One on one with my flavors.

[Citizen]

Single flavor testers... how many of you do it? I typically haven't and I'm wondering if I'm holding myself back a bit in my mixing by not doing so.

I've got a sizable flavor order coming in from the awesome folks at Bull City Flavors and with the exception of a couple 4oz bottles of my adv flavors, most of them are new to me. I plan on testing them all standalone. I had forgotten to order small 10ml bottles but luckily the B&M next to work is going to help me out with that. I plan on doing what I sometimes do for a new flavor, which is look at the reviews on bcf and get an idea what people are mixing at standalone or in a mix and then go up or down from there. Mix little 5ml test batches with no nic pg/vg. I plan on taking detailed notes on everything.

I've got concentrates that I use in recipes that others have come up with but I typically tend to stay away from a decent amount of them when I'm crafting my own concoctions.

Also, My dripper situation is rather sad right now. I've got a royal hunter mini that's had a terribly loose drip tip from day one and is more of a pain in the ass to vape than it's worth most of the time. That being said, I've been pretty much sticking to my tanks. If I grab a new dripper I'll probably just wick, test, run unflavored to flush and then test the next flavor. Rewick as necessary.

So I guess my questions are these:

Should I go back through all of my concentrates (80+) and single flavor test a substantial amount of them that aren't my usual go to's?

Is there a website out there with detailed percentage preferences for standalone mixes as well as what people typically use in a mix?

And what should I do regarding the dripper? I think investing in a new dripper even for the sole purpose of testing is justified... agree?

I'm sorry that was so long winded for what will probably seem like a few dumb questions. I just feel like I've hit a plateau with my mixing and this seems like it may be the next logical step. Get in touch with the roots. Your input is greatly appreciated VU fam.

 

[cvcrcr99]

I personally test all of mine in a dripper. As for the current flavors you have, maybe just through the ones you don't use often? your main go-to's should be fine. BTW, I have (non-mini) Royal Hunter dripper that I rarely use. Nothing loose on it . I would be happy to sell it off if you are interested. For drippers, I usually prefer my Wotofo sapor(s).

 

[brandon555]

Should I go back through all of my concentrates (80+) and single flavor test a substantial amount of them that aren't my usual go to's?

I would. Sometimes a recipe with multiple flavors can easily be ruined by one flavor that you don't care for that could have been substituted with something else. Vanilla bean ice cream is a good example, lots of good recipes out there with it but to some people it tastes like pepper, in which case something like french vanilla or vanilla custard might be a better option.

Is there a website out there with detailed percentage preferences for standalone mixes as well as what people typically use in a mix?

e-liquid-recipes.com Register your email address for full access to flavor notes and recipes

And what should I do regarding the dripper? I think investing in a new dripper even for the sole purpose of testing is justified... agree?

One is all you need if you just vape it dry and clear it with plain vg between flavors. Maybe a second one for really strong flavors like cinnamon or menthol that like to hang around in the wick.

I

 

[Citizen]

I personally test all of mine in a dripper. As for the current flavors you have, maybe just through the ones you don't use often? your main go-to's should be fine. BTW, I have (non-mini) Royal Hunter dripper that I rarely use. Nothing loose on it . I would be happy to sell it off if you are interested. For drippers, I usually prefer my Wotofo sapor(s).

I was literally just looking at the sapor! I've heard good things.

 

[Citizen]

I thought that was possible at ELR. Was that feature possible without registering before? I thought I remembered seeing it there.

 

[Slots]

I always do a 3ml taste test on new flavors. That gives me just enough to see how strong, sweet, or weak it is, and what it would contribute to a recipe.
I always have a bottle of "base" pg/vg mix handy so I can dilute it, ... or I can add a drop or 2 of more flavoring if needed, or maybe a sweetener will make it pop...whatever.
The % you try will vary with the company and your taste buds ... some companies are known to be weak (FW), while other are known to be strong.
I try to read all the reviews I can ... it doesn't always help, but ...
I was surprised at how many were just plain good solo.

I will add one note here ... personally, I add the nicotine to the test, because it will interact and change the flavor.
I also mix a bunch at the same time, and let them sit for a couple of weeks, because that will change the flavor too.
You have a lot (80) to play with ... just need the bottles

We all have our little "quirks", ... mine is, I never assume a flavor is any good,... I have to try it.
A "strawberry" from 5 different companies will give you 5 different strawberry flavors.
Sometimes you have to keep trying until you find the one you like.
Sometimes the strawberry tastes just as good from one company as another ... but one needs 10%, and the other one only needs 5%.
That's important to me too.

Have fun in the lab

 

[skiball]

I'm lazy so i just put a couple drops in some water and in the mouth it goes. Gives me a good idea of what i'm working with.

Sent from my LG-E980 using Tapatalk

 

[Citizen]

The % you try will vary with the company and your taste buds ... some companies are known to be weak (FW), while other are known to be strong.
I try to read all the reviews I can ... it doesn't always help, but ...
I was surprised at how many were just plain good solo.

That's what I like about FLV, INW and sometimes FA. You get a lot of bang for your buck. Some of them I like to do a dilution. Makes them a little easier to work with.

I will add one note here ... personally, I add the nicotine to the test, because it will interact and change the flavor.
I also mix a bunch at the same time, and let them sit for a couple of weeks, because that will change the flavor too.
You have a lot (80) to play with ... just need the bottles

I know what you mean about the nic and I suppose it doesn't really matter if I'm mixing 3-5 ml testers. I'm not out that much if I don't like it. As far as waiting a week...I'm so terribly bad at getting my steep on. This is something I'm working on.

A "strawberry" from 5 different companies will give you 5 different strawberry flavors.

For sure. And I'm really not fond of any single one by itself. Same with Blueberry. I have to mix a couple of them to get that fruit note I'm after.

Have fun in the lab

Always! That's what it's all about!

 

[Rin Vapes]

I used to but get lazy sometimes. I think mixing single flavor and nailing that percentage is definitely the best method. A flavor that is terrible at 2% can be great lower (or higher). You'll never know until you do that single flavor test.
The only thing that does kind of suck, are flavors that are clearly intended to be additives. One on One powered sugar for example... Weird to mix straight... but I guess I'm going to have to.

 

[Citizen]

I used to but get lazy sometimes. I think mixing single flavor and nailing that percentage is definitely the best method. A flavor that is terrible at 2% can be great lower (or higher). You'll never know until you do that single flavor test.
The only thing that does kind of suck, are flavors that are clearly intended to be additives. One on One powered sugar for example... Weird to mix straight... but I guess I'm going to have to.

Oh for sure. Additives are just that. I just actually caught a really good podcast where they went through single flavor testing and additive testing and it kind of opened my eyes to a lot of things. I can make decent juice, and I've got enough recipes from others that are good that I can vape awesome juice every single day. I'm just really looking to take my mixing to the next level.

 

[Heabob]

Single flavor testers... how many of you do it?

I usually only do this with fruits and certain bakery types.
Testing out single Creams, Vanillas, Meringue, Brown Sugar, Marshmallow, etc., never really worked too well for me.
But some of the French Vanillas or Vanilla Bean Ice Creams aren't too bad stand alone.

 

[Slots]

I usually only do this with fruits and certain bakery types.
Testing out single Creams, Vanillas, Meringue, Brown Sugar, Marshmallow, etc., never really worked too well for me.

Very true ... but I test them anyway just to see if they really are creamy, sweet, and how strong or weak they are, just to determined what, if anything I think they will contribute.
Then I'll drop a little of something like INW Shisha Strawberry into it and finish it off.

 

[Citizen]

It was all going so well until I mixed Jungle Juice (FW) at 10% and dripped it... I'm retiring for the evening.