VUAPER: Towards a DIY v3.0?

A PAGE OF HISTORY ...

The vape moves!

I do not know if you are like me but I witness with amazement an exponential evolution of our passion over the months, weeks and sometimes even days. This is true for the hardware:

But this is true also for liquids:

It is also true, and this is our point today, that the same evolution has affected the practice of DIY (Do It Yourself).

Indeed, the DIY 1.0 consisted, the oldest alchemists will tell you, in patiently mixing aromas that were difficult to obtain, the variety of which was low, the prices of which were high and of waiting patiently to throw the result in the sink and start again, until obtaining a recipe that stood firm. Then arrived new additives, aromas as if it were raining, while a real network of aficionados was developing, the practice gradually affected a large part of vapogeeks, and learning generating knowledge, DIY 1.0 has developed, giving convincing results, clearly limiting the fuel investment for our atos. It is still, and I hope for a long time to come, a very widespread “vaponomic art”, which is to industrial liquids what Granny's good cooking is to starry brigades: an easy or complex meal, the fruit of a real personal passion, a nice artisanal counterpart to share, a creative and rewarding complement in the mastery of all aspects of vaping.

For more information, it's here: Aroma and Liquids Forum, 10 ml, The Diy for Dummies

However, DIY was still a tricky practice for some who did not want to “go into religion” and complained about the time it took to design a recipe. Some manufacturers, including T-Juice first if I remember correctly, then released ready-to-use flavor concentrates that it was enough to dose, according to a recommended ratio, in the base to obtain, after a lapse of time. of steep time, a quality juice. It was therefore the birth of the DIY 2.0.

Concept taken up by many brands, concentrates flourished in shops. The ease of access, mixing and the quality of the result therefore completely complemented the original DIY and above all allowed many vapers to touch the composition of an e-liquid with their finger with more flexibility. It was a major but non-destructive advance as DIY 1.0 continued to exist in parallel. Some will tell me, and they will be right, that flavor concentrates have always existed. Indeed, whether we are talking about RY4 aroma or Tarte Tatin aroma, we understand that these aromas considered as mono-aromas were in reality much more than that. But all required, in order to come up with a complex recipe, an infinite number of possible variations of addition of flavors or additives to be adapted to the taste goals of the diyer. The concentrates have above all made it possible to create complex liquids by sowing a few drops in the base. 

Today, as the black veil of TPD is about to cover the vaposphere, there is doubt about the sustainability of these creative, fun and economic activities. Indeed, if I do not see how the law could prohibit me from buying food flavorings because after all if I want to use them to improve my yogurts, it is my right, the doubt remains heavy on the bases . The law stipulates that “refills” (translation into French: the bottles) must not contain more than 10ml. The legislator does not care whether we are talking here about flavored e-liquid or PG / VG base. As he does not care whether these liquids or bases are nicotine or not. The trick is to buy your bases in 10ml…. how to put it… it's a bit of a candy breaker, to be polite. We can always hope that “it will not happen”Or that”we will supply ourselves abroad”Or whatever you want but, between us, if doing DIY becomes an obstacle course, expensive and risky, do you really think that all new vapers will lend themselves to that? The goal is not to continue doing “our little things”But although vaping, as a revolutionary instrument in the fight against a deadly addiction, can endure through the sticks that we are put in the wheels.

But, as so often, it is in the doldrums and in adversity that good ideas fuse. 

AND 1, AND 2 AND 3.0 !!!!

VUAPER is a new brand, behind which hides a great name in French vaping, but shhhh, I haven't told you anything… The concept of the range is simple and at the same time presents a new specificity which could completely redistribute the cards.

Indeed, the main idea is to create four liquids, each of which can be vaped alone with a high level of quality, but also to be able to mix these four liquids so as to obtain an infinite number of possible recipes, according to the taste and the creativity of the person. 'user. We can therefore mix two, three or even all four together and, depending on the ratio of each reference that we introduce into our mixture, we are at the controls of a more than consequent range of possible results.

Let's do some math ok? The range currently consists of 4 references. The combination of the latter alone gives us 2⁴ possible recipes or 16 possibilities. Now consider that this combination is tasted in a 5ml atomizer, and we have 2⁵ either 32 dosage possibilities (quantity of one or the other of the references) for all 16 possibilities, or 2⁴ x 2⁵ = 512 recipes for 5 ml! Isn't life beautiful?

Of course, the idea is not new because many vapers who, since the existence of the vape, make their own mixtures by adding a little “honey” liquid to a “tobacco” liquid or a touch of “orange” liquid. ”To a“ liquorice ”juice. It is a simple and easy way to implement to obtain an original mixture, unique and above all more conducive to delight their taste buds. But if the Vuaper concept uses the same frame, the realization is quite different. Indeed, the whole range has been thought out, designed and imagined in order to be mixed! Each reference is therefore deeply complementary to the others. First in the choice of the same base to avoid the approximate results at the level of the ratio PG / VG. Then, in the flavors which aim to unite with others for a necessarily controlled result. Thus, by limiting the possibilities of error or wandering, Vuaper initiates the bases of a new practice whose potential seems sufficiently important for us to look into it.

If the main idea is now limited, for the purpose of testing, to four references, we can quite imagine that, if this concept takes root in the consumption habits of vapers, in the near future a host of miscible liquids making it possible to obtain gourmet tobaccos, fruit cocktails, creamy mints or what else?

The advantage? It is twofold. First of all, it allows, in total simplicity and safety, to participate in taste creation, like DIY and thus to find your own optimal combination. The second advantage is that, as soon as liquids of this type are available in 10ml, it will be completely legal to mix them to obtain an infinite number of possible combinations. Vuaper is now only opening a door, narrow and experimental, but which could well, in the long term, install in the landscape of the vape a DIY 3.0, easy, effective and legal (in addition of course existing practices already in the field).

In any case, the idea seems interesting enough to give rise to curiosity and this being a powerful engine, we are now going to dissect this promising range to verify that, if the theory holds true, it is the same in practice. . 

RANGE

Commercial features

• Sponsor having lent material for the review: Vuaper
• Price of the tested packaging: 19.90 Euros (34.90 € for two on the manufacturer's website)
• Quantity: 30 Ml
• Price per ml: 0.66 Euros
• Price per liter: 660 Euros
• Juice category according to the price per ml previously calculated: Mid-range, from 0.61 to 0.75 euro per ml
• Nicotine dosage: 6 Mg / Ml
• Proportion of Vegetable Glycerin: 80%

We stop for a moment on the commercial aspect. Each reference exists in 0, 3 or 6 mg / ml of nicotine. Which works well for an e-liquid with a high dosage of vegetable glycerin, the whole destining it for a very dense and soft vape at the same time. Vuaper are available in 30ml and 15ml.

The price, and this is only my opinion, seems a bit high, at least in the retail shops. Let me explain. Even if the asking price for the 30ml is far from being aberrant, a gaggle of e-liquids exceeding 20 € with glee for the same capacity, we must not lose sight of the fact that these liquids are also intended to be mixed, the entry price must therefore take into account the purchase of two, three or four juices ... and on a vape basket, it can start to scratch a little. Of course, you can start with 15ml, which divides the initial investment by almost twice, but the price per milliliter increases in this case. 

We can imagine that the quality proposed by Vuaper justifies this amount and we will endeavor to verify it below. But the tariff should not be a brake on the concept of mixing the range.

Indeed, if each juice is steamed alone, the price seems very fair. But if you go in the direction of the concept, the entry ticket gets high and that's a shame. No doubt that a new business model or a new pricing policy would be more likely to help the concept develop. Perhaps a sliding scale price depending on the number of references purchased or even a contained price for all four? Once again, this is up to me, I am not aware of production or marketing costs. I'm just reacting as a consovapor anxious to preserve a little capital to buy the last ato from home… no I won't tell you… it will be rated on Le Vapelier! 😉

Packing

• Presence of a box: No
• Presence of a tamper-evident seal: Yes
• Bottle material: Flexible plastic, usable for filling, if the bottle is fitted with a mouthpiece
• Cork equipment: Nothing
• Tip Feature: Fine
• Name of the juice wholesale on the label: Yes
• Wholesale PG-VG proportions display on label: Yes
• Wholesale nicotine dosage display on the label: Yes

Steamer note for packaging: 3.77 / 5

Bayard-style conditioning, without fear and without reproach! Nothing to say about it. Transparency, swarm of information in French AND in English. Proof that French vaping has, for once, a step ahead of international competition.

Legal, security, sanitary, and religious compliance

• Presence of child safety on the cap: Yes
• Presence of clear pictograms on the label: Yes
• Presence of raised marking for visually impaired persons on the label: Yes
• 100% of the juice compounds are indicated on the label: Yes
• Presence of alcohol: No
• Presence of distilled water: Yes
• Presence of essential oils: No
• Compliance HIDE: Do not know
• HALAL compliance: Do not know
• Indication of the name of the laboratory producing the juice: Yes. 
• Presence of the contacts necessary to reach a consumer service on the label: Yes
• Presence on the label of a batch number: Yes

Vapelier's note regarding the respect of various conformities (except religious): 4.63 / 5

If we except the presence of ultra-pure water which, you know if you do me the honor of reading it from time to time, matters to me about as much as the late migration of wild geese, the whole Vuaper range is exemplary in its safety. We see that the manufacturer, whose name I will not reveal, do not insist, is at the forefront in this area. Everything is perfect and the newcomer here joins the French tenors of the genre like FUU for example (I didn't say anything, it's just an example!  )

Appreciation of the packaging

• Does the graphic design of the label and the product name agree ?: Yes
• Global correspondence of the packaging with the product name: Yes
• The packaging effort made is in accordance with the price category: Yes

Vapelier's note regarding packaging with regard to juice category: 5 / 5

A very sexy packaging with a very beautiful young brunette woman who shoots language languidly. 

So I can only agree, at the risk of attracting the wrath of these ladies who will read the article. No differentiation on the label between the references, we therefore remain in a logic of range. Only a white strip located vertically allows each product to be identified. It's enough.

The presence of a plastic bottle is not surprising because, still in the spirit of the concept of mixing, the use of the fine dropper which equips the flask seems to me more appropriate than a glass pipette. It's thoughtful, serious and very well done. What more ? The phone number of the young brunette in question?  

PRODUCTS

The ratings below correspond to subjective feelings.

The tests were carried out on a Vicious Ant Cyclone AFC dripper, renowned for its precision, mounted in stainless steel + FiberFreaks for a resistance of 0.6Ω monocoil.

The Frozen Yogurt

What strikes above all in the Frozen Yogurt (FroYo), it is its softness and its smoothness. Very milky, benefiting from a slight acidity, we can say that the promised yogurt is well made. The sugar is there but is not overwhelming. With a relatively low aromatic power, we can feel that this liquid is conducive to welcoming other aromas to give it character. The vapor is substantial and the hit remains correct for 6mg. If it is quite convincing, it seems however delicate to consider to vape it alone although it is far from being unpleasant. There remains this feeling of “lack”. We do not have the fullness of a constituted e-liquid. On the other hand, with a little imagination, ideas are already springing up to use it as a working basis. A good juice, benefiting from a good length in the mouth and a great realism which, in my opinion, is more like a Bulgarian yogurt than a frozen yogurt.

Vapelier's note on the sensory experience: 4.1/5

The Toasted Cereals

We change completely with a Toasted Cereals that keeps the promises inherent in its name. It is indeed a cereal mixture, remaining however quite sweet, undoubtedly compared to the high rate of VG. Not very sweet, the mixture offers us oatmeal and undoubtedly corn flakes, but it is difficult for me to say precisely. On the other hand, the absence of aggressiveness that we can sometimes find in cereal e-liquids makes it completely compatible with a solo vape, developing more complex nuances than the Frozen Yogurt. Even if the general rendering lacks a bit of definition and the feeling of “lack” still lasts a little. Here again, the aromatic power is relatively low, undoubtedly to better mix it with the other juices in the range without having too large differences in dosage. 

Vapelier's note on the sensory experience: 4/5

The Mango Froyo

The association between mango and Froyo works very very well. To vape solo, he is undoubtedly the leader of the band. The mango is ripe, greedy, sweet without excess and goes wonderfully with yogurt. It erases a little the acidic roughness, the sugar a little without imbalance, the yogurt bringing in turn an undeniable creamy appearance. We can still guess the milky sweetness of the froyo which stretches its thickness like a mattress or frolic the round mango. The vapor is always of a high density and the juice is greedy to vape. A real good pick in this game of four families. The length in the mouth is substantial and we retain on the palate balanced reminiscences of mango and yogurt.

Vapelier's note on the sensory experience: 4.4/5

The Kiwi Froyo

The choice to combine Kiwi and Froyo, after tasting the result, leaves me quite perplexed. We can feel a yogurt base identical to that of Frozen Yogurt but the Kiwi, too little sweet or juicy, adds this taste characteristic to the acidity already existing in the yogurt and the whole is difficult. Not that it is excessively acidic, but the general taste is not really interesting. More spicy than sweet, we can pretty well guess what result it could bring in terms of astringency in a mix, but I don't see how we could vape it alone. Too little sweet, it remains “hard” in the mouth and therefore lacks a greedy aspect.

Vapelier's note on the sensory experience: 3.2/5

JUMPSUITS

Of course, there is no question here of offering the complete list of possible recipes with the four references of the Vuaper range. The possibilities of mixing being wide, it is just a question of checking if the compatibility between the various juices produces convincing results even if these will undoubtedly require to be worked to obtain the best of them. We will focus on four basic combinations, to properly analyze the behavior of the aromas when they are mixed.

So let's start with the most obvious: 

FROZEN YOGURT + TOASTED CEREALS

The recipe features 50% Frozen Yogurt and 50% Toasted Cereals. 

First combination, first good surprise. Even with this empirical dosage chosen on the simple fact that the aromatic power of the two components seemed to me to be substantially identical, we arrive at an excellent result. As much as it seemed to me delicate to vape solo one or the other, as much the two mixed in equal parts complement each other very beautifully. The yoghurt sets up a very milky base, its acidity does not disappear and the cereals mix well. Harmony is the word that comes to mind. We have an excellent breakfast where everything falls right in its place and whose final flavor is very addictive. Even the aftertaste, giving pride of place to cereal aromas, is very pleasant. A complete success that looks like a finished e-liquid and well finished.

Vapelier's note: 4.4 / 5

KIWI FROYO + MANGO FROYO

Again, the recipe is balanced in 50 / 50.

The idea, you will understand, is to mix the fruits here so as to obtain a fruit salad with yogurt and to benefit from the astringency of the kiwi and the sweetness of the mango. And as I expected a little, it works perfectly. I would even say, which may seem paradoxical, that we perceive the kiwi better in this preparation than in the solo juice. Because the two fruits are completely complementary, because the roundness of the mango sifts the scratches of the kiwi and that the latter pulses a little plump mango to bring it to a more fruity and less greedy expression. The yogurt does its job well by remaining underlying but adding the definitively creamy aspect necessary to make this fruit salad a sweet but “pep” dessert. Good result then. Personally, I will opt for a 60/40 favoring mango.

Vapelier's note: 4.2 / 5

FROZEN YOGOURT + MANGO FROYO + TOASTED CEREALS

The recipe is divided into three thirds.

The idea here is to definitely play on a gourmet character by adding yogurt to that of mango and sprinkling everything with cereals. From the start, from the first job, you feel that you have climbed a step. The result is smooth, fruity and cereal at the same time (but that, one could imagine it 🙂). But the little extra that was lacking until now is present: a certain very pleasant taste complexity that makes us feel that we are on a premium juice and that even if the equation remains simple, we see that we have crossed a milestone . It is delicious, very pleasant on the palate, we do not lose the mango which remains very present but in its rightful place and the cereals top it off in a vaporous farandole. It's more than good, it's successful and it took me three minutes. However, I have a feeling that the result will be even beyond that with a slight steep of a few hours so that the mayonnaise takes well. In order to convince myself, I vape without waiting for the 3ml of preparation! 😈 

Vapelier's note: 4.5 / 5

FROZEN YOGOURT + MANGO FROYO + KIWI FROYO + TOASTED CEREALS

For the last combination (it's up to you to make your own and leave us your comments and recipes!), I try a more personal recipe. I'm getting to know the different interactions well so I try something that looks like this, in order: 30% + 30% + 15% + 25%. Excluding taxes, obviously…. 

Inevitably, we change the vinaigrette if I may say so. This is where we realize that all the elements have really been designed to work together. Indeed, we benefit from the smoothness of the yogurt, the sugar provided by the mango, from this now very pleasant little astringent side sent by a weaker proportioned kiwi and the cereals which finally bring us back to the breakfast concept of range. It's excellent and I'm sure there is still more potential going into finer dosages. But even as it is, we take intense taste pleasure on this finally complete fruity delicacy. A big splash of flavors reinforced by a very dense vapor. Pile-in, the type of juice that can reconcile power-vapers and flavor-chasers.

Vapelier's note: 4.7 / 5

To end this chapter, I will add that all the liquids in the range and all the combinations largely support a good rise in power, as long as we take care to bring air so that the steam does not heat up. not over-the-top. The viscosity, very typical VG, even if it is all the same reduced by the small percentage of added water, will require an atomizer capable of handling without flinching. But if so, you will only have fun vaping your blends.

AT THE TIME OF ASSESSMENT ...

After the test of taste and taking into account the commercial characteristics of the Vuaper range, I will say that FUU is two-thirds successful. (Huh, no I didn't say it! Oh yes? Oh good…. 🙄)

In the success stories, I will classify the concept, really interesting and playful which perhaps opens a door to the future in the fact of coordinating its own blends from a range of selected and quality juices. In the successes too, we must admit that the combinations work very well and that we quickly have a very convincing result.

The quality of the aromas, the realism of the yogurt, the captivating fusion between kiwi and mango… success, success and success. We see that the flavorists of the house have structured and then deconstructed for a controlled result which generates a great tolerance for user error. 

The bias of not stuffing the whole with sugar and play instead on the greedy aspects of mango, yogurt and cereals. Another success. The abundant steam and the present hit, bravo.

All of this gives us two good thirds of very positive things. When the taste is there, everything is fine in the best of all worlds.

But there are two caveats, in my very humble opinion, that I must develop here in order to be as exhaustive as possible. 

With the exception of Mango Froyo, none of the juices offered in the range can be vaped solo. It will at least be necessary to add another element to give a meaning, a structure, to the taste value. So if you think: “I'm going to take the Frozen Yogourt, I'm going to have fun!“, You are wrong. This juice, like Kiwi Froyo or Toasted Cereals, is not made to be steamed on its own. It is together, by two, three or four, that these e-liquids become exceptional. On their own, they are at best correct, at worst disappointing. So the concept that claims that each juice can be vaped separately or mixed with the others just doesn't hold up to me. This is understandable as each liquid having been optimized to blend best with the others, it seems logical that something is missing if used solo. You can't have butter and money from butter ... 

Speaking of butter, I see a second downside to the Vuaper range. A downside capable of reducing all of the brand's efforts to nothing. The price is too high, or the sales business model is not suitable. Me, consumer, if I want to derive all the taste benefit of the concept, I am obliged to obtain at least 4 bottles of 15ml either 4 x 11.90 €, or 47.60 € for 60ml of mixture provided that I dose each element in an identical way ! It is a tidy sum to “try” the drop. Too much, no doubt, to push people to join without having tested. In my opinion, it would either require a fairly clear drop in the price, which seems tricky to do if we take into account the costs, or invent a different type of marketing.

I put ideas in bulk: make a test-pack in 5ml so that people can test. Create a pack including the juices by four for less than adding the four purchased separately. Give a reduction on the second bottle purchased, a second on the third bottle and a third on the fourth bottle in order to lower the price depending on the purchase of part or all of the range. I imagine that there is no shortage of ideas to overcome this problem which is, in my opinion, a major obstacle to the development of this DIY 3.0 brilliantly initiated by the brand. 

However, I must say, to be completely exhaustive, that on the creator's site, you can have two juices for 34.90 € instead of 39.80 €. So it seems that the manufacturer, always listening to feedback from its customers, has started to make its way towards a lower price so that its concept develops as it deserves.

For those who will let themselves be tempted, they will discover an open world, where everyone is master of their grub without risking error with every time a professional result. The difference between Diy 1.0 and 3.0 is simple. For the first, it is a question of building an engine by procuring the parts one by one and by assembling everything by oneself. For the second, it is a question of raising the surprise of a Kinder egg. But for vapers to realize the potential of this proposal, it is necessary for the manufacturer to review its commercial copy, as it already seems to be considering, because it would be a shame to miss out on such an initiative, such an opening. taste, by simple error in communication or in the marketing method.

Looking forward to reading you.
Papagallo

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