OK new mixers, this is your thread to ask any questions you want of the DIY eJuice community. All posts are allowed, but we still encourage you to use the sidebar and search features before asking any questions.
- Placing your first DIY order and want to make sure you have all you need?
- Not sure about how to mix your first bottle?
- Want to get started but aren't sure how?
- Any other questions? ... then this is the thread for you. FWIW, the answers to the first three questions will eventually be found in the wiki (still in development); link at the top of the page.
Ask away!
Hey, just got my first batch of VG/PG, nicotine and stuff ^_^
I remember seeing somewhere an app/site witch will give you a list of recipes you can do with the flavors you have.
Problem is I cannot find it anywhere :(
- www.e-liquid-recipes.com
- Register an account
- Create a stash
Is there an alternative to this site? I love the "what can I make" section, but I think it would be better if it was a bit more flexible, offering up substitutions of different flavor brands. I understand that every flavor has a different profile, but some differences are less than others.
So I really want to get into DIY, but i literally dont even know where to start when it comes to flavorings.
I've got syringes, and VG, Nic, all of that good stuff form the sidebar/beginners guide. Need a scale for weight measuring next.
But flavorings have me stumped everytime.
What did you guys do when starting out?
Lots of little 5ml bottles of flavorings?
Pick a recipe and buy larger amounts for that?
Choose a few recipes that are well reviewed here, buy the flavors for the recipes you choose (10mL is probably a good size to start for each flavor needed), keep doing that for a while and you will eventually build up a respectable stash. After you've done that, you will have a much better idea of the kinds of flavorings you enjoy.
Also, this is pretty useful, though it could probably use an update soon.
What I did as suggested by the more experienced is pick one or two of the recipes on ELR or on here that are rated highly and pleasing to my vape tastes and just order the few flavors needed to make them. I think Gremlin or ECX even has flavor kits to make some of the more popular ones like /u/enyawreklaw's Bronuts and /u/notcharlesmanson's Strawberry Shortcake Bar. Includes small bottles of all the flavors needed to make that recipe.
I've seen a flux of varying sources for VG and PG. best bang (quality and quantity) for my buck, where would you reccomend? I got my starter kit from liquid barn. A lot of the flavors were meh, and some downright unusable. The vg/pg and nic were good, though. Just not sure where else would be the best to buy from. For shipping purposes id like to have a one site order all for these three so im not hung up.
Still havent found my go to recipe or id have posted it by now. It's a fun journey if not frustrating.
Unfortunately in DIY there really isn't a site that you can buy everything from at once. That being said, best bang for your buck PG/VG is probably ~~Bulk Apothecary~~ Essential Depot. They have deals all the time. That's the only PG/VG I've ever used, but I've heard there is better quality out there. If you want to get PG/VG and nic all at once, stick with liquid barn.
Edit: I fucked up and said Bulk Apothecary, but really meant Essential Depot. Need Coffee.
Bulk Apothecary or Essential Depot for cheap, bulk VG/PG of good quality. /u/notcharlesmanson and /u/enyawreklaw swear by Liquid Barn for the best tasting VG/PG, and I'm inclined to believe them since they're better mixers than I. Don't buy self-branded flavors. Buy flavors that are from national brands with multiple resellers, these are the highest quality, and the flavors almost all of us use.
For nicotine, carolina xtract, vapeclarity, vaperstek, and nude nicotine all have great nic. List in order of quality in my opinion(first is best.)
I really like the vg and pg from liquid barn. Granted, i havent ordered anywhere else. The only reason i even bothered with liquid barn flavors was because it came with the kit. The only flavor i enjoyed a lot was root beer. It was actually really good (to me) on its own 50/50 no nic at like 8%. I live in an area where A&W is like THE place to eat and get rootbeer floats when its open (seasonal) and it reminded me a lot of their rootbeer. Even had that sort of crispy feeling on the exhale that carbonated rootbeer is known for.
Still havent been able to make a really good rootbeer float, though. Hoping with my latest flavor order i can. Ill be messing with trying to nail a donut flavor as well with biscuit on my list.
Just super pumped to be mixing. Vaping helped me quit smoking in like 3 days and its even cheaper (usually....) to be able to make my own.
15 ml can last me a few days in a tank and maybe a day and a half in my new dripper (because flavor so goood).
I need to update my flavor list on that recipe site i signed up for. Keep forgetting the name.
Can someone suggest a vanilla flavor that does not add sweetness or cream. French vanilla TPA and CAP seem to add a rediculous amount of sweet and VBIC seems to add to much cream. Basically just hoping someone can suggest a more pure vanilla flavor.
Vanillin. It's just the base vanilla aroma compound.
FA Vanilla Tahity might be the closest you can get to a vanilla without cream. The problem is, it seems to work best with fruit flavors and not so much primarily bakery flavors.
Awesome thanks for the suggestion, I'll give it a shot. Is Holy Vanilla very sweet? I have a whole bunch of vanilla's but I still havnt picked up Holy Vanilla.
Try 2% FA Vanilla Bourbon and FA Vanilla Classic together in your next bakery recipe. I use that combo in Matthew McConauKKK and it is both the best vanilla and bakery recipes I've ever vaped. I'm thinking of trying it in cereals, but haven't yet specifically because those lack the creamy aspect.
I just got it yesterday, but Cap VBIC is way different from TFA version. Not creamy at all. At 3% all I tastes is pure vanilla. A lot like TFA Vanilla Bourbon. Damn good, but I will have to figure out how to use it:) Right now I'm just digging it standalone.
Tfa Vanilla Swirl is nice too, not sweet nor creamy.
Ooo I got CAP VBIC and have yet to use it, I'll give it a go. Haha our opinions are very different on vanilla swirl, IMO it has almost zero vanilla taste and just smooths things out, just like alot of creams.
Have an order of some flavours coming from Gremlin. Have another cart getting ready at BCV. Keep trying to pare it down :) Looks like I will also need to order from ECX for stuff that others are out of stock. May also just order from Flavorah direct. And now, Holy Vanilla, only from Flavor Shack! Are their flavours made by them? I hate to have to order one item from them but will it need be :) I haven't seen mention of anyone getting anything other than the holy vanilla from them. Nothing worth it? Thanks in advance!
I've only bought Holy Vanilla from them, but whenever I order that from them, they send a few small samples of their other flavors along with it. Maybe you can write in the comment section a couple flavors you'd like to try? I don't know if that'll work, but might be worth a shot.
OK thanks, I guess I will just order the Holy Vanilla and live with ordering one product from a place :) what's one more, right? LOL I saw they had a margarita flavour...I may toss that in as well :)
You will find that this happens often. Your go to supplier doesn't have a certain flavor you need so you end up having to use another site for that one flavor. When that happens to me, I'll usually order some new flavors I've never tried in the smallest size just for the hell of it.
I'm not positive DIYFS will throw in the flavors you request, but why not try.
That's their own proprietary flavor. Not sure which lab creates it for them, but it can't be found anywhere else. /u/tranceinate would know more about this.
You hit the nail on the head & I can't give more info. Actually been meaning to email them to find out whether they compound themselves or buy from another compounder. I'll shoot them an email when I get home.
Ok Thanks. Yes, I was definitely getting that from them, it was the other stuff they sell I wasn't sure about...if it was repackaged CAP or TFA or something. Now that I think about it, that's not likely, they would say so if it was :) Just got my Gremlin order in! Im getting excited! :)
I wanted to ask if there are any websites willing to ship to Thailand without $50+ cost in shipping? Just shipping to here is hard enough to find and it costs $60 (nicotinerivers)
I want to do Bombies and Adirondack clones. So I need FA, LorAnn and CAP to be available. Been searching long and hard for who met my criteria.
Thanks in advance!
Any freight forwarding companies that you could use? That sometimes brings the shipping down for me in NZ.
They won't ship any form of liquid. The one I was using which able to ship liquid just shut down because they charge a bit higher than others, but AFAIK they took care of their customers so well =(
Thanks anyway, I'll try to look for new companies who're willing to ship liquid.
I didn't want to make a shitpost to ask this last week, so I'll post it here and hope someone more experienced chimes in. I'm trying to tame down the candy flavor of TFA Blackberry (with candy prominent even at 1.5% without losing the flavor in the mix completely) with something more tart or earthy. I'm leaning toward FA Blackcurrant. I did use some FA Fuji 1:2 with TFA BB, but not quite sure I'm satisfied. Any other suggestions for a tart/earthy addition to TFA Blackberry?
Is it just me, or does TFA Dragon Fruit need >10% to taste?
You're using way too much. Try 5% or less.
I am at 5%. I can barely taste it. I've made 8% and 10% before and only the 10% really brings out the flavor. I did a simple Bavarian creme, vanilla swirl, df mix and I feel like it lost some potency, the dragon fruit.
I've also heard tfa df goes bad after awhile. But it seemed to be a harsh taste not a dull taste, when it's bad. I've had it for nearly 2 months.
Anyone care to sum up why brands like LA you prefer colorless?
So I found a recipe clone for Moon Mountain Galaxy Grape. Seems like it was a very simple mix and followed it to a tee. I mixed 20% MBV grape with 10% belvarian cream and 4 drops per 10ml of EM (which everyone I'm finding told me was cotton candy) I did add 1 drop per 10ml of sweetner, steeped it and... NOT GOOD! Any recommendations? It's too strong.
Ditch the MBV flavorings and stick to the more common flavor companies, CAP, TFA, FW, FA, etc. 30% flavoring is too much and avoid EM and sweetener until you're a bit more experienced. EM and sweetener are useful, but not until you have a pretty good grasp on how all your flavors work.
MBV Grape is just FW Grape. Also, try 10% FW grape and 5% TFA bavarian cream instead.
I've cut the mix in half, then in half yet again and the end result is it still taste like crap! Oh well. I guess you live you learn you find a different way. Sadly I think I will probably end up chucking about 90ml of juice in the trash from trying to get it right. Unless anyone has a different idea to bring out the flavors a little better? I'm totally at a loss with both this one and an attempt at an ice watermelon mix in which I thought I was being very conservative with. I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that MBV juices are very strong?
So I bought the flavors to make thugger juice from the birthday thread, and I ordered FW menthol instead of TFA since bull city didn't have the TFA version. I can't find any information on how strong it is. Anyone have experience with FW menthol? Thugger juice calls for 1% TFA menthol.
I want to say that most menthol flavors are a 10% solution so it shouldn't matter the brand, but I can't confirm that. What size bottle are you going to make of the thugger juice? I have FW Menthol and 1-2 drops per 30mL is plenty for me, but I'm not a huge menthol fan. If you really like menthol, try 4 drops per 30mL.
I usually start out with a 15ml to see if I like it enough to make a larger batch. Thanks for the info. I'm just not sure if it's a 10% solution (likely it is) but I can't find any specific info on it online. The only description is : "Ingredients: Pure Menthol, Propylene Glycol, Alcohol"
So here we go, first reddit post, please be gentle ;)
Getting off the fags with vaping, recently upgraded some crappy ecig to a nautilus mini and itaste mvp with some Hangsen juices, wow what a difference! Now have a kayfun 4 clone on order and cant resist the temptation to try and mix my own juice.
Planning my first diy purchase to get into mixing and would welcome some feedback.
Equipment
Consumables
Flavours from vapable.com
-
cap -Vanilla Custard
-
cap -Vanilla Bean Ice Cream
-
tpa - Strawberry (ripe)
-
tpa - Bavarian Cream
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tpa - Cheesecake (Grahams Crust)
-
tpa - Dragonfruit
-
tpa - Banana Cream
-
tpa - RY4 Double
-
tpa - Cinnamon Danish
There you go, what has the nOOb missed? :)
EDIT Updated bottles and flavours thanks to coop34's comments
I recommend some like these bottles rather than the first 2 linked. All I use for my concentrates that aren't already in this style, and for filling my tank.
For dispensing vg/pg I like something like these.
That flavor list looks great, like you already have a few recipes picked out. If you can get Capellas brand flavors, their Vanilla Custard V1 should def be picked up. TFA VC isn't bad, it's just 2nd choice=). And Cap Vanilla Bean Ice Cream if you need a solid vanilla flavor that isn't too sweet or creamy. Just straight vanilla goodness. TFA VBIC is different, very creamy but you want both.
Welcome!
Chef Aid 3-Piece Funnel Set, White
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As far as I can tell, that list looks pretty solid. Only thing you are missing is the 100 flavors you don't know you want yet, but that will come ;)
What are the ways to test and sample single flavors?
I'm testing out several marshmallows and tried 5ml sample batches of each but after steeping 48hrs there's still a lot of separation. and each is pretty gross. Should I wait longer?
I tried a single drop of flavor in about a half ounce of water and they're also, still super not tasty.
Will they taste better with age? should I let the flavors breathe for a bit?
also need to compare cheese cakes, and plain grain cereals soon. Thanks fam.
Easiest way to test would probably be an RDA with clapton wire and wickless. The claptons can hold a decent amount of juice without a wick for a few test hits. You can also just use an RDA with a simple build and cotton. Sample one test batch, change cotton for the next test, etc.
What marshmallow flavors are you using and at what percentages? The more you let us know what you're doing, the better we can help.
I would not rely on the drops of flavor in water method because to me, that's no where near what it will taste like when vaped.
Also, what do you mean by separation? Are you shaking the hell out of your juices after mixing?
Yeah they're still separated even after shaking and bathing and time. What's the smallest ml size you'd recommend making for a test batch?
And I have marshmallow from fa, tba, re, cap, and la. As well a toasted marshmallow from fa. Trying at five percent.
Ah, you're the Pinky Swear guy lol
I make 15mL sample sizes, but 10mL will work, too. The reason I do 15mL is because I like to test flavors before and after a steep and in my Griffin as well as on my RDA so I want about half left over to leave for a steep. I also do not give my juices a hot bath. I just let them sit in a dark cool cupboard so that they can homogenize on their own.
I have no idea why you're having things separate. Are they all doing that or just a few of them?
Does double kiwi tfa makes my juice harsh? My other banana creams and strawberry seems quite smooth..but my mix strawberry with qiwi turns out harsh a bit..ive taste bad pepery nic before..and this wasnt like that..and does marshmallow help to reduce it?
Maybe my nic too not that good..damn those ready mix..
Oxidized nicotine is a huge offender of harsh juice. Mix up a small bottle of juice at whatever your preferred ratio of VG/PG is, but do not add flavors. Only add PG, VG, and nic. If that is harsh, it's likely that your nic is the culprit. You should also always test your nicotine when you get a new shipment in. Here are some kits you can get:
http://wizardlabs.us/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=243
https://www.nudenicotine.com/product/nude-nicotine-test-kit-high-resolution/
Also, this is a wonderfully informative write up about nicotine.
TFA Kiwi Double does not give me any harsh feelings, but that doesn't mean it won't for you. What percentage are you using it at?
Hmm..i use the premix base at 70/30 pgvg with 3mg nic. Maybe its the nic..its hard to get a US made nic that is smooth..im stuck with merk Germany nic, leapchem china nic brand( for now as its the only brand i found in moscow) maybe i will try the premix without the nic to see how it goes. I used it at 3%..together with 7% of strawberry ripe. Will marshmallow mellow out the nic harshness a little?
I doubt it's the premix giving you the problem. Could be, but unlikely. The reason I said to mix up a small batch WITH nicotine is to see if that's the problem.
You can try to see if some marshmallow with mellow it out, but I highly doubt it will.
If I were you I would try my best to find good quality PG, VG, and nicotine that you can buy separately.
How are you storing your nicotine?
TFA Kiwi Double is a bastard. I cant work it into anything without it going to hell. What % are you using it at? At 1-2% its alright but def not the greatest kiwi Ive had.
Ive had good luck with FW Kiwi. It takes a little more to get a good flavor but its a lot more forgiving and tastes better imo. Try that at ~5%.
Yeah..i just pour it down the sink last night.. There goes 25 ml of strawberry kiwi..i will look into your suggestion for fw kiwi..but will try to make something good out of this double qiwi first
So I apologize in advance. I see all these initials for different flavors and understand they are short for the manufacturer. I'm figuring FW is the company that does most of Mt. Baker Vapor. What are the other ones? Or where is the list so I can find them?
Either way it goes I think my 1st couple of attempts at DIY have been epic failures to say the least. The MBV grape taste like crap and the watermelon about made me yak! I'm thinking 10% was too much. Thanks.
-Frustrated Noob DIY'er
it is right there in the sidebar. "Common abbreviations". I think. Cant see it from behind this firewall at work....
This is where I get lost. I am completely new and lost with this whole reddit thing. I'm using a mobile device and have no idea where the sidebar is.
Haha I understand. From what I understand, you are probably using an app to view Reddit, am I correct? Two options: search out the answer to how to view the sidebar using the particular app. OR, just use your native browser (what I would do).
The sidebar here is very valuable, very comprehensive. A wealth of info that you need to read and reread. The searchbar function not so good, but you need that as well. Try differing phrases to find info.
Hope this helps!
I really dislike the throat hit from pg, so I haven't been using it. I've been wondering though, if having pg in your juice helps homogenization and steeping?
Need opinion of more experienced mixers. If so, what percentage should I use.
PG absolutely carries flavor way better than VG. Which just shortens aging time considerably. I have found 40/60 PG/VG to be a good ratio, and all my friends think so too.
Have you tried straight PG? I did out of curiosity, and while it is an unpleasant taste, it's not near as bad as everyone thinks as far as throat hit is concerned.
The closest I've ever came was 40/60 vg/pg and it fucked my day up. I am going to order some pg and start leaning it in, max vg steep time is like a million years.
Hey all, I have a rather big question. I see all recipes posted here using specific branded e liquid flavourings etc.
What I want to know is, is there any reason why I couldn't use say a cordial concentrate or a food essence as flavouring with pg, vg and nicotine to make up flavours?
Edit: I have done a bit of digging, noticed some of the guys here use Loranns flavours here. these were the brand of food essences I was planning to use. Are the oils safe to use or does it only apply to the essential oils and natural flavours?
Google search "Lorann safe for vaping". There is a list compiled. Def check before using!
Ok so i found a list of lorann flavours within this forum that are all good so pretty happy with that. Gutted i cant use lemon though. I also after plenty of google searching managed to locate some vendors in nz that do mtbaker concentrates, capella concentrates and tfa as well as local sites that do doublers as well so i should be set. Main reason for me is shipping is so expensive from usa to nz that if i only have to pay to ship nicotine and can get all the flavours here im gonna save a buttload on shipping alone
I couldn't link this earlier.
Honestly tho, you are better off with Capella and TFA. All brands tend to be hit and miss, but Lorann is mostly miss. Banana Cream (colorless) and Cream Cheese Icing are both pretty good, and I can't think of any others that beat Cap or TFA....
oh my fucking god, are there any decent marshmallow flavors? I have TFA(and toasted), cap, lorann, FW, and they taste like shit.
what the fuck. how hard is this. Why can't i make a rice crispy treat.
I'm about to an hero over this.
What % are you using them at? I have CAP Marshmallow and it gets a serious nutty tobacco taste when above 5%.