Additives for E-Liquids: Enhancing Your DIY Experience with Dosages

DIY e-liquid production allows for unparalleled creativity, and additives are the key to refining and personalizing your blends. In Ireland, more and more vapers are exploring DIY vaping to gain control over flavour intensity, nicotine strength, and overall satisfaction. By understanding the role of these ingredients and using them in appropriate dosages, you can achieve precise flavor profiles and sensations. Here’s a detailed look at popular additives, along with dosage recommendations from the experts at vape shop Eirhorse.

1. Coolada

• Effect: Provides a refreshing, cooling sensation similar to menthol but without altering the flavor.
• Recommended Dosage: Start with 0.5–1.5% of your total mix.
  • For a light cooling effect: 0.5%.
  • For a stronger cooling sensation: 1.5%.
• Best Used In: Fruit blends, beverages, or menthol-inspired recipes.

2. Sweeteners

Stevia

• Effect: Natural sweetness with a mild flavor.
• Recommended Dosage: 0.2–0.5%. Excessive use can lead to an overly sweet or bitter aftertaste.

Sucralose

• Effect: Intense sweetness to enhance sugary notes.
• Recommended Dosage: 0.5–1%, depending on the desired sweetness level.
• Best Used In: Dessert, candy, and fruity e-liquids.

3. Acetyl Pyrazine (AP)

• Effect: Adds nutty, toasted, or grainy notes, perfect for tobacco or dessert recipes.
• Recommended Dosage: Start with 0.2–0.5%.
  • Going above 1% can result in an overpowering burnt sugar or popcorn-like taste.
• Best Used In: Tobacco blends, cookies, and cereal-inspired mixes.

4. Malic Acid

• Effect: Adds tartness and enhances fruity notes, ideal for citrus or berry flavors.
• Recommended Dosage: 0.5–1%, based on the desired sourness.
• Best Used In: Fruit and sour candy blends.

5. Vanillin

• Effect: Provides a smooth vanilla sweetness and rounds out sharp flavors.
• Recommended Dosage: 0.5–1%. Excessive use can create a synthetic taste.
• Best Used In: Dessert blends, creamy recipes, or as a softener in complex mixes.

6. Menthol

• Effect: Adds a refreshing, minty coolness with a mild aftertaste.
• Recommended Dosage: 0.3–1%.
  • Light cooling effect: 0.3%.
  • Intense menthol kick: 1%.
• Best Used In: Fruit mixes, mint blends, and tobacco e-liquids.

7. Flavor Balancing Additives

Example: Bitter Wizard by Flavor Art

• Effect: Reduces sweetness and balances overly sweet blends with a subtle bitter note.
• Recommended Dosage: 0.1–0.3%. Use sparingly to avoid overpowering other flavors.
• Best Used In: Balancing dessert, candy, or fruity mixes.

8. Dyes

• Effect: Changes the color of the liquid without affecting flavor.
• Recommended Dosage: Use minimal amounts (below 0.1%) if necessary.
• Caution: Rarely used due to limited functional value and potential health concerns.

General Tips for Using Additives

1. Start Small: Always begin with the lowest recommended dosage and adjust gradually.
2. Mix and Test: Create small test batches to evaluate the additive’s effect.
3. Dilution: If an additive’s effect is too strong, dilute with a pure base to moderate its intensity.
4. Keep Records: Document your experiments to replicate successful blends.

Example Recipe: Cool Tropical Breeze

• Base Flavor: Mango (8%) + Pineapple (4%).
• Additives:
  • Coolada: 1% for a refreshing cool effect.
  • Sucralose: 0.5% to enhance sweetness.
  • Malic Acid: 0.3% to add a slight tart edge.
• Total Flavor Concentration: ~13.8% of your mix (remaining 86.2% is VG/PG and nicotine, if desired).

Conclusion

Additives can transform your DIY e-liquid into a tailored masterpiece. By understanding their effects and adhering to appropriate dosages, you’ll unlock new dimensions of flavor and satisfaction in your vaping experience. Experiment patiently, adjust thoughtfully, and enjoy the art of mixing with vape shop Eirhorse, your trusted source in Ireland.

Crafting Your Own E-Liquid