Kangertech / Making own liquid issues

[Stef]

Hi all,

Something doesn't seem quite right with my vaping experience, so instead of pondering any longer, I thought I'd ask in a few forums to see if I can get myself some help/pointers/advice ...

A bit about me ... I've been vaping for nearly a year now and haven't smoked since, I started with a cheapy pen thing and then about 6 months ago I moved onto a Kangertech Subox mini, which I'm still using to this day. Realising that making my own liquid could save me some sheckles I decided to do the research, buy the materials needed, and have been making my own liquid for quite some time now, and this is where I feel something isn't quite right ...

I bought a litre bottle of VG and PG off eBay for about £8 each, and a 500ml bottle of 72 mg liquid nicotine for about £38ish. I bought a load of empty 30ml bottles/caps and a ton of plastic syringes. I regularly buy 30ml bottles of flavour concentrate off eBay for about £5 each to keep myself going.
As far as I can see everything goes as it should, I've watched countless YouTube videos, I use an online calculator to get my ml measurements exactly right, I usually go for a 70/30 VG/PG ratio with 2mg nicotine, but lately have been using quite a lot of flavour (20%-30%), and this is part of the problem, which I will explain ...

I've found myself upping the flavour percent because although the clouds I produce smell sweet and strong, the taste I actually get is very very weak in comparison, and in some cases completely tasteless. I had resigned myself to the fact that this is just how it is with vaping and also knowing that to some degree making your own liquid involves experimenting, it can sometimes be hit and miss, and generally all part of the fun/learning process.

But it wasn't until about 2 months ago when everything got turned on its head ... a mate of mine bought a kit made by Aspire, namingly the "Aspire Premium Starter Kit - Nautilus Mini & CF VV+". When he purchased the kit, he also bought some 70/30 Black Jack liquid from the company as well. I had a try on his Aspire and the flavour was like nothing I'd ever experienced from my Kangertech, it was very full of flavour, so much so I swear I could still taste it hours later. Of course I was jealous and confused all at the same time, how could this device throw out so much more flavour compared to mine when we are using pretty much exactly the same ratio of ingredients, apart from the flavour of course.

Since then, I've gradually upped my flavour % to compensate but still don't seem to be able to get anywhere near the strength of his flavour, and I really cannot go any stronger as I'm just starting to waste concentrate in what now feels like a pointless pursuit as the results aren't getting any better. I even bought my own Black Jack concentrate in case it was that, but alas, although there was a slight taste from the liquid I made, it was nothing like his, not even close.


So what could the issue be? I have a few of my own suggestions, but this is where I'm asking for advice/help as I don't really know. I generally use my Kangertech between 30W & 35W with the standard .5 ohm coils, the coils are replaced regularly and I look after my device. Is it that the Kangertech coils just aren't as good as the Aspire ones? Could it be the materials I use to make my liquid? I thought VG/PG pretty standard across the board, or are there some "cheaper" brands that could cause this? The same question for concentrate flavours, are they pretty much the same, or can you get cheaper ones that lack the strength of others? Do shops and online companies that make/sell liquid know something I don't? Do they use expensive materials to get there desired results? I'm quite happy to spend a bit more on materials if it means getting the results of others and generally a more satisfying experience from vaping.

As a side note, I am thinking of ditching my Kangertech and buying a full Smok X Cube 2 kit and running it with the quad coils, but I will be distraught if I spend all that cash on it just to come across the same problems as I'm having now, so I think it's best I solve this issue before shelving out my hard earned cash.


Any help with this would be greatly appreciated as I'm lost for answers myself and I feel my vaping experience is now suffering because of this. Don't be alarmed if you see this post in a few other places, I intend to put it up on a few forums to get as much feedback as I can to help me move forward with this.

Thanks in advance


Stef

 

[SteveS45]

Welcome and enjoy your stay. How much power are you pumping through when you vape? If you are overheating your e-Liquid that can kill the test. Be patient as many suggestions are forthcoming.

 

[f1r3b1rd]

I'm going to move this over to the diy section, since you are primarily concerned about flavor percentages.
as for the gear and how it effects flavor. YES gear definitely effects flavor; but, just to say "quad coils" really isn't enough information.
do you mean the smok quad coil heads? or building a quad coil rda? while some of the premade coils are definitely good in flavor, it has been my experience that I get better flavor when I build my own. Additionally, some pre made heads are better than others. Some flavors come through better in certain conditions as well. I prefer deserts at lower power and fruit at higher.

remember with vaping everyone is different.
to the percentage issue, I will leave that to those that certainly know more than myself.

 

[Larry J]

Percentage of recommended flavoring varies from manufacturer to manufacturer and from flavor to flavor. It's also possible to get TOO MUCH flavoring and cause the taste to completely disappear. Tell us what flavors and what manufacturers you're using so we can give some educated guesses as to what you might try next.

 

[Neunerball]

First off, are you vaping one liquid with the same flavor only? In that case, you might just have vapor's tongue.
What's the brand of the flavors you are using?

 

[SteveS45]

I'm going to move this over to the diy section, since you are primarily concerned about flavor percentages.
as for the gear and how it effects flavor. YES gear definitely effects flavor; but, just to say "quad coils" really isn't enough information.
do you mean the smok quad coil heads? or building a quad coil rda? while some of the premade coils are definitely good in flavor, it has been my experience that I get better flavor when I build my own. Additionally, some pre made heads are better than others. Some flavors come through better in certain conditions as well. I prefer deserts at lower power and fruit at higher.

remember with vaping everyone is different.
to the percentage issue, I will leave that to those that certainly know more than myself.

Such a nice pleasant explanation of why the thread was moved! Did I see the Returded1's Avatar before? I said NO Way could he be so professional and courteous!

 

[Heabob]

"Aspire Premium Starter Kit - Nautilus Mini & CF VV+". When he purchased the kit, he also bought some 70/30 Black Jack liquid from the company as well. I had a try on his Aspire and the flavour was like nothing I'd ever experienced from my Kangertech, it was very full of flavour, so much so I swear I could still taste it hours later.

You pretty much summed it up right there.

I'd actually go and buy one of those Aspire Kits if it was so much better on flavor.
Problem with buying many of the new tanks is you can't "test drive" them first.

Brands of flavors vary quite a bit, what does Ebay sell? (better/stronger brands are available)
CAP, TFA, FA, INW, FA, and even FW are some of the better known "good brands".
PG/VG ratio plays a big part too IMO, as all my mixes are 70/30VG and the taste is great, (4-12% average total flavorings).
The smaller, cheaper, MTL tanks with single coils produce more flavor and less clouds, not sub-ohm, 8-15 watts.
All the new-fangled, big-air, quad coil, sub-ohm, juice guzzling tanks are for "cloud shows" primarily.
Yes I've tried a couple, and quickly went back to my 2 year old, cheapo, antique tank, with Kanger PT2 coils (rebuilt of course), lol.
Prefer coils at 1.5 to 1.9 ohms
But the even the stock 1.0 CLR heads are fine in my Joyetech Tron-S tank.


Strictly my experience, for what it's worth anyway.

 

[PatheticMr.]

As I couple of others have said, more info about exactly what flavours you are using would help. What brand are they and exactly how much of each are you using? To give you an example of why.... Capella sweet strawberry is quite acceptable to go way over 10% as a single flavouring. However, flavour art Strawberry is right at about 2-3% and will start to lose flavour over 5%.

The best advice I can give you is to go on the DIY ELIQUID RECIPE section here and at VU, browse for a recipe you think sounds nice. Read the comments to make sure numerous people like it - there are many on there! Then order all the flavourings used in the recipe and mix it up exactly as posted. Maybe do this for 3 or 4 recipes. HIC's (headinclouds) is known for posting consistently great recipes on here. I'd suggest checking a few of his out.

If you still aren't satisfied then try a new atomiser. You don't necessarily need a whole new 'kit'. All the box is doing is providing power... A Herakles Plus or Uwell Crown tank will give you outstanding flavour.

Hope that helps. Good luck!