Some Newbie Questions

[Deleted]

Hi all, having spend quite a lot of time reading the boards and posts I have decided to have a go at mixing my own. The flavour combinations look so brilliant. I had a few questions that I have either not found the answer to or don't understand.

1. Sweetener. In many recipes it mentions sweetener as an ingredient (especially the vanillas). Reading around there seems to be three types Ethyl Maltol, Stevia and a liquid version. I have read the thread on the first two, but my question is are Ethyl Maltol and the liquid sweetener essentially the same?

2. Gloves. I will probably get one of the kits to start with. I can see that buying separately it is probably cheaper but for now it will be easier. However the kits only have one pair of gloves. Are they reusable, or should I buy more?

3. I am sure I read somewhere here that the UK Flavours Vanilla was a good substitute for the Cappella Vanilla. Given that it is much cheaper is it a reasonable substitute?

4. I watched the Lordy video of everything you need to know about mixing. He uses a milk frother to reduce steeping time. Does his really work?

Any other thoughts or advice welcomed.

Cheers Nick

[igual]

Em is basically the same as the liquid one I make mine in a 30 mil bottle add 10 mil bottle full of em and 20 mil pg.

Gloves many including myself don't were them if you do wish to use them give me your address and I'll send you 5 pairs of black nitrile gloves.
Vinyl and latex are no use with nicotine base. Nitrile is the best.

Cannot help re UK flavours have not used them.

There are many supposed methods to hasten steeping. Time is your best friend with this or get a mains powered ultrasonic cleaner.

[rughead121]

@ukflavours Vanilla custard is most like The Perfumers Apprentice Vanilla Custard. but many (including myself) feel that TPA Custard and Capella Custard are interchangeable.

If I am following a recipe that calls for TPA Custard or Capella Custard I use UK Flavours at the same strength. They also have a triple strength custard so if you use this you will need to reduce the amount used.

[lairey]

EM and Sweeteners, such as Perfumers are different @kopiert. EM is a more candy type sweetener, a bit like candyfloss. Plenty of people use either, but many have a preference.

Like igual, I don't bother with gloves. If you do get a splash of nic base on your hands, just wash it off properly straight away and you will be fine.

Yes, UK Flavours Vanilla Custard is fine for substituting for Capellas.

Milk frother doesn't work for me to reduce steeping time. I do use one if I'm mixing up a large batch of a recipe in a beaker, to then decant into bottles to make sure it's well and truly mixed properly, but that's the only thing it's good for IMO. Unfortunately, when it comes to steeping, there is no substitute for time and patience

[Perpetua]

Dec 4, 2014 10:30:46 GMT @kopiert said:

3. I am sure I read somewhere here that the UK Flavours Vanilla was a good substitute for the Cappella Vanilla. Given that it is much cheaper is it a reasonable substitute?


Cheers Nick

If you're looking for a nice Vanilla flavouring, then TPA's French Vanilla Deluxe is hard to beat . . . nicer than Capella's for my tastes anyhow @kopiert.

www.chefsvapour.co.uk/French_Vanilla_Delux/p1901058_11133785.aspx

That's if you weren't asking about VC? Although it is very nice combined with a Vanilla Custard flavour . . . . Vanillin is also handy to have in, if you've a dessert/custardy tooth.

www.ltecigs.larsentilbrook.co.uk/index.php?route=product/product&filter_name=vanillin&product_id=364

I also don't use gloves . . . and don't believe there are any true short cuts to steeping, other than time.

[Deleted]

Thank you

igual thanks for the offer, that is very generous of you, but the postage will probably be more than the value of the gloves! I will get a pair in the kit and probably use them first time - then we will see. But thank you

rughead121 and lairey thanks for the knowledge - useful stuff. I hadn't realised @ukflavours were on this site - good to know.

Perpetua - well vanilla is my favourite food group and I have been eye-ing up the vanilla custard recipes particularly the Custardy Lovechild - so I will be following those.

Once I have mastered the basics I would like to try and make an evening mix, maybe around amaretto and also a coffee / latte one (possible like the wake n vape liquid - though I have never tried it). I have had a couple of coffee liquids before, one was really bad and the other made me wretch - so I will be coming back for some advice there!

Thanks for the tips I will let you know how it goes.

Nick

[igual]

I'm yet to try the UK flavours but soon a swmbo lifts spending embargo
Custardy lovechild is a cracking recipe.
If you like fruity custards try adding 5% to a separate batch of clc.

[Tom]

@kopiert

1) Ethyl Maltol has a slight 'candyfloss' flavour, I find that using that as a sweetener adds a kind of sweet shop type effect to my juices, great if thats what you are going for. TPA sweetener is my go to for a straight flavour sweetener.

2) I re-use gloves all the time, Im clumsy and mostly work with 72mg nic - don't want it on my skin, I only use the gloves for this part.

3) I made a batch of CLC with UKF VC, its a very very good substitute.

4) Ive tried a few methods of 'speed steeping', nothing beats the good old wait method, good planning and having other stuff to vape is the key, definitely the hardest when first starting out.

Good luck!

[chykensa]

@ukflavours - good vendor, and worth perusing their site.
Gloves - don't bother, as lairey says, just wash off promptly and all will be good.
Sweetener - I tend not to use it, but substitute with Dulce de Leche or Bavarian Cream instead - works for me (despite having a sweet tooth!).
Best of luck, and CLC is a belter but does clog up coils very quickly because of the caramelisation due to the fact that it is inherently very sweet.

[*-SARIN-*]

EM isn't strictly a sweetener whereas liquid sweetener and stevia are, stevia being the natural extract from the stevia leaf and is super sweet. BTW it is also the sweetener in the new coca cola life drink (the green labelled one). As others above have stated, EM is a candyfloss flavour and is primarillary used to round off flavours by "dumbing" them down. Things like sharp fruits can be tamed with a couple of drops of EM per 10ml but be careful, too much and things go wrong quickly. Add the other sweeteners one drop at a time and taste each time or it'll be too late and you won't be able to vape your diy liquid. Liquid sweetener is the most forgiving and would be my choice.

Gloves - nah, lick the nic base off. Actually DON'T, but wash it off soon as or your head will be spinning like an under age teenager fuelled on cheap alcopops

[igual]

Hmm I've always used em as a sweetener lol.
Learn something new every day on here

[*-SARIN-*]

Dec 5, 2014 0:00:54 GMT igual said:

Hmm I've always used em as a sweetener lol.
Learn something new every day on here

It'll still sweeten it but just go easy on it, otherwise you will ruin juices quickly.

[Deleted]

Thanks everyone, just ordered all the bits and pieces for CLC I went for a liquid Ethyl Maltol. If it doesn't feel right I will take *-SARIN-* and Tom advice and get the other sweetener - so I hope the EM will be okay. I like "mildly' sweet vanillas - if they are too sweet they sort of get clawrey (is that word?) for me. So I will take it easy.

Once more budget is released I will try some more flavours. Off the the concentrate reviews now!

Nick

[igual]

Claggy is the word I think.
I use em in my clc and my other custards

[Perpetua]

Dec 5, 2014 0:51:48 GMT igual said:

I use em in my clc and my other custards

Alot of it is down to taste preference igual, as with so much of our stuff . . . EM as a sweetener does nothing for my taste buds, Stevia has an aftertaste - so I've settled on a Sucralose based one, at 1% I don't find it a massive coil gunker.

Again @ukflavours score, 30ml for a great price when there's also free postage.


www.ukflavours.com/concentrated-flavour-range/112-sweetener.html?search_query=sweetener&results=1