Mix Your Own E-Liquid – Menthol Crystals
Menthol crystals bring a seriously fresh kick to your tank. You can also combine menthol with all kinds of other flavours – from banana menthol to tobacco menthol, the only limit is your imagination. But be warned: menthol crystals are very strong, so use them sparingly.
As the name suggests, menthol crystals are just that – crystals. To use them for vaping, you need to dissolve them first. There are basically two carrier options for the crystals.
A. Dissolve the crystals in ethanol – but bear in mind: it is still alcohol.
B. Dissolve them directly in propylene glycol
and option C: vodka or kirsch
You can get 96% ethanol from a pharmacy. Alternatively, basic vodka from Denner will also do. Because this e-liquid contains alcohol, however, it is absolutely not suitable for anyone with alcohol dependency.
For anyone in that situation, there is another option – dissolve it in propylene glycol!
To dissolve the crystals, use a 1:1 mix – 1 part crystals to 1 part carrier liquid. Put both in a small glass jar, put the lid on and shake. If you use propylene glycol, the crystals may not all dissolve straight away. In that case, place the jar and its contents in a warm water bath and keep shaking until everything has dissolved. Important: the crystals do not dissolve in vegetable glycerine; they will simply re-form straight away!
Take care when handling the crystals! Menthol crystals are potent, so always wear gloves when mixing. Last but not least, only use menthol crystals in glass tanks or stainless steel atomisers! Menthol crystals can damage plastic and may ruin your tank.
Since we are already on the subject, in our next post we will look at which e-liquids are not recommended for people with alcohol problems. After all, menthol crystals dissolved in alcohol are not the only unsuitable option.
If you do not want to handle menthol crystals, you can also buy flavour concentrates with menthol, peppermint etc. and mix with those instead. The advantage: menthol flavour concentrates will not damage your tank.
