Crystalised Menthol

[happyloman]

I get my menthol juice from the same vendor every other month. Ive never had any problems until now, its coming out as a kind of paste.
I contacted my supplier and was told that it sounded like it had "crystalised" and I should put it in a warm room, to solve the problem.


The problem is Ive put it in a warm room and it turns into a liquid, but when I take it out of there and leave it with my other juices - ie-where it normally would be kept- it just goes back to this paste thing within half a day or so.

Has anyone got any ideas how to get this to stay as a liquid?
Theres no reason for it to behave so differently to how previous bottles of the same juice have performed, other than the exceptionally cold weather we had over christmas, but its no longer that cold, so I cant see why it keeps changing back to this paste?
Im thinking of running it through the Ultrasonic a few times, to see if that would help?

[phtumshk]

is it a finished juice or an additive to a juice you make?

[Q]

Menthol crystals change viscocity at a quite high temperature, I was quite surprised when I first got mine, I was keeping all my concs in the fridge and when I took them out the first time my menthol was SOLID, I gently warmed it up in a glass of warm water & within 5 minutes it was back to normal.
I no longer fridge my concs, they live in boxes under my desk, and in the recent cold weather my menthol crystalised again, it's not a problem just warm it slightly, give it a shake and it will be fine.
I'm guessing that this latest batch has a higher percentage of crystals to PG, a stronger conc, again not a problem, more bang for your bucks

EDIT... This WILL be a problem if it is a juice rather than a conc, it will just gunk your coils, you may want to consider thinning it a little, but as the prrevious poster asked "is it a juice or a conc?"

[Perpetua]

Mar 3, 2015 9:46:59 GMT happyloman said:

Has anyone got any ideas how to get this to stay as a liquid?

You can add some plain PG happyloman . . . although that will of course alter your nic strength/overall flavour, depending on how much you add.

If you intend using this in a relatively short time, there shouldn't be a problem in keeping it in a warmer room than you usually would.

[*-SARIN-*]

If the juice is VG heavy then this will add to the problem as it "freezes" (but not in the same way as water) at around +17 degrees . The advice above about adding a small amount of PG would increase the "freezing" point, as would doing the same with vodka.

Think of it like adding anti-freeze to your radiator water, it won't freeze at 0 degrees but instead at around -20 degrees.

[Q]

We still haven't found out if it's a juice or a concentrate yet happyloman

[300]

Mar 3, 2015 9:46:59 GMT happyloman said:

Im thinking of running it through the Ultrasonic a few times, to see if that would help?

It worked for me, although not Menthol i don't see why it would be any different. (Concentrate)

Before


After

[monty]

It is a question of solubility. Menthol is more soluble in PG than in VG. I make my own with PG only and have no problem - even with my concentrate which is a 10 ml bottle half filled with menthol crystals and topped with PG nic base. At lower temperatures the menthol is less soluble and will crystalise if the temperature is cold enough and the VG % high enough.

It is a nuisance for you but not in any way harmful. I can't see how it would have any effect on gunking your coils. The best solution would be to get a hold of some pure ethanol (drinking alcohol) and add a little. It is sold in pharmacies on the continent so you'd need to pick some up on your hols or ask someone you know who is going abroad to bring some back. I think it is sold as alcohol absolut in France.

[happyloman]

Mar 4, 2015 0:50:54 GMT Q said:

We still haven't found out if it's a juice or a concentrate yet happyloman

Sorry I coudnt get back here sooner, I cant fingure out how to get instant notifications from here

Its a juice 60VG/40PG with 0 nicotine. I get it every few months and never had a problem, but Im assuming the cold weather has played its part.
I put it in the airing cupboard and once the heating has been on a few hours it goes back to liquid, but the heating goes on about 7pm and off at 10pm, so its only useable between those hours lol.
At least its not harmful though
Will stick it in the ultrasonic for a few runs, but Im thinking its going to constantly switch between the two.

All my juices are 60/40 and I get the menthol the same ratio, as I use it to spice up the other flavours

Cheers for helping

[Ripshod]

happyloman if it's in small bottles there's no harm keeping a bottle in your trouser pocket - ready at any time