Why are there no giudelines?!

[Red_Bird]

I cloned Pluid and Monkey Cream about 4-5 months ago. My nic at Nuvapor is "NoTarZ".

"CLOUD ... 9" (my last free recipe)

Got a Zmax from a vendor for my Ectoplasma clone.

 

[FACE MEAT]

Maybe I need to take a step back and do one-flavor mixes at increasingly larger percentages to get an idea of what happens as intensity increases.

I'm not sure my wife would be on board with that. Whatever, it's worth it.

 

[Red_Bird]

I have changed the Pluid clone since....I now use Flavor west "Ecto Cooler" in it.

I posted the new name here yesterday "Good N Plenty" and the recipe (5.5/5.5/5.5)

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/414971-good-n-plenty-recipe-5-5-5-5-5-5-a.html

 

[BakuPeg]

Too much flavor is as bad as too little. Too little and you wont taste it, too much and.. you won't taste it or you get chemically/perfumy/yuck taste. You need to find your OWN sweet spot for each flavor. More is NOT better in every case. This is why some juice vendors get burned when they offer "extra flavor shots". Someone orders the extra flavor and then complains when the vape reaches the danger zone.

I would suggest do some research on each flavor and see what others mixed it at. It takes a bit of work and surfing from diff vendor sites and ECF here to find if its a super concentrated flavor (.5-2% use) concentrated (3-4%) to regular (5-10%) semi weak (10-15%) to weak (15-20%). The notes from the flavor vendor won't help. They don't care, if you mess up you'll buy more flavoring!

And to compound the issue, you'll need more flavoring with VG heavy mix, and less with a PG heavy mix. I mix mine right in the middle. 50/50 PG/VG. My final flavor % is from 5-20% depending on what I'm mixing. Also your hardware can make a big difference with some configurations muting flavors and other letting them shine through.

If DIY was EASY everyone would do it!
I have some nice tips in my 1 blog entry
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[dannyv45]

One thing that I noticed was not mentioned here and is of utmost importance. Record keeping. Get in the practice of logging every experiment you do. I keep a spreadsheet of all my attempts logging flavor and mfg, percentages, pg/vg/nic content, change of color of mix as it steeps, and comments on the results (Taste, what changes are need for next attempt) etc... It would be disastrious to finally find that perfect receipe and not be able to reproduce it. This can be expecially helpfull in adjusting mixes. Lets say for weeks and 20 adjustments later you find yourself getting further away from where you want to be and you say to yourself. "What I created 20 mixes ago was way closer then where I am now". You can look back in the log and see exactly where you were.

 

[Kabooma]

Maybe I need to take a step back and do one-flavor mixes at increasingly larger percentages to get an idea of what happens as intensity increases.

I'm not sure my wife would be on board with that. Whatever, it's worth it.

I started dabbing a drop on my finger, rubbin it in a little and then tasting it. Really opened my eyes not only to how strong the flavor really was, but gave me much more insight into the flavor profile itself and also the sweetness (fruits/candy flavors). It makes zero sense to me, but one will be sweet and the next will taste unsweetened. I've had a hell of a time until I started taste testing, then it just got a lot easier.

Second, if you are looking for % guidelines, just check out the recipes in the subforum to this one- you will see most tend to mix around 15-20% total flavor no matter how many different flavorings they mash together. Tobacco flavors tend to mix lower percentages it seems.

Mixing single flavors is always a best bet for getting a good feel for a flavor, as well as general experience with DIY'ing. Always remember, with single flavors, you can always hang onto something not vapable by itself, and then use the mix in another recipe.. the calculators out there can factor in the pg/vg ratio of the flavor mix you add.

oh yeah.. wizard labs does have the mix % recommendation on each flavor, in the description field... the only problem is that they recommend 5% for every single one of them... whereas my experience is that flavors vary wildly on mix %'s. Especially naturally strong flavors like mint, menthol, clove, cinnamon, etc..

 

[trouble1000]

I'm going to try the taste test next time I'm mixing.
Previously, I've used the smell test. If it smells strong I use 10-15%, if it smells weak I start of at 18% and increase it up to 20% or more.

I guess my smell test is pretty similar to the taste test, after all the senses are connected.

I do like my mixes on the strong side of flavouring though, cos I use a 50pg/50vg mix.

 

[DuaneNeveu]

One thing that I noticed was not mentioned here and is of utmost importance. Record keeping.

I know my post was wordy, but I did mention that and agree with you completely! It is crucial that you document what you've done.

...making painstaking notes all the while. It's ridiculously time consuming and often frustrating...

 

[Red_Bird]

Record keeping is important when starting out creating recipes.

 

[boomerdude]

It's important if your an old hand at it also.

Record keeping is important when starting out creating recipes.

 

[Red_Bird]

I have (40+) recipes stored in my noggin.....I don't write them down anymore.

People try to pretend making eliquid is so hard. Its not.

If you have excellent math skills and you're creative you will learn to DIY quickly and make very good juice in a few months.

 

[DuaneNeveu]

Well, you're definitely the first and only person I've ever seen or heard of with that kind of prowess. Well done!

 

[Red_Bird]

I know quite a few adept mixers. A few in this town.

No need to get an attitude. I have sent eliquid free to sick people a few times and taught more how to mix, and sold recipes. I just sent Crystal 64 of E Cig Advanced 100 mill of free eliquid last week (in 5 glass bottles).

Doubt me all you want, lol. I have had recipes online for others to use for over 7 months at some sites.

http://www.ecigadvanced.com/forums/general-discussion-f16/positive-thoughts-needed-t7729.html

 

[DuaneNeveu]

No attitude on my end, sir, nor any doubt in your ability. At my age there's simply no way I could keep all that in my head, and I just figured I was no exception in that respect.

If I was making any real point, it would be that it would be helpful for you to realize that you are an exception in this circumstance. Nobody's pretending that making e-liquid is difficult. For some, it really is just that...difficult, until they go through a lot of trial and error.

Dare I say, I've felt that some of your posts have been somewhat condescending. Nobody begrudges you your success in mastering the mixing of e-juice and creation of recipes. I'm quite certain we're glad for you. Those of us who haven't reached "Jedi" status might just appreciate a little humility, that's all.

 

[gimmieshelter31]

This is about to get interesting.I need a popcorn vape.

 

[Red_Bird]

This is about to get interesting.I need a popcorn vape.

Nah, I'm tired.....hittin the hay soon, RCO.

 

[Red_Bird]

No attitude on my end, sir, nor any doubt in your ability. At my age there's simply no way I could keep all that in my head, and I just figured I was no exception in that respect.

If I was making any real point, it would be that it would be helpful for you to realize that you are an exception in this circumstance. Nobody's pretending that making e-liquid is difficult. For some, it really is just that...difficult, until they go through a lot of trial and error.

Dare I say, I've felt that some of your posts have been somewhat condescending. Nobody begrudges you your success in mastering the mixing of e-juice and creation of recipes. I'm quite certain we're glad for you. Those of us who haven't reached "Jedi" status might just appreciate a little humility, that's all.

I help anyone that asks via pm, I always have. Its hard to read bad advice and not jump in. But I should probably not even bother to say anything.

I don't comment on building SS mesh wicks because I'm not very good at making them. Average at best, maybe worse then that. You will never see me commenting on those.

 

[patkin]

Save your bases and nic. Test in water. I use a shot glass. It will not only give you a good idea of what percentages to use but also what will mix well with what. Just dip your finger in it to taste test and be sure to have a full glass of water nearby to rinse.

 

[DuaneNeveu]

Well, my apologies then. I didn't realize that urging someone to make detailed notes on their experimentation was bad advice.

No need for popcorn gimmieshelter31, I'm tired too and have no interest in a protracted discussion over how helpful everyone tries to be.

 

[dannyv45]

Save your bases and nic. Test in water. I use a shot glass. It will not only give you a good idea of what percentages to use but also what will mix well with what. Just dip your finger in it to taste test and be sure to have a full glass of water nearby to rinse.

Interesting If I'm understanding you use 5 ml water instead of base and add the approiate % of flavor then taste. example.

water 5ml
555 6%
ap 1%

dip finger, blot lightly then taste.....

Will give it a try.