First mix done - Woo Hoo...!

[zippy]

Very proud of my first mix today. Been collecting the various bits for the last few weeks and had a bash today. I'm a big fan of the Mentholy/minty varieties so very simple recipe but still proud of my first 10ml.

Few questions....
Am using Capella flavours. Have a Menthol which I did today at 15% and feel it's lacking slightly. How much is "a bit more" with this stuff. Will I notice a move to 17% on the next lot or am I best to save time and go straight for the 20%. I have got some cool mint which I'm having a go at tmw but would appreciate some thoughts. Am currently planning to try them on their own but might mix the two. Any guidance on the ratio - I am expecting the cool mint to have more punch so was thinking 15%(CM)/5%(M).

Also I am using the one syringe and rinsing between each ingredient in warm water. Nic goes in first so it can't get contaminated but is there any risk in this approach.

Do plan to move to mixing by weight in due course but given I had the syringes I had a bash. Bit of a faff but hardly hard work. Once I have a mixture I like I plan to make up a bulk lot. I assume this stuff has a fairly long shelf life and making enough for a month isn't an issue. Am going to save a fortune - and have a tailor made taste.

[Deleted]

Well done .....BUT wait at least a week until you add anything else, I think you'll find after then you'll be happy with what you have

[igual]

As long as you rinse syringe between each flavour their are no issues.
If you like menthol flavours grab some menthol crystals from local chemist and disolve in og.
Check out the host to in the mixology pinned posts.

[zippy]

Jun 22, 2015 18:59:37 GMT @tedster said:

Well done .....BUT wait at least a week until you add anything else, I think you'll find after then you'll be happy with what you have

That's interesting. I thought Menthols were immune to the steeping curse. Am curious now... Better make some more tmw as this 10ml won't last the week!

[zippy]

Jun 22, 2015 19:05:24 GMT igual said:

As long as you rinse syringe between each flavour their are no issues.
If you like menthol flavours grab some menthol crystals from local chemist and disolve in og.
Check out the host to in the mixology pinned posts.

I had read something along those lines. Think it maybe for further down the road but will look out for them.

[Deleted]

If you want the menthol to have more of a blast.....use it with Koolada.

That's what gives it the icy bit.

[Deleted]

Jun 22, 2015 19:11:37 GMT zippy said:

Jun 22, 2015 18:59:37 GMT @tedster said:

Well done .....BUT wait at least a week until you add anything else, I think you'll find after then you'll be happy with what you have

That's interesting. I thought Menthols were immune to the steeping curse. Am curious now... Better make some more tmw as this 10ml won't last the week!

IMO every juice is better after a two week steep, a weeks fine but if you can hang on oh it's worth it. Apart from cosmic fog church that's over 9 mths old and is still

[thatguy]

Hi zippy , if you like menthol give the double menthol from chefs vapour rebranded range a go. It's good at 6% and mind blowing at 8%. It's cheap as chips as well, about £1.50 for 10ml. It's a crisp menthol, and very slightly sweet. The best I've tried.

[Deleted]

+1 for chefs rebranded double menthol it's good stuff

[zippy]

Jun 22, 2015 21:31:59 GMT thatguy said:

Hi zippy , if you like menthol give the double menthol from chefs vapour rebranded range a go. It's good at 6% and mind blowing at 8%. It's cheap as chips as well, about £1.50 for 10ml. It's a crisp menthol, and very slightly sweet. The best I've tried.

Thanks thatguy will stick it on the list.

[phtumshk]

Well done on your 1st mixup success.
Scroll down for the menthol bit.
link

I made some like this but did full 10ml bottle of the crystals before adding the PG.
When I do the OHs cherry menthol its literally any more than 10 drops in a 30ml bottle and itll blow you over.
I prefer this way as Im not adding any more PG to a mix than is really needed.

[wibble]

if you're anything like me there will be no going back to buying liquids now

With regards percentages a couple of percent can make a a big difference, I can't really offer you any concrete advice as have only been mixing a short time myself but there are plenty of others here who will be able to help you

[Perpetua]

Jun 22, 2015 18:50:51 GMT zippy said:

Am using Capella flavours. Have a Menthol which I did today at 15% and feel it's lacking slightly. How much is "a bit more" with this stuff. Will I notice a move to 17% on the next lot or am I best to save time and go straight for the 20%. I have got some cool mint which I'm having a go at tmw but would appreciate some thoughts. Am currently planning to try them on their own but might mix the two. Any guidance on the ratio - I am expecting the cool mint to have more punch so was thinking 15%(CM)/5%(M).

I have to be honest and say that Capella's Mint flavours aren't the strongest and do have a tendency to peak off after a time . . . . Menthol is actually great combined with another mint flavour as it gives it more depth and roundness. So I would have a go at combining the two, at the percentages you've suggested zippy.

After you've used the Menthol concentrate up, have a go at making your own - it's far more cost effective, more potent and super simple.

Sept 25, 2012 8:26:51 GMT Frogster (The Alchemist) said:

Johnboy asked how to make menthol concentrate from crystals, here is my method (there may be others, but this works for me)… It is a very quick and easy project.

Most pharmacies will sell little 5gr tubs of menthol crystals like the one in the pic below, relatively cheap, about £1.50 or less, and will last a long time.



OK……
1. Scoop up some crystals and add them to an empty 10ml bottle, up to about half way.
2. Top up the bottle with PG and shake
3. To help dissolve the crystals, put in the microwave for just a sec or two to warm the liquid
4. Shake, shake, and that’s it, you have menthol concentrate. Ready to use, no need to steep this concentrate

The crystals are very strong and small…. Be careful, and wipe down any surfaces after preparation.

Lable the bottle (but I think you would know what it was just by smelling it)



Use vary sparingly until you understand how strong this concentrate is…. If not strong enough, you can always add some more crystals.

[zippy]

Have just mixed up some cool mint at 10% and although it's clearly cool mint, it again is lacking! Am going to leave these both for a week now and use up some pre bought ready mixed liquid just to see if it does make a difference. If not then it's a second lot probably at 5% higher for each.
Thanks all for the responses.

[zippy]

Have just bought some Menthol crystals to have a go. I understand the need to use sparingly (smells lovely and strong in the crystal form) but what % to use in a recipe (just Menthol) once made up - 10%?
Any steer appreciated ????