Stirrer / Hot Plate Steeping

[Goompa]

I got into DIY ejuice about a year ago as a way to save some money and also develop a flavor similar to some of my favorite premixed liquids I ordered online.
The first thing I noticed is that fresh mixed flavors don't always taste that good and it takes a long time to fully combine and mature. I mix mostly tobacco flavors, sometimes 2 or 3 different ones together.
So I've followed all the different threads on various speed steeping methods with great interest.
I built a magnetic stirrer and it did very good for the initial mixing but I still had to age the liquid.
Then I tried the Ultrasonic Cleaner method with good results. I liked the addition of heat during the process.
After I read all the opinions and comparisons of UC vs Crock Pot, I thought that extended heated mixing was the way to go.
After trying to build my own heating element for my homemade magnetic stirrer without much success, I finally went on ebay and found a good deal on a new small Stirrer/Hot Plate.

I set it on slow stir speed and adjusted the temperature to about 150 degrees and let it run for 4 hours.



I made one of my favorite recipes, and the taste was as good as natural steeping and Ultrasonic steeping.
So I think I'll keep using this method and wanted to share my experience with anyone getting into DIY ejuice.

Vape On.

 

[dannyv45]

It sounds like a perfect combination of all heat steeping methods and if it works for you you did good....Congrats and job well done.

What are you mixing?

How long does it take to steep naturally?

How long does it take to steep using your method?

What was the total cost of your setup?

Keep us posted.

 

[Goompa]

Thanks Danny. Some of your posts on steeping were what led me in this direction. Especially the UC and Crock Pot methods.
I usually mix 70% PG and 30% VG at 24 mg nic.
My first stir/heat batch was Desert Ship (Hangson) 4%, Cocoa 3%, EM and Vape Wiz. (Trying to clone BWB Casablanca - mines not the same but darn good).
Normally I'd let this sit for a few weeks.
I steeped 4 hours in the UC, so I thought 4 hours stir/heat would be about the same.
I got a new Corning PC-220 stirrer/hot plate off ebay for $91 (Amazon has the same thing for $412 - that's why I tried building my own heating plate!).

My theory (or best guess) is that the combination of motion and heat together give the best results. I've not tested any other lengths of time - seems about 4 hours does it in the other methods, so I just stuck with that.

My next batch is a Castle Long clone with 3 tobacco flavors - I'll let you know how that works.

 

[Exchaner]

Great post. I tried searching ebay for the item and couldn't find it. Would appreciate a link.

Edit: never mind, I found it.

 

[Poisontail]

Great idea