Testing flavors

[dannydestroy]

I have read a few methods on how to test your flavors out. I taste mine but what method do you find easiest to try a small amount of a flavor. I need to stock up on bottles but I didn't think mixing 10ml for tons of different flavors seemed like the best way to try them all but maybe it is. Thank you to everyone on this forum. I have read and learned so much.

 

[Kent B Marshall]

Mix 3 ml to 5 ml samples. Let age (steep). If your journey is just beginning, I suggest you vape your pg/vg without nicotine and flavor to get a taste of your base. Then pg/vg and nicotne without flavor for your next baseline. Then your ready to start mixing flavor. Keep accurate records of your flavor mixes so you can adjust or duplicate your success.

You can mix as many as your patience or bottle allow.
I use a dripper to test new flavors.

 

[Smoky Blue]

I like 20ml sample bottles.. why?

if i like it.. in order to sample it as it steeps.. i have plenty to work with..
I also take it in ranges.. I start off really low.. depending on company, as low as .5% and work my way up..
I drip new flavors on my mech with my fav dripper.. makes it all special lol..

and i take a ton of notes.. from how i like to what range i think is good, what it could pair with, and what it wont.

with vg and nic in affordable prices.. I love to play with my juice..

 

[dannydestroy]

Hey thanks for the replies. Keeping notes is a must. I didn't really think of vaping just my base. I'll have to try. Vapers tek nic. Bull city vg and pg. Tfa capella a few fa and inawera is what I'm working with. I mixed a long time ago but never got great results. I recently decided to give it another try and get some more info and better ingredients. .

 

[OBDave]

Good replies so far from @Kent B Marshall and @Smoky Blue - I also like to mix my samples at 10 ml, it's a bit large for most folks but it allows me to try a bit fresh, a bit more after a few days, and a bit more after a couple weeks. Of course, if I hit a winner in one of the first two steps I just vape it all and mix up a 30-50 ml batch...

 

[AmandaD]

I make initial samples anywhere from 3-6 to see if there's even any hope. If something has possibiities, I make 10-15 mls and play with it!

 

[RocketPuppy]

I'd definitely taste before steeping. Otherwise you'll have no way of knowing if the added time is beneficial.

 

[Smoky Blue]

Good replies so far from @Kent B Marshall and @Smoky Blue - I also like to mix my samples at 10 ml, it's a bit large for most folks but it allows me to try a bit fresh, a bit more after a few days, and a bit more after a couple weeks. Of course, if I hit a winner in one of the first two steps I just vape it all and mix up a 30-50 ml batch...

I have made more goofs that have turned out fantastic.. and the only things that saved me..
was size of my juice and notes, and when i find something that really gets me.. I tend to make lots and lots of it
I carry 4 oz bottles like most do with 15ml bottles lol..

Thank you OBDave, it took me a long time to get where I am today.. and couldnt do with without friends pushing me all the way..
I officially hit 3 years mixing and 3 years and a couple months vaping.. tonight..
I don't always write things out like some do around here.. but I have fun, and nothing beats enjoying something you worked hard for..
specially a good vape..
Here is to more time, and learning.. with more new vape friends..!

 

[70414]

Good info here. I have a mental image of a condensation covered crystal goblet of icy cold water, a worn journal and a beautiful view from Smoky Blu's description of taste testing.

 

[Smoky Blue]

and even if you think it might not go together.. try it anyway..
never know.. you might find something new to like..
@70414 you are very close.. When i lost so many of my recipes this New Years.. it taught me..
always have back ups.. even if it is a simple recipe.. if it matters, find a way to keep it..

 

[OBDave]

I have made more goofs that have turned out fantastic.. and the only things that saved me..
was size of my juice and notes, and when i find something that really gets me.. I tend to make lots and lots of it
I carry 4 oz bottles like most do with 15ml bottles lol..

Thank you OBDave, it took me a long time to get where I am today.. and couldnt do with without friends pushing me all the way..
I officially hit 3 years mixing and 3 years and a couple months vaping.. tonight..
I don't always write things out like some do around here.. but I have fun, and nothing beats enjoying something you worked hard for..
specially a good vape..
Here is to more time, and learning.. with more new vape friends..!

Congrats on the...uhh...mixaversary?

And thanks for the kind words - help from people like you shapes the next round of mixers - I read tons of your posts before jumping in myself late last year. Just trying to pay back by popping in when I feel like I've got something to add to the knowledge base of today's new folks - I was one myself not long ago at all.

 

[Huckleberried]

I make initial samples anywhere from 3-6 to see if there's even any hope. If something has possibiities, I make 10-15 mls and play with it!

Pretty much what I do, too. Yep. Small enough sample that if I don't like it, someone else might and I can PIF.

 

[Zanaspus]

I mix 10 ml, get to know it, then either use it or dump it.

 

[Smoky Blue]

the issue with only mixing 10ml and under... sometimes sitting up/steeping/aging/what ever you wish to call it..
10ml is just not enough.. and you should try out new flavors in a range of percentages..

really get to know.. vape it.. smell and think on what ever it is you are trying out.. over time.
otherwise, how do you really know what it is you have and how it will react?

you could be tossing something that might just work out fantastic.

 

[Kent B Marshall]

I have find mixing a great journey. Fortunately, I haven't got frustrated.

 

[Smoky Blue]

I have find mixing a great journey. Fortunately, I haven't got frustrated.

me either but i shure has made some wacky smells from my mixing

 

[Kent B Marshall]

me either but i shure has made some wacky smells from my mixing

It's the ones that smell good but vape like sh*t that surprise me lol

 

[RocketPuppy]

I officially hit 3 years mixing and 3 years and a couple months vaping.. tonight..

Wha??

 

[Smoky Blue]

Wha??

 

[dannydestroy]

Thanks rocketpuppy.

 

[AmandaD]

Wha??

Math isn't everyone's strongpoint

 

[RocketPuppy]

Weren't you on ECF too?

 

[Smoky Blue]

I was.. still am.. I just never go anymore..

 

[CJ]

Do any of you use cartomizers to test and then toss? I've heard of some people on other places (forums and facebook) talk about using carts but I can never find any cheap enough to just toss away after one test

 

[AmandaD]

I don't! I use a cheapo dripping atty - an Igo-L single coil (although I think it's twisted now). You can get them for under $10, and depending how you build it or what wattage you run it at get a realistic idea of how it will taste (in my case in a subtank or Kayfun).

 

[FL_David]

mixaversary

I like that word, and congrats to Smoky Blue. Also I like your new avatar.
I'll do a 6 ml bottle for a simple test batch, but most of the time it is whatever size bottle is empty. I may only use 10-15 ml in a 30 ml bottle.
I used to use 306's to test which were somewhat handy, but now I have a tiny single coil dripper. I might be able to get 3-4 drops in. I'm getting better about changing the wicks quickly.

 

[OBDave]

Do any of you use cartomizers to test and then toss? I've heard of some people on other places (forums and facebook) talk about using carts but I can never find any cheap enough to just toss away after one test

Maybe old 510 bridgeless attys? I'll dig through my super-old gear and snap a pic tomorrow if you'd like...but not sure where you'd find one today...

 

[Smoky Blue]

Do any of you use cartomizers to test and then toss? I've heard of some people on other places (forums and facebook) talk about using carts but I can never find any cheap enough to just toss away after one test

CJ.. Kanger Horizontal bottom coils.. Heath cabin ($4.99 a box) is where i used to pick mine up.. is all i used my first 8 months of vaping..
(You dont really need to toss after a first try.. straight vaping, they should last at least a week, if not longer.. I had one going for about a month at one time..)

but here is another place..

http://www.myvaporstore.com/Kanger-510-Horizontal-Coil-Cartomizer-p/510krct.htm

when you get them.. get a few boxes.. open one up, yank the cotton out, and just drip away

thanks @FL_David