Pre Steeping?

[CaptJR]

This 'steeping' thing. I hear enough about this that is must be real, although too early in my DIYing for me to have experienced it myself.

Since it is real there must be an explanation for it. If the flavorings don't steep on their own, (in the bottle they came in), then it must be some kind of chemical reaction between the flavor and PG or VG.

Could you "pre" steep a flavoring by combining it with some 50/50 PG/VG? Say 70% flavoring, 15% PG, 15% VG. Set it aside for future use. Would it get 'steeped'?


The first reply that I expect is for someone to say that it is the combination of flavors that steep. If so then if you only use one flavor per mix then steeping will not happen? I'm a simple man, one flavor per mix. It either works or it don't.

JR

 

[Sweeney Todd]

Interesting idea. I think you should try it out and report back.

 

[DaveP]

I liken juice steeping to spaghetti sauce. It's always best the next day and the day after you make it. I think that steeping gives juice time for molecular interaction to occur where the components of the juice have an opportunity to thoroughly mix at the smallest level. I'm sure that there's a chemical explanation for this.

Some juices taste good right out of the mailbox. Others taste better after they sit a while. Some juice suppliers make it fresh when you order. Others make up an inventory supply in advance. It's always a good idea to shake the bottle thoroughly when you get it and a few times prior to refilling your ecig. Solutions will stratify and ejuice is no different. Steeping isn't rocket science. It just makes good sense.

 

[XMit]

In my limited experience this does two things;

1) Evaporates and drives off any volatiles in the carrier of the flavoring. Some have alcohol and other solvents that may accentuate the "perfumy" or "floral" flavors and aromas.

2) After the carriers are driven off or muted the flavors are allowed to mend with the PG/VG or other base liquid.

I wouldn't want to evaporate the carriers out of my flavors before hand as it may hinder proper solubility in the base.

 

[Sweeney Todd]

I liken juice steeping to spaghetti sauce. It's always best the next day and the day after you make it. I think that steeping gives juice time for molecular interaction to occur where the components of the juice have an opportunity to thoroughly mix at the smallest level. I'm sure that there's a chemical explanation for this.

Good analogy! I believe this is why a warm water immersion bath helps speed up steeping a bit -- the natural Brownian motion of the molecules is obviously enhanced by heat, so everything mixes nicely.

 

[Duekster]

In my limited experience this does two things;

1) Evaporates and drives off any volatiles in the carrier of the flavoring. Some have alcohol and other solvents that may accentuate the "perfumy" or "floral" flavors and aromas.

2) After the carriers are driven off or muted the flavors are allowed to mend with the PG/VG or other base liquid.

I wouldn't want to evaporate the carriers out of my flavors before hand as it may hinder proper solubility in the base.

This makes sense, particularly if you steep with some heat. Thank you.

 

[5vz]

It's worth trying. It may just work. Only issue would be when you add the nic liquid it is not fully part of that mix, and you may have to shake it up a lot. Flavor distribution may be easier actually. IDK, but I too may experiment with the idea as I have been sticking with the spaghetti sauce theory in my mind. But, why not make a marinara and add the meat later?!

 

[sh_]

Good topic ... thats a great idea and if it works it will help alot with the tabacco recipes that I am tyring here.

 

[AzPlumber]

If you are just mixing with one flavor what advantage is there to pre-steep? Why not just mix it up once and be done with it?

 

[CaptJR]

If you are just mixing with one flavor what advantage is there to pre-steep? Why not just mix it up once and be done with it?

I figured that if I did it this way I could still experiment with percentages. If this worked with a main ingrediant that I use a lot, maybe the steeping could be expediated. We will see.

 

[AzPlumber]

Most flavors are in some sort of solvent (carrier) either PG, VG, PGA, Ect. These solvents are super saturated with the concentrated flavoring. When we use them at 15-20% our solvents break down this saturation down over time (steeping). Depending on the flavoring this can take just a day or two but some will take a few weeks. Putting them in just a little bit more solvent may not give you true indication of its flavor when further diluted. Intersting concept though, please let us know your results.