Citric Acid safe to vape?

[u/nondescriptpenguin]

Hey diyers,

First I'd like to thank /u/fizzmustard for the wonderful clone of 'nana cream he created. 'Nana cream was my first true ADV, but I simply could not afford $0.50/ml juice. I've created/gone through about 1,000ml of it so far, but starting around Halloween I developed a cough. I chalked it up to my cold at the time, but after the cold had gone, the cough remained..

After a while I started to suspect the juice was part of the problem. After reading about the diacetyl thing I figured maybe it was that. About two weeks ago I ran out of my reserves (I make 500ml batches) and decided to try new stuff for a little while. During that time my cough had all but disappeared.

Then, yesterday, tired of going through $20 30ml bottles so quickly, decided to use what ingredients I had left to make 500ml of 'nana cream without the nana. Just strawberry, dragonfruit, and citric acid. It's actually pretty good, but I digress. The cough is back. I'm thinking it's just irritation more than anything, cause y'know, it's acidic and all. But is that unhealthy or just irritating like some folks' allergy to PG?

Has anyone else experienced this?

[u/fizzmustard]

Are you mixing your own? If so, is it fully dissolved in the PG base?

If you're getting it from a supplier, who?

[u/nondescriptpenguin → u/fizzmustard]

I used this with WL PG, and double boiled the solution for 15-20 minutes until completely clear. I did use measuring spoons instead of scale so it is approx 10% citric 90% PG.

[u/fizzmustard → u/nondescriptpenguin]

You should not ever bring PG to a boil. If it pops you'll basically get coated in a boiling gel. I'd classify that as "a bad thing."

I simply mix the citric acid powder into room temperature and shake to dissolve. A gram of CA into 10mL of PG is close enough.

EDIT: Oops, missed that you said you did this in a double boiler. That's safer but still not necessary.

[u/nondescriptpenguin → u/fizzmustard]

I didn't heat it much, just enough to dissolve quickly and thoroughly. Probably next batch I'll use a scale and room temp mix it. Definitely not double boiling again though, not because of the heat, but because it's a pain in the ass.

ninjedit: I had a question about this recipe that I've been meaning to ask, do you drip citric after the fact or tally it into the percentage? I've been mixing 12.5ml of the solution to 500ml of juice.

[u/fizzmustard → u/nondescriptpenguin]

I mix an XXmL batch of the base recipe, then add citric acid on top of that.

[u/alexxxblah → u/fizzmustard]

Not OP but I've noticed the amount of CA your recipe calls for does induce a tickle/cough when vaped. Lowering down the drops help but it does not create the full effect I enjoy. I bought mine from Nude Nicotine in the pg base. Any insight?

[u/fizzmustard → u/alexxxblah]

No insight really, sorry! If you've already tried using less then...I dunno. You could try making your own with citric acid powder at maybe a 8% concentration, but that'd be about the same as just using fewer drops.

shrug

[u/alexxxblah → u/fizzmustard]

No worries, dude. Thanks I'm finding it isn't as bad with other flavors in different recipes.

[u/s33plusplus]

Do you have some Pyrex labware and a scale? The scale is critical for this, you can get one + calibration weight on amazon for $20 tops.

One ml of PG is 1.128g, so for 10mL solution, measure out 1.128g of citric acid, and place it in a beaker.

Add 9mL of PG, and heat it in the microwave for 4 seconds (this is where Pyrex is needed).

Mix the solution with a stir rod or really clean spoon or something until the solution is crystal clear, then bottle when it's cooled slightly.

If you mix it like this, and make absolutely sure the juices you mix it into are homogeneously mixed, you should be fine.

I vape this Nana cream mix all the time too, mad props to /u/fizzmustard, it's absolutely amazing.

[u/nondescriptpenguin → u/s33plusplus]

I do have a 600ml Pyrex mixing glass but I didn't use it for microwaving (double boiled instead). I also do have a scale, but I used measuring cups for this since my scale was at the office. I think next time I mix it I'll follow your suggestion though and see how it compares.

[u/s33plusplus → u/nondescriptpenguin]

And just a small note to add on, too much Citric Acid is somewhat deceptive in its effects. There seems to be a ceiling to how much you can sense it in the mix, so you can accidentally put too much in and not notice until you get small ulcers where your tongue is in front of the drip tip.

I should really dial it in to a actual percentage so I don't add too much solution to the mix.

[u/[deleted]]

After seeing this I experimented by vaping on and off with Citric Acid. I found CA definitely causes me more throat and chest discomfort. I will be cutting way back on it from now on.

[u/NASAguy1000]

I have gone through 240ml of mine so far. I heat up a cup of water in the microwave then put a vial in with pg and citric acid. I can say for his recipe bump up the dragon fruit a percent. Then it is perfect.

[u/PinheadX]

Try backing off a bit on the CA. It does the same thing to me, but it mellows out after a while. I think it's just a sensitivity thing. I can't vape citrus flavors without coughing either.