So, I was speaking with a few friends about how I'm starting to get into DIY juice and that id be willing to give them samples to try for feedback and whatnot. A Canadian friend of mine chimes in stating that "Its not bad, But the flavor quality is definitely not on par with the premium shit." To which I responded that doesn't sound logical, what is it that separates the "premium" brands and DIY? I can't imagine anything they can do we cant. I know for certain there are master's of the DIY juice craft who I'm sure make damn good stuff. His response is something along the lines of "Canadian laws and regulations". Now I'm an American and have no knowledge of what goes down in Canada so I wanted to ask fellow DIY redditors that reside there and get their input.
Could you lovely people provide some insight?
Canadian here, and the answer is simple. Your friend is an idiot.
Usually the only thing that seperates a Premium brand is that word on the bottle and/or a shit ton of sweetener.
To expand on “your friend is an idiot”, which I agree with. Or, at the least, he is speaking out of his backside.
Making DIY juice, as with absolutely any craft or skill, takes time and effort to produce outstanding results. So, several of your first few mixes are likely not to be premium quality. But, with a little time and experience, DIY juice can (and will) be as good or better than any commercially available juice. Just gotta put in the effort and have a mindset you will learn how to make good juice, not a mindset that every mix, every recipe, will be a winner. Whether I am using a recipe I found or I came up with, I am happy if 2 out of 10 end up good. So it really takes some trial and error to get premium juice. But that makes it even more rewarding when you finally make something that you love.
> takes time and effort to produce outstanding results.
Or knowing how to read a recipe and measure by weight.
So, every recipe you have ever tried has been outstanding, so long as you measure it correctly?
More than half of recipes posted, even highly rated ones, are horrid. A small percentage are outstanding. And it takes time and effort to whittle down the bad ones and build up a cache of good ones.
As for me, im INCREDIBLY new to the DIY scene, im well aware i have plenty of ground to cover. But i've spent time reading through this sub reddit and listening to you all and the payout of the whole ordeal sounds outstanding. Plus, who doesnt want to save a bunch of money?
Makes me think about getting a bottle of flashy premium juice, dumping the contents and replacing with a similar profile diy mix. Have them try the "premium" juice and get their feedback. Then have them try the diy "clone" and compare results.
Which sounds completely logical. i mean, unless there is some mystical additive or piece of equipment that top brands use that's some next level classified shit, it's an outlandish claim.
> Canadian here, and the answer is simple. Your friend is an idiot.
I shit you not fellow Canadian, this is what I was going to post VERBATIM. Ver. Bat. Im.
Makin us all proud.
Here in the great white north, "Canadian laws and regulations" state that all ejuice must taste bombdiggityliscious or else the manufacturer is subject to fines. /s
Seriously, Canadian regs only govern manufacturing processes (proper lab basically) and labeling (correct warning labels). The regs have NOTHING to do with flavor.
I say screw your idiot friend and send your samples this way; I'd be happy to critique for you!
That is indeed coming soon, im a feedback type of guy. To better one self means to listen to the words of more experienced sometimes. I'll put you on a list =D
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Something to also think about... There is a MixersClub here on Reddit where you send your ejuice out to be reviewed by your peers. In return you get their ejuice for you to review. It may help not only get some feedback but expand your mixing styles/etc.
I am going to 2nd what /u/lulzorr said...check out r/mixersclub. We'd love to have you join us!
Im definitely going to go have a look!
It's a blast! I was intimidated at first because there are many excellent and accomplished mixers, but it has been a wonderful experience. The feedback I get is excellent and I get to try great recipes I never would have considered trying. I have grown so much as a mixer and it helps me challenge myself creatively.
That sounds like where I need to be then! If there is one thing I've caught onto here it's that this can be pretty intricate and people take it very seriously. There is nothing I love more than growing myself with a series of creative challenges especially when it's doing something I enjoy. Feedback and constructive criticism is an essential part of growth. I can't wait to dig in. Currently waiting on all my stuff to arrive, haha.
He may just be used to premium juices that are packed with sweetener. Are you steeping the juices long enough as shop bought juice has time to steep in transit and whilst sitting in stock?
You'd really have to provide us with what your mixing to receive critique. It takes a while, and often methodical process, to really get a recipe nailed down, even for experienced mixers. Many premium juice recipes are probably not great, but the lack of finesse is masked by sweeteners.
Also taste is subjective and many people have one or two all day vapes, and won't even rate other premium juices very highly. I think one of my recipes is pretty meh, but my friends can't get enough of it.
Fill a bottle of premium with your stuff and say you didn’t like it much but it fits his profile more than yours. See what he says. Something pricey.
Right? However the whole border thing eliminates that one. it'd be an enlightening test i bet, haha
I’ll send you an empty bottle and you fill it and say a friend hooked you up and he should try it.
That premium brand is also making there juice out of the same ingredients as do you...
Turns out there is a separate wing in AREA51 dedicated to making the ultimate juice, lol. It's nonsensical.
Basically everything you guys are saying is what i was thinking, however i was unsure due to me not living there or experiencing it first hand. it was quite the extensive talk and essentially told him "well, im sorry you're doing it wrong". All that aside, due to me not having a ton of knowledge in how the Canadian systems work for juice, before i committed to such things i wanted to get the words from the individuals that dedicate their time to DIY and who live in Canada. I have to give big thanks to you all for sharing your knowledge and enlightening me.
It is possible he has been subjected to some shit quality DIY juice and is basing his statements on that. Like someone else mentioned, it takes time to create or find excellent recipes. Then again, maybe it is difficult for him to admit he has been severely overpaying for run of the mill juice labeled as premium. Don't misunderstand me, many premium juices are very nice but as with anything, the larger portion is junk.
Oh. Yeah. Where is your friend located? I'm pretty sure there are a few of us who live close enough to him to get him a sample of DIY juice better than what he's getting.
And honestly, of the 'premium' canadian juices... I've accidentally cloned two. One, because it was a single concentrate recipe. Like others have said, maybe he's comparing clones to original juices. Maybe he's comparing single concentrate recipes to multiple flavors. It's impossible to predict completely the reason..
> One, because it was a single concentrate recipe.
There are alot of eliquid vendors who I think do exactly this...
How long did you steep your juice? If you are giving it to him right after mixing that might be your issue. Most flavor comes in during the following few weeks.
>canadian
>argument
Something doesn't add up here...
You ever watch a hockey game?
We don't constantly apologize all the time. Sorry to ruin that stereotype.
We have border/import issues and massive shipping and exchange costs, but not much else.
Took me 6 months of fighting with the City to get a home business license.... Due to a 2008 Health Canada memo. Also the grey area on classifications of medical devices.
TDLR: government sux
Hey - Canadian here too.
I have been speaking to some of my fellow vapers here locally and have been getting more or less the same response - "premium is premium - home-made can't come close". Upon further discussion, they tend to compare "premium" with top rated restaurants vs home-made as last night's dinner reheated.
Needless to say, I disagree. I've been vaping "premium" liquids for years now and I think it is time for me to delve into DIY. Not only to help you, but to help myself, I'd be very happy to try some of your flavors and provide my humble feedback. And I'll be happy to get the opportunity to learn about flavor profiles and what goes well with what.
Happy to reimburse you for incurred costs. Let me know. Thanks :)
The person may be blind to your eLiquid because of brand loyalty.
As for whether Canadian mixers can compete with American mixers? Umm, we can. If they're in Canada, chances are they're sipping Canadian eLiquid (unless they're at 0nic) because of Health Canada making it hard to get nicotine eLiquids across the border.
Nicotine and the border is the biggest thing i have heard. Which completely eliminates me sending him some specifically. However with the information i've gained here there now stands a chance i can sort of open a door for him.
Though if you ever take a trip up here and you plan on visiting, you might be able to bring one fo your top recipes with you?
I think they're less hard-assish about it if it's for personal use and you're bringing it with you...