How to Steep Your Juice: What's your method?

[NaturesEncore]

As a newbie, e-liquids can be very confusing. You get your package in the mail, and immediately want to take the new flavors for a spin, going from to with the first toot. You're expecting to taste Blueberry Cheesecake, but what you get taste more like a well-used race car tire that caught fire, and was extinguished with a massive bottle of perfume.

There's not much information out there on steeping your juices (believe me . . . I've searched like crazy). The only videos I've found seem to be two different methods, and lack severely in the explanations department.

I have not seen one vendor's site that recommends steeping for maximum flavor or how to do so. Hey vendors out there . . . I'd highly recommend placing or linking a tutorial on steeping in your juices categories. I'm certain that many newbs out there may be contributing to negative reviews, simple because of their lack of this knowledge.

So, my question are:

How do your steep your juices? What's your method?

Painstakingly vivid details welcome:

Lids on/Lids Off?
In the light or in the dark?
A day, week, month?
Is it the same for all juices?
What's the theory behind steeping?
Is it to better marry the flavors with the bases?
Does shaking or heating help this process?

Please contribute to the vaping novices among us. A nasty juice is a terrible thing to vape.

 

[passerbyeus]

The warm water trick works also it will change your flavor especially if water gets into the cap hahahaha.....and as for a dark cool room, I think that was just started for the simple fact out of site out of mind will it does matter to the nic a little so it could make difference in steeping over a really long time.

Over the last 5 weeks MadVapes has been running a test on the concentration of nicotine in samples that are placed in different environments. We then wanted to observe the results over time. We have been posting the results every week in the newsletter and on our blog. We started with a 300 mL batch of PG and nicotine mixed together in one container. We then tested the solution for concentration 3 times and it came out to 35mg. We then separated the solution into 4 60mL bottles and labeled each one according to where it was going to be stored. Our 4 samples were stored and labeled as follows:

• Refrigerator
• Room Temp, Office
• Room Temp, Window Sill
• Room Temp, Window Sill, Open Bottle

Each week we have tested all four samples for nicotine concentration. Below are the results.

Sample Name		Nicotine Concentration
		Week 1	Week 2	Week 3	Week 4	Week 5
Refrigerator		35 mg	35 mg	35 mg	35 mg	35 mg
Room Temp Office		35 mg	35 mg	35 mg	35 mg	35 mg
Room Temp Window Sill		35 mg	35 mg	35 mg	35 mg	35 mg
Room Temp Window Sill Open Bottle		35 mg	35 mg	35 mg	35 mg	34 mg

Notice that on week 5 the Open Bottle sample dropped 1 mg. We thought the same thing you did at first, "operator error in the testing". But we tested it 3 times with the same results. We are not making any assumptions from our results because it is still early in the testing period and it is just the first change. We are just passing on the results for you to see.

We will continue to test weekly through week 8. We will then test monthly. However if necessary and/or we see a value in testing bi-monthly or continuing every week then we will. We are looking at this with no assumptions and trying to be as systematic, precise and consistent as possible. Look for more to come next week.

 

[Mr.Mann]

Wait a minute, I just realized something... Maybe what you are experiencing is just bad juice for which no aging/steeping/shaking or anything will be of help! I had a juice that tasted like the aforementioned "well-used race car tire that caught fire, and was extinguished with a massive bottle of perfume" and three months later it tasted like a three month old, " well-used race car tire that caught fire, and was extinguished with a massive bottle of perfume"!

p.s. I have never had a "nasty" juice turn into a glorious juice.

 

[Black Strat]

I have a scientifically developed 4 step steeping process:

1. The US Postal Service steeps my juice while it is on the way.

2. The mailbox steeps my juice while I am at work.

3. My tank steeps my juice while I am vaping it.

4. My juice drawer steeps my juice in between filling my tanks.

 

[mrfixit]

Now here us where vendors can really help new converts out. I have read dozens of posts on diy for thecmaking of e liquids. Some juices when mixed together are ready to vape right then. Why this is and other aren't has no definate answer. It could be that some flavorings blend well naturally with pg and vg and nicotine. It really comes down to science. The molocules all have different properties and densities so some may take longer than others to mesh together and I expect there are some that will just flat out refuse to. The one thing I'm sure of is that most liquids will reach their flavor packed goodness over time. That being said it would be great if liquids came with instructions on how long it should steep before using it. I'm not sure if we could make a set standard for this because I'm sure that even tho basic e liquid manufacture would be the same individual recipes and makers techniques will vary. There are some vendor makers out there that do tell or recommend the amount of steep time for their liquids. In the absence of that a rule of thumb seems to be try a few drops and if it sucks put it up for a few days most say in a cool dark place rinse and repeat. I have even asked vendors if steeping was needed ans how long I should before vapping it. When I DIY my average steep time before checking is 4 days and I shake up my bottles at least once a day. Some liquids are like wine they reach their flavor peak over time. Most of what I found on the subject pertained to DIY and since I have made my own liquids I can say with certainty that at first a little heat is helpful to get flavors to blend together not to much tho and never prolonged exposure to heat or light. Agitation or shaking it up frequently and before each time I'm going to use a juice. Most of my creations were ready in a few days time after steeping in the dark but continued to get better after that period also. I'm gonna say an average of one to two weeks on more complex mixes and on occasion I've read where people let them steep a month. Now that is again how most of thus vapping world works it all comes down to your personal preferences. I hope some of this helps

 

[HauntedMyst]

My steeping process is involved and controversial. After I get a juice, I take the tops off and let them sit for 5 days, 11 hours and 35 minutes. Reseal the jars and put them on the cross town bus. The bumpy ride and starts and stops really mixes things up well. Then they get buried in the backyard for 6 weeks during which time I rotate their burial places, much like rotating crops. After that, I take them back inside and put them in a wine cellar style vapor fluid closet where they await in the darkness until they are ready to be turned into a velvet fog.

 

[tmzydowicz]

After 11 pages I gave up. Since vaping is so subjective I am going to try a few different ways. Right now a few days with the caps on seems to work fine. I've only been vaping for 2 months and I recently acquired my first vv/vw mod. It seem that you also have to find "your" wattage or voltage for each atty and juice. I'm stocked up to the point where I can steep a 'lil longer. Thanks everyone. I guess I'm an old school forum guy ... I can't just jump in and ask before reading the ENTIRE thread.

 

[wjosephsimmons]

Nope. Flavors are completely dissolved in juice from the very beginning. Something more complicated happens, like weak chemical bonds forming (may be).

I respectfully but wholeheartedly disagree. To suggest that flavors are completely dissolved in juice from the very beginning is an overgeneralization. It all depends on the ingredients used. Some liquids are simply more miscible than others. When a liquid can completely dissolve in another liquid, the two liquids are considered miscible. Miscibility is the property of substances to mix in all proportions, forming a homogeneous solution. Since flavors are in fact compound substances, it varies by the substances used, and by the proportions of these substances to each other. That is not to suggest that other chemical reactions or bonds may not also occur; every different substance, however, has a different degree of solubility.

 

[wjosephsimmons]

Flavors are already dissolved in PG or alcohol when they are put in juice. PG and VG are miscibile, so no problems at all with solubility.

PG and VG are miscible, but how miscible are the flavorings used? The solubility of a substance fundamentally depends on the physical and chemical properties of the solute and solvent as well as on temperature, pressure and the pH of the solution. Recipes for juices (and preferences for how much flavor is used, as well as their ingredients) vary widely, and this is proportionate to the amount of PG and/or VG to which it is added. In a stable environment, it may take significantly shorter or longer periods of time for an optimal or ideal degree of saturation to occur. This is why steeping a juice may result in significant differences in taste.

 

[Michael2Times]

from what ive gathered, like anything in electronic cigarettes, it's all about trail and error. Finding out what works best for you. Steeping is what it is. I let mine sit for a couple days without lids or drip tips, inside a shoe box with all my Ecig supplies. Then i give em a good shake when theyre done. I've heard that steeping can ruin certain flavors as well but ive never had the firsthand experience.

With steeping the longer the better, so let em sit and happy vaping

 

[TigerLadyTX]

In a dark cabinet, on the top shelf, lids and droppers off - shake like crazy on a daily basis. Let them hide in the dark for at least a week before putting into vape rotation. And I actually lick the fingertip that I am using to cover the lidless/dropper-less bottle after shaking the heck out of them to see if they need to stay in that cabinet for more time.

~Tiger

 

[CheekyMonkey]

I drip as soon as they arrive, and sort everything into my steep or ready to vape boxes based on the initial drip.
I don't keep them in the dark, or shake them everyday - every couple of days I'll pull the steeping box out, shake each bottle right before dripping, then test them again. Repeat until they're yummy.
The length of time varies from juice to juice (and from vaper to vaper!), but I've found that Coffee, Coconut and Caramel juices all need at least a week of steeping before I really enjoy them.

I've read that heating a cup of water to almost boiling in the microwave and then placing the juice bottle in the hot water for 15min or so can speed the process up, but I've yet to try it.

 

[zapped]

I read somewhere on the forums that you can microwave a 30ml plastic bottle for ten seconds.It really seemed to help with the flavor.

 

[ogredog]

Shake vigorously . Remove cap and tip/dropper for 24 hours in a kitchen cabinet. Relid recap. Shake vigorously toss in my stash for a month.
(And hope I like them then)

Why? So many times ive been excited loaded up a carto and been like yecch- soapy perfume chemical taste....then blow out the carto and suffer for the next hour while the taste slowly fades....now I know based on previous purchases....now I can smell and detect them too btw lol

I purchase for the future now and vape what I have. Works much better for me

But I still track my orders and run to the mailbox lol

 

[Jim Bob]

The reason for steeping "some juices" is not so hard to understand. When making a juice several components are mixed together, and like soup it takes time for the flavors to combine and become THE flavor intended. The more complex the mixture the more steeping will usually benefit you. The only time I remove the lids is when a strong "perfume" taste is present it seems to help when this is allowed to evaporate. Otherwise I just put in the dark for a week +

 

[Mr.Mann]

Honestly, I like to think of it more (now) as simply "aging". "Steeping" would be more like placing a vanilla bean in your juice for a period of time. I know it may seem like semantics, but I think when you consider the fact that words carry power, it is more likely to resonate better with your eagerness to just realize that some juices take time to mature. I have tried different methods (don't feel like mentioning) but nothing for me beats good old time in the drawer (cap on for at least a month). It helps to order and have on hand juices that don't require time so as not to be without. I don't know what vendors you have tried, but a lot of the fruity/novelty flavors don't require much time. Complex flavors are not necessarily flavors that a lot of theatrics in the name but generally tobacco flavors. Someone else can chime in as to why that is.

I do completely understand your concerns though. It really is as simple as giving it time.

Theatrical/ no need to wait: "macadamia chocolate raspberry coconut mocha ice cream crumble with brandy sauce" (not real juice) aubergine 4.10.12

Complex/needs time: Highbrow/BWB/Vapor Station etc. tobacco juices

"I purchase for the future now and vape what I have." ogredog 4.17.12

 

[TravTech]

... a well-used race car tire that caught fire, and was extinguished with a massive bottle of perfume. ...

I've had some of that flavor.

 

[ogredog]

Mr. Mann that's funny! After I saw my quote on your post I was like what the heck?.... Then I laughed and realized every purchase is for the future lol but I buy a bunch at once let it sit and continue the cycle

 

[aeroforce156]

If your going to be using any process with your liquid aside from ordering it, Id suggest make the first process you do creating your own. Then you cant complain about someone elses mixtures, only the person your ordering your concentrates from . As a noobie ecig user, this is a must if you wish to fully enjoy the savings and experience of an ecig. Otherwise snagging 5 pack deals is another good way to prevent yourself from getting stuck with one crap flavor.

 

[Mr.Mann]

Yeah, I think it works to have a bit of a routine. Research for a month then buy on set dates. By your next purchase, your previous is all good. So on and so on...

p.s. Yo, ogredog: I like quoting cool lines from post like that because I think it looks all biblical