Steeping Question

[LT Smok]

Does removing the caps make the juices steep faster??

Do they steep better with the caps on??

Is it better to put them in the dark or is it fine wherever you can find a spot to have them out and marinating??


** I am asking because I bought some juices that tasted like perfume and the seller recommends 7-14 days of steep time plus I would like to steep my other juices to see if flavor gets better


Any input provided will be appreciated

 

[LeoRex]

Well.. from what I've really pieced together, leaving the cap, or the dropper cap, off helps evaporate any alcohol (if the flavoring is alcohol based). Alcohol might be the source of that perfume smell.

Outside of that, the exposure to the air could allow some compounds to react with oxygen, etc. But most places say uncap only for a day or so, leaving it on for the rest of the time.

But steeping seems more art than science, everyone has their own method.

 

[Tony_B]

I think the whole point is to let it breathe for awhile. Kind of like you need to do with wine to bring out the desired flavor.
If just storing it in the dark with caps on made juice any better, the supplier would probably just age it before they sell it instead of shipping fresh.

 

[VaporClouds]

Honestly ive tried all of the steeping methods, caps off 24-48 hours, Hot water speed steep, ultrasonic cleaner...imho i just think no matter what you do, it will taste a hell of a lot better after about a week of just shaking and storing it correctly.
It becomes much more vapeable using the hot water, cap off and ultrasonic techniques but ultimately until a full week or even two has passed, its just not gonna be its full flavor yet. In a nutshell, yeah the speed steeping helps, but you just cant jump forward in time and only time will make it better. This is all just my opinion.

 

[BlueMoods]

Uncapping it for anywhere from 4 to 24 hours allows alcohol, a little water (if it has any in it) and some other chemicals to evaporate and, that improves juices that have a strong alcohol or chemical smell or taste to them.

Capping it and leaving it in the dark allows the components of the juice to blend and interact with each other, like aging a wine. Light and air both have a usually negative effect on nicotine so, we age or steep the juice in the dark to minimize that.

As for vendors not steeping their stuff, well not everyone wants the same nic, PG and VG so, they can't keep every possible combination for every flavor they offer steeped and ready to go.

 

[LT Smok]

Thanks for the input... I have noticed that the pungent smells dissipated by having the caps off for about 12 hrs total... Now I will steep them with caps on

 

[Miarose]

propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin are both humectants. so when the cap is off they are able to draw moisture from the air into the juice. that combined with the evap of any alcohols is what ends up muting the alcohol smell and allowing the flavor to come through. at least this is my understanding from a science stand point.

 

[Thunderball]

...... I haven't noticed any difference yet by steeping, although I keep trying. I have been steeping 4 new flavors from Mount Baker this week.

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Well.. from what I've really pieced together, leaving the cap, or the dropper cap, off helps evaporate any alcohol (if the flavoring is alcohol based). Alcohol might be the source of that perfume smell.

Outside of that, the exposure to the air could allow some compounds to react with oxygen, etc. But most places say uncap only for a day or so, leaving it on for the rest of the time.

But steeping seems more art than science, everyone has their own method.

The only thing I can add is that I usually transfer my juice from the Vendor bottle to a beaker, which provides greater surface area for the release of alcohol and absorption of moisture. Both heat and light act as catalysts in chemistry, versus aging and formation of flavor bonds and allowing the subtle flavor notes to emerge, and, thus, the reason for a dark cabinet. The beaker issue is even more important in DIY, because it's "fresh" and the larger surface area speeds up the steeping process, i.e., more surface area, more interaction. After 24 hours open beaker steeping, I transfer to a glass bottle. Juice in plastic longer than 30 days can experience leaching, even with the "safe" plastics. My two cents.

 

[BlueMoods]

Some flavors don't need steeped, a few vendors do steep before selling, a couple have really good bases and flavors that just come out right form the get go and, fruits often don't need steeping at all anyway.

Other than fruit and tobacco I do 24 hours per flavor that's in the juice. Fruit I sample right off and tobacco at least a week, some need a month.

 

[Thunderball]

The only thing I can add is that I usually transfer my juice from the Vendor bottle to a beaker, which provides greater surface area for the release of alcohol and absorption of moisture. Both heat and light act as catalysts in chemistry, versus aging and formation of flavor bonds and allowing the subtle flavor notes to emerge, and, thus, the reason for a dark cabinet. The beaker issue is even more important in DIY, because it's "fresh" and the larger surface area speeds up the steeping process, i.e., more surface area, more interaction. After 24 hours open beaker steeping, I transfer to a glass bottle. Juice in plastic longer than 30 days can experience leaching, even with the "safe" plastics. My two cents.

Spoken like a true research scientist......This is info I can use. Thanks for sharing.

 

[vjc0628]

the caps off is to let alcohol evaporate I just keep caps off overnight
and shake well first

** I am asking because I bought some juices that tasted like perfume and the seller recommends 7-14 days of steep time plus I would like to steep my other juices to see if flavor gets better

with this recommendation,(which is a guide line could take more or less)
After the overnight caps if would keep in my box for at least a week with the occasional shake

and I would try after a week if the taste fit the description I would vape if it were off I would give another week

 

[Bill's Magic Vapor]

Some flavors don't need steeped, a few vendors do steep before selling, a couple have really good bases and flavors that just come out right form the get go and, fruits often don't need steeping at all anyway.

Other than fruit and tobacco I do 24 hours per flavor that's in the juice. Fruit I sample right off and tobacco at least a week, some need a month.

Yes, this is a good point. Single ingredient juices don't require near as much time steeping/aging as multi-ingredient flavors. I do make two juices as single ingredients, a watermelon for my daughter, and the Apple Pie from TFA. Mine are ready to go in two days, not 4 - 7 days, which makes perfect sense as the flavors are already mixed. My fruits have many other flavors, the wife loves her Peachy Vanilla Custard, for example, and it takes 4 - 6 days to fully "mature." Some flavors, using 5 or more ingredients can take 2 or 3 weeks for the subtler flavor notes to emerge....a bit of whip cream, a touch of Graham Cracker, etc. As usual, BlueMoods is right on.

 

[LT Smok]

I have taste tested my juices every day to see if they are ok yet but still seems to be no dice... Hoping that in the next few days it will be ok... I know that ECblends said 7-14 days but I really want it to steep faster so it tastes good

 

[VarosVapor]

Some have mentioned hot water, does immersing the juice bottles In hot water for a while help bring out the flavor faster? I have been trying some Mt Baker and they seem to have very muted flavor initially, more so that some other juices I buy. It may be that they mix to order vs some others who have it on the shelf for a while.

I have also noticed the perfume odor in some juices and so far I just let the juice sit for 2 weeks to dissipate. Will the to leave the bottles open for 24hrs when the next batch comes in.

 

[Vapeman12]

Are you suppose to steep even non mixed juices made for mixing? or do you just steep the juice after you have made up your mix? I keep all my juices in a small metal cabinet in my bedroom. should i leave them out so there more out in the open not closed up?