Source
r/DIY_eJuice•
VariableSin

Trouble creating a freezing effect

So I've been trying my hand at DIY for a month now and I've made a few decent batches, but creating a freezing cold inhale has eluded me. This is unfortunate because that's the most important aspect of vaping to me. I honestly care more about the freezing effect than I do flavor. I'm currently using menthol liquid from WL (10% menthol in PG) and yes, I have Koolada as well. I've tried combinations from as low as 3% of each up to 10% of each. It's either not cool enough, or super harsh. I just can't seem to find the sweet spot and replicate the freezing effect I get from something like Halo's SubZero.

What do you all think? Is there another concentrate I don't know of which could help with this? Perhaps I should buy menthol crystals and dilute in PG at a higher percentage? I'm at a loss, so any help would be appreciated. Thanks!

Posted Jul 9, 2014, 2:37 AM UTC

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fizzmustardBest Recipe of 2014•

I use this Menthol Concentrate from ecigexpress that's 66% Menthol crystals in 34% PGA. You could make it yourself, but it's cheap enough there if you're ordering it along with other flavorings. It's extremely cold on it's own. Combine it with a good dose of koolada and you can seriously chill a mix.

I've not tried the Halo juice you mentioned so I can't really compare, but the 66% menthol is a staple in my cool mixes, whether mint-flavored or not. Very versatile

My lemon-lime soda uses 2 drops of 66% menthol and 8 drops of koolada per 15mL to give it a nice ice-cold soda sensation without any mint flavor.

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VariableSinOP•

That sounds like it's exactly what I'm looking for! I want to get the ice-cold sensation figured out and then start to add fruit or mint flavors on top of that. Thanks so much for the recommendation man! I really appreciate it!

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VariableSinOP•

Hey u/fizzmustard, just wanted to pop back in and thank you for recommending the Menthol Concentrate. After receiving a bottle and making a few batches I've determined that a significantly increased menthol percentage is definitely what I was missing in my liquids.

Now that I've gotten the freezing effect down (12% is my sweet spot and it's freakin' cold), I can finally move on to adding flavors and perfecting my own ADV. Thanks again man, I really appreciate it!

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fizzmustardBest Recipe of 2014•

Dude, of course!

I love that 66/34 menthol. It's exceptionally versatile.

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VariableSinOP•

Hell yeah it is! I've already tried adding it to a few vendor-made liquids and it doesn't affect the flavor, but adds a significant cooling effect to the vapor. Obviously it skews the PG/VG percentage, but only a minimal amount and it makes the liquid SO much better. As for my DIY liquid, I mixed up this batch earlier:

Menthol Concentrate - 12% Koolada - 3% Peppermint - 5% Horehound - 3%

Even without steeping it was close to what I'm looking for. Right now I've got it sitting in the crockpot on warm, and it should be done steeping in an hour or so. Can't wait to try it out tomorrow. Thanks again!

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30CalSolution•

While you can use menthol i wouldn't suggest it. I've been diy'ing about 3 years now. You will want to use 'koolada' it gives that ice cold feeling without adding flavor.

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VariableSinOP•

I have tried Koolada in percentages from 3% to 10%, and while I agree it provides a cooling effect, it doesn't seem to pack the punch I'm looking for. When I up the Koolada past 10% the liquid becomes harsh and unvapeable. That's why I'm thinking there's a component missing somewhere, because Koolada is just not cutting it on it's own, or with a 10% menthol concentrate.

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[deleted]•

[deleted]

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VariableSinOP•

Yeah that's what most people say, so you can imagine my surprise when 3% didn't even have an effect on me. At first I thought maybe it had to do with my tank, so tried it in a IGO-W and also a 510 bridgeless atomizer, but got the same results. Weird.

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jackwk41•

I use the TFA koolada and spearmint and it is freezing and gives a nice cold feeling at the back of my throat, might give it a try. when I let people try it, it's even too cold for most of them

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VariableSinOP•

I've tried combining WL koolada with both WL spearmint and WL peppermint. They definitely add a touch of flavor, but don't really add to the overall cooling effect, at least in my experience. Perhaps TFA koolada is more potent than the WL koolada? Appreciate the advice.

I should have mentioned earlier that I'm looking for an extreme cooling effect. I've been vaping menthol for 3.5 years and the only time I've ever switched liquids has been when I found something colder. Currently the coldest I've found is Halo's SubZero, although I have a bottle of Axiom's Icicles on the way.

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30CalSolution•

If koolada and a combo of menthols are not doing it for you im not really sure what to tell ya. I grabbed the wrong pipette one time and thought it was ethyl maltol and it wasnt and the few drops that was in there ruined an 8ml vial of what would had been good juice. Koolada and menthols are the only thing im aware of to give that cool feeeling..

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VariableSinOP•

That's pretty much what I've read as well, which is why I'm hoping that increasing the percentage of menthol in my concentrate will give me the cooling effect I'm looking for. Thanks man.

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30CalSolution•

Buy the crystals so you can make it any strength you want to and use just about any base..plus its going to save you in the longrun.

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VariableSinOP•

I bought a small bottle of the menthol concentrate that u/fizzmustard mentioned in his reply. If that helps even a little I will definitely buy crystals and then adjust to taste.

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scoopyloo•

buy menthol crystals and mix them up strong with pg - that'll freeze the inhale. edit: oops, I see you ordered some - good!

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VariableSinOP•

I still appreciate the advice! Thanks!

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