensive than some other vendors, but from what I read, the taste is much better aka not as rough, peppery.

Vapers Tek

http://www.nudenicotine.com/

It really depends on whether you want to save money above all else or whether you want the best taste.

Thanks for the links. I have been getting the peppery flavor off and on when buying premixed juices in the past, and I hate it. That was one of the reasons why I gave DIY a try, to see if I can play with the mixtures to get rid of that weird after taste.

I'll definitely rather pay a bit extra and end up with good quality juice then to save an extra buck and end up with something that just does not taste right.
I checked their website, and to me that is not expensive at all...... but I just started so I don't really have any other prices to compare! lol.

Have you seen the thread that lists the most popular manufacturer of each flavor? I use it as a template before I order now.

2012 The Best of the Best DIY flavorings from each flavor manufacture

Yep, I have looked at that one and most of the other popular threads about flavorings I came across. But I got a case of information overload. lol.

I have found 2 recipes I really like that use flavors I would not have ordered from a vendor. I am thinking my tastes will expand as I try more flavors.

I know exactly what you mean. I love coffee, chocolate, apples and bananas, so of course I ordered juices in those flavors and I hated the taste of it when vaping. On the other hand, I am not crazy about soda, energy drinks, or anything lemon tasting (unless it comes with tequila ), BUT I love those flavors when vaping. So I am open minded when it comes to trying new flavors. I never know what my taste buds may think about it.

 

[snssewell]

LOL Yeah I noticed menthol is not for everyone. I used to smoke analog menthol's so I really like menthol. When I started vaping and I ordered juice I didn't like, I would just mix it with some menthol juice and it made it vapable for me so I didn't have to throw it away! But that proofs your point that it does kill some flavors!!! Which is not always a bad thing! hehehe!

I will try the lemon drop tip for the Mtn Dew flavor. It may give it that extra kick I am looking for.

 

[snssewell]

Mixing flavours can be a bit iffy....

Depending on the molecular make-up, they can cancel each other out.
Means you end up with something bland und wholly unexciting instead of the expected mixed flavour.

Steeping usually isn't helping , it just homogenizes the blandness.
For fruity mixes, a tiny drop of vinegar might do the trick.

Vinegar doesn't sound very tasty. But I am willing to try anything! Thanks for the tip.