Microwave steeping

Talon4x4 · Sep 21, 2014

Has anyone been following this thread over at the other site?! If this works as well as claimed, it will be awesome to have a fully steeped juice in less than a day!!!

Here's what you need to search for over there if you want to check it out "Hot ejuice diy mixing tutorial"

chickenmonkey · Sep 21, 2014

I have been using the microwave to steep since day one in my diy adventures. It's great. 5-8 seconds depending on the bottle size. Shake and vape. No water to mess with labels either.

Surgikill · Sep 21, 2014

How exactly do you do it?

M5amhan · Sep 21, 2014

i imagine a plastic bottle wouldnt work well with this?

chickenmonkey · Sep 21, 2014

I use plastic as well as glass and have not had a problem. I leave the dropper and top off while in the microwave. Mine is a 1250

chickenmonkey · Sep 21, 2014

Surgikill said:
How exactly do you do it?

Do what? I don't understand the question.

Whiskey · Sep 21, 2014

Maybe they are wanting to know how it is done, the method of how to do the steeping in a microwave?

fq06 · Sep 21, 2014

To put a couple posts together, take the cap off, nuke it for 8-10 seconds, remove from the nuke cooker, replace cap, shake & vape

Fishee · Sep 21, 2014

I've done this a few times and it seems to work well.
However, I do wonder if the nuker has a negative affect on the nicotine in some way.
I haven't noticed if it does but I still wonder if maybe it does

Heabob · Sep 21, 2014

M5amhan said:
i imagine a plastic bottle wouldnt work well with this?

I tried this once, bottle melted, burnt my hand, not fun.

Talon4x4 · Sep 21, 2014

Heabob said:
I tried this once, bottle melted, burnt my hand, not fun.

I used glass when I tried it last night

Fishee said:
I've done this a few times and it seems to work well.
However, I do wonder if the nuker has a negative affect on the nicotine in some way.
I haven't noticed if it does but I still wonder if maybe it does

The guy that started the thread said that he didn't believe it had effected the nicotine. Or at least not that he could tell when he vaped it. I had always heard that he did degrade nic. So who knows.

lunaspapii · Sep 22, 2014

Just tried this and it works excellent

Surgikill · Sep 27, 2014

I tried this. It works wonders

Exchaner · Sep 27, 2014

The guy on the other thread has gone as far to bring the juice to a boil. Claims nothing to worry about even though he lost 10% of the juice due to evaporation. Has anyone gone that far to boil the juice? I personally think it's a crazy idea no matter how good your juice will taste.

Talon4x4 · Sep 27, 2014

Exchaner said:
The guy on the other thread has gone as far to bring the juice to a boil. Claims nothing to worry about even though he lost 10% of the juice due to evaporation. Has anyone gone that far to boil the juice? I personally think it's a crazy idea no matter how good your juice will taste.

I have not gone that far. I would have to believe that kind of heat is going to degrade the nic pretty fast.

Exchaner · Sep 29, 2014

He claims it does not degrade the nic, but I personally do not want to see my juice anywhere near its boiling point no matter how good it tastes.

Heabob · Sep 29, 2014

You can actually run the cycle for 10 min +, if you use 10-20% power.
Liquid just gets warm.
I don't think boiling is a good idea tho.
Those using crock pots recommend 150F.

Botboy141 · Sep 29, 2014

Heabob said:
You can actually run the cycle for 10 min +, if you use 10-20% power.
Liquid just gets warm.
I don't think boiling is a good idea tho.
Those using crock pots recommend 150F.

Crock pot on warm = win whenever I want to speed the process along. I'm usually too lazy to get it out of the cabinet though and just let juices do their thing.

Adam harris · Jan 4, 2016

Wouldn't the plastic leech into the juice????

James · Jan 4, 2016

Adam harris said:
Wouldn't the plastic leech into the juice????

yes it will

Pauly Walnuts · Jan 6, 2016

James said:
yes it will

Not necessarily. it depends on the type of plastic used, the temperature, and how long its left at that temperature. HDPE would be much safer to use than LDPE. While there is anecdotal evidence that certain plastics 'leech' into liquid during storage and heating, Ive not seen a single study to back it up.

Anyways, as far as heat steeping, I put my juice in glass and stick them in the oven for two hours on 150-200 degrees. It works really well for me.

pescadore · Jan 6, 2016

I tried microwave steeping for a while but got some real bad flavor results. I am not sure why but the taste just wasn't the same. I like to mix shake and vape flavors but if I have some that has to steep, I will let time take care of that.

Adam harris · Jan 6, 2016

Pauly Walnuts said:
Not necessarily. it depends on the type of plastic used, the temperature, and how long its left at that temperature. HDPE would be much safer to use than LDPE. While there is anecdotal evidence that certain plastics 'leech' into liquid during storage and heating, Ive not seen a single study to back it up.

Anyways, as far as heat steeping, I put my juice in glass and stick them in the oven for two hours on 150-200 degrees. It works really well for me.

Have you noticed any Nic degrade from the heat?

Pauly Walnuts · Jan 8, 2016

Adam harris said:
Have you noticed any Nic degrade from the heat?

Ive been making juice for almost two years, ive made batches and steeped them in a cabinet, in an oven, and in front of a furnace vent.

I havent noticed any nic degrading from heat steeping. If it did, I wouldnt do it.
Try it out. Do a side by side comparison. Make two batches of the same juice, put one in the oven and one on a shelf. The heat helps the flavors blend and seems to take a few days off the steep, thats about it.

Pauly Walnuts · Jan 8, 2016

pescadore said:
I tried microwave steeping for a while but got some real bad flavor results. I am not sure why but the taste just wasn't the same. I like to mix shake and vape flavors but if I have some that has to steep, I will let time take care of that.

Im not a fan of microwave steeping either. I never noticed any flavor issues, I just like plain heat better.

Bigdaddi · Apr 17, 2017

Hi all!

Is this thread still open? We're over a year later after the latest post above by Pauly. I wonder if anyone would like to share his/her latest experience on this.

Rickajho · Apr 17, 2017

Heabob said:
You can actually run the cycle for 10 min +, if you use 10-20% power.
Liquid just gets warm.
I don't think boiling is a good idea tho.
Those using crock pots recommend 150F.

There is no such thing as "10-20% power" with a microwave. A magnetron only runs at 100% power. What you can do is control the percentage of time it cycles on during any X number of seconds or minutes. One minute at "10% power" means the microwave is only energized for about a total of 6 seconds over a one minute period.

The point is you don't have much control over overdoing it. I can't fathom bringing any vape liquid to a boiling point could ever be beneficial. With a microwave you are splitting hairs over how many seconds might be pushing a small amount of liquid into the "too far" range. It may be fast - but to a fault as well.

kross8 · Apr 17, 2017

dont let the temp get near 500*,,,,,,,,,,you end up with formaldehyde. (i have no idea how high a m/w would raise the temp)

i was playing around with m/w when i first started,,, i then read some chemical website about temp affect,,,,,,,,and tossed those batches just to be safe.

below is the first remarks mikepetro made on a recent study. (ecf)

OK, they published this data publicly now about the spike of formaldehyde and Acetaldehyde (both carcinogens) spiking way up past safe levels starting around 470F-480F.

fq06 · Apr 17, 2017

Bigdaddi said:
Hi all!

Is this thread still open? We're over a year later after the latest post above by Pauly. I wonder if anyone would like to share his/her latest experience on this.

IMO, time is the best way to steep.
If you were lazy and let yourself run out before your next batches were ready, go grab some juice from the shop or online, suck up the cost and don't get caught with your pants down next time

I can't count how many times I got caught without juice steeped and ready to go :facepalm:

Heabob · Apr 18, 2017

Rickajho said:
There is no such thing as "10-20% power" with a microwave.

I know but they call it that because it's easier for people to understand.
Should have been called 10-20% Time but I can just imagine how many would still be scratching their heads
over that one.

Only tried it once just for kicks but I don't find it any better than just using time instead.
I usually mix several recipes ahead weekly so I don't run short...

eSMOKA · Apr 18, 2017

I tried this with those cloudy soft plastic 30ml bottles (LDPE?). Nuked for 7 seconds and the bottle came out deformed so I threw it all away. I would not use plastic unless you know it is microwave safe plastic. Best to use glass.

But since then, I stopped using my microwave. I don't trust those things even to warm up food anymore, let along to "steep" stuff I'm inhaling.

cap2666 · Oct 19, 2017

I only steep with microwave..but I do it on 2-3seconds periods of time..take it out and shake it,open the top and breathe it 10 time by squizing the botlle,put it again 2-3 seconds and repet....until the botlle gets like worm...not hot but worm..so you can hold it in your hand with no burning sensation...when the botlle get on this point I take the top off,put it in the closet for 1 hour.After 1 hour is cold down..put the top on..and the next day is like 2-3 weeks steeping the "normal" way...

cap2666 · Oct 19, 2017

It's takes me 10 minutes(for custards and tobbaco) to obtain the same thing like steeping 3-4 weeks in the closet...NEVER let the botle in more than 2-3 seconds

Bigdaddi · Oct 19, 2017

Many thanks @cap2666. Will probably give that a shot with a couple of recipes of mine that I know very well how they turn out flavor wise after being fully steeped, and will let you know the outcome

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HeadInClouds · Oct 19, 2017

We buy flavorings from vendors who keep fresh stock.
We store them dark/cool/well-sealed to prevent a decline in quality.
We worry about expiration dates.
Then we mix them, and...

it never made sense to me to then boil them, leave the cap off, or shake them past the point of well-mixed until they're well-oxidized...

r055co · Oct 19, 2017

Exchaner said:
He claims it does not degrade the nic, but I personally do not want to see my juice anywhere near its boiling point no matter how good it tastes.

Heat degrades nic just like air and light.

If the juice needs steeping it's best just to leave in a cool dark place for a week or two shaking every other day. If you don't wanna wait just get a good mag stirrer. Mix in a beaker with stopper, flip on the mag stirrer and walk away for about 3 or so hours.

cap2666 · Oct 19, 2017

I know about the nic...but as I said I don't heat the juice,I only warm it,I never past more than 50-55 degreess celcius..Your body fells the burning sensation when a hot thing is over 51 Celcius(123F),when I get there were my hand fells it warm I stop heating it ...

gopher_byrd · Oct 19, 2017

cap2666 said:
I only steep with microwave..but I do it on 2-3seconds periods of time..take it out and shake it,open the top and breathe it 10 time by squizing the botlle,put it again 2-3 seconds and repet....until the botlle gets like worm...not hot but worm..so you can hold it in your hand with no burning sensation...when the botlle get on this point I take the top off,put it in the closet for 1 hour.After 1 hour is cold down..put the top on..and the next day is like 2-3 weeks steeping the "normal" way...

Here's the thing, breathing your juice is not needed unless the flavors contain alcohol. Heating the juice increases molecular activity and then squeezing and breathing is going to remove the flavor compounds you so lovingly just put in. If you feel the need to heat do it without the breathing part and just enough heat to thin out the VG.

Me, just like James Bond, shaken not stirred. And like the Rolling Stones sang, "Time Is On My Side"...

Just Frank · Oct 19, 2017

I'm not interested in trying this method...even remotely.

cap2666 · Oct 20, 2017

Anuradha Prakash, assistant professor in the Department of Food Science and Nutrition at Chapman University, offers this explanation:

There is no evidence that eating microwaved foods is detrimental to humans or animals. Microwaves are low-energy waves that, like visible light, fall within the electromagnetic spectrum. Like all electromagnetic waves, they are composed of photons, but the photons in microwaves have so little energy that they are unable to cause chemical changes in the molecules they encounter--including those in food. They are non-ionizing waves and do not leave a residue.

When food absorbs the energy in microwaves, ions in the food polarize and polar food molecules rotate, causing collisions. It is these collisions that generate friction with the surrounding matrix; the friction quickly produces a lot of heat.

RonJS · Oct 20, 2017

cap2666 said:
There is no evidence that eating microwaved foods is detrimental to humans or animals.

That cow that got chopped up to go in my microwaved hamburger may not agree.

I don't eat my ejuice and......

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Bigdaddi · Apr 20, 2019

Hi All, anyone still experimenting and playing around with this?

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r055co · Apr 20, 2019

Bigdaddi said:
Hi All, anyone still experimenting and playing around with this?

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Just one thing to say, don't do it. Just let your juice naturally steep in a cool dark shelr. All you accomplish with rushing your steeping with heat is to breakdown/oxidize your nic

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Bigdaddi · Apr 21, 2019

r055co said:
Just one thing to say, don't do it. Just let your juice naturally steep in a cool dark shelr. All you accomplish with rushing your steeping with heat is to breakdown/oxidize your nic

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What if there was no nic in the mix, what would you say then?

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r055co · Apr 21, 2019

Bigdaddi said:
What if there was no nic in the mix, what would you say then?

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Then I wouldn't see the harm in it.

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88ArDeN88 · Apr 22, 2019

r055co said:
Then I wouldn't see the harm in it.

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I would. Just use a hot water bath. The microwave uses radiation to heat water molecules in whatever it is cooking (this is oversimplified, but basically the process). If you have ever put a cup of coffee in the microwave to heat it back up and then drank it you will notice the coffee taste a little less wet. I would not put my juice in the microwave when there are better options available.

r055co · Apr 24, 2019

88ArDeN88 said:
I would. Just use a hot water bath. The microwave uses radiation to heat water molecules in whatever it is cooking (this is oversimplified, but basically the process). If you have ever put a cup of coffee in the microwave to heat it back up and then drank it you will notice the coffee taste a little less wet. I would not put my juice in the microwave when there are better options available.

I just let my juice steep naturally and let nature do her magic. Besides 0mg nic, no alcohol beer and decaf is nothing more than taking a bath in sand.

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88ArDeN88 · Apr 24, 2019

r055co said:
I just let my juice steep naturally and let nature do her magic. Besides 0mg nic, no alcohol beer and decaf is nothing more than taking a bath in sand.

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I agree, but some people (like I was when I was new to this) are determined to work around steeping. I have found it doesn't work, but if I was going to try, I would advise strongly against the microwave.

Microwave steeping

Cranky Old Fart

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