Testing New Mixes & Steeping

[rkb7]

Had this in wrong thread, so I thought I would repost over here where it belongs


I hope this gets a few responses. I just wanted to get peoples take on your process for mixing up new flavors. Obviously steeping is important, but if you are just mixing new flavors and want to test that flavor, it seems crazy to have to wait 2-3 weeks just to see if you like it, and if you don't, then remix and wait another 2-3 weeks?? Ugh!!!

Is it okay to test right away until your mixture is just to your liking, THEN mix up larger batches and then do the steeping process?

What are the downsides to this?

Anyone??

 

[JD1]

The downside is that you have no way of knowing how much your mix is going to change with steeping until you try it. Some mixes change very little, others can be darn near night and day.

I recommend small mixes until you're sure of the recipe you're working with. Or else be prepared for a few ml to go down the drain.

 

[whiteweazel21]

I'm new, but personally I haven't really steeped any of my DIY liquids. I do mix them well with a magnetic mixer after placing my glass beaker in hot water to make the VG more viscous. My first few DIY juices were very harsh, but in my case it was all due to the nicotine. I cut my nic levels from 7mg, to 3.5mg and the harshness was about 60-70% less. My last attempt, I dropped it down to 3mg and I've experienced essentially 0% harshness.

So my suggestion from personal experience, depending on the device, is to reduce nicotine levels. Honestly I don't know much about steeping, but most of the color change as I understand it, is from the nicotine yellowing from oxygenation. This might mellow it out the harshness. Also read DIY nicotine is harsher at the same dose than premium bought. Not preaching, just some things I experienced and read.

 

[Hoosier]

Obviously? I've got quite a list of recipes and only a small fraction gain anything by steeping.

Is it okay to taste right after mixing? How else would you know if your 2-4 week steep was a waste of time?

Don't fall into any traps of, "I should do X." Instead find what works for you. I've been called a mixing expert by others, but I'm really just playing around to find out what happens. That doesn't sound like an expert to me, it's just a guy playing around with flavorings for a number of years. I'm constantly surprised by the way things turn out.

 

[rkb7]

Thanks for the replies. I have been mixing small 3 ml flavors. I'm starting to get the hang of it. Didn't know about the hot water thing. I think I have a good routine now, and mixing the few flavors I like so far, goes fast. I have not really noticed a difference in anything by steeping them. The main reason I bring this up, is I'd like to start trying some new mixes, so I wanted some opinions on trying them right away and then getting the mix corrected. As far as steeping goes, it's anyone's preference from there I guess. Some flavors need and others don't from what I have been reading.

 

[EJAB]

Today I made my fist attempt at diy ejuices and it went far better than expected. I just shook the heck out of them and they were good to go. NO STEEPING...

1>>>(TFA) Graham Cracker 8%, (Cap) Sugar Cookie 4%, (TFA) Caramel 3%, (Cap) Marshmallow 2%,100mg (vg based) Nicotine 6% , PG 27% and VG 50%.

2>>>(Cap) Watermelon 13%, 100mg (vg based) Nicotine 6%, PG 31% and VG 50%

3>>>(Cap) Sugar Cookie 15%, 100mg (vg based) Nicotine 6%, PG 29% and VG 50%

 

[dead not sleeping]

I'm with Hoosier on the steeping thing. I am by no means an expert, but I have found out a few things.

1. It does take a few days for the stuff to "come together".
2. If it tastes the same after a month as it did after a week

3. No magic "steeping" can fix crappy juice.

 

[Ablonz]

yep, nice thing on the diy is the making it to your liking. tinker with it and don't let Hoosier up there fool you. click on the number 3 under his name and read his blogs or click on this link here: http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/fo...s-aka-general-diy-guide-flavoring-ratios.html Here is another good read for DIY for you:E-Cigarette Forum - dannyv45 - Blogs After reading a WHOLE LOT OF THREADS, I came to reading his(Hoosier's) simple method and the light bulb lit up very bright and now I have 4 ADV that I have and timed perfect for steep time and taste wonderful. (taste is Very subjective) as I can only tell you what tastes really good to me. As far as mixing to your liking right away and then making more to steep, you may find it changes the flavor to something different than what you intended it to be. What I did personally is make one that I like that requires no steeping, then make a new mix and let that steep while you vape on your instant juice That way the other one can be tested right away, a week later, then 2 weeks, 3 weeks and a month. Write down a lot of notes!!! Thank You Hoosier!!!!

 

[Das Auto]

I agree with writing down notes! Especially if you sample your newly made juice before you steep! I have found that I like the Crockpot Steep vs the Cupboard Steep. The crockpot is quick and easy. And so far 3 out of 5 flavors have Improved Dramatically after Steeping! I did the cupboard steep on 3 juices, 1 of which went down the drain, but of the other 2, 1 was actually WORSE (but that was more my fault then the Steep) and the other was not Noticeable. So i am going to try another batch of that one and see if the Crockpot steep improves it.

And notes, notes, notes! Its much like baking (for any bakers out there) if you make a change to an existing recipe how do you remember next time what you did exactly!? Or, if you create your own recipe, you'd write it down! So why not for these recipes!! I have started 2 notebooks, 1 to track my steep flavors & time & type of steep and the other for the Recipe itself and notes on flavor, steep time, etc.. it will definitely help in the Long Run!

 

[Das Auto]

Had this in wrong thread, so I thought I would repost over here where it belongs


I hope this gets a few responses. I just wanted to get peoples take on your process for mixing up new flavors. Obviously steeping is important, but if you are just mixing new flavors and want to test that flavor, it seems crazy to have to wait 2-3 weeks just to see if you like it, and if you don't, then remix and wait another 2-3 weeks?? Ugh!!!

Is it okay to test right away until your mixture is just to your liking, THEN mix up larger batches and then do the steeping process?

What are the downsides to this?

Anyone??

Oh yeah, almost forgot your original question: There is no downside, you need to know if your juice is even worth that long in the Cupboard. But also, why not try the Crockpot steep? Usually takes about 1 - 1 1/2 hour in a crockpot at about 150 degrees. Then you don't have to wait 2 - 3 weeks. plus, I think its safe to pull out your steeping juices every couple of days and sample to see how they are doing. Some people only Steep in a cupboard for like 12 hours. Something to think about...

 

[EJAB]

Today I made my fist attempt at diy ejuices and it went far better than expected. I just shook the heck out of them and they were good to go. NO STEEPING...

1>>>(TFA) Graham Cracker 8%, (Cap) Sugar Cookie 4%, (TFA) Caramel 3%, (Cap) Marshmallow 2%,100mg (vg based) Nicotine 6% , PG 27% and VG 50%.

2>>>(Cap) Watermelon 13%, 100mg (vg based) Nicotine 6%, PG 31% and VG 50%

3>>>(Cap) Sugar Cookie 15%, 100mg (vg based) Nicotine 6%, PG 29% and VG 50%

Follow up: Initially after shacking vigorously these juices were good to vape, although they definitely improved as they aged liked others in this thread have said.

 

[Ablonz]

Follow up: Initially after shacking vigorously these juices were good to vape, although they definitely improved as they aged liked others in this thread have said.

From my experience... the first one with graham cracker really pops out (graham cracker) along with a creamy taste (marshmallow) after 3 weeks steep time. Again taste is subjective... Enjoy!!!!

 

[CoilinTrouble]

Im brand new into DIY, got my first kit of everything including flavors in the mail. Now after reading this thread I'm glad I still have an incubator from.my biochem days

 

[CajunCloud]

I am new as well to DIY and from what I have come across so far I feel its best to make around 3-5ml test batches that you can give an immediate vape for a few and see how it tastes then let the rest sit for a few shaking them up, heating etc and tasting again in a week or two. I use fresh wicks on a RDA for testing flavors. You will need more bottles and good notes taken. I have even gotten to where I will mix 3 separate tests at varied flavor % of the same ingredients at once to see which amount if to much or not enough right off the bat so I don't waste time getting something to vape. Then over time I will know if the lesser comes around or the maximum was to much in the end for long term storage of larger batch sizes.

Remember to that this is easy to do so you don't need to make 120ml of juice at a time. You can make small batches as often as you need while you let the others sit.

And I am with Hoosier we are just tossing things we think might work together and testing. So far I have come up with more things I like then the local vape shop has to offer.

Taste as we say is subjective. But it seems with e-juice it is even more so. Taste isn't as subjective with say actual foods like Gumbo or Pizza. It either tastes like good Gumbo or Pizza or it doesn't. How some of these juices they sell get their names and descriptions is beyond me because if it tastes NOTHING like the name and description that has nothing to do with subjective taste buds it is just simply not good juice. Since we are using concentrates and extracts I think the subjective part comes down more to strength of flavor then flavor itself.

CC

 

[EJAB]

From my experience... the first one with graham cracker really pops out (graham cracker) along with a creamy taste (marshmallow) after 3 weeks steep time. Again taste is subjective... Enjoy!!!!

Thanks Ablonz! You're 100% right! I was vaping my Graham Cracker mixes, until I read your post and I decided to set them aside. WOW!!! Thanks again!!