I'm curious if steeping process would be affected by airflow and surface area of eposed liquid. If I were to put my liquid into a different container allowing more of the "top" area of liquid to be exposed,,,would that affect the process? Adding airflow,,like say in a ventilated box moving air in and out? How about this craziness,,,in a large mouth container on a magnetic stir plate along with airflow? These are just thing I sit around and wonder about.
question about steeping,,airflow,,surface area
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I think airflow light help some. My e-juice creations tend to steep and mature faster once I expose them to air. If i keep them sealed they mature very slowly, but once I open them after a week or two the process seems to accelerate suddenly. My only concern about leaving it open is dust and other microscopic debris. Might work with dedicated air filtering.... Also, smaller batches seem to mature faster too.
I agree with Knight that the air flow might help a bit. Although I've only been vaping for just shy of 2 months and only steeped 1 of the juices I've been using (still learning). I let the juice that I steeped sit completely open for 2 days, only putting the tip and cap on to shake it. It seemed to help mellow the flavor. If you do want to experiment with putting your juice in a larger container to help with the steeping and I don't know if my suggestion would even work properly, but if you have them handy, maybe putting a coffee filter over the top of the container to keep the dust and whatnot from getting in.
They steep faster with the cap off but the liquid will also evaporate. thats why its good to leave the cap off for just 24 hours then put it back on and keep em in the dark. steeping isnt as complex as people make it seem just leave them somewhere and let em sit for a week.
it was just a thought. If the results are negligible,,it may not be worth it. I am horrible as it is at keeping track of steeping times and often forget to shake bottles for days. Been meaning to get a better system. When i do, i may try and be a bit more systematic at trying a couple ways out to see if I can get a leg up on my lack of patience.
Although it's good that you are thinking and looking for improvements in the steeping process, I think you are making a mountain out of a mole hill. Nothing will ever work better than just Father Time.
Steeping can best be seen as the anology of food in a slow cooker. The eventual melding of flavors from different food into the final product is acheived by time. I don't particularly advocate heat as an accelerant, as heat can quickly degrade nicotine. The idea of using some sort of shaking/vibration device (ultrasonic?) such as a paint mixer concept makes more sense to me. The open air concept is good for those liquids that utilize alcohol as their base, but that need only be done for a day or two to allow the alcohol to evaporate.
Steeping can best be seen as the anology of food in a slow cooker. The eventual melding of flavors from different food into the final product is acheived by time. I don't particularly advocate heat as an accelerant, as heat can quickly degrade nicotine. The idea of using some sort of shaking/vibration device (ultrasonic?) such as a paint mixer concept makes more sense to me. The open air concept is good for those liquids that utilize alcohol as their base, but that need only be done for a day or two to allow the alcohol to evaporate.
I vape just DIY menthol so steeping isnt an issue for me but before I had thought of useing a wine air-rater thinking along these same lines that it was the mixig of the juice and air that was doing the magic when steeped , never tried it but still think it may
Heat, air and light are the enemies of juice BUT can be used in modest amounts to accelerate the steeping process. The diff ingredients in juice will all evaporate at a diff rate so increased ventilation could have a negative impact on the finished product.
Heat and air can be used to speed up the steeping process but will not exactly replicate the slower standard process of steeping juices.
Heat and air can be used to speed up the steeping process but will not exactly replicate the slower standard process of steeping juices.
Faster loss of volatile components (alcohol, etc) ....check.
Depending on humidity...loss or gain of water....check...check.
Faster depletion of nicotine due to additional exposure to environment/light (assuming not a "dark closed box" or you wouldn't have air flow)...check.
More mess....check.
More cleaning....check.
Faster "mixing" of chemicals....no check. Nope. Not unless you spread it thin as a couple of molecules and even then it would reduce the free flowing of the molecules so...don't see where that's different. Besides, real thin and it would dry up, thicker and it doesn't matter one way or the other (better vs worse mixing).
MAY speed some form of oxidation. IDK. So that may do it. But....heat does too.
I'm with Baditude. Heat. Shaking. Time.
Depending on humidity...loss or gain of water....check...check.
Faster depletion of nicotine due to additional exposure to environment/light (assuming not a "dark closed box" or you wouldn't have air flow)...check.
More mess....check.
More cleaning....check.
Faster "mixing" of chemicals....no check. Nope. Not unless you spread it thin as a couple of molecules and even then it would reduce the free flowing of the molecules so...don't see where that's different. Besides, real thin and it would dry up, thicker and it doesn't matter one way or the other (better vs worse mixing).
MAY speed some form of oxidation. IDK. So that may do it. But....heat does too.
I'm with Baditude. Heat. Shaking. Time.
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I know i'm just nitpicking a process of patience,,,but, I wonder about ....,,and it's fun to toss ideas around.
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