General early steeping question

[Blackbeard]

I've sort of got the idea from reading here that steeping for at least two weeks is a minimum for tobacco juices. I'm getting serious now trying to find a great tobacco mix so it's hard to wait two weeks before testing.

Can someone give me a general idea what I should expect from testing early? For instance, I've mixed a couple of tobacco juices two days ago, so there's at least 12 more days before I could begin to start thinking they're close to maturity. One is a straight tobacco juice, the other is a mix with Captain Black. Will filling a tank now give me a close idea of the end result or more than likely give me that awful taste similar to the way the flavor smells before mixing?

I guess I'm asking for recommendations on a good testing procedure so that I can determine whether a drop or so along the steeping time is necessary. I'm sure it would require a different method of testing for tobacco and non-tobacco juices.

Thanks for any help and hope this isn't worded in such a manner that I'm not making sense.

 

[Crazyinariz]

Howdy! When I 1st started vaping v2's I liked their sahara but I quickly upgraded to an ego system which I bought from a local b&m and a few bottles of their ejuice. At the 1st red light I came to I filled up a t2 and I thought I was gonna die. All I could taste was perfume. It honestly reminded me of the smell of my grandmas bathroom when I was a wee little kid. I read on here about steeping and decided to try it since I still had plenty of my v2 sahara. Since then I just automatically steep all juices I buy. I don't have a set time period, I just uncap them and put them in the back of my 'juice drawer' and always pull from the front. When I get a new batch of juices in I cap n shake the ones in the very back, slide them forward and put the new juices in the back. I must have 20 bottles of juice w/their caps on and 4-5 w/their caps off in my drawer. In my general rotation I try to keep Gandalf and Gollum from HHV, a chocolate and a fruit (from different 'random' vendors) going at all times.

Hope this helps.

 

[gimmieshelter31]

If I were you Blackbeard, there is no way I'd fill a tank now. If you must, use an atomizer. This allows you to try a few drops to satisfy your curiosity. If you don't have an atomizer, you need to get one or a few.

I often made the mistake in the beginning of my DIY endeavors to not allow the patience of steeping. Doing so will make you either continue adding flavoring or give up on flavors that you may have found you really like. There is a reason those who make tobacco juices suggest extended steeping times. I've read it over and over. My juices have gotten progressively better since I began to heed that advice. So if you can, resist making changes until you know for sure how your current mix will taste when its ready.

 

[Blackbeard]

I'm fairly new to vaping, about 3 months, and I've went through a few different devices so far. I've decided on an eGo-C for now, but may go to an eGo-T because the atomizers seem to do a little better. I've found a few premixed juices I like, but they don't quite meet my idea of what I want them to taste like, so I've started mixing my own. And everyone knows that's a journey that takes a while to find the final destination.

The reason I was asking about this was since it takes two weeks or more to really find out what I've got, I'd like to adjust the flavors a little if needed so I wouldn't have to wait two more weeks if I do need to adjust. I'm not trying to fine-tune it along the way, just get it closer to what I want if it needs drastic changes. It's a little ragged knowing there's a great juice out there to be discovered, and I've got to vape these premixed juices that are lacking until I discover that great combination.

I was wondering how long it usually takes to begin that "change" where it starts taking on the finished state. I'm guessing that it's a gradual change to the final-steeped state. I'll bet it's not a constant change to the finished juice. I'm guessing it changes quickly somewhere along the process. Is that change happening closer to the beginning or the end of the process.

Since I'm new, I'm not only trying to find the percentages of a particular flavoring, I'm trying to find the right flavor. In other words, will I like M-type, or should I use flue-cured. There's a lot of choices out there, and waiting two weeks might mean I use a year just to find the right base flavor.

Thanks for the replies.

 

[glassmanoak]

The importance of steeping with tobacco flavors cannot be understated. Many disagree with me, but steeping changes tobacco flavors. Some people like tobacco flavors when first mixed. If you do, make small batches often. IMO, tobacco don't really start tasting good until they are a month old. You can taste at a week of 2 in an atty, but the flavor will never get stronger... only more mild and mellow.

TFA M-type doesn't get good for at least a month. Boba's Bounty is ok from the start, but doesn't get great until 5 weeks. You can speed up steeping by using hot baths. I use an Ultrasonic Jewelry Cleaner to speed it up. Fruit mixtures require little or no steeping. bakery flavors need short-term steeping.

Please remember that many people do not believe in steeping at all. I think it it is absolutely essential to a good juice, but I think that I'm in the minority. Make 2 batches of a recipe. Vape one and use hot baths on another. You will see the difference. Let the hot bath one steep at least a few weeks.

The "change" takes place at the end of the steeping. It can improve along the way. Just be patient! Oh! If you need to make it stronger at the end of steeping, it won't take as long to take effect. You essentially "seed" the new mixture by adding more flavoring. So start low rather than high.

Good Luck in finding your individual way.

 

[Blackbeard]

I just couldn't wait any longer and tried a few of the juices (all single flavor tobacco) I made 4 days ago.

The Marlbaro juice was really good.
The Black Honey juice was OK, but not as good as the Marlbaro.
The double RY4 was great. Thanks everyone for that suggestion.

Now to let them finish.

One more question: Because of where I have to "store" my bottles, I don't leave them open to the air for any length of time at all. Instead, because they're in plastic drip bottles, I shake them every day and squeeze the air out and let new air in. Any opinions about this practice? I'm sure it's not as effective as open air bottles.

Thanks all

 

[purelyscientific]

I think that method would actually be more effective than steeping with the cap off because your shaking it.
When people leave the cap off they don't shake it.
Your method allows the juice to come into contact with more air.

Give it a 2 drop test in a atty every day and when it gets to the point where you say "mmmm thats excellent"
Immediately stop steeping and keep it cool and in a dark place.

In my experience too much steeping is bad.