Edit: feel free to add your hep and hints, but I realized what I need to do is just experiment and see what works best for me. Ya'll are the best though for getting me started down the DIY path.
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I've been doing DIY unflavored for about a year now. I mostly vape unflavored but I like some flavors now and again. I like a lighter flavor so I've been buying juice and then mixing it 50/50 with unflavored. I'm a complete newb when it comes to mixing with flavors.
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So my question is: If I have a recipe that calls for say 10%, would there be a functional difference between mixing that at 5% and mixing it at 10% and then diluting it after it's steeped? I wasn't sure if the percentage of flavor would affect the steep and end result.
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Thanks in advance!
I’d just look for a good stand alone flavor that fits what you like and use the recommended percentages to start and work down or up as per your tastes.
This can be easy as pie if you’re keeping it simple:
Menthol
Forrest fruit
Ry4/tobacco
Custard
Etc
Edit: I didn’t really answer your question because I sort of didn’t understand it.
Upon thinking about it, you're right. I need to just experiment. Heck I could mix one at 10% and one at 5% and see which turns up better or the same. Thanks!
Edit: and yeah, the question makes perfect sense in my head. I tried to put it into words that would make sense to other folks. And failed. Ah well.
I mix heavy, steep then dilute all the time.
Some flavors really need a steep and this way you can have some on-hand for shake/vape or faster/easier recipe experimentation
I go 1:4 (Flav:VG) typically, then use it at 1/5 strength in the mix for 5% flavor
Hi! Would love to help. Is there any specific reason you mix unflavored?
This is why mixing is so nice because you can make the juice that fits your needs instead of commercial juices. But it's a steep learning curve and takes some patience to find your favorite flavorings and method of mixing. Everybody's taste is different but there seems to be some flavorings that in general are more popular than others. Also flavoring companies use different % ranges. The most popular within mixing are TFA/TPA, Capella, FlavourArt, Flavorah, Inawera. TFA and Capella generally need 5% to 10% single to work good. Generally because even within the companies some flavors need less or more. FlavourArt, Flavorah, Inawera are stronger and are better at 1.5-3%. To find specific flavoring recommended use check their websites or mixing sites like ELR or ATF. Then there is hundreds of many other vaping companies that carry great aromas, from different countries ect. A complex recipe would use a range of different flavorings so land on different total %. Usually 10-20%. But, if for example you had a FLV, INW and FA only recipe it would just land on max 3-7 % depending on flavors while CAP/TFA only in general 15%. Personally I mix a little lower than this (max 12%) and mix max 5 flavorings. If I would combine two Capella at 5% each and then a FA or FLV accent at 0.5-2% = 12%. Mixing this, that works at 12% at 6% would be bad.
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To your specific question: In short yes, half flavor can go from mute to not present. A subtle note at 0.5% mixed half, would be a waste. If you find a recipe I would suggest starting to mix it at the specific % to try. If it has many likes you have a greater chance it's a good one. Even tho you find many good tasting recipes with lesser likes too, but at beginning mix the popular - incase you mix a dud or troll recipe. Same goes with a banging flavor. Start with a few popular flavorings, so you don't end up buying flavorings you only use one time.
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"diluting it after it's steeped?" What do you mean by this? Feel free to ask anything.
I rock unflavored because, at the end of the day, vaping is about providing my body with nicotine. Unflavored does that just fine while being super cheap, super easy, and allows me to rebuild/change coils no more than once a month (usually I can go two or three).
Nice. I see, I vaped unflavored for a month this summer. It actually has some sweet flavor to it (vg). But then I ended up using just strawberry or other red fruit single instead, which is mild enough but not too complex. Might be your thing too. Now I vape that, (basic single or two fruit combo) and a good dry Tobacco.
if you like tobacco-esque flavors, i have been adv desert ship for years now ar 4-8 drops per 30ml of finished liquid. Super cheap, flavor is good without getting annoying like most flavors to me, and very clean and clear vape juice.
Doubt there is much difference in the methods you describe
Thanks. I think I'm just gonna mix up 10ml of each and see what works better. Or if there's even a noticeable either way.
There's a function on e-liquid-recipes.com and it allows you to "lower total flavor %". Take any popular recipe on the site and have at it. Or input any recipe and do it. I know I like max 16% flavoring and some people still want more flavoring, not a fan.
I've put 4% CAP Sweet Mango all by itself, you can do similar with TFA Strawberry Ripe or TFA Banana Cream. 2%-5%, maybe 6% if you really wanted but probably not if you want it light.
Single flavors would be great to play with, layered recipes might be what you want too but just try it all. I grabbed a bunch of flavor concentrates used on an ecig sales sub I won't mention because sourcing
I recently purchased LB Vanilla Ice Cream as I'm a heavy pepper taster so I can't use VBIC and I was really enjoying using it 4 and 5 flavour mixes. Then I stumbled across fresh03's Old Skewl recipe so I purchased FLV Vanilla Pudding too mix it up and its absolutely lovely and at only 4.5% and s&v it's so easy and quick too mix. I subbed out the biscuit in the og recipe for CAP SL Biscuit.