DIY flavoring

Swegly · Jul 22, 2017

I made a thread on here yesterday so I could learn the basics of mixing, which I now have, so now I am just looking for opinions on the flavors I plan to buy before placing the order tonight. I am trying to make extremely simple 2 flavor mixes to begin with (A fruit flavor w/ a base) and this is what I have come up with.

TFA -
Dairy/Milk(20ml) + Ripe Strawberry(20ml)

....and....

FA -
Coconut(10ml) + Marshmallow(10ml)

These combinations seem extremely good and was just hoping someone could back me up on that? If you have a better suggestion I am ordering from this site so please suggest something that is in stock - http://esmokes.se/en/

I know that FA is stronger than TFA so would it be right to say that when using FA I should generally do 4ml coconut + 2ml marshmallow whereas TFA 8ml Strawberry + 4ml Milk. I will be making blends that are around 80VG/20PG. 70VG/30PG.

Thanks for the help!

MagicJosh · Jul 22, 2017

Some TFA is strong and some isn't. I would suggest checking out other peoples recipes before you do anything. http://e-liquid-recipes.com/ I started off with strawberry and creams.

Swegly · Jul 22, 2017

MagicJosh said:
Some TFA is strong and some isn't. I would suggest checking out other peoples recipes before you do anything. http://e-liquid-recipes.com/ I started off with strawberry and creams.

Thing is all of those recipes have tons of flavoring and since Im just starting I want to make it simple. Also much of that isnt in stock on the site im using.

MagicJosh · Jul 22, 2017

Swegly said:
Thing is all of those recipes have tons of flavoring and since Im just starting I want to make it simple. Also much of that isnt in stock on the site im using.

Yeah I would just suggest Capella and Flavor West t if you want stronger 1 shots.

Swegly · Jul 22, 2017

MagicJosh said:
Yeah I would just suggest Capella and Flavor West t if you want stronger 1 shots.

Well people have been telling me that using 1 flavor will be pretty lame, and many youtube videos just suggest using a fruit flavor along with a base such as cake, cookie, marshmallow, cream, etc. Would the combinations I have created actually be bad

MagicJosh · Jul 22, 2017

This is one of my first recipes I ever made. It is still one of my favorite flavor's. http://e-liquid-recipes.com/recipe/1305068/Juice Lemon Cheesecake . My early recipes were 2 flavors or less.

MagicJosh · Jul 22, 2017

Swegly said:
Well people have been telling me that using 1 flavor will be pretty lame, and many youtube videos just suggest using a fruit flavor along with a base such as cake, cookie, marshmallow, cream, etc. Would the combinations I have created actually be bad

Honestly some of the best recipes are 2 or 3 flavors. honestly. The best part of diying is that everything you make is going to taste great. The flavors companies do a great job making these flavors. Also check out https://www.oooflavors.com/ This company has great one shots. (Single flavors) Just don't expect using brown sugar as a one shot and thinking it will taste good. Start with a single fruit flavor and a cream of some sort. Also if you are just starting buy unflavored e-juice with 3-12 nicotine strength. You wont need gloves.

Swegly · Jul 22, 2017

MagicJosh said:
Honestly some of the best recipes are 2 or 3 flavors. honestly. The best part of diying is that everything you make is going to taste great. The flavors companies do a great job making these flavors. Also check out https://www.oooflavors.com/ This company has great one shots. (Single flavors) Just don't expect using brown sugar as a one shot and thinking it will taste good. Start with a single fruit flavor and a cream of some sort. Also if you are just starting buy unflavored e-juice with 3-12 nicotine strength. You wont need gloves.

Here is a picture of my cart and what Im buying so far. https://gyazo.com/5fb4bd65bdd991f5fbef385f179e4c2c

I did the math at if Im making 80VG/20PG mixes I will have enough (with leftover VG/PG) to make 800ml of juice.

1000ml total of VG
100ml PG
and 100ml PG W/ Nic (32mg per ml)

Does this seem like a good place to start?

as for the flavors on oooflavors, I think I will just grab like 4 of those one on one flavors instead of having to mix differenct bases from FA, TFA, etc.

gopher_byrd · Jul 22, 2017

@Swegly For your first mixes don't make large batches. Start out with 10 ml batches until you get the ratios where you really like them. With smaller batches you won't be pouring a huge amount down the drain if you find your experiment so awful you can't vape it. Believe me that's going to happen, it happens to all of us. Also, when you're testing don't add the nicotine. Nicotine is probably your most expensive part of the equation. I'm just trying to save your hard earned money.

I wish you luck on your adventure in DIY! We'll be here to help.

Huckleberried · Jul 22, 2017

You can check out the recipes section here, too. Lots of really great mixes, and they'll also give you an idea of how others are using particular flavors. Me, I start low, if necessary, add more later. I usually mix up a small bottle when I'm trying something for the first time. That way, if I don't care for it, it's not a really big loss, at all. I do mix up an 8oz base of unflavored for when I'm mixing up a sample, then I only need add whatever flavorings are called for.

MagicJosh · Jul 22, 2017

gopher_byrd said:
@Swegly For your first mixes don't make large batches. Start out with 10 ml batches until you get the ratios where you really like them. With smaller batches you won't be pouring a huge amount down the drain if you find your experiment so awful you can't vape it. Believe me that's going to happen, it happens to all of us. Also, when you're testing don't add the nicotine. Nicotine is probably your most expensive part of the equation. I'm just trying to save your hard earned money.

I wish you luck on your adventure in DIY! We'll be here to help.

Take this advice!!! Small batches first! Always! I still mix like this.

MagicJosh · Jul 22, 2017

Swegly said:
Here is a picture of my cart and what Im buying so far. https://gyazo.com/5fb4bd65bdd991f5fbef385f179e4c2c

I did the math at if Im making 80VG/20PG mixes I will have enough (with leftover VG/PG) to make 800ml of juice.

1000ml total of VG
100ml PG
and 100ml PG W/ Nic (32mg per ml)

Does this seem like a good place to start?

as for the flavors on oooflavors, I think I will just grab like 4 of those one on one flavors instead of having to mix differenct bases from FA, TFA, etc.

Yeah start small. A good One On One flavor is Strawberry Shortcake. Dont forget to buy some sucralose. Never go over 1 percent with sucralose. Just a suggestion.

Just Frank · Jul 22, 2017

A couple of cheap easy recipes I first tried are-

(Strawberry Cream recipe from youtube)
TFA-Strawberry Ripe 5%
TFA-Bavarian Cream 3%
TFA-Graham Cracker Clear 2%

(The famous "Mustard Milk")
TFA-Strawberry 6%
TFA-Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 8%

You can get 10ML bottles of TFA flavors from Bullcity for $1.29 a piece. I hope that helps in some way.

Swegly · Jul 22, 2017

gopher_byrd said:
@Swegly For your first mixes don't make large batches. Start out with 10 ml batches until you get the ratios where you really like them. With smaller batches you won't be pouring a huge amount down the drain if you find your experiment so awful you can't vape it. Believe me that's going to happen, it happens to all of us. Also, when you're testing don't add the nicotine. Nicotine is probably your most expensive part of the equation. I'm just trying to save your hard earned money.

I wish you luck on your adventure in DIY! We'll be here to help.

Thank you so much, will do.

Im just going to order these to make the VG/PG/Nic Mix:
-1000ml total of VG
-100ml PG
-100ml PG W/ Nic (32mg per ml)

And then buy strawberry sour belts and blue raspberry candy from OOOFlavors to use as my flavors so I dont have to begin tinkering with creating my own flavors just yet, but rather just the strength of the flavor. Reviews say those flavors taste like bazooka ejuice which I like alot.

MagicJosh said:
Yeah start small. A good One On One flavor is Strawberry Shortcake. Dont forget to buy some sucralose. Never go over 1 percent with sucralose. Just a suggestion.

Is sucralose just a sweetener? Is this a good choice - https://www.cloudhousevapor.com/tfa-sweetener.html ?

MagicJosh · Jul 22, 2017

Swegly said:
Is sucralose just a sweetener? Is this a good choice - https://www.cloudhousevapor.com/tfa-sweetener.html ?

Perfect! Yes its just a sweetner. You will see how it makes your e juice so much better. Its like ejuice magic!

Swegly · Jul 22, 2017

MagicJosh said:
Perfect! Yes its just a sweetner. You will so how it makes your e juice so much better. Its like ejuice magic!

Im so excited for this, gonna invest the same amount of money into all of this DIY stuff as 5 weeks worth of premium liquid thanks to you guys

Huckleberried · Jul 22, 2017

LOL, at least the DIY stuff will last a LOT longer.

Swegly · Jul 22, 2017

Huckleberried said:
LOL, at least the DIY stuff will last a LOT longer.

XD

I didnt mean it in a bad way, I meant that all the DIY stuff will yield like 800ml while paying the same price for premium gets like 180ml

MagicJosh · Jul 22, 2017

Swegly said:
XD

I didnt mean it in a bad way, I meant that all the DIY stuff will yield like 800ml while paying the same price for premium gets like 180ml

Its allot of fun for sure. That strawberry sour belts is really good. I invested allot of money in it. I just started not that long ago. And I love the flavor!

Huckleberried · Jul 22, 2017

Swegly said:
XD

I didnt mean it in a bad way, I meant that all the DIY stuff will yield like 800ml while paying the same price for premium gets like 180ml

Oh absolutely! Didn't take it in a bad way, in the least. it's a fun journey to be on

Swegly · Jul 25, 2017

Huckleberried said:
Oh absolutely! Didn't take it in a bad way, in the least. it's a fun journey to be on

MagicJosh said:
Its allot of fun for sure. That strawberry sour belts is really good. I invested allot of money in it. I just started not that long ago. And I love the flavor!

Just Frank said:
A couple of cheap easy recipes I first tried are-

(Strawberry Cream recipe from youtube)
TFA-Strawberry Ripe 5%
TFA-Bavarian Cream 3%
TFA-Graham Cracker Clear 2%

(The famous "Mustard Milk")
TFA-Strawberry 6%
TFA-Vanilla Bean Ice Cream 8%

You can get 10ML bottles of TFA flavors from Bullcity for $1.29 a piece. I hope that helps in some way.

Hey guys I got all of my DIY stuff, just waiting on the flavors which I ordered seperate. I had some questions about storing my 100ml PG based 32mg Nic.
Q1: Store it in the fridge or freezer?
Q2: Would it be good to split up the bottle into 5 seperate 20ml Plastic Bottles and if so should I leave room for expansion of the liquid?
Q3: Would it be fine to just leave all the Nic in the 100ml bottle in the freezer or will the oxygen trapped in the bottle ruin it?

Also can I just store my VG/PG in room temp but in a dark spot?

Huckleberried · Jul 25, 2017

How many mg do you vape? Off the cuff, if you think that will last you a month, or so, I'd just fridge it, no need to split it up and freeze. If you think 100ml will last you much longer, you could set aside the amount you think you'll use in a month, or 2, transfer the rest to a smaller bottle, with very little air in the top, and freeze.

Swegly · Jul 25, 2017

Huckleberried said:
How many mg do you vape? Off the cuff, if you think that will last you a month, or so, I'd just fridge it, no need to split it up and freeze. If you think 100ml will last you much longer, you could set aside the amount you think you'll use in a month, or 2, transfer the rest to a smaller bottle, with very little air in the top, and freeze.

I like to vape 4mg juice, so the 100ml pg nic should last me to make about 800ml of 70VG/30PG liquid. I vape around 150ml in a month id say.

Huckleberried · Jul 25, 2017

Swegly said:
I like to vape 4mg juice, so the 100ml pg nic should last me to make about 800ml of 70VG/30PG liquid. I vape around 150ml in a month id say.

That bottle of nic could last you a little while, LOL. Well, with the 20ml bottles that you mentioned, you certainly could split it up, leave one in the fridge, the rest in the freezer. If you discover that you go through the first one quickly, you can always remove them and store in the fridge. My initial thought was to just keep it all in the fridge, but that was my thinking you might go through it fairly quickly.

I've not had a nic base under 48mg before. My first nic base was 48mg in a 120ml size, and I did go through it pretty fast, but I was also using about 16mg back then, using protanks and ego pens. I really think you'd be fine, either way, but there's not a thing wrong with storing it in the freezer, and just remove it as you go. That may give you more peace of mind, as well.

You're gonna have some fun! :stars2:

Swegly · Jul 25, 2017

Huckleberried said:
That bottle of nic could last you a little while, LOL. Well, with the 20ml bottles that you mentioned, you certainly could split it up, leave one in the fridge, the rest in the freezer. If you discover that you go through the first one quickly, you can always remove them and store in the fridge. My initial thought was to just keep it all in the fridge, but that was my thinking you might go through it fairly quickly.

I've not had a nic base under 48mg before. My first nic base was 48mg in a 120ml size, and I did go through it pretty fast, but I was also using about 16mg back then, using protanks and ego pens. I really think you'd be fine, either way, but there's not a thing wrong with storing it in the freezer, and just remove it as you go. That may give you more peace of mind, as well.

You're gonna have some fun!

Would it be bad if I just left the nicotine at room temp?

I would just put the whole bottle of Nic in the freezer without splitting it up but then id have to wait for all of it to reach room temp before mixing instead of just having one active bottle

Huckleberried · Jul 25, 2017

Swegly said:
Would it be bad if I just left the nicotine at room temp?

I would just put the whole bottle of Nic in the freezer without splitting it up but then id have to wait for all of it to reach room temp before mixing instead of just having one active bottle

I've left nic at room temp before. Once air starts getting to it, it's going to oxidize. I had a nic base turn dark brown on me, but it also wasn't the best quality nic. You could do a little test, too. Leave a small amount out at room temp, see how it goes. Of course, if you have children, or curious pets around, keep it out of harm's way. Having never used 32mg base before, I honestly don't know, but I figure nic base, is nic base.

Swegly · Jul 25, 2017

Huckleberried said:
I've left nic at room temp before. Once air starts getting to it, it's going to oxidize. I had a nic base turn dark brown on me, but it also wasn't the best quality nic. You could do a little test, too. Leave a small amount out at room temp, see how it goes. Of course, if you have children, or curious pets around, keep it out of harm's way. Having never used 32mg base before, I honestly don't know, but I figure nic base, is nic base.

Thanks for the help, I think Im just going to divide it into the 20ml bottles and just keep 1 bottle in the fridge that I can use quickly like you said. I dont know if Im thinking this over too much but the liquid wont expand in the freezer right? and whether I use glass or plastic bottles for it shouldnt matter

Huckleberried · Jul 25, 2017

Swegly said:
Thanks for the help, I think Im just going to divide it into the 20ml bottles and just keep 1 bottle in the fridge that I can use quickly like you said. I dont know if Im thinking this over too much but the liquid wont expand in the freezer right? and whether I use glass or plastic bottles for it shouldnt matter

I always use glass, because everyone always told me to, LOL.

RonJS · Jul 25, 2017

Swegly said:
Thanks for the help, I think Im just going to divide it into the 20ml bottles and just keep 1 bottle in the fridge that I can use quickly like you said. I dont know if Im thinking this over too much but the liquid wont expand in the freezer right? and whether I use glass or plastic bottles for it shouldnt matter

You should have no expansion concerns.

Use glass for storage.

Swegly · Jul 25, 2017

RonJS said:
You should have no expansion concerns.

Use glass for storage.

Thing is I dont have any glass bottles, but the plastic bottles I have are PE and the Nic is only 32mg so do you think it would really pose an issue?

RonJS · Jul 25, 2017

Swegly said:
Thing is I dont have any glass bottles, but the plastic bottles I have are PE and the Nic is only 32mg so do you think it would really pose an issue?

Issue? That's up to you.

see WL's advice...
---
"Wizard Labs Nicotine solutions are shipped in chemically resistant plastic containers for shipping safety, and heat sealed in multiple containment bags to prevent leakage during shipment. For long term storage over 2 months, we recommend transferring your nicotine solution into glass containers with airtight lids, and as little airspace in the top of the container as possible. "

https://wizardlabs.us/chemicals-and...icotine-solution/36mg-nicotine-solution-120ml
---
They are not the only seller advising transfer to glass bottles.

Swegly · Jul 25, 2017

RonJS said:
Issue? That's up to you.

see WL's advice...
---
"Wizard Labs Nicotine solutions are shipped in chemically resistant plastic containers for shipping safety, and heat sealed in multiple containment bags to prevent leakage during shipment. For long term storage over 2 months, we recommend transferring your nicotine solution into glass containers with airtight lids, and as little airspace in the top of the container as possible. "

https://wizardlabs.us/chemicals-and...icotine-solution/36mg-nicotine-solution-120ml
---
They are not the only seller advising transfer to glass bottles.

I just took the drippers off some old dark green 30ml rollupz bottles. Those should work

Cormic · Jul 25, 2017

The current bottle of nic I'm working from (60mg in pg) has been in use for about 12 weeks and just sits with my flavors. I haven't noticed any degradation so far. The bottle I'll be using next is in the freezer in the plastic bottle it came in. Mostly because it's as good a place as any for me to keep it until then. When I started diy I looked into storage and for the most part found that in large quantities it's kept in stainless steel vats under an inert gas (argon or maybe nitrogen) so I think the real issue is oxidation. Some people go through all sorts of strange rituals with storage and mixing and steeping. Some do nothing special at all. So I think it's whatever you feel like doing with a single exception, shake the holy crap out of your flavors and nic before mixing!

Edit: added nic to the shake part

RonJS · Jul 25, 2017

Cormic said:
So I think it's whatever you feel like doing with a single exception, shake the holy crap out of your flavors before mixing!

Ever hear of Nicotine "hot spots"? :popcorn:

Swegly · Jul 29, 2017

Huckleberried said:
That bottle of nic could last you a little while, LOL. Well, with the 20ml bottles that you mentioned, you certainly could split it up, leave one in the fridge, the rest in the freezer. If you discover that you go through the first one quickly, you can always remove them and store in the fridge. My initial thought was to just keep it all in the fridge, but that was my thinking you might go through it fairly quickly.

I've not had a nic base under 48mg before. My first nic base was 48mg in a 120ml size, and I did go through it pretty fast, but I was also using about 16mg back then, using protanks and ego pens. I really think you'd be fine, either way, but there's not a thing wrong with storing it in the freezer, and just remove it as you go. That may give you more peace of mind, as well.

You're gonna have some fun!

I recieved all of the DIY things in the mail yesterday! Im going to have to buy some better bottles for mixing however because I realised quickly how difficult it is to pour the VG/PG in the 20ml/50ml mixing bottles I got and work with them, but I will find a setup that is convenient for me with experience I assume.

Asside from that I began messing with different flavor/PG/VG/Nic %'s. First I made 10ml of a 70VG/30PG @ 4mg with 5% Strawberry sour belts. The hit was pretty harsh and there was nearly no flavor, so before mixing any other blends I tested the VG and PG seperately and then VG/PG with Nic to make sure that it all tasted and felt like high quality which it sure did. I then mixed a 80VG/20PG @ 3mg blend. I added 18 drops of this with 2 drops of flavor for a 10% flavored blend, which had the perfect throat hit and mild to decent flavor. Im thinking Ill up the flavor to 15% and take it from there.

Any tips on what I can change with this process? This is pretty fun!

Swegly · Jul 29, 2017

@Huckleberried

I found that 20% flavoring is a good amount by adding 4 drops of strawberry belts to 16 drops of 80VG/20PG.

One problem though is the DIY calculator doesnt let me adjust the flavoring to 20% with the 80/20 mix because then the PG goes into the negatives.

I assume this is because then the 80/20 turns closer into a 75/25 am I correct?

Huckleberried · Jul 29, 2017

Well, since most flavorings are in a PG, I suppose so. I vape high PG, since I'm sensitive to VG, so it's something I don't really run across. I do sometimes hear that high VG vapers get best results from flavoring after a couple days, BUT if it's tasting right to you, then you're doing it right.

I'm not familiar with that flavoring, though.

As far as your bottles go, if you decide to order a larger bottle of nic later, that you intend to split up, you can find wide mouth bottles, too. They make it a lot easier, for sure. I learned that the hard way, myself, LOL.

Swegly · Jul 29, 2017

Huckleberried said:
Well, since most flavorings are in a PG, I suppose so. I vape high PG, since I'm sensitive to VG, so it's something I don't really run across. I do sometimes hear that high VG vapers get best results from flavoring after a couple days, BUT if it's tasting right to you, then you're doing it right. I'm not familiar with that flavoring, though.

As far as your bottles go, if you decide to order a larger bottle of nic later, that you intend to split up, you can find wide mouth bottles, too. They make it a lot easier, for sure. I learned that the hard way, myself, LOL.

I made 30ml of 70/30 3mg with 20% flavoring and its tasting pretty damn premium. Im still not sure if Im going to divide the 100ml bottle of nic I have into smaller bottles though because I cant find them at the store anywhere. Do you think its really necessary to split up the nic if it will be used within 6 months?

Huckleberried · Jul 29, 2017

Well, someone up above this post said they had left theirs out, successfully. Personally, I can't really say, since I've not done it.

Since you've already tested the quality of your nic, and it tastes good to you, you'll notice if it changes. Peppery tasting, color may change. Color changes are pretty normal when exposed to air, though. Nic that tastes a bit peppery, is nothing I've ever been awfully concerned about, because I don't mind that taste, LOL, but some people don't like that at all, especially since the quality of what's available to us has really come a long way. Some nic can get downright harsh, though. Changes in it will be pretty obvious to you. As far as nic strength degrading, I personally think you'll be okay in that length of time.

MWorthington · Aug 2, 2017

Swegly said:
I made 30ml of 70/30 3mg with 20% flavoring and its tasting pretty damn premium. Im still not sure if Im going to divide the 100ml bottle of nic I have into smaller bottles though because I cant find them at the store anywhere. Do you think its really necessary to split up the nic if it will be used within 6 months?

I have a 250ml bottle of 100mg nic that I just leave in the fridge. I keep it stored in the plastic bottle it came in. At 6mg mix, it tastes just fine. I've had it about 3 months.

DIY flavoring

Cranky Old Fart

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