One of the daunting things for newcomers, in regards to DIY, is the use of additives.
However, they are easier to use than you might think. Here is a small guide telling you how and why to use each one of them.
The effects:
- Koolada : The koolada is an additive that will provide a fresh mouthfeel (a cold hit) similar to mint, but without altering the taste of your e-liquid. Very adjustable, this additive can be strongly dosed for a very fresh effect (approx. 15 drops) or can be lightly dosed for an icecube-like effect (2 to 3 drops). The only inconvenience of this additive is that it tends to fade over time.
- Sour : The sour will bring a tangy taste to your liquids, similar to the fizzy sugar you can find on certain sweets. Moreover, it is used a lot with cola flavours, reproducing the taste of cola sweets (15 drops of cola to 15 drops of sour additive).
- Sweetener : The sweetener is the DIY equivalent of powdered sugar. This additive will simply sweeten your e-liquid. Dose it from 2 drops up to 15 or even 20 drops, depending on your preferences.
- Acetyl pyrazine : Acetyl pyrazine is a very concentrated additive, much used in American e-liquids. It will bring a smoked flavour to your liquid. Some vapers will feel it more like a roasted hazelnut, others more like a popcorn flavour for example. Dose it from 1 to 2 drops per 10mL.
The flavour enhancers:
- Vanillin : The vanillin is one of the first additives to have been created and one of the simplest ones. It is a very good flavour enhancer you can simply dose from 4 to 6 drops per 10mL, which will bring out your liquid's flavours whether it is a mix or a single concentrate. Vanillin can also be used in a more complex fashion by increasing its dosage to bring a slight vanilla taste to your e-liquids.
- Ethyl maltol : The ethyl maltol is another flavour enhancer that will also delicately sweeten your blends. Its use is very similar to the vanillin's, and they can both be used together. Dose it from 3 to 5 drops to enhance your flavours. If you dose it stronger, it will bring a candyfloss taste to your liquids.
The spices:
Cinnamon and clove : Mostly used with tobacco flavours, the cinnamon and clove will bring some very interesting spice flavours to your liquid. They are to be dosed very cautiously so that the spice flavour does not overwhelm your blend's main taste.
Others:
DNB : The DNB is a unique and very powerful additive that recreates the feel of a traditional cigarette vapour. Use it sparingly with mainly tobacco flavours, one or two drops only per 10mL.
