To Steep of Not To Steep: That is the question

[cmdebrecht]

Let me take the pasta analogy a step further and maybe it will make more sense. If the sauce simmers all day it will be good. But put it in the fridge for another day or two and it's delicious. Same goes for chili or soup.

For whatever reason the flavors blend overy time. I will leave it to the squints to figure out why.

I have seen juice vendors that will state whether or not a juice requires time for steeping (or aging). I think Ahlusion is one I have seen recently. Another good indication of whether a juice needs steeping is to read the reviews left on the vendor website. For each flavor there is usually a button that says "reviews." It's not always obvious, though, and is easy to overlook. Lots of people will say if they had better results with steeping.
I find the reviews immensely helpful and rarely, if ever, buy a juice that hasn't been reviewed by several people.

It's yet another part of the trial and error experience that is vaping. Once you find a few juices you can depend on, you will be able to afford a little extra time to let the juice age. You may have to switch from necessity-based juice ordering for a while, though

 

[vaperature]

Let me take the pasta analogy a step further and maybe it will make more sense. If the sauce simmers all day it will be good. But put it in the fridge for another day or two and it's delicious. Same goes for chili or soup.

For whatever reason the flavors blend overy time. I will leave it to the squints to figure out why.

I have seen juice vendors that will state whether or not a juice requires time for steeping (or aging). I think Ahlusion is one I have seen recently. Another good indication of whether a juice needs steeping is to read the reviews left on the vendor website. For each flavor there is usually a button that says "reviews." It's not always obvious, though, and is easy to overlook. Lots of people will say if they had better results with steeping.
I find the reviews immensely helpful and rarely, if ever, buy a juice that hasn't been reviewed by several people.

It's yet another part of the trial and error experience that is vaping. Once you find a few juices you can depend on, you will be able to afford a little extra time to let the juice age. You may have to switch from necessity-based juice ordering for a while, though

This is true. I make a mean Thai Curry Coconut Milk Chicken Soup, usually by the vat. It tastes great the first day I make it, but it keeps tasting better and better the next and next. Even the portions I bag up and freeze taste fantastic a month later.

 

[vaperature]

I'm also thinking that without steeping some juices don't have their nicotine equally proportioned, like more or less at the top or bottom. I'm also finding, and this is probably the topic of an entirely different thread, that high vg juices need higher nicotine levels because you don't absorb as much nicotine due to the amount of vapor. I get frustrated on the higher vp juices, wanting to know where the nicotine hit is. But as said that's a discussion for another day.

 

[DustyZ]

Well I'm not a chemist so that explains why I'm asking. Also you're not really simmering, you're just letting something sit, big difference. I guess this goes back to the obligation of the vendor. I have a really nice watermelon / minty blend from Ruthless, one of my favorites so far. It has great subtlety. You can tell thought went into its creation. I'm sure it wasn't mixed the day before I bought it. It must have been steeped for the flavors to have blended so well. So Ruthless gets a thumbs up from me. But when I bought it, if it hadn't been pre-steeped, I wouldn't have known, it might have just tasted like crap and I would have been like, thumbs down, crappy juice. To send someone a complex juice that needs to be steeped and just expect them to know what to do with it, isn't very good business if you ask me.

The real issue isn't simmering, I was using that as an example only to make a point, the fact is that any complex mixture will require time to develop. I have been dealing with Pure Essential oils for aroma-therapy, creating lotions, skin care products, hand made incense and more for many, many years, I also distill a number of plant materials in order to obtain some essential oils. So yes, it is a chemistry issue, regardless if you wish to bring simmering in as a disqualifying factor, as that again was an example, I was trying to make it a simple comparison, I will not even at this point go into why some of the juice crack or degrade some of the cheaper plastic tanks, a simple search will provide you with that information but will state that it will not harm the individual, it's an interaction between the juice and the cheaper plastic.

The fact is that if you are consuming a juice or anything for that matter from any vendor be it a juice vendor, McDonalds etc, you also have the responsibility to educate yourself as well. Quite a few vendors do have this information available and if you don't seek it out, that is your issue, not the vendors, it's there, you also have a responsibility to know what you are putting in your body, what the simple mechanics of your devices etc. Reading is fundamental, learning is your choice. As stated the information is there and the reasons for it. So, I am sorry, but I don't agree with our sentiment, it's a matter of taking responsibility of your own actions and know what your getting and it's as simple as either asking or researching. It would be great if everything was handed to us on a silver platter but you this just doesn't happen.

And no, you are not just letting something sit, how many times have you, never-mind, as obviously the fact that most vendors state the liquid needs aging, taking the cap off, shaking have just hidden itself and became invisible. And that info is everywhere!

 

[vaperature]

The real issue isn't simmering, I was using that as an example only to make a point, the fact is that any complex mixture will require time to develop. I have been dealing with Pure Essential oils for aroma-therapy, creating lotions, skin care products, hand made incense and more for many, many years, I also distill a number of plant materials in order to obtain some essential oils. So yes, it is a chemistry issue, regardless if you wish to bring simmering in as a disqualifying factor, as that again was an example, I was trying to make it a simple comparison, I will not even at this point go into why some of the juice crack or degrade some of the cheaper plastic tanks, a simple search will provide you with that information but will state that it will not harm the individual, it's an interaction between the juice and the cheaper plastic.

The fact is that if you are consuming a juice or anything for that matter from any vendor be it a juice vendor, McDonalds etc, you also have the responsibility to educate yourself as well. Quite a few vendors do have this information available and if you don't seek it out, that is your issue, not the vendors, it's there, you also have a responsibility to know what you are putting in your body, what the simple mechanics of your devices etc. Reading is fundamental, learning is your choice. As stated the information is there and the reasons for it. So, I am sorry, but I don't agree with our sentiment, it's a matter of taking responsibility of your own actions and know what your getting and it's as simple as either asking or researching. It would be great if everything was handed to us on a silver platter but you this just doesn't happen.

And no, you are not just letting something sit, how many times have you, never-mind, as obviously the fact that most vendors state the liquid needs aging, taking the cap off, shaking have just hidden itself and became invisible. And that info is everywhere!

Well I will just have to agree to disagree with you, sir. When I go to McDonald's, I buy a coke and drink the coke. I expect the coke to be pre-blended and ready to drink. If I'm on a diet or something, I may look at their chart and see the coke's properties so that I know what I'm drinking, but usually I will just start drinking, believing that I've been sold a product that is ready to drink. Thankfully I am an intelligent person who has the sense to come into a place like this and ASK. That is what I'm doing right now, sir, after all, educating myself. You seem to be annoyed that I'm educating myself and saying instead of educating myself THIS way I should just go educate myself. Huh? I would suggest MOST people, when they buy a juice, expect a juice and don't expect to have to wade through hours and hours of internet searches to find out what's wrong with their juice and how to fix it. I've heard now that vendors do supply this information but I've purchased from at least five of them so far and have not seen it once. You can't expect everyone to have as much free time as I do, to sit here for hours researching and asking questions to figure out how to use their juice. I've had a tank corrode and I've had juices that taste like crap. I'm suppose to waste dollar after dollar after dollar until I'm finally enough of an expert at it to know what to do? No, sir. I'm the consumer. I'm PAYING hard earned dollars for a product. I expect to be able to use that product without jumping through a bunch of hoops. If the dang blasted juice is that complicated that it needs to be steeped, then steep it before you sell it and stop being CHEAP about it. I've never bought a bottle of whiskey and had to age it in a barrel myself.

 

[UntamedRose]

I really disagree with the steeping thing...

I have Never in my 3 years of vaping had an okayish or a bleh juice........turn into a winner no matter how much shaking, hokey pokey, top on off, sitting in a locked chest in a perfectly acclimated room. If it suckath it will always suck.

Will a ya this is pretty good go to a Ya I still like this one! after a week or two sure.

In DIY does it need a few days....Yes but this has nothing to do with folks Ordering juice as that time already past when it makes it to your mail box.

Like to also say a nasty soup or chili doesnt get better with time either.....

 

[Sucker_dad]

I haven't tried Mt. Baker yet, it is definitely on my list.

Got my first order from them today. I love the spearmint I got. They also sent me a free 15 ml bottle of Rocky Road and it smells wonderful. I am waiting for my new wick to get soaked before I fire it up.

 

[jclay1192]

how in the heck do you steep?? everyone does something else it seems...

 

[B1sh0p]

I've never had a juice that didn't taste better with age. I don't touch any new juice for at least a week. I take the cap off to rid the juice of the residual flavor extract taste. I still don't like some, but with time, even bad ones taste more like the description. Some just aren't for me.

Honestly, if you buy a spearmint juice, don't complain about it burning. It's spearmint. What did you expect? Spearmint burns. Breath mints burn.

 

[B1sh0p]

how in the heck do you steep?? everyone does something else it seems...

Let it sit. Steeping just means aging.

 

[vaperature]

I've never had a juice that didn't taste better with age. I don't touch any new juice for at least a week. I take the cap off to rid the juice of the residual flavor extract taste. I still don't like some, but with time, even bad ones taste more like the description. Some just aren't for me.

Honestly, if you buy a spearmint juice, don't complain about it burning. It's spearmint. What did you expect? Spearmint burns. Breath mints burn.

You have no idea what I'm talking about. This is the WORST spearmint juice on the planet, I'm quite sure. It's like exhaling mace. I am quite sure spearmint juice is not suppose to burn like that. It's faulty juice. Trust me.

 

[B1sh0p]

You have no idea what I'm talking about. This is the WORST spearmint juice on the planet, I'm quite sure. I am quite sure spearmint juice is not suppose to burn like that. It's faulty juice. Trust me.

I highly doubt it's faulty. What does that even mean? You don't like it. It's too much spearmint for you. MBV has a juice called "extreme ice." It's spearmint. It burns too. It tastes like an altoid. When people complain about it, I ask the same thing. It's called "extreme" ice, not mellow mint.

 

[vaperature]

I highly doubt it's faulty. What does that even mean? You don't like it. It's too much spearmint for you. MBV has a juice called "extreme ice." It's spearmint. It burns too. It tastes like an altoid. When people complain about it, I ask the same thing. It's called "extreme" ice, not mellow mint.

You are assuming I don't know what I'm talking about. Mint is above all my favorite flavor for juice--that's why I purchased it to begin with. I would LOVE a good spearmint juice that can be vaped. You haven't tried my juice. You don't know what I'm talking about. You're assuming it's not faulty? Why? Why do you doubt that? You seriously can't believe that there is a vendor out there who doesn't know what he's doing and sends someone something that is not even vapeable? Why? Are all vendors perfect? I don't mind a little mint burn, in fact the "ice" brand you're talking about is on my list of future purchases, unfortunately it's all out of stock right now. This isn't a slight burn. This is a you're temporarily blinded with tears in your eyes time to wash out the tank burn. It's BAD juice. What part of that don't you seem to want to accept? (As a matter of fact I'm quite sure the mint in my watermelon juice that I mentioned above is spearmint and I LOVE it.)

 

[Criticalmass]

Why do you suppose having the cap off helps? I know this is to allow it to get air, but how does air help? I would think something that slowly evaporates with air would change over time, but does the oily base of juice really evaporate?

Taking the cap off gets rid of the alcohol that may be in some liquids. That's all that step is for. The aging process allows the propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine to soak up the flavor and mix better. Aged liquids will usually turn darker after s few weeks. I don't think any liquid except tobacco blends should need more than 3 weeks.

If the liquid is horrid when you get it then it will more than likely still be pretty bad in a few weeks. Aging can make a good liquid great, a great liquid fantastic, and a bad liquid okay, but it can't make an awful liquid fantastic. IMHO

 

[B1sh0p]

You are assuming I don't know what I'm talking about. Mint is above all my favorite flavor for juice. I would LOVE a good spearmint juice that can be vaped. You haven't tried my juice. You don't know what I'm talking about. You're assuming it's not faulty? Why? Why do you doubt that? You seriously can't believe that there is a vendor out there who doesn't know what he's doing and sends someone something that is not even vapeable? Why? Are all vendors perfect? I don't mind a little mint burn, in fact the "ice" brand you're talking about is on my list of future purchases, unfortunately it's all out of stock right now. This isn't a slight burn. This is you're temporarily blinded burn. It's BAD juice. What part of that don't you seem to want to accept?

I presuming you're a new vaper and don't know what you like or what to expect. I highly doubt you got a faulty juice, just one you don't like. Aging might calm the menthol down and make it more vapable. You might just not like the juice. If you had been vaping this same juice for a while and got a batch that tasted off, I'd agree that it was faulty.


As to your OP, there are juices I find unvapable for the first few weeks and great sfterwards. There are also juices I used to love, but now that my palette has changed, I really dislike them.

 

[Criticalmass]

Be warned, though, they have the list and the note.

A lot of people think their juice is fantastic.

Vaping cinnamon roll and sticky bun right now. I mixed them and have gone through about 5ml in two days. A lot for me.

 

[JulesXsmokr]

Vendors should be the ones telling customers if additional steeping is necessary to do with a certain juice, if not they are doing themselves in ! That should be business 101...
But being a vapor for a little while now I have learned a little from my experience.
When I get some juice, ( it's usually 3 - 4 days after born on date) I will smell it to see if it smells like my order, if it does I'll vape it,
if not I will soak it hot water for a hour, take the cap off of it for a couple of hours if it smells of perfume or flowers, shake well and try a sample vape, if it doesn't vape right it gets a week worth of aging/steep, after that if it's off taste it goes to the hole in the bottom of the sink, along with possibly futures orders of that vender, there's far too many of them out there, to keep trying a fail..
( Tobacco's do take a longer steep time though)
Some vendors have their tricks or trade practices also. They may pre-make a flavor mix with a little pg/vg before hand in larger amounts, and it is steeping as we speak, then fill in the rest of the nic/pg/vg as it is ordered., and some will use a seed batch to hasten steeping..
So a lot of stuff will usually get to your in a steeped condition. jmoho---

 

[B1sh0p]

Generally, menthols are very polarizing. A juice some people love, others will hate. Tobacco's are similar.

 

[vaperature]

I presuming you're a new vaper and don't know what you like or what to expect. I highly doubt you got a faulty juice, just one you don't like. Aging might calm the menthol down and make it more vapable. You might just not like the juice. If you had been vaping this same juice for a while and got a batch that tasted off, I'd agree that it was faulty.


As to your OP, there are juices I find unvapable for the first few weeks and great sfterwards. There are also juices I used to love, but now that my palette has changed, I really dislike them.

Noooo. It's crap juice from a crap vendor. Period. It's not going to get any better with age because it's crap from a crap vendor. Now stop trying to derail my thread with your nonsense about how you "highly doubt" something that you haven't even tried yourself.

 

[vaperature]

Sorry about the repeat comment . . .