Flavourless and boring DIY juices, what am I doing wrong?

[scubadude]

Hi all
I've been vaping for just over 1 year now, and have been trying to make my own e-juices (without too much success) for the past 6 months.
The problem I'm having is that pretty much everything I make seems to turn out quite bland, or seems to be ok ish for a few vapes and then loses flavour (except Absinthe or menthol type mixes).

I'm thinking that the cause of this may be down to one (or more) of the following:
1. Not enough concentrate percentage (it usually totals between 20% and 25%) 
2. Using a coffee whisk to give it a 'starter steep'
3. Vaping at not high enough wattage (I normally vape between 8.5w and 15w. Any higher and there seems to be all heat with no flavour at all).

Hopefully someone can set me on the right path (before I go back on the fags

Thanks in advance for any help
Paul

P.S. I switch between 4 and 5 different flavours per day, so don't think it is taste bud's getting used to one particular flavour.

[pipeman01]

Personally I'd say the flavor concentrate is too high... I tend to be between 15-20..? But this is down to personal preference.
I assume wicks and coils are in good order.
Steeping for long enough?
Are many of the juices similar type (4 different versions of custard type mix)?
PG/VG ratio tending more towards VG.. PG carries flavor better....?

[macmagoo]

You have to keep changing flavours because once your palette gets used to a particular flavour it starts to taste of nothing. If I vape custard it tastes great for a day or two then it becomes tasteless. I then go onto a menthol vape for a day or two then back on the custard and it tastes good again.

[scubadude]

Oct 19, 2015 10:48:47 GMT pipeman01 said:

Personally I'd say the flavor concentrate is too high... I tend to be between 15-20..? But this is down to personal preference.
I assume wicks and coils are in good order.
Steeping for long enough?
Are many of the juices similar type (4 different versions of custard type mix)?
PG/VG ratio tending more towards VG.. PG carries flavor better....?

Yep, I've read that too high flavour percentage can actually mute flavours, but I've also mixed some recommended recipe's at around 15-20%, but still not found much flavour.
Wicks and coils are good, as I use RTA's and change them regularly.
With steeping I've left various juices anywhere from 1 week to 2 months, still seems to taste the same (dull).
Juices have been anything from citrus's, to cake types to custards (single shot or established recipe's)
I use to mix 30/70 PG/VG (as I like lots of vapour), but after reading about PG carrying more flavour I've also mixed at 50/50

[scubadude]

Oct 19, 2015 11:02:20 GMT macmagoo said:

You have to keep changing flavours because once your palette gets used to a particular flavour it starts to taste of nothing. If I vape custard it tastes great for a day or two then it becomes tasteless. I then go onto a menthol vape for a day or two then back on the custard and it tastes good again.

Hi macmagoo

Yep, I'm aware of the need to need to change flavours so my palette doesn't get used to one particular flavour.
Like I said in my original post, I switch between 4 and 5 different flavours per day

Cheers
Paul

[pipeman01]

scubadude, the cynic in me says "be happy"... how many different flavors did you have when you smoked stinkey's?

[scubadude]

Oct 19, 2015 11:55:45 GMT pipeman01 said:

scubadude, the cynic in me says "be happy"... how many different flavors did you have when you smoked stinkey's?

Very true, would never go back to em now

[Deleted]

Oct 19, 2015 12:15:38 GMT scubadude said:

Oct 19, 2015 11:55:45 GMT pipeman01 said:

scubadude, the cynic in me says "be happy"... how many different flavors did you have when you smoked stinkey's?

Very true, would never go back to em now

flavors from which company you use for your mixes ??? 

[phtumshk]

i often find a bland mix can be pepped up with a splash of sweetener, cider vinegar or lemon juice.
It is after all a taste sensation your looking for and we all probably know how bland them 'healthy option' foods with no added salt or sugar taste.

stick with it youll win in the end.

[scubadude]

Oct 19, 2015 12:24:00 GMT @chris2005 said:

Oct 19, 2015 12:15:38 GMT scubadude said:

Very true, would never go back to em now

flavors from which company you use for your mixes ??? 

hey Chris
I've got:
Capella's - Custards (V's 1 & 2), Vanilla's, Butter, Cake batter, Praline & Cream, Blueberry, Marshmallow, Honeydew Melon, Apricot, Peach, Mango, Juicy Lemon, Tangerine and Horchatta.
Perfumer's Apprentice - Peppermint, Coconut, Malted Milk, Red Licorice
Flavour Apprentice - Ripe Strawberry, Bavarian Creme
Inawera - Lime, Grapefruit
DV - Sherbet lemon, Lime Zinger and Absinthe

So as you can see, I've stuck to good quality recommended concentrates, but however mixed I can't seem to make a nice flavourful juice.

[scubadude]

Oct 19, 2015 12:50:54 GMT phtumshk said:

i often find a bland mix can be pepped up with a splash of sweetener, cider vinegar or lemon juice.
It is after all a taste sensation your looking for and we all probably know how bland them 'healthy option' foods with no added salt or sugar taste.

stick with it youll win in the end.

Ah, that may be something to try...

[beedee]

Hi scubadude, do you find the same thing happening with ready made juices or is it just the home made ones?

I saw a video somewhere that did a comparison test between different methods of steeping, and whisking it with a frothier came out by far the worst, though never tried it myself. Would post a link but can't find it now.

I've been mixing for a few months, but, unlike you, I do nearly all tobacco juices. Have been finding that my experience of both shop and home made ones varies a lot. Couple of months ago was finding homemade ones too weak, then they got to taste much better, perfect, even, now I'm finding them too strong! My everyday ready made juice from 3 months ago, which I loved, I'm now not so keen on. I tend to mix at over 20% as do you, except with Flavour Arts, some of which I am mixing at as little as 3% with good results so far.

Don't think it's your flavours, all good brands.

I have found that a a good stir, a couple of shakes, then time (usually around 2-3 weeks for complex recipes) is the best steeper.

Have realised that Vaping is not (for me anyway) ever going to be the totally consistent experience that the ciggies were, and enjoy the variety, taking the rough with the smooth kind of thing.

Good luck with the mixing!

[Deleted]

Capella"s flavors (most of) are good enough for a tasty mix . TPA/TFA the same (many of) .... Inawera flavors from my experience are a bit weak (for my taste).All my inawera and also molinberry mixes loose they'r flavors in not more than 1 month. ... DV i didn't try until now . ... .... have a look here for VC recipes , some of them are really strong for my taste : allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/thread/26864/members-eliquid-recipes-vanilla-collection?page=1&scrollTo=491446 ... also here you can find many other recipes allaboute-cigarettes.proboards.com/board/40/recipes .. i recommend you to use exactly the same % and the same company is write in recipe. scubadude

[DiscoDes]

Hi and scubadude have you tried many "one shot" flavours from the likes of T-Juice? I ask as the flavours will be tried and tested and it's only down to the % of flavours that you mix in to your base. I use T-Juice Red Astaire at 18% and it's great for me, however if I vape it all day the flavour disappears so I switch to another flavour then back (like you do) also a fresh wick/clean tank helps loads.

[scubadude]

Oct 19, 2015 14:21:18 GMT beedee said:

Hi scubadude, do you find the same thing happening with ready made juices or is it just the home made ones?

I saw a video somewhere that did a comparison test between different methods of steeping, and whisking it with a frothier came out by far the worst, though never tried it myself. Would post a link but can't find it now.

I've been mixing for a few months, but, unlike you, I do nearly all tobacco juices. Have been finding that my experience of both shop and home made ones varies a lot. Couple of months ago was finding homemade ones too weak, then they got to taste much better, perfect, even, now I'm finding them too strong! My everyday ready made juice from 3 months ago, which I loved, I'm now not so keen on. I tend to mix at over 20% as do you, except with Flavour Arts, some of which I am mixing at as little as 3% with good results so far.

Don't think it's your flavours, all good brands.

I have found that a a good stir, a couple of shakes, then time (usually around 2-3 weeks for complex recipes) is the best steeper.

Have realised that Vaping is not (for me anyway) ever going to be the totally consistent experience that the ciggies were, and enjoy the variety, taking the rough with the smooth kind of thing.

Good luck with the mixing!

Hi beedee
Nope, ready made juices seem just fine. I may go back to one several weeks after and they are still full flavoured.
For some reasoin, I seem to have it in my mind that when whisking, I'm whisking a good deal of the flavour out (in the aeration of it).
I've tried a few tobacco mixes, and their flavours seem to hold much better (the wife likes Inawera's Gold & Silver mixed at 2%), just can't crack the fruits or cake recipe's.