How to steep?

[LI LIQUID]

New to making fluid and would like to get as many opinions as possible on steeping. I make liquid without nicitine but would like to get the most out of my flavor. My plan right now is to mix in a mason jar on with a blender attachment. Allow it to steep in the jar for 2-3 weeks. Give it a shake every few days and then bottle. Let me know what is wrong with this process and what you would add. I will be making probably 2-4 oz batches using mostly TFA flavor at 20%?

Thank you in advance.

 

[AB Dada]

To be honest, I don't do anything all that special to steep long term. I mix my flavor with my base and nic, shake it up a few times, then stick it away in a cabinet. I'll shake it some more every few days, and it'll be ready to vape in 1-3 weeks depending on the flavor mix.

I know a lot of people go crazy on steep methods, but I never found it necessary.

If one of my flavors contains ethyl alcohol, I'll streeth it by giving it some air every few days to let off excess alcohol (I'm sensitive to the taste).

 

[bill2654]

I have seen such a wide range of methods and lengths of steep times and don't know what (who) to believe. I'm new at this and I want to start mixing my own but I don't want to do it wrong and ruin a whole batch.

 

[LI LIQUID]

Another question is whether mixing or steeping is more important?

 

[Eliterep]

I don't really steep flavors too much and I don't think you would need to especially if you aren't using nicotine. In my opinion, shaking and mixing are more important atleast in my experience. I have heard that tobacco and more complex flavors do require time though. I used to have a process consisting of shaking and heating up the juice to a luke warm temperature in glass bottles and then letting sit, but never noticed too much difference. Good luck!

 

[drunkenbatman]

Another question is whether mixing or steeping is more important?

My impression is that for the most part, they're basically the same thing -- allowing the flavoring to disseminate throughout the PG/VG and for the molecules to interact. This can happen naturally, or be sped up via agitation/heat.

 

[LI LIQUID]

Can anyone else argue whether they believe physical mixing or steeping is more effective with flavor and no nicitine?

 

[drunkenbatman]

Can anyone else argue whether they believe physical mixing or steeping is more effective with flavor and no nicitine?

Que? I hate to ask this, but could you rephrase with more context?

 

[mmmadill]

Do you take the lids off to steep?

 

[CampbellMC]

I think you should really head over to the DIY E-Juice forum before you start making up large batches of juice shooting blind. Many flavors require different percentages, or it will taste like you are either vaping perfume, or nothing at all. Also some flavors don't work well on their own, if you want to get into DIY e-juice there is a science to it, look over the blogs in my signature, and get some ideas for recipes and mixing percentages.

 

[drunkenbatman]

Do you take the lids off to steep?

In general, a common way is to remove the lids and squeeze out the air (and then letting it go back in), and then leave the lids off for a few hours or overnight (I do overnight). The reasoning behind that is that some flavors are alcohol-based, so until the alcohol evaporates you can taste something odd. However, there are some flavors (like a rum) where by letting the alcohol evaporate, you're muting the flavor. The reasoning behind the letting in fresh air & shaking is oxidization and agitation.

 

[LI LIQUID]

CampbellMC,

The flavor is still coming in the mail, free shipping like 2 weeks. I'm getting mostly TFA flavors and will look up good precentages. I've been reading forums, only problem is I haven't been able to post. Thank you i will definately look through those blogs.

 

[LI LIQUID]

Drunkenbatman,

Does it hurt the flavor to leave open for too long?

 

[LI LIQUID]

Nevermind percentage, will be mixing accordingly to strength; beginner mistake

 

[drunkenbatman]

Drunkenbatman,

Does it hurt the flavor to leave open for too long?

We're pals mate, you can call me db.

It can yes, it really depends on the flavorings used and their base. If they're heavily alcohol-based you'll end up muting the flavor. Every eliquid is different -- some will be best right away, some in 2 weeks and some in 2 months, depending on taste.

When I steep if I want to get to it fairly quickly, I'll take the top off for an hour or two before closing and hiding it away, or if I won't be getting to it for awhile I'll just hide it away.

 

[Lova]

Steeping methods I use personally with complex flavors:

1. Hot water bath, also known as speed steeping.
How to: Boil some water, pour it into a mug and drop a closed bottle of liquid in it and leave it in until the water has cooled down.


2. 'Shelf-steeping', also known as regular steeping.
How to: Close the bottle of liquid and place it into a dry, dark place and let it sit there for a week or two while shaking the bottle once a day.


3. Combination steeping, combination of speed-steep and regular steeping.
How to: Follow speed-steep how to and after it is done, shake the bottle extremely well and do a regular steep for a week.


4. Breathing liquids.
How to: Leave the liquid bottle cap open for 30 minutes to an hour and close the bottle and follow either 1., 2., or 3. How to sections.

Breathing liquids is mostly used with alcohol-based flavorings, like LorAnn flavorings as drunkenbatman said and excessive breathing might cause the liquid to lose flavor.

 

[Bunnykiller]

Steeping is the wrong word to use..... aging is the correct word

steeping requires a solid to be in the fluid to extract flavor from... as in ... one steeps tea. ( solid is present)

aging is the process of allowing the flavors to blend and meld... as in .. one ages wine ( no solids involved)

now if you were doing a NET, then one would steep the tobacco and filter it, then age the liquid to develope the flavors.