Mixed my first batch tonight...

[DougB]

Today I got in the remainder of all of my vape-mail goodness and I was very excited, to say the least. I figured I would start with an 'easy' recipe that has just three flavorings. I made a 25 ml batch of the Andromeda clone and used an online calculator for the amounts. I wanted to do it without the calculator but my brain starting hurting so I punched in all of the amounts and went at it. I should add here that I added about 4 drops of a sweetener- the 'e.m.' I think it is abbreviated as.
I followed the numbers to the very best of my ability, mixed it with a frother and then steeped it for an hour in a circulator thing. The consistency looked thin, after cooling, but it was thick enough to hold the wick and not spill pitifully. Time to vape it...
I took a reluctant pull and I was immediately taken by the harshness. I took a deeper pull and it was enough to make me cough- which I don't do with commercial mixes. The cloud was very poor, too, by comparison.
I don't want to get discouraged- especially considering the amount of cashish that I spent as of late on all of the supplies. I have a tendency to get a little wild with things when I like them.
Any chance I reversed the pg/vg ratio by any chance? I went for a 70/30 mix but quite frankly I forget which is which. I do recall using much more of the thinner mixture and much less of the thick.
So, I am going to let it sit overnight and give it a go tomorrow but I am not looking forward to it. I know I need to walk before I can fly but this experience has me feeling bummed out. Thanks for letting me vent. Time to vape something I know will deliver...hoping someday it will be made by me!

 

[AmandaD]

Don't give up after your first mix And, it's always a good idea to make a little sample first - say 5ml. Don't overdo the frother - you'll just oxidise the nic and that will make it taste harsh. Also, flavors still need time to settle down after coming out of the crockpot (and many don't need that either!). Try it again tomorrow, if it's no good toss it and start again. Oh, and double check your nic - if you got that wrong it will be very harsh.

Keep going - it's fun but it can be frustrating in the beginning!

Oh, I should add that some of those clones are awful - only you will know once you make it!

 

[DougB]

^ Great, thanks again, Amanda. I appreciate the suggestions, support and encouragement.

 

[JXN]

Reads to me like you didn't give the juice enough time to saturate the wick. If I'm filling up a new tank I let it sit for at the very least a good five minutes before vaping.

 

[Bellirena]

Don't get discouraged! I've also just started mixing, though I started with the basics and am just enjoying matching up flavors that I like and that taste good to me blended. I found the blueberry flavor to be a mild taste, but have not experienced a pomegranate or vanilla flavor as of yet.

I suggest always using a calculator! It makes it much easier to reference when you've got several ingredients going at once - I'd guess 99%+ of us DIYers have no problem in using it

I do know that the VG is the thicker liquid and it is also what gives you a better cloud. Best I can tell the pg/vg ratio is completely preference based and thus changes from recipe to recipe. We personally started with a 30%pg 70%vg base and it has a nice consistency and a decent cloud.

 

[DougB]

^ Thanks very much, I appreciate that...I think I could very well have reversed the pg/vg because I was going for a 70/30 (or 30/70?) and it is too runny...I will give it a taste tomorrow and see what's up. I am thinking a 'do-over' is in my day tomorrow...I may just follow that suggestion of yours and do a flavor or two and see how it goes. I want to get it right, NOW. haha...that's me, though. Now I have a plan for tomorrow, thanks very much

 

[Time]

Don't give up. The Andromeda clone I use is very good, good choice. It does sound like you got something mixed up with the ratios. I've made mistakes and had to slow down and take things step by step.

 

[Ld3441]

It does sound like you mixed up the PG and VG. If that is the case that would also add to the harshness or give it a bite as they say as well as less vapor.

Just starting out it is a good idea to just do single flavors so you can find out what percentage you like each flavor best. Going by recipes gives you juice the creator likes but you may not. It could be weak/strong. As Amanda said, make small samples. I don't know the brand of flavors you are using but for example if it were FA, I'd make samples at 2, 3 and 4% to see which I like best or if it needs more. It will make it easier for you to combine them. When you get too much flavoring it gets weaker so watch for that as well.

Most of all enjoy yourself. Best of luck to you!

 

[Count Vapula]

If it is very thin, then you went 70% PG. This can give a strong hit. %nic is also a huge factor in how rough the vape is too

Improper wicking shouldn't be a huge issue with thin juice though, but can be another reason for harshness

Alcohol content is a potential irritant as well ... depending on the flavour's chemical composition.

I find sometimes, when my coil isn't warm, that the first few hits are much rougher. Maybe because I use very high VG .. or maybe its due to something else lol

I wouldn't toss the juice though, just let it steep w/o the cap for a while. Unsure if you should be mass-oxidizing juice either. O2 is highly reactive and breaks down long-chain organic molecules fast. (nic and flavours)

 

[DougB]

^Thank you all for your input. I very much appreciate the time and suggestions...I am going to make some simple, one-flavor 5 ml mixes tonight to see how strong each flavor is...Blueberry now makes me nauseous after last night...haha...I am going to start with Cap Hazelnut v2 at 5% and 4% and go from there. Once I get the desired taste strength I am going to add sweetener and vanillin to see how they react with this flavor then take notes and move on. I think I did go 70% pg as opposed to 70% vg so thanks for that tip. I am going to shake and vape each and then steep them to see how that makes a difference in the two samples, if any...More questions from me to come for sure. I am grateful you all for your help. Thanks.

 

[AmandaD]

^Thank you all for your input. I very much appreciate the time and suggestions...I am going to make some simple, one-flavor 5 ml mixes tonight to see how strong each flavor is...Blueberry now makes me nauseous after last night...haha...I am going to start with Cap Hazelnut v2 at 5% and 4% and go from there. Once I get the desired taste strength I am going to add sweetener and vanillin to see how they react with this flavor then take notes and move on. I think I did go 70% pg as opposed to 70% vg so thanks for that tip. I am going to shake and vape each and then steep them to see how that makes a difference in the two samples, if any...More questions from me to come for sure. I am grateful you all for your help. Thanks.

You may not need sweetener - I never use it as such. If something needs sweetening TFA brown sugar extra, marshmallow, meringue, molasses are sometimes good substitutes.

 

[DougB]

^ Excellent, thanks again Amanda. Much appreciated.