Become a Patron!

How to steep e-liquid?

dunemachine

Member For 1 Year
I plan to buy Tmaxx's No Frills mLs juice when my current batch runs low, but it says that you have to steep the liquid yourself. I've looked online and found several methods for steeping e liquid, but what works well for you guys?
 

dunemachine

Member For 1 Year
For tried and true recipes, I just do time in a cool, dark place. I don't use the various rituals like heat or ultrasonic. For a new recipe, I'll try some right after mixing, then throw it in the closet and sample periodically after that.
Thanks for the tip! How long would you normally keep it in a cool, dark place?
 

gopher_byrd

Cranky Old Fart
VU Donator
Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
VU Patreon
Thanks for the tip! How long would you normally keep it in a cool, dark place?
It depends on the flavors used. Custards, creams, and some bakeries need a week or two. Fruit only flavors are shake and vape. That's the great thing about DIY, I always have juice ready to vape. I haven't bought pre-made vendor juice for almost 3 years.
 

dunemachine

Member For 1 Year
It depends on the flavors used. Custards, creams, and some bakeries need a week or two. Fruit only flavors are shake and vape. That's the great thing about DIY, I always have juice ready to vape. I haven't bought pre-made vendor juice for almost 3 years.
Hmm.. being the impatient bastard that I am, I’ll probably just spend the few extra bucks for juices that are ready to go.
 

516_vaper_li

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
I usually keep glass bottles in the back on my drawer for about a week or so.
Every day or every other day I will open the bottle to let it breath for a few.
close it back up, (obviously) and shake it up to see the bubbles.
 

Jimi

Diamond Contributor
Member For 5 Years
When I am in a real hurry I use a crock pot 4 hrs @150 degrees. If not I let time do it's thing
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
Hmm.. being the impatient bastard that I am, I’ll probably just spend the few extra bucks for juices that are ready to go.

I am currently using a desk lamp with an incandescent bulb to heat my DIY e-Liquids to about 100°F which Speeds up infusion and I can have e-Liquids ready to vape in 48-72 hours depending on the flavor. I have used the hot water method and can have e-Liquids ready in 4-5 hours like @Jimi
 

zeeter

Bronze Contributor
Member For 3 Years
I let mine sit for a month with occasional shakes. Sometimes I'll let them breathe, but I read recently that it is only necessary to breathe if there is AP in them.

One thing I never do is try them before letting them mature. It's like pouring a cup of coffee before the pot is finished brewing. You'll get the best flavoring because the PG is at the top and after sitting for a while it will taste different.
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
I use a simple method to test when e-Liquid has had enough time to infuse. Shake the bottle and look at the contents. If you can see layers or the different ingredients are still separated they have not infused so it needs more time. Heating with a desk lamp will speed the process up so in 3-4 days it is ready. An incandescent bulb does not produce UV Light so there is no oxidation of the Nicotine.



None of my DIY e-Liquid has ever tasted like Butt so i must be doing something right.
 

Severinomotta

Bronze Contributor
Member For 1 Year
I am currently using a desk lamp with an incandescent bulb to heat my DIY e-Liquids to about 100°F which Speeds up infusion and I can have e-Liquids ready to vape in 48-72 hours depending on the flavor. I have used the hot water method and can have e-Liquids ready in 4-5 hours like @Jimi
How this "hot water method" works, and please, say like if you were explaining it for a child :) Lol
 

SteveS45

Diamond Contributor
ECF Refugee
Member For 5 Years
How this "hot water method" works, and please, say like if you were explaining it for a child :) Lol

I used to use Hot Water (Never higher than 150°F) but found that to be a PIA constantly filling the water. Although I can get a mix ready in about 4-5 hours like that I switched to the desk lamp because I leave it and give it a shake now and then. I am an impatient PIA myself but I am never in a rush with my e-Liquids anymore, time is the best infuser but you can speed it up.
 

zeeter

Bronze Contributor
Member For 3 Years
How this "hot water method" works, and please, say like if you were explaining it for a child :) Lol

Heat makes the molecules in the liquid react and move faster than they normally would. As they move about the container more rapidly they cling to other molecules, eventually making the final solution. This happens naturally over time, but adding heat accelerates the process. I do not use this process, preferring the natural method of putting it up in a cupboard and letting it sit.

I wouldn't heat the e-liquid. This changes the chemical composition of the ingredients. There's a difference between keeping the e-liquid in a dark, warm place and actually applying heat to it.
 
Last edited:

MWorthington

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
ECF Refugee
For tried and true recipes, I just do time in a cool, dark place. I don't use the various rituals like heat or ultrasonic. For a new recipe, I'll try some right after mixing, then throw it in the closet and sample periodically after that.

^^^^^^^
This!
 

OcagePH

Member For 1 Year
It depends on the flavors used. Custards, creams, and some bakeries need a week or two. Fruit only flavors are shake and vape. That's the great thing about DIY, I always have juice ready to vape. I haven't bought pre-made vendor juice for almost 3 years.
After steeping it for 2 weeks does it continue to steep through time without putting it in a cool dark place? like using it as a daily vape.
 

zeeter

Bronze Contributor
Member For 3 Years
After steeping it for 2 weeks does it continue to steep through time without putting it in a cool dark place? like using it as a daily vape.

A lot depends on your PG:VG ratio. The more even they are the longer it will take. When I went from 30:70 to 35:65 I noticed my juices tasted a little different. Giving it another week seemed to solve the problem.

Edit: That didn't answer your question. I've found some older juices that tasted pretty funky, but these were months old. So I would guess that the solution continues to change over time.
 

OcagePH

Member For 1 Year
A lot depends on your PG:VG ratio. The more even they are the longer it will take. When I went from 30:70 to 35:65 I noticed my juices tasted a little different. Giving it another week seemed to solve the problem.

Edit: That didn't answer your question. I've found some older juices that tasted pretty funky, but these were months old. So I would guess that the solution continues to change over time.
So that means it is an unending cycle of steeping process even you are vaping the juice daily, am I correct? Is there any kind of method to stop the steeping,uhm.. I feel I might confuse you, Anyway ex. the 2week steep is enough is there any way to stay in the form? Considering its hot here in the Philippines, I don´t own any AC so there we go. Sorry for long questions and clarification and thank you so much at the same time.
 

jwill

The Great King of Nothing
VU Donator
Platinum Contributor
Member For 2 Years
VU Challenge Team
Reddit Exile
VU SWAT
So that means it is an unending cycle of steeping process even you are vaping the juice daily, am I correct? Is there any kind of method to stop the steeping,uhm.. I feel I might confuse you, Anyway ex. the 2week steep is enough is there any way to stay in the form? Considering its hot here in the Philippines, I don´t own any AC so there we go. Sorry for long questions and clarification and thank you so much at the same time.

The liquid is a consumable. As you make it and once everything has sat for its appropriate time to be delicious its then when you start using it and introducing oxygen regularly from opening and closing the container, the process changes from steeping to spoiling. The flavors will eventually begin to mute and the mix will eventually spoil. There is no such thing as over steeped in my opinion. Only steeping, steeped and ruined.
 

OcagePH

Member For 1 Year
The liquid is a consumable. As you make it and once everything has sat for its appropriate time to be delicious its then when you start using it and introducing oxygen regularly from opening and closing the container, the process changes from steeping to spoiling. The flavors will eventually begin to mute and the mix will eventually spoil. There is no such thing as over steeped in my opinion. Only steeping, steeped and ruined.
Now I get it! Thank you so much Jwill as always.
 

Severinomotta

Bronze Contributor
Member For 1 Year
The liquid is a consumable. As you make it and once everything has sat for its appropriate time to be delicious its then when you start using it and introducing oxygen regularly from opening and closing the container, the process changes from steeping to spoiling. The flavors will eventually begin to mute and the mix will eventually spoil. There is no such thing as over steeped in my opinion. Only steeping, steeped and ruined.
Just like the wine :)
 

GillyDaKidd78

Member For 3 Years
I plan to buy Tmaxx's No Frills mLs juice when my current batch runs low, but it says that you have to steep the liquid yourself. I've looked online and found several methods for steeping e liquid, but what works well for you guys?
I actually have done the crock pot it works great. All you do is keep it on low, you want the water about 150 degrees. Don't boil it! Stand you juice bottle up in the water for about 2-4 hours depending on your taste, shake it every 30 mins to aggravate. I've done this method and the dark place for a couple weeks and there is really no downside.
 

MWorthington

Silver Contributor
Member For 4 Years
ECF Refugee
So that means it is an unending cycle of steeping process even you are vaping the juice daily, am I correct? Is there any kind of method to stop the steeping,

Yeah, vape it before you have to worry about it! :)
 

VU Sponsors

Top