New to DIY need help with max VG!

[WombatNipples]

Hello all...

I've been vaping for about 4 years now and have not, until last week, tried my hand at DIY. I've made up 10, 10ml batches of different flavors using combinations of pairings I know I like. I've used, for the most part, recommended percentages from TFA and FW.

So Monday was my first actual day of mixing. It went well, even though I felt like Walter White with all the lab gear and safety measures I took before, during and after mixing (In my mind fearing that the 100mg/ml nicotine would somehow explode from the bottle and immediately absorb into my skin rendering me incapacitated). palmface:

Anyway to my question(s). Which if they have been covered elsewhere, which I'm sure they have, I am sorry. I am PG sensitive so for the past few years I've been vaping max VG and haven't had any issues. So I bought my VG based nic and VG from Nudenicotine. Mixed up what I felt would be decent and let all 10 batches "steep" in my cupboard for 2 days before trying them all. Every single one tastes like shit! Shook the crap out of all of them and put them back until this morning (5 days later). All still suck. I understand diy is a crap load of trial and error but jeeze! I figured I'd have at least one batch I'd like. In most of the mixes I'm using 15-20% flavoring (TFA and/or FW) at 3mg nic. Most all recipes I see are using a 70/30 or 50/50 ratio. Am I not using a high enough percentage of flavoring? Not shaking enough? Should I buy some type of mixing device? Heat it up? Add distilled water? Any suggestions on what to do with max VG would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks!

 

[Huckleberried]

Recommended percentages are just that, recommendations. What works for you might be completely different than that. I wouldn't add more flavoring, just yet. If they're too strong, you can dilute them down, too.

Some people do use a bit, maybe 10-15% distilled water for high or max VG.

TFA and FW.... what'd ya make? Maybe we can help a bit better.

 

[WombatNipples]

Other 2 were apple jacks variations I documented elsewhere.

 

[WombatNipples]

The Banana Biscotti is ok but the rest just seem week. Almost like straight up VG with subtle hints of flavor. Maybe I'm just loosing it.

 

[Huckleberried]

You could try to speed steep. If they're in plastic bottles, just sit them in a bowl or coffee cups of hot tap water. If in glass, you could pop them in a crock pot on warm, or low with the lid cracked, for a couple hours. The percentages look pretty balanced. VG is naturally a little sweet.

Any chance you might be experience vaper's tongue? I realize you're not new at this, at all, but I'm not sure what the problem is, either. Maybe they just need more time. I have a sensitivity to high VG, so mine are super easy to flavor at 80pg.

 

[WombatNipples]

Wow never heard of a VG sensitivity! 80 PG!! Talk about some throat hit! No vapers tongue at the moment. Been there... Done that... Drink a lot of water now lol. Maybe they just need more time. This diy is most certainly not for impatient people, which sadly I am extremely impatient. I'm really picky with my juice which doesn't help. I don't like, fruits, coffees, chocolates, tobaccos or anything with menthol. Been vaping steam juice's Jerry Juice for about 6 months. If I can make something that tastes close to that I'll be set. Might try that crock pot recommendation though! Couple hours as in 2?

 

[lordmage]

the other way to get max vg is with alcohol concentrates and most people start with .5% and work up from there

 

[WombatNipples]

Hmm... Trying to stay as smooth as possible. Adding alcohol will increase the throat hit won't it?

 

[Huckleberried]

They say that 4 hours equals about a month regular steep time, roughly 1 week per hour. If they're not spicy mixes, like with ginger, nutmeg, anise, cardamom... that kinda thing, then heat steeping is great. I really hope that helps you out. I'm a bit curious, myself.

Yeah, I discovered over the summer that even 25% VG is too much for my lungs. They feel heavy, sore, tight chest, hard to breathe deep. Once I went to 80 pg, no issues at all.

Former strong menthol smoker, heavy smoker. I don't mind the throat hit most of the time. On occasion it's a bit harsh.

There's another guy or 2 (at least) that I know of that are also max VG that are using FlavourArt. They're very concentrated, really good flavors, too. They don't make a cinnamon bun, however. They are PG based, but you don't have to use very much in your mix. There's also a super concentrates line from Vaping Zone, but I don't have experience with those.

I'd hate for you to have to go out buying a bunch more flavors of other brands, but you wouldn't have to use as much as you're using with TFA or FW. Hopefully heat steeping or more time will solve this for you. I like the recipes you posted.

 

[AmandaD]

You're probably using plastic bottles if you're making10ml samples, but take one and pop it in glass. Do you have a crockpot? As Huck said, 4 hours can make a world of difference as far as steeping goes. Your percentages (from the first recipe) look pretty good, so I'd try heat before rethinking.

(Like Huck I also can't vape more than 20% VG!).

 

[WombatNipples]

Thanks for all the advice. I'll be breaking out the crock pot tomorrow. I ordered $75 worth of flavors today. Only one of which was FA. Vanilla Tahiti which was recommended by a guy on another forum. Oh and yes I'm using plastic bottles until my glass ones get here. Tracking says they'll be here tomorrow so I'm sure they'll be here Wednesday lol. Thanks again guys!

 

[lordmage]

the other way to get max vg is with alcohol concentrates and most people start with .5% and work up from there

the was the Super alcohol concentrates work is after blending and mixing. when you steep you do it open cap style then the base evaporates off.

 

[Lefty]

Wow never heard of a VG sensitivity! 80 PG!! Talk about some throat hit! No vapers tongue at the moment. Been there... Done that... Drink a lot of water now lol. Maybe they just need more time. This diy is most certainly not for impatient people, which sadly I am extremely impatient. I'm really picky with my juice which doesn't help. I don't like, fruits, coffees, chocolates, tobaccos or anything with menthol. Been vaping steam juice's Jerry Juice for about 6 months. If I can make something that tastes close to that I'll be set. Might try that crock pot recommendation though! Couple hours as in 2?

Just order the concentrate from the DIY section at SteamJuice and put Jerry Juice in the comments.

 

[Graham Bradley]

Another thing you can try is getting a small ultrasonic cleaner, it acts as a warm water bath and also vibrates it, which helps it mix with the VG. They have 3 minute cycles, I suggest shaking it prior to use, then after you run it, shake it again and repeat. Ultrasonic cleaners are relatively inexpensive... around 30 dollars.

 

[WombatNipples]

Yeah I have one but it's ruined a few juices for me in the past. I have a magnetic stirrer I've been using and it does pretty well at mixing.

 

[BigNasty]

Pre warm your vg it will make mixing it easier.

 

[WombatNipples]

That's a good idea!