Do you always try a new flavouring on it's own first?

[MarkS]

Was just wondering that like any decent Chef if you always try a new Falvouring on it's own first?

I.e. knock up say 1 3ml bottle, just to get a feel for the flavour and it's potency ect?

Being a new to this it is tempting to just dive right into the tried and tested recipes in the great section here, but I feel that way you are not really learning much about the individual flavours and strengths for future creations.

So when you test out a new flavour how much do you mix up (1ml? 2ml? 3ml?) and how many drops per ml do you start with?

I've read Grizzy's post and kind of understand how he does it, but just wanted some feedback from the other mixers here too.

[chrisjw]

I have started doing it two ways just to experiment....I like my tobacco flavours, but like to also try them with an additional flavour. So I make up a 5ml tobacco flavour & also individual other 5 ml flavourings. Once steeped, I add one of the additional flavours to the tobacco mix, a couple of drops at a time & taste. If I like That particular flavour mix, I will then add a couple of drops of the additional flavour concentrate direct from the original bottle, to a separate tobacco mix, if that makes sense. The only problem with doing it the last way, is that it's possible to lose a bit of strength to the final mix. I think I'm correct in saying that anyway.

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2013 6:49:21 GMT MarkS said:

Was just wondering that like any decent Chef if you always try a new Falvouring on it's own first?

I.e. knock up say 1 3ml bottle, just to get a feel for the flavour and it's potency ect?

Being a new to this it is tempting to just dive right into the tried and tested recipes in the great section here, but I feel that way you are not really learning much about the individual flavours and strengths for future creations.

So when you test out a new flavour how much do you mix up (1ml? 2ml? 3ml?) and how many drops per ml do you start with?

I've read Grizzy's post and kind of understand how he does it, but just wanted some feedback from the other mixers here too.

Yes small amounts 1-2ml .. at those volumes 1-2 drops is probably sufficient. You can always add more

[MarkS]

Makes perfect sense Chris. for example you mix the first 2 tobacco mixes at 18mg, but when you add an additional flavour to one it obviously reduces the nic level of 18mg...can't be by much though, although again I guess it depends on how potent the flavour you are adding is. Sounds like a plan.

I have just broken the golden rule to be fair (Patience) and went and mixed up a 10ml bottle of Perp's VC.

Will try out the individual flavours on their own now though before breaking that rule again.

A question about steeping. The PVC I have just knocked up is already filling the cupboard where it is steeping with it's aroma. I take it it would not be wise to steep other juices in the same cupboard because that aroma could taint them and vice verse?

[MarkS]

Mar 29, 2013 8:25:20 GMT @ashmal said:

Mar 29, 2013 6:49:21 GMT MarkS said:

Was just wondering that like any decent Chef if you always try a new Falvouring on it's own first?

I.e. knock up say 1 3ml bottle, just to get a feel for the flavour and it's potency ect?

Being a new to this it is tempting to just dive right into the tried and tested recipes in the great section here, but I feel that way you are not really learning much about the individual flavours and strengths for future creations.

So when you test out a new flavour how much do you mix up (1ml? 2ml? 3ml?) and how many drops per ml do you start with?

I've read Grizzy's post and kind of understand how he does it, but just wanted some feedback from the other mixers here too.

Yes small amounts 1-2ml .. at those volumes 1-2 drops is probably sufficient. You can always add more

Excellent ASH. I have already made my VG/PG/NIC Base mix to 18mg and put it in a 30ml dripper. So it's just a case of dripping a mil or 2 into some sample bottles I have and adding a drop or 2 of flavours. Like Grizzy said in his guide, do you also try them after 24 hours or so? Or leave them longer? I get it that if they taste horrible after 24 hours do not give them up for a lost cause and leave them longer, but is 24 hours a rule of thumb for first impressions so to speak?

[stewarty]

Mar 29, 2013 8:34:25 GMT MarkS said:

Mar 29, 2013 8:25:20 GMT @ashmal said:

Yes small amounts 1-2ml .. at those volumes 1-2 drops is probably sufficient. You can always add more

Excellent ASH. I have already made my VG/PG/NIC Base mix to 18mg and put it in a 30ml dripper. So it's just a case of dripping a mil or 2 into some sample bottles I have and adding a drop or 2 of flavours. Like Grizzy said in his guide, do you also try them after 24 hours or so? Or leave them longer? I get it that if they taste horrible after 24 hours do not give them up for a lost cause and leave them longer, but is 24 hours a rule of thumb for first impressions so to speak?

Hi Mark

Only problem with that I can see is if you do not allow for your flavour in the base mix as it will end up 15 - 20% weaker.

When I mix up flavourless base for experimenting I include 15% flavour in Juicemeup but don't add it in so when I add the flavour later in the small 'experiment' bottles the nic strength will be roughly what I want.

I am a bit of an amateur at this mixing too but when I combine flavours what I usually do is mix my individual flavours to my required strength and then 'blend' them in a small bottle to try them, that way the nic level is exactly the same regardless of how much of each you add.

If you don't mind looking like a prat another way I have tried that worked to see if 2 flavours you already like taste ok together is put them both in seperate devices, stick both in gub at same time, press both buttons and take a couple of drags, you will know straight away if it will taste good or rank without having to waste any

[Perpetua]

A bit of both I do Mark . . . sometimes I'll mix a flavour by itself, just to see what it's like or I'll just dive in and make a blend using unknown/tested concentrates. But I do always taste a drop of any new flavour to me. It's not an exact science, but it does give an idea as to potency/flavour.

Again, I always leave tops on for steeping, so cross contamination ( although I doubt that would happen ) isn't an issue.

3/4 days minimum I'd say for Tobacco type flavours before you try them for the first time, the temptation before then is to add additional flavour, which given longer may well not be needed.

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2013 8:34:25 GMT MarkS said:

Mar 29, 2013 8:25:20 GMT @ashmal said:

Yes small amounts 1-2ml .. at those volumes 1-2 drops is probably sufficient. You can always add more

Excellent ASH. I have already made my VG/PG/NIC Base mix to 18mg and put it in a 30ml dripper. So it's just a case of dripping a mil or 2 into some sample bottles I have and adding a drop or 2 of flavours. Like Grizzy said in his guide, do you also try them after 24 hours or so? Or leave them longer? I get it that if they taste horrible after 24 hours do not give them up for a lost cause and leave them longer, but is 24 hours a rule of thumb for first impressions so to speak?

I dont make up my base first ... I calculate it all out with the flavour included from scratch. As stated adding to an existing mix will imbalance the percentages. Best to start with a small volume and add as you go along

[MarkS]

Makes perfect sense stewarty. I'll only use this pre-mix I've made to make 1-2ml bottles then, so will only add a few drips without diluting it to much to get an idea.
Great idea on making up the individual flavours too and mixing them afterwards. Also love the mental image I have of you now with two vamo's hanging out of each side of your gob.

Once I have an idea of the flavours I was thinking of weighing rather than dripping using the Liquix App too, as it does seem in theory to be a more accurate way of doing things

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2013 8:34:25 GMT MarkS said:

Mar 29, 2013 8:25:20 GMT @ashmal said:

Yes small amounts 1-2ml .. at those volumes 1-2 drops is probably sufficient. You can always add more

Excellent ASH. I have already made my VG/PG/NIC Base mix to 18mg and put it in a 30ml dripper. So it's just a case of dripping a mil or 2 into some sample bottles I have and adding a drop or 2 of flavours. Like Grizzy said in his guide, do you also try them after 24 hours or so? Or leave them longer? I get it that if they taste horrible after 24 hours do not give them up for a lost cause and leave them longer, but is 24 hours a rule of thumb for first impressions so to speak?

I dont make up my base first ... I calculate it all out with the flavour included from scratch. As stated adding to an existing mix will imbalance the percentages. Best to start with a small volume and add as you go along.

[MarkS]

Mar 29, 2013 9:21:49 GMT Perpetua said:

A bit of both I do Mark . . . sometimes I'll mix a flavour by itself, just to see what it's like or I'll just dive in and make a blend using unknown/tested concentrates. But I do always taste a drop of any new flavour to me. It's not an exact science, but it does give an idea as to potency/flavour.

Again, I always leave tops on for steeping, so cross contamination ( although I doubt that would happen ) isn't an issue.

3/4 days minimum I'd say for Tobacco type flavours before you try them for the first time, the temptation before then is to add additional flavour, which given longer may well not be needed.

You know I never even thought of tasting the flavours straight out of the bottle, as when using flavourants in cooking most of the time the flavour isn't anything like it will be in the finished product, but I get what you mean in terms of potency. I will start to drip taste them first from now. I have a stinking cold right now and cannot really smell or taste anything so not rhe best time to start mixing really.

Mar 29, 2013 9:29:18 GMT @ashmal said:

I dont make up my base first ... I calculate it all out with the flavour included from scratch. As stated adding to an existing mix will imbalance the percentages. Best to start with a small volume and add as you go along

Yeah first lesson learned Ash. Thought i was being clever and the thing is I had already read pretty much the same info before even buying any mixing stuff. The info must have got lost in the excitement.

[Perpetua]

Mar 29, 2013 9:37:41 GMT MarkS said:

Mar 29, 2013 9:21:49 GMT Perpetua said:

A bit of both I do Mark . . . sometimes I'll mix a flavour by itself, just to see what it's like or I'll just dive in and make a blend using unknown/tested concentrates. But I do always taste a drop of any new flavour to me. It's not an exact science, but it does give an idea as to potency/flavour.

Again, I always leave tops on for steeping, so cross contamination ( although I doubt that would happen ) isn't an issue.

3/4 days minimum I'd say for Tobacco type flavours before you try them for the first time, the temptation before then is to add additional flavour, which given longer may well not be needed.

You know I never even thought of tasting the flavours straight out of the bottle, as when using flavourants in cooking most of the time the flavour isn't anything like it will be in the finished product, but I get what you mean in terms of potency. I will start to drip taste them first from now. I have a stinking cold right now and cannot really smell or taste anything so not rhe best time to start mixing really.

Tasting has been a better indication for me than smelling Mark, I've been more let down by smelling a flavour thinking it would be wonderful, only to be disappointed in the vape. No exact I know, but it can save a bit of effort making up lots of small samples.

Half the known world has a cold right now I think, just over one myself. Got through a couple of premixes that I didn't much care for without noticing though.

Hope you feel better soon.

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2013 9:48:35 GMT Perpetua said:

Mar 29, 2013 9:37:41 GMT MarkS said:

You know I never even thought of tasting the flavours straight out of the bottle, as when using flavourants in cooking most of the time the flavour isn't anything like it will be in the finished product, but I get what you mean in terms of potency. I will start to drip taste them first from now. I have a stinking cold right now and cannot really smell or taste anything so not rhe best time to start mixing really.

Tasting has been a better indication for me than smelling Mark, I've been more let down by smelling a flavour thinking it would be wonderful, only to be disappointed in the vape. No exact I know, but it can save a bit of effort making up lots of small samples.

Half the known world has a cold right now I think, just over one myself. Got through a couple of premixes that I didn't much care for without noticing though.

Hope you feel better soon.

Agreed. Most juices smell good, quite a few taste rotten. Still struggling with Cap French Toast

[Perpetua]

Mar 29, 2013 9:56:56 GMT @ashmal said:

Agreed. Most juices smell good, quite a few taste rotten. Still struggling with Cap French Toast

Haven't used Capella's Ash . . . what are you making with it?

[Deleted]

Mar 29, 2013 10:02:21 GMT Perpetua said:

Mar 29, 2013 9:56:56 GMT @ashmal said:

Agreed. Most juices smell good, quite a few taste rotten. Still struggling with Cap French Toast

Haven't used Capella's Ash . . . what are you making with it?

I've been diverted by other projects to be honest and am waiting for the latest testers to fully steep.

I mixed it with peanut butter and banana (both of these flavours are tried and tested for me) and when I tried the mix I think I added too much. It really had an odd taste about it and nothing like the intended recipe.

I've now made 2 samples with a reduced amount of the Toast plus a sample with just the Toast in it so I can gauge what it actually tastes like.

Drip test later today (once I've defrosted the freezer and repatriated 1 litre of nic juice from the shed).

Problem is I think this is likely to taste nothing like French toast ... at least not like the French Toast I make !