Adding Moisture or "Juiciness" to DIY

[numsquat]

Started working on a clone recipe, first attempt, and am close but missing a couple of things. One is a flavor issue which I hope will be fixed on my next flavor order (had to substitute one flavor). The other difference is a lack of "juiciness" or moisture. My mix is a 80%VG as is the original. I have heard EM, 0.9% saline solution or distilled water can add moisture to high VG ejuice.

So was wondering what experiences people have had with those additives. Don't have EM but can get some on my next order, the other two I can easily get.

 

[IDJoel]

I have used the 0.9% saline solution (wound wash). It does add a bit of "moistness" to the mixes I have tried it in. It also has the added benefit of acting as a flavor enhancer as well; much like salting food aids in better flavor. I do not automatically add it to everything I make, but if I can't get a recipe to quite pop, I will give this a try. It can also smooth out harsh edges of certain mixes. Use sparingly; usually only a drop, or two, is all it takes. I thank @Slots for turning me on to its use.

Use only wound wash saline. It is sterile water, sodium chloride and nothing else! Do not use saline for eyes, contact, or sinuses, as the almost always have additional ingredients which pose unknown safety risks.

Wound wash can be purchased at most pharmacies such as: Walgreen, Rite-Aid, CVS, and Walmart. Here is an example of one of Walmart's listings: Wound Wash. There are multiple brands and labels (including in-house branding). Any of them are fine so long as the ingredients are listed as sterile water, sodium chloride (0.9% or 9mg/mL... I've seen both) and nothing else. It always seems to come in a pressurized can, so I simply dispense about 10mLs at a time, into a small dripper bottle, and use that as my working product. Used in that manner; a 6 oz. can will last you years.

I have tried using distilled water, from 5 to 10 percent in recipes, during my early days of DIY. But, the popping and spit-back was so obnoxious and distracting, I could not tell you whether it helped with a moister vape. I abandoned this method after 2 or three attempts.

I do use EM occasionally in a few recipes; but I have never noticed it contributing a sense of moisture. YMMV

The other additive I have heard (more than once), that can help create a moister vape, is Inawera Cactus. I have not yet personally tried this ingredient. Apparently, when used in small amounts, it will contribute a sense of moistness without altering the overall flavor profile. You will need to research further to figure out how small is "small."

 

[numsquat]

I have used the 0.9% saline solution (wound wash). It does add a bit of "moistness" to the mixes I have tried it in. It also has the added benefit of acting as a flavor enhancer as well; much like salting food aids in better flavor. I do not automatically add it to everything I make, but if I can't get a recipe to quite pop, I will give this a try. It can also smooth out harsh edges of certain mixes. Use sparingly; usually only a drop, or two, is all it takes. I thank @Slots for turning me on to its use.

Use only wound wash saline. It is sterile water, sodium chloride and nothing else! Do not use saline for eyes, contact, or sinuses, as the almost always have additional ingredients which pose unknown safety risks.

Wound wash can be purchased at most pharmacies such as: Walgreen, Rite-Aid, CVS, and Walmart. Here is an example of one of Walmart's listings: Wound Wash. There are multiple brands and labels (including in-house branding). Any of them are fine so long as the ingredients are listed as sterile water, sodium chloride (0.9% or 9mg/mL... I've seen both) and nothing else. It always seems to come in a pressurized can, so I simply dispense about 10mLs at a time, into a small dripper bottle, and use that as my working product. Used in that manner; a 6 oz. can will last you years.

I have tried using distilled water, from 5 to 10 percent in recipes, during my early days of DIY. But, the popping and spit-back was so obnoxious and distracting, I could not tell you whether it helped with a moister vape. I abandoned this method after 2 or three attempts.

I do use EM occasionally in a few recipes; but I have never noticed it contributing a sense of moisture. YMMV

The other additive I have heard (more than once), that can help create a moister vape, is Inawera Cactus. I have not yet personally tried this ingredient. Apparently, when used in small amounts, it will contribute a sense of moistness without altering the overall flavor profile. You will need to research further to figure out how small is "small."

Good information, thank you! Question on the "drop or two", for how much ejuice?

 

[IDJoel]

Good information, thank you! Question on the "drop or two", for how much ejuice?

It is really to taste. Start with 1 drop/10mL and adjust from there. Too much is like putting too much salt on your popcorn... you can still eat it, but it is not very good!

BTW: I noticed I forgot to include the "wound wash" example link so I went back and included it.

 

[dannyv45]

Adding .5 -1% marshmallow can also add mouth feel to it (Moisture, thickness). Saline will generally make flavors pop for a high VG mix so a combination of both should work well.

 

[numsquat]

It is really to taste. Start with 1 drop/10mL and adjust from there. Too much is like putting too much salt on your popcorn... you can still eat it, but it is not very good!

BTW: I noticed I forgot to include the "wound wash" example link so I went back and included it.

Thanks for the starting point and link. Will be mixing this afternoon so will be picking some up.

 

[numsquat]

Adding .5 -1% marshmallow can also add mouth feel to it (Moisture, thickness). Saline will generally make flavors pop for a high VG mix so a combination of both should work well.

I have marshmallow so will add to recipe with the saline.

BTW Danny, when researching this question before posting, I read a bunch of your blog postings. Tons of great info there

 

[BrotherBob]

Started working on a clone recipe, first attempt, and am close but missing a couple of things. One is a flavor issue which I hope will be fixed on my next flavor order (had to substitute one flavor). The other difference is a lack of "juiciness" or moisture. My mix is a 80%VG as is the original. I have heard EM, 0.9% saline solution or distilled water can add moisture to high VG ejuice.
So was wondering what experiences people have had with those additives. Don't have EM but can get some on my next order, the other two I can easily get.

"Some flavors within a mix will trigger a dry response just because we involuntary react to them in this fashion.
I have read that some fruits such as Fuji Apple,Oba Oba,distilled water,FA fresh cream or meringue tend to help moisten a flavor 1-2 drops each.
"EM is also known as Cotton Candy. Often referred to as a sweetener, though it really isn't. At low percentages, around 0.5-1% may add body, moisture."
My notes.

 

[go_player]

The _very_ first thing I would try when seeking juiciness is adding some INW Cactus. I know it's a weird name, but what it should really be called is INW Juiciness.

If that doesn't work out I'd start playing with TFA Dragonfruit and FA Fuji as a starting point.

 

[IDJoel]

The _very_ first thing I would try when seeking juiciness is adding some INW Cactus. I know it's a weird name, but what it should really be called is INW Juiciness.

If that doesn't work out I'd start playing with TFA Dragonfruit and FA Fuji as a starting point.

Do you have recommended starting percentages for the Cactus, Dragon Fruit, and Fuji; when you are wanting to add one of them for moistness vs. flavor?

 

[numsquat]

The _very_ first thing I would try when seeking juiciness is adding some INW Cactus. I know it's a weird name, but what it should really be called is INW Juiciness.

If that doesn't work out I'd start playing with TFA Dragonfruit and FA Fuji as a starting point.

I mixed a little over 200ml today, 3 @ 60ml of regular recipes and 3 @ 10-15ml of new recipes. The 60mls I did some type of "juicy" enhancement (all fruity flavors). Did the saline drops in all of them, along with marshmallow in one and dragonfruit in another. Hopefully I will have enough current juice of each to test the newer recipes side-by-side. If not, I know what I'm looking for I think I will be able to tell the difference.

 

[go_player]

Do you have recommended starting percentages for the Cactus, Dragon Fruit, and Fuji; when you are wanting to add one of them for moistness vs. flavor?

Yep, I'd start low with each if just looking to make things juicy. Like 0.5-1% cactus, 1-2% Fuji and maybe 2-3% dragonfruit. INW cactus is one of the best flavors out there, but it gets weird above a certain level. Fuji is another great one, but if you just want juiciness from it, rather than an apple flavor, you should stay under 2%.

 

[go_player]

I mixed a little over 200ml today, 3 @ 60ml of regular recipes and 3 @ 10-15ml of new recipes. The 60mls I did some type of "juicy" enhancement (all fruity flavors). Did the saline drops in all of them, along with marshmallow in one and dragonfruit in another. Hopefully I will have enough current juice of each to test the newer recipes side-by-side. If not, I know what I'm looking for I think I will be able to tell the difference.

Get INW Cactus. Thank me later.

As for saline, etc- I'd recommend that you learn to mix without it.

 

[numsquat]

Get INW Cactus. Thank me later.

On my list for next flavor order.

As far as the saline, will still try it out to see what happens. I like to experiment. When I get a chunk of time I could see doing several small batches of the same recipe except add a different enhancer/flavor to each one and try them at the same time to see differences.

I do have 35-40ml of a fruity sour ejuice of mine, which will be my ADV until out because it's all I got until the new ones are ready. Added 3 drops of saline and it feels juicier, no saltiness, a little more vapor and no noticeable flavor change compared to the same juice/tank/mod/watt right before (just filled the same tank I was using). A nice result for a simple test.

 

[IDJoel]

Added 3 drops of saline and it feels juicier, no saltiness, a little more vapor and no noticeable flavor change compared to the same juice/tank/mod/watt right before (just filled the same tank I was using). A nice result for a simple test.

Glad to hear it. It sounds like you found saline's "moistening" sweet spot (moistening; but not flavor altering). For me at least, saline won't really add that in-your-face saltiness, like you might expect from a potato chip. Instead, I liken it more to putting a small amount of salt on fresh cantaloupe; the "sweet" and "juicy" dilute the overt saltiness, but it still manages to deepen, and round out, the fruit flavor... almost like it was more ripe than it actually is.

If you want to further the experiment; draw off 2-5mL of your current saline-doctored mix, and put it in a separate bottle (I don't recommend treating the whole batch... especially since that is all you currently have), and add another 1-2 drops. This should start to demonstrate the "salty" contribution to your fruit.

 

[numsquat]

Glad to hear it. It sounds like you found saline's "moistening" sweet spot (moistening; but not flavor altering). For me at least, saline won't really add that in-your-face saltiness, like you might expect from a potato chip. Instead, I liken it more to putting a small amount of salt on fresh cantaloupe; the "sweet" and "juicy" dilute the overt saltiness, but it still manages to deepen, and round out, the fruit flavor... almost like it was more ripe than it actually is.

If you want to further the experiment; draw off 2-5mL of your current saline-doctored mix, and put it in a separate bottle (I don't recommend treating the whole batch... especially since that is all you currently have), and add another 1-2 drops. This should start to demonstrate the "salty" contribution to your fruit.

I understand being light handed with salt. I use to compete in the KCBS (still judge though) and now do some small bbq catering on the side. I make my own rubs and sauces, which have much less (and I have alternate recipes w/o salt for me and some friends) because most commercial ones have way too much salt for me.

I won't use my current juice (gotta make it last to let the new stuff steep a little) but will give 2-5ml suggestion a go with one or two of them. I did a single flavor to test a new orange flavor which I could see using for this and another one with multiple flavors to try it on also. See how it goes with single vs complex juices.

 

[IDJoel]

Discretion is a good thing. I generally try not to extol the "wonders" of enhancers like EM, sweeteners, MTS, saline, and others, to new DIYers, as they tend to end up going into everything. The mindset seems to be "well, if it is good in this, it must be good in everything." My own process is to get a recipe as dialed in as I can, and only then... if it still isn't quite there, consider the use of an enhancer to push it into the winner's circle.