Question about test flavors...

[mrsfogy]

Okay, so I have absolutely everything I need (I pray). I am ready to go. I've studied and watched and read and....yea, so anyway...

I have my 100+ flavors that I want to have a sample size of so I can reference what they taste like. I saw this as a bit of advice from someone here but I can't find the thread. SOOO....since I am doing so many vials (probably 5-10 mLs each), I am thinking I will make a base of PG/VG (no nice for samples necessary) that should cover the 500 - 1000 mL of juice. Anything else would seem absolutely tedious and time consuming.

Every flavor, I realize, is different when it comes to how much is needed but this is where I don't know what I should do. Should I just go with a set amount of 1 mL or .5 mL or whatever, and do the flavors all the same, or should I look at each flavor and the notes that wonderful chatters have made about how strong they are or are not and go with a recipe for each one?

I know there is no full proof way. Honestly, I am not looking for perfection with the sample vials...just a way to be able to reference the flavor when making recipes.

Thank you in advance for any/all advice.

P.S. Since I am asking, also please give advice on whether I should go with 5 mLs per flavor or more? BTW, both me and my hubby will be mixing so there will be two of us testing and using the samples.

 

[dreadymark]

I would do 10ml of most, there will be a few you don't really go back to, but better to have enough for the both of you.

I'm still getting through my flavor stash. I have samples (in 5 & 10ml) of about 75 out of my 125ish flavors so far. It's really helpful.
I made a 70/30 w/ nic batch of 500ml in a glass bottle. When I go to mix I put that base in a 500ml plastic squeeze bottle, and mix by weight from there.
As for %s, I always look at the avg & median % used for each flavor on ejuice recipes dot com. (Am I allowed to reference here?)
I use the lesser of the two, which is usually the median. At first I tried varied %s of each flavor, but it's too much. I only do that now, on demand, when I'm trying to use that one for something.

 

[mrsfogy]

Thank you so much @dreadymark !! That is exactly what I wanted to know.
One more question? Do I have to or rather, should I, boil or clean the vials I bought for the samples? I mean, they do come from a place that makes bottles so I wouldn't think that it would have to be done but just want to make sure.

 

[AmandaD]

When I make tester flavors I just make 3 or 5 ml. I generally vape around 80% VG, so I make a standard base of 90% VG, which means often I'm at 86% VG or more for testing - but it makes little difference I find. In testing, I always taste the flavor straight from the bottle on my finger, and again in my test mix. Then I drip a few drops to see and adjust from there. If I like the flavor I may make 10mls to test further and adjust as necessary.

 

[Frenchfry1942]

Well, I am just one vaper. I make a 250ml bottle at a time with 50/50 an1d my minimal amount of nic. I know the numbers don't exactly add up, but I don't care about that.

I made 21 recipes at 5ml each. Being sure that they were steeped, I let them sit in a drawer with the recipe number on the bottle for 2 weeks. Well, they all came due on the same day. For me, I get a different sense of taste at different times of the day. So I fill a 5ml tank and just vape it on and off to get a good sense of the flavors involved. I write my notes throughout the day and adjust with another making that same day.

I don't know what I was thinking when I made 21 recipes all at once.

I have heard that some make 100 drops worth. If the total of the flavors is 16%, then the base liquid (PG/VG/Nic) would be 84 drops. Then they use a dripper.

I just don't recommend making a lot of recipes all at once.

 

[mrsfogy]

Thank you @AmandaD and @Frenchfry1942!! I am going to take all of the advice into account and roll with it. With what the three of you have said, I think I am going to change my plans a few different ways which I am VERY grateful for!! What would I do without all of you? A lot more headaches and money out the door. So, thank you sooooo much!!

 

[RonJS]

...just a way to be able to reference the flavor when making recipes.

While exploring the various aspects of a flavor is a fine idea, doing so as you propose can only help you so far in your recipe goals. The reason is that your method does not let you determine how these flavors of yours "play with others".

For instance, you can make chocolate and vanilla flavors on a stand alone basis and review them as such. However, adding just a small amount of vanilla to a chocolate flavor in a recipe can really make the chocolate...Pop... That "Pop" aspect would not be evident in just reviewing the 2 flavors separately.

I am also one of the proponents of a shake & vape just after mixing. If not done, how can you otherwise determine what changes time have made? (if any)

Ron
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"There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept."- Ansel Adams

 

[mrsfogy]

@RonJS
Thanks for throwing a monkey wrench in my entire plan. hahaha It's a GREAT monkey wrench, however and am SOOOO appreciative that you did!! Truly, thank you.

 

[Heabob]

Sometimes you can get an idea of taste and strength just by tasting a drop from the bottle directly.
And/or by smell.
Making samples to test Vanilla, Cream, Marshmallow, Whipped Cream, Brown Sugar, etc. won't tell much.
Support flavors usually work better when added to fruits, etc.
Try simple 2-3 flavor mixes at first.
Fruit
Vanilla
Cream

But some flavors will also work alone just fine.
Like 5-7% FW Cinnamon Roll

 

[SteveS45]

While exploring the various aspects of a flavor is a fine idea, doing so as you propose can only help you so far in your recipe goals. The reason is that your method does not let you determine how these flavors of yours "play with others".

For instance, you can make chocolate and vanilla flavors on a stand alone basis and review them as such. However, adding just a small amount of vanilla to a chocolate flavor in a recipe can really make the chocolate...Pop... That "Pop" aspect would not be evident in just reviewing the 2 flavors separately.

I am also one of the proponents of a shake & vape just after mixing. If not done, how can you otherwise determine what changes time have made? (if any)

Ron
---
"There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept."- Ansel Adams

I put a little extra into the Shake and Vape.

I Stir, Rest, Shake and Vape - Ready to vape in a couple of hours. A small amount of heat will also speed up the resting stage. As soon as the e-Liquid clears it is ready to go. I have not noticed a discernible difference letting them age longer except for the Tobaccos. Just the observations of a newbie DIY'er.

 

[RonJS]

I put a little extra into the Shake and Vape.

I Stir, Rest, Shake and Vape - Ready to vape in a couple of hours. A small amount of heat will also speed up the resting stage. As soon as the e-Liquid clears it is ready to go. I have not noticed a discernible difference letting them age longer except for the Tobaccos. Just the observations of a newbie DIY'er.

I'm glad to learn your methodology works for you. It won't work for me.

Ron
---
"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways."- Buddha

 

[SteveS45]

I'm glad to learn your methodology works for you. It won't work for me.

Ron
---
"It is a man's own mind, not his enemy or foe, that lures him to evil ways."- Buddha

It has only worked for the flavors I have made so far.

 

[kross8]

While exploring the various aspects of a flavor is a fine idea, doing so as you propose can only help you so far in your recipe goals. The reason is that your method does not let you determine how these flavors of yours "play with others".

For instance, you can make chocolate and vanilla flavors on a stand alone basis and review them as such. However, adding just a small amount of vanilla to a chocolate flavor in a recipe can really make the chocolate...Pop... That "Pop" aspect would not be evident in just reviewing the 2 flavors separately.

I am also one of the proponents of a shake & vape just after mixing. If not done, how can you otherwise determine what changes time have made? (if any)

Ron
---
"There is nothing worse than a sharp image of a fuzzy concept."- Ansel Adams

Ron, can you expand on your {pop} calculations.. in my mind i imagine you are using 3% of flavor A and your pop is 1%,,, does that sound about right? ,, what i am asking, is do you have a mental default value you tend to use,,,,,,,,,,,,and can you suggest some pairings? (i have all FA flavors,, about 15) ---thanks

 

[RonJS]

Ron, can you expand on your {pop} calculations.. in my mind i imagine you are using 3% of flavor A and your pop is 1%,,, does that sound about right? ,, what i am asking, is do you have a mental default value you tend to use,,,,,,,,

I don't have a constant amount or rule of thumb I might add.

I have never made a standalone chocolate flavor recipe and always used it with other things. Often these other flavors would be ones with vanilla notes (such as FA Vienna cream or TPA Vanilla Swirl) In these cases "3% of flavor A and your pop is 1%" would be in line.

Another "pop' example can be found in HIC's very nice Swiss Bliss recipe here:
http://vapingunderground.com/threads/hics-swiss-bliss-premium-chocolate-candy-bar.5201/

A popular "pop" addition is to add a touch of Raspberry flavor to a standalone watermelon juice. For me that means only 1-3 drops.

Ron
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"When I was having that alphabet soup, I never thought that it would pay off."- Vanna White