DIY Master Techniques - Steeping

[micksf]

From Hoosier...

Steeping means leaving the capped bottle out of sun light for a period of time to allow time for the components time to reach an entropic state.

If I need a quick steep it is just a cup of hot tap water and I plop the bottle in. Take it out every now and then to shake it. When the whole thing cools to room temp it's about equal to a week of steeping.

The breathe, leaving the cap off, I usually only works for juice that has alcohol based flavorings for me and it can do things I don't like to tobacco flavors.



from the original post...
www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/tips-tricks/264861-steeping-warm-water-tips-steeping.html

 

[micksf]

This is a good reference, with posts from the pros....
www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/243388-whats-best-way-steep-juice.html

 

[micksf]

From ianmassey...

What people collectively refer to as steeping is actually a few different things:

Leaving the bottle sit with the top off allows alcohol to evaporate. This can mellow out over-flavored juices, or remove the alcohol edge from juices that use a flavor with an alcohol base.

Leaving a bottle sit in a cool, dark area for an extended period of time (anywhere from a few days to a month or more) can allow flavors to blend and allow subtler elements of the flavoring to come out in the vape. This can make a huge difference for some juices. This is actual "steeping".

Putting the bottle in warm water briefly thins the contents and allows a hurried, partial version of steeping to occur, since the elements of the juice can more quickly combine and blend in this warmed, thinned state.


from the original thread...
www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/diy-e-liquid/273178-steeping-whats-when-appropriate.html

 

[smackdye]

I added some apple pie to my caramel and chocolate ( dark chocolate Mmmm) and i was just messing around and i fell in love with it.. also caramel cheesecake is amazing ( with some chocolate too lol)

I noticed that the sweetener I added to my caramel mix intensified dramatically after a little steeping, will have to cut back considerably with the next batch.



I wonder what a little "apple pie" would do to the caramel/chocolate/bravarian creme. Find the apple pie a little intense (cinnamony) by itself but it might add something to the caramel.

 

[FriedLiverAtack]

Yes the apple pie flavor has found it into my caramel recipe too. Haven't tried caramel cheesecake, sounds interesting.

I added some apple pie to my caramel and chocolate ( dark chocolate Mmmm) and i was just messing around and i fell in love with it.. also caramel cheesecake is amazing ( with some chocolate too lol)

 

[HSKeaton]

StarLight Acres

 

[Bunnykiller]

Not to be a stone in anyones shoe... but Steeping is a process in which a solid is soaked in a fluid to transfer the flavors from that solid to the liquid.

Aging is the proper term, as in aging wine.
The reason "steeping" seems to be the word for letting juice ( liquid) become better over time is due to the actual origins of making e-liquid, real tobacco would be soaked ( steeped) in VG,PG, PGA or a combination of those. Once the tobacco is removed from the liquid, it then ages...

Im sure most every one Vapes their liquid and not smokes it

 

[Kropotkin]

Thank you, Bunnykiller.



Vocab Nazis Unite!

 

[Str8vision]

Most of my mixes have eight or more ingredients and heat assisted steeping certainly helps the ingredients meld into a finished flavor within a fairly reasonable amount of time. I mix in dark colored glass bottles, sealing and shaking well once all ingredients are added. I never mix more than about 80% of a bottles rated capacity in order to allow ample room inside for shaking/mixing. Once mixed, I place the bottle(s) in a open-uncovered crockpot and fill with water equal to the liquid level in my smallest bottle and set the controls to the lowest setting (warm). With the crockpot uncovered my water temp averages 110-120F. I leave the bottles in this warm water bath for at least three days, shaking each bottle several times a day and adding water to the crockpot as necessary to offset evaporation. If I'm mixing just one bottle I use a baby bottle warmer instead of the crockpot. Most mixes are ready to vape right away but my homebrewed NETs will continue to improve with the passage of time while stored in a cool dark cabinet. I no longer mix with any flavors that benefit from open bottle steeping/airing.

 

[Moodyfisherman]

Only 4-months into DIY ejuice and my take is
Ultrasonic cleaner for 3-hours total
@ 120-140 degrees temperature
Ejuice is blended but harse
let it sit closed bottle (glass always) for 1-week or more
nice blended juice with a mellow vape

Of course I've beem using Vapors Tech Nicotine for the last month or so and that makes one hell of a difference in the mellow melded flavor......the best nic ever and all flavors are crisp and clean.

Peace out

Moody

 

[Tepid]

Not to be a stone in anyones shoe... but Steeping is a process in which a solid is soaked in a fluid to transfer the flavors from that solid to the liquid.

Aging is the proper term, as in aging wine.
The reason "steeping" seems to be the word for letting juice ( liquid) become better over time is due to the actual origins of making e-liquid, real tobacco would be soaked ( steeped) in VG,PG, PGA or a combination of those. Once the tobacco is removed from the liquid, it then ages...

Im sure most every one Vapes their liquid and not smokes it

Actually I agree,,,, fixed

Steeping Aging is very subjective, as are flavor's of juice, to a point.

I have found Zero advantage in attempting to Sonic steep Aging a juice.
Tasted the same as when I started. Yes, I ran it constant for several hours.
I also found that there is a potential to get water in the juice during the process.
tried having lids on, but they loosen and come off
Tried other ways of putting covers on, but you can get a condensation build up around the top of the glass bottle
that will leach down into the juice. Not good.
Same issue with Crock pot steeping Aging.

I have tried hot water baths and many other methods.

There is some truth to the Hot water bath when it comes to evaporating alcohol and other smells off a bit quicker
But it takes a while also.

I have tried heating juice in a beaker in the Microwave, but again, not much benefit other than evaporating smells off more quickly.
And there is the idea that there is no telling what it might be doing to the chemicals we put in there.

I find most speed steep Aging methods are more of a pain than a benefit.

The best juices I have ever made, developed over time, and never benefited from the majority of a speed steep Aging methods

Seed Steeping Aging is a bit different story.

0.5ml to every 60ml or so, using the same exact recipe, but reduced slightly on %'s due to the fact you will be over flavoring
This WILL speed up the time a bit, and again, it's subjective.
But after a while, you really should start from fresh again.

I also find that most people over flavor their juices. But that is just me.

 

[Visus]

Actually I agree,,,, fixed

Steeping Aging is very subjective, as are flavor's of juice, to a point.

I have found Zero advantage in attempting to Sonic steep Aging a juice.
Tasted the same as when I started. Yes, I ran it constant for several hours.
I also found that there is a potential to get water in the juice during the process.
tried having lids on, but they loosen and come off
Tried other ways of putting covers on, but you can get a condensation build up around the top of the glass bottle
that will leach down into the juice. Not good.
Same issue with Crock pot steeping Aging.

I have tried hot water baths and many other methods.

There is some truth to the Hot water bath when it comes to evaporating alcohol and other smells off a bit quicker
But it takes a while also.

I have tried heating juice in a beaker in the Microwave, but again, not much benefit other than evaporating smells off more quickly.
And there is the idea that there is no telling what it might be doing to the chemicals we put in there.

I find most speed steep Aging methods are more of a pain than a benefit.

The best juices I have ever made, developed over time, and never benefited from the majority of a speed steep Aging methods

Seed Steeping Aging is a bit different story.

0.5ml to every 60ml or so, using the same exact recipe, but reduced slightly on %'s due to the fact you will be over flavoring
This WILL speed up the time a bit, and again, it's subjective.
But after a while, you really should start from fresh again.

I also find that most people over flavor their juices. But that is just me.

Tepid I have predominantly DIY e juice for over a year now have steeped quite a few e juices over 12 months. Recently ran a microwave experiment it was a huge success with well known affected flavor from steeping e liquids that I naturally steep every month adding two, taking out one or two depending on how much of that flavor I vape that month. So my flavors steep quite a while before I get to them in a rotation that usually last 2-6 months..

Microwaving;
It works it speeds up the steeping process phenomenally, in two of the longest steepers I use it was spot on vs a steep naturally at 3-4 months. I conclusively tested other flavors some new to me and those also were very successful. After microwaving there is a small steep needed but by 48 hours the flavor develops into an aged mimic, I have no idea of how it works but it does and does it well.

My setup is perfection with SS mesh on all atomizers and airholes adjusted until it sweeps every bit of flavor from the e juice. When I see people using huge percentages of flavor I instantly know they have not dialed in their set-ups yet. An airhole off by a .5mm a hair off, will not produce the flavor thats present. I say this to say it works and I am happy as a clam not born in New England about it.. Hot mixed ejuice awesomeness lol I still have my rotation of naturally mixed steepers in the steep box but for trying new e juices and speeding up an oldie but goodie, its the bees knees.. I see others have tried it in this post but did they try totally cooking it IDK but with cooking the liquid perfection happens, its not a one time heat it up and it works it needs a system of heating and cooling finding the sweet spot and I have found that sweet spot by accident but o my its found.. Made a post about it and have tried 11 different flavors in just 5 days and they are all amazing with a minimal rest period from 24-48hrs its unbelievable I tell ya....

I knew today when i vaped the nuked capella's ny cheesecake and could taste its change in just 36 hours that this not only worked but it was a miracle done by Jesus himself..
The stuff tasted like over buttered popcorn very nasty when fresh mixed I just knew I would not like it-- well its amazing..

 

[Mrdaputer]

Not to be a stone in anyones shoe... but Steeping is a process in which a solid is soaked in a fluid to transfer the flavors from that solid to the liquid.

Aging is the proper term, as in aging wine.
The reason "steeping" seems to be the word for letting juice ( liquid) become better over time is due to the actual origins of making e-liquid, real tobacco would be soaked ( steeped) in VG,PG, PGA or a combination of those. Once the tobacco is removed from the liquid, it then ages...

Im sure most every one Vapes their liquid and not smokes it

As the term Steeping does bother some ppl it is to late in the game to change it. I love my crock pot now even more than when I cook with it. It is a nice slow simmering action that does not distort the nicotine and ages the flavors so well

 

[Alien Traveler]

I am not qualified (yet) to discuss a proper steeping of juices, but I’d like to remind you about some simple chemical facts.
1. Obvious one: keeping bottle uncapped for a day helps to get rid of unwanted volatile components.
2. About temperature: Every 20 degrees (F) of temperature rise doubles speed of chemical reactions (and steeping is chemical process, I believe).
3. About microwave: It speeds up some chemical reactions tremendously. For example some resins can be polymerized in 24 hours at 60 degrees Celsius. In microwave they can be polymerized in just 1 hour at the same temperature (60 degrees).

 

[Tepid]

As noted,,, Be Careful, the liquid is hot. Use these methods at your own risk.
You have been warned.​

For the record, Aging might be a more correct terminology.
Steeping sounds cooler.

Ok Visus, you convinced me to try the Microwave method again.
It was something I had tried a long time ago, and didn't really seem to work, other than get rid of the heavy chem/alcohol flavor/odors.

I had some juice that I made a couple of weeks ago. Dropped some in my Magma
it was still a bit harsh, but vapable and the flavor was getting there.
I forget the exact ratios I used but a fairly good idea. And I don't remember the mg. But should be around 14mg.
It was something I just kinda threw together to test and forgot to label it.

So, I tested it. And the results are pretty amazing, now, going forward for the record, I won't be putting NIC in till after I am done.
My method is different, completely, but it works.
Here is what I use....

http://1drv.ms/ZcK3uA

The bottle was a jar of Capers.
A Milk Frother
and a small funnel to put back into the juice bottle.

the Juice is after nuking, it was a bit lighter before I started.

Dumped the juice in the Caper bottle
My Microwave is 1200Watt so
Nuked it for approx 15sec and it did start to bubble
Thought it might have been too long, maybe a touch.
I let it cool for a bit and there was vapor coming off of it.
Very pungent but smelled good. Just don't breath it in directly, bad idea.

Hit it with the frother again and let it cool all the way down
put it back in for 10 sec
Hit it with the frother again as soon as I took it out and then let it cool all the way.

Now, the flavor is a bit muted on some notes, but it is flavorful and smoother, with a much better throat hit.
Again, before I started this stuff was still quite harsh to me, but vapable, I think I am sensitive to the heavy chem/alcohol flavor/odors
I think after the next couple of days, that flavor may come back. we will see, if not, I will up some of the flavors by 1%.
Also, will stick with 8 second run for 10ml, and around 12 to 15sec for 60ml till I find that heat point, not quite sure on a 1200watt nuker.

As far as uneven heating,, with a liquid, that really isn't an issue
Liquids get hot quick in a microwave. and that heat transfers faster through liquid than solids.

The theory behind using the Frother when the juice is hot is,
You beat the crap our of the molecules and really get them going
As those tiny bubbles settle and cool, I think the bonding may be more consistent.
Theory, not fact based on anything really. But it seems like a good thing. We'll see.
I will be testing this a lot more going forward.

I have some other juice I made on 9/21.
I will probably do the same thing and see how it turns out.
The main thing though is finding that right temp to not over heat it.
You should not get it to a boil I think. I think that is what helped mute the flavors
They steamed off too quickly.

While I think there is a fine line of temp and rest
It is more about cooking off the bad notes and trying to keep the good ones.
And that will be different based on the flavors used, weak flavors will have issues with this I believe.
May need to layer those flavors on after and just leave open, or, add during the latter part of the final cool down
where it is not so hot, but enough to evaporate the bad notes.

thanks for the advice and reminding me I should revisit this.

 

[jdeedler]

I did my first DIY mixes today and I microwaved 10 ml for a total of 12-15 secs on power 1 ( Lowest ) and they came out nice and warm I mixed them really good and let them settle for an hour or so and did the same thing again. I would put one bottle in the exact middle of the microwave and heat it on power 1 for 5 secs then take it out and feel it, If it wasnt warm at all I would put it back in for another 3-5 secs on power 1 based on if it felt slightly warm or not. Once it was warm in my hand I mixed the juice up and put it away. I could tell the difference pretty much right away when tasting the flavors were better and smoother compared to when I first mixed them cold. Now they are sitting in the dark for a couple days and I will check on them and see what they taste like. I think the Microwave method does help in mixing the flavor and juice's.

Anyhow I will let ya know how they taste vaped a couple days from now.