Steep Times

[rdean2954]

As I and many other newer e-smokers blunder through the vast world of e-juice and the massive changes that juices go through as they steep a thought occurred to me: why not a steeping journal of some sort?

With so many members using so many different juices is there a way to create some sort of document or spread sheet to record length of time, method of steep, etc that members have found to work best for particular juices?

Something like this would be an immense help to us newer members.

 

[gthompson]

Steeping is more art than science.

 

[rdean2954]

Way to contribute.

 

[gthompson]

I wasn't trying to be snarky, What works for me might not work for you. People have different tastes. Some people like a particular juice right out of the mailbox, some like it after a week, others after a month. There are no hard, fast rules for steeping.

 

[tnt56]

I must agree with gt on this. What steps I use to steep the same juice that gt does may be entirely different. I feel safe saying that because I know we both use some of the same juice from the same vendor.
Personally when I first get it, I shake each bottle really good then take off caps and droppers, then set in a dark cool closet, Have a brief chat with each bottle,(yea I talk to my juice). Then it's lights out and door closed for 48 hrs. After the 48 hrs period I remove from closet and have another chat with each one while I put the droppers and caps back on. Another good shake, and then it's into the clothes closet in a special box for 4 weeks. After that it's down to shake and vape. Just the way I do it. YMMV.

 

[MaseDuce]

That seems like a lot of time. I've always just cracked the bottle and went to town. Is it worth all that extra time?

 

[tnt56]

That seems like a lot of time. I've always just cracked the bottle and went to town. Is it worth all that extra time?

Just my personal preference. Some will wait and some will not. For me it's worth it.

 

[gthompson]

That seems like a lot of time. I've always just cracked the bottle and went to town. Is it worth all that extra time?

It depends on the juice, and on your taste buds.

 

[Jerms]

Personally when I first get it, I shake each bottle really good then take off caps and droppers, then set in a dark cool closet, Have a brief chat with each bottle,(yea I talk to my juice)

Doesn't everyone talk to their juice? I mean, how else do the little guys know it's time to start steeping. If they don't know we care they might feel abandoned during the wait. And if one gets put back in the steep box for tasting funny it needs to know it's being naughty and needs to get it's act together.

I follow just about the same steeping schedule. I don't mind the wait since I always have plenty of juice. Sometimes I'll sneak tastes out of curiosity. I think a good plan if you don't like waiting is that if it tastes good than vape. If not, try again in a few days.

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[Robino1]

Agree with GT and Tnt. Personally, I don't get the magic any earlier than three weeks steep time. It really does depend on people's taste buds. Some people are super tasters, some don't taste the bases that the juices are made with. And then you have those comlplex juices that have several flavors that make up the juice, those sometimes need more steeping for those flavors to meld. Kind of like in cooking. Have you ever eaten something that taste better the second day? It's because all the spices need time to 'marry' together to bring out the best flavor. Same theory in juices.

The best thing that could be recommended is to try them when you get them, if they taste blech, try the steeping method and sample them at different intervals. You may be surprised at what happens to the flavor.

 

[MaseDuce]

Have you ever eaten something that taste better the second day? It's because all the spices need time to 'marry' together to bring out the best flavor. Same theory in juices.

Never thought about it that way! I'm going straight to my Local vape store, pick up my favorite juice and set them little guys away for a bit! Thanks Robino1!

 

[Jerms]

Never thought about it that way! I'm going straight to my Local vape store, pick up my favorite juice and set them little guys away for a bit! Thanks Robino1!

Be sure to open it up for a little bit first since in many cases the juice needs to be exposed to the air before steeping starts. I leave the cap off for 48 hours but that's mainly to evaporate any alcohol if it contains it. Cap off, shake, cap back on shake and let age at least a few days is commonly recommended by vendors.

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[DrApex]

The best thing that could be recommended is to try them when you get them, if they taste blech, try the steeping method and sample them at different intervals. You may be surprised at what happens to the flavor.

Exactly. Try a tiny bit, and if it's too perfumey or doesn't taste right, steep it.

I leave the lids off and keep them in the closet for a few days, until I'm ready to try them again.

Certain Ingredients evaporate at different rates. Essential oils, enzymes, oxidation and so on will change the taste of the juice to a degree.

Not all juice needs steeping. I've found some citrus flavors that certainty improved with a week or two in the closet.



Typed on my mobile. Please excuse typos.

 

[TCasualties]

I've got all of my juice in a cabinet with the caps off, just put the cap on and then shake it before I refill a tank. Remove cap, back in the cabinet. I don't really think about it lol.

 

[mewlew]

this is definitely an art not a science. I have run into e-liquids that i actually prefer freshly made vs steeped, and some that are horrible until steeping. it really has a lot to do with what kind of flavorings are in there, and how rapidly absorbent the base is (i.e. pg/vg ratio, amount of water).

honestly just think of steeping like ... song lyrics. you can take it many different ways, and its hard to know what the maker meant EXACTLY.

 

[Tail11]

I'm a noob to vaping and juices. I went into Oakland to Tasty Vapor and was told by Lana to let my juices steep for at least a week. They make the juices to order, so I've followed her suggestion. I noticed a change of color the longer they steep.

Your list looks great!

 

[EddardinWinter]

Yeah, I have my method down to 1o days for several of my favorite juices. Basic method is similar to tnt's:

Standard Method:
Shake and leave uncapped for 48 hours. Cap back on, shake really good and leave in the dark for two weeks. Pull out, give it a good shake, and leave it uncapped for a day.

Express Method:
Get them, shake them, take the top off for a day in the dark. Cap them, shake them top on for two in the dark. Shake them, uncap for a day in the dark. Cap, shake, put them away for four. Pull them out and one last shaking, leave them for two last days in the dark with the cap off. Then they are ready to go.

I feel all the shaking and cap off time cuts my steep time to a total of ten days. It may work for you. Like several have said, it is a taste thing so there is no right and wrong method. Plus your device you use and the voltages applied make a difference too. I use and eGo twist with a 2.2 ohm resistor in an eGo 2.4ml CC CE4 Clearomizer for the Lion's share of my vaping. If your gear is close to this it may work for you.

 

[tumbleweed65]

Maybe this is what I need to do to the "holiday pack" I ordered from top vapor. they really have no flavor IMO. I was just about to toss them out.

 

[billherbst]

I agree that steeping involves too many variables to be quantified in any sort of list or database that would be used by everyone.

Of course, the lack of objective or consistent shared experience, plus the fact that taste is subjective and varies both widely and wildly from person to person, well, none of that prevents us from writing juice reviews and giving our opinions of juices. So, if the OP wishes to compile a guide to steeping times for specific juices, more power to him/her. People will read it, and some people will take it as gospel. LOL.

I also agree that the only way to test a juice's readiness for vaping is to vape it. Even if someone chooses to steep a given juice for a month or more, vaping a little from time to time makes eminently good common sense to me. On the other hand, not vaping a juice being steeped is OK too. People can do whatever they like, because the only person we have to please in our personal vaping is ourselves.

If someone says to you, "OMG, you didn't steep your bottle of [insert juice name here] for [insert time frame here]???", you have a perfect right to politely tell that person to go soak his head or take a long walk off a short pier.

 

[gthompson]

Yep, general generic guidelines are about the best we can do.