WHAT'S WRONG WITH MY E-JUICE?

Doug_Dread

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Excuse the caps but I'm frustrated.

I'm a long-time vaper who HAD to give up smoking due to damaged lungs. I started in 2009 with the tech still in its infancy, but as the tech improved, I managed to quit cigarettes completely over a few months. After that, I followed the improving tech until I found my ideal; the JustFog C14 tank and coil. My ventures in following the tech further failed, especially the Direct to Lung and low resistance kits which had an almost immediate adverse effect on my lungs; too dangerous for me.

I mixed my own 50/50 PG/VG and was using an imported vanilla flavouring in my e-juice, from a particular supplier, and had no problems until they went bust during Covid. After that, I sampled dozens of alternative flavourings but the ones that tasted good enough, all hit my lungs and caused breathing problems. At this point, about 2 years ago, I took the decision to go flavourless. This worked for a year or so.

I continued buying separate PG, VG and Nicotine and mixing down to about 16mg concentration; however, this is no longer working for me. Over the last year I've struggled with problems such as lack of 'hit' which reduces satisfaction and a big increase in phlegm. Despite being an experienced vaper, I don't know what's wrong!

It could be the PG, VG or Nicotine not being up to scratch, although I've used a number of different, reputable suppliers. It could be the atomisers imported from China (no one else makes them anymore), not doing their job properly, although they seem to heat ok. It could be the eGo batteries, also imported from China (no one else makes them anymore), which measure a fixed 4.1V, a little higher than my preferred 3.7V.

Basically, I'm not enjoying my vaping atm and I just don't know which way to turn anymore. Any ideas?
 

bombastinator

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Excuse the caps but I'm frustrated.

I'm a long-time vaper who HAD to give up smoking due to damaged lungs. I started in 2009 with the tech still in its infancy, but as the tech improved, I managed to quit cigarettes completely over a few months. After that, I followed the improving tech until I found my ideal; the JustFog C14 tank and coil. My ventures in following the tech further failed, especially the Direct to Lung and low resistance kits which had an almost immediate adverse effect on my lungs; too dangerous for me.

I mixed my own 50/50 PG/VG and was using an imported vanilla flavouring in my e-juice, from a particular supplier, and had no problems until they went bust during Covid. After that, I sampled dozens of alternative flavourings but the ones that tasted good enough, all hit my lungs and caused breathing problems. At this point, about 2 years ago, I took the decision to go flavourless. This worked for a year or so.

I continued buying separate PG, VG and Nicotine and mixing down to about 16mg concentration; however, this is no longer working for me. Over the last year I've struggled with problems such as lack of 'hit' which reduces satisfaction and a big increase in phlegm. Despite being an experienced vaper, I don't know what's wrong!

It could be the PG, VG or Nicotine not being up to scratch, although I've used a number of different, reputable suppliers. It could be the atomisers imported from China (no one else makes them anymore), not doing their job properly, although they seem to heat ok. It could be the eGo batteries, also imported from China (no one else makes them anymore), which measure a fixed 4.1V, a little higher than my preferred 3.7V.

Basically, I'm not enjoying my vaping atm and I just don't know which way to turn anymore. Any ideas?
My story is very similar to yours I think. A prime difference being that I haven’t bought Nic in some time. Back before the CDC fiasco there was another scare and I bought a large supply and put it in the freezer. Nicotine is a known chemical though that isn’t used for just vaping, so if it is being messed with it’s a problem. As for the equipment I doubt it’s that. Very few people besides the Chinese made them before, and though many of the products don’t seem to have changed much in some time (implying the non disposable industry is in trouble) the stuff I’ve bought recently worked fine. I bought a disposable about a year ago (I was stuck at a mall for hours and had forgotten my vape) and it seemed to be OK, so at least the tobacco companies are still getting decent stuff. They have a horrible reputation for doing underhanded and utterly evil things though so if they bought all the production they could mess with it. There is even evidence that the cigarette companies even gamed the CDC and the whole thing was their doing as there was more or less an open threat from them saying that they would destroy vaping unless they were given the industry. I found it highly suspicious myself in light of the timing and that they also own many really large can ibis farms in the U.S. The main effect of that whole thing was to destroy their competition.

PG and VG are fairly standard chemicals and food items. I make VG heavy juice and get my VG as a food additive (you want kosher and food grade) rather than as a vape chemical so that line is probably safe too. I have no way to measure nicotine concentration and have to take that on faith though. I understand there’s a totally new way of determining Nic concentration which I know little about. That may have something to do with it. As far as eGos though, I haven’t used one in 20 years. I generally use regulated mods. It is possible I guess that you have bad batteries that aren’t producing the correct amount of voltage. Crappo batteries often just go bad faster though.
My first suspicion is a PG intolerance as they can develop. The solution to that one is just high VG juice. There are lots better things besides egos these days and have been for many years. That’s really really old tech. Perhaps if you went into more detail about how you mix, what country you are in, and what you have for supplies I could offer more specific suggestions.
 
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bombastinator

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I don't use flavouring anymore, it causes breathing problems.
The JustFog C14 is very easy to clean well.
I got as far as trying the Eleaf Melo III with standard and low resistance atomisers, but backed off: too much vapour also causes breathing problems.
I am a little suspicious of my fixed 4.1V batteries making the atomiser burn too hot. Goes a bit better with a mod battery that I can dial down to 3.7V (7 watt).
JustFog OEM coils are not made anymore; no choice but to use Chinese generic coils.
Flavorings generally have a PG base. Are you sensitive to pg?
 

Mordacai

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Jan 16, 2019
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Problem continued from my previous mix to my fresh mix with fresh materials; def not NicSalt.

I presume you fully cleaned the tank and let it dry before setting it back up with a fresh coil, if so it leaves one option.

The coil used...

What I mean there is that there's unlucky folks like myself that really don't get along with Kanthal coils, as to some they can give a definite taste that is just outright awful.

Only options left are to try Nichrome or Stainless Steel coils, but with higher resistance MTL/RDTL vaping that can be difficult when it comes to finding drop in coil tanks.
 

bombastinator

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No, never gave it a thought. Doesn't it suppress vapourising? Tell me more?
Water works as a base but it has problems. It vapes hot and the vapor is less visible. Ethanol has fewer heat problems but causes other issues. It can actually make you drunk. There is a lesser used base called PeG. I know nothing about it though.
 

bombastinator

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No. It was all there was when I started.
One can develop sensitivity to it over time. If you weren’t before you might be now. A test would be fairly easy as you already DIY. Just make a small bottle with just Nic and VG. It will help, or it won’t. If it does a pg sensitivity is possible. If it doesn’t it’s likely something else. One can develop sensitivities to all sorts of chemicals in regular use. Even gasses.
 

bombastinator

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I presume you fully cleaned the tank and let it dry before setting it back up with a fresh coil, if so it leaves one option.

The coil used...

What I mean there is that there's unlucky folks like myself that really don't get along with Kanthal coils, as to some they can give a definite taste that is just outright awful.

Only options left are to try Nichrome or Stainless Steel coils, but with higher resistance MTL/RDTL vaping that can be difficult when it comes to finding drop in coil tanks.
There is also nickel allergy. Something like 1/3rd of humanity is allergic to nickel and Ni80 coils can cause them big problems.
 
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