Kreeds tips for budding new mixers

[kreed]

Pretty much.......any liquid you make will benefit from some steeping.

Even fruits and menthols which some say are shake and vape will benefit from a day or two.

What steeping does is transfers the flavour into the flavourless PG and VG we use to mix with.

Fruits and menthols, being more powerful flavours, need less time than creams, bakery and custards........ and the higher the VG ratio we choose for the end result can also lengthen the steep time required.......as the molecules move slower through VG than PG.

You may also read about accelerated steeping.....ultrasonics, hot water baths etc......my advice here is not to be swayed into thinking that helps much.

Here's my thoughts on accelerated steeping:
Accelerated steeping is like sprinkling herbs and spices ON your stew.......whereas ACTUAL steeping is like cooking with herbs and spices IN and THROUGH your stew.
All the same flavours might be there........but not with the DEPTH of flavour you get when they're all blended correctly.
(This is also why stews, curries, chinese and bolognese tend to taste better the next day)

Finally, you have to learn to accept that a degree of patience is required.....no way round that. But that's only painful for the first month while you're waiting for your first batches. If you get into a routine of mixing a few every week......you get to the point where you're never waiting for anything......there's always something ready...or near ready.

Custards can also be a bit odd in that they have a dead zone while steeping. After you mix them....for a few days they are pretty good and definitely vapable. Then all the flavour will disappear for a couple of weeks......and then re-appear in all it's lushness.....and keep improving.

Get stuck in BeOne

You'll save a ton of money.....find it very rewarding............and there are loads of knowledgeable people on here who can help with advice.

[BeOne]

Thanks kreed . Understand that fully. Steeping is like, marinading, whereas throwing everything in a pot and cooking it at once might give you something that tastes alright but it will never be a 5* recipe

kreed said:

But that's only painful for the first month while you're waiting for your first batches.

This is the bit I've been thinking/worrying about. Because I'm new my juice collection is tiny and vaping as I go so that first month waiting on juices steeping will be painstaking. However, I do like fruits so that might work in my favour in that I could throw something together for an initial vape whilst the others are steeping.

I think I'm gonna buy a 'starter' DIY kit but I'll put my own thread together once I understand the questions I want to ask.

Thanks again

[kreed]

There's no denying it's a step....... but you should take it.

Ask any home mixer if they regret learning and starting.

There is an initial outlay.......... but you'll easily recoup it vs paying retail for premixed.

Best advice I can give now is start with one-shot concentrates.

There's so many good ones around now...... it's an easy, effective way to get into mixing.

[jtc]

Best thing I did was start mixing my own.
I'm no master mixer and usually copy recipes from the experts like kreed & Tom. Although I have started tweaking and trying some of my own lately.
I usually get told my juice is better than anything they get in shops so that makes me happy as well.
I have around 13 flavours in rotation right now and I'd never think of buying premade stuff again.
Take the plunge as it's very satisfying when you hit the flavours you like and have done it yourself.
And the savings in the long game are very good

[jtc]

And when you find flavours that steep well I find making a big batch very useful

[BeOne]

Nice jtc

I'm currently looking at a Starter Kit for DIY and found this:

thee-cigshop.co.uk/Standard-DIY-Mixing-Starter-Kit

The reason I've picked this (compared to other shops) is because of the higher VG bottle value (others are equally sized PG and VG bottles) since I use 70 or 80% VG and therefore the VG will last as long as the PG. If anyone has any reservations as to why I shouldn't order this I would be glad to hear it.

Apologies for seemingly hijacking this thread but I'm sure other new people may have similar questions

[jtc]

I use max vg myself
That kit is a start but you'll be wanting a lot more once you get started believe me.
Go for it and enjoy then you'll naturally progress.
I can definitely vouch for thee-cigshop.co.uk as I've used them a lot lately and CS has been top notch

[BeOne]

Only going to use it as a start jtc. Thanks for the go ahead with it. Order placed

[Stomper]

Great post for myself who is just about to order my first lot of mixing ingredients . I am stuck at the nicotine bit though so wondered if anyone could give me a quick answer so i can get my order off.
When i went to add nicotine the options were strength 50mg and 72mg, how do you decide which strength? I haven't come across a mixing tutorial or ,
post where it says what strength your nicotine is , only seen ratios . 


Am i even making sense?



Thanks in advance.

[pacman]

Generally I always get 72mg nicotine then when you start mixing the eliquid calculator will ask you what strength nicotine you are using and what strength you are aiming for.72 mg generally works out to be a better buy as you use less to get to your desired nic strength.Hope this helps so whatever you buy the calculator will let you know how much to add

[Stomper]

Jul 9, 2016 23:16:18 GMT pacman said:

Generally I always get 72mg nicotine then when you start mixing the eliquid calculator will ask you what strength nicotine you are using and what strength you are aiming for.72 mg generally works out to be a better buy as you use less to get to your desired nic strength.Hope this helps so whatever you buy the calculator will let you know how much to add

I see, I've never made it to the calculator yet . Makes sense now. Thanks for the speedy reply pacman. Can get my order in and wait patiently now.

[BeOne]

As pacman says the higher strength nicotine you use the less you use and since nicotine is the most expensive item using less is a good thing.

For example, if you wanted make 100ml of 6mg juice then with 72mg you would use:
6 / 72 x 100 = 8.33ml

But with 50mg you'll use:
6 / 50 * 100 = 12ml

[pancser]

Jul 9, 2016 22:48:31 GMT Stomper said:

Great post for myself who is just about to order my first lot of mixing ingredients . I am stuck at the nicotine bit though so wondered if anyone could give me a quick answer so i can get my order off.
When i went to add nicotine the options were strength 50mg and 72mg, how do you decide which strength? I haven't come across a mixing tutorial or ,
post where it says what strength your nicotine is , only seen ratios . 


Am i even making sense?



Thanks in advance.

 Hi Stomper you can buy pre-mixed base with nic in it and just add flavouring 

thee-cigshop.co.uk/DIY/Pre-mixed-base

As I'm far too lazy to buy everything separately and it is less complicated  I will go for this as well 

[Stomper]

Thanks Pancser i'll give it a look , I do like the idea of being able to adjust my ratios now and again for better clouds etc but a bottle of this would be handy for lazy days.

[Stomper]

Jul 10, 2016 4:44:39 GMT BeOne said:

As pacman says the higher strength nicotine you use the less you use and since nicotine is the most expensive item using less is a good thing.

For example, if you wanted make 100ml of 6mg juice then with 72mg you would use:
6 / 72 x 100 = 8.33ml

But with 50mg you'll use:
6 / 50 * 100 = 12ml

Thanks BeOne . Looking at the prices the 72mg is about 50% dearer and the ratios for mixing about 50% more for the lower strength . Probably now just comes down to budget at time of buying.