Is there any need to steep 0nic?

submitted over 11 years ago by WillsMyth

I'm just starting to make my own and am curious if steeping is needed if there no nicotine.

Comments

7 points

by Jack_Shidover 11 years ago

Steeping is a process that allows flavors to blend properly. All liquids improve over time, whether or not nicotine is present.

7 points

by kirktover 11 years agoBring on the Diacetyl, baby

Steeping e-juice is not possible, since you are not extracting flavors from a solid (such as tea leaves). However, curing your juice is beneficial even for 0 nic, as gentle heat and exposure to the atmosphere will allow for the release of perfumey volatiles which aren't that pleasant to vape.

7 points

by Elephauxover 11 years ago

But EVERYONE calls it steeping, it's mob rule!

7 points

by theBigDaddioover 11 years agoMixologist

Yea that whole "steep" is just stupid. Getting down voted for trying to educate people is even better.

6 points

by Ayynoover 11 years ago

I've been trying to switch my usage of terms from "steep" to "cure" as you "steep" tea, you don't "steep" eliquid.

Don't listen to the downvotes. You're educating. I like it.

4 points

by spaceballsrulesover 11 years ago

Yup. Curing works. I use the term aging myself. As for the release of the volatiles, I refer to that as burping.

3 points

by tnttimover 11 years ago

Yes of course, it's a mixture, and it needs time to......mix.

2 points

by Xanzaover 11 years agoMixologist

There's no need to steep any mixture, but no matter what mixture you use, nic or no nic, your flavors will 9/10 be better steeped.

1 points

by swancitysoundsover 11 years ago

If it tastes bad from the beginning, it will most likely never taste good. IMO there is a bit of a myth in terms of "steeping" beyond 24 hours. Tobacco flavors and things like that may actually benefit from a longer period of time, but IMO 24-48 hours most fruity flavors, etc. have reached their prime until it is just the old juice taste you are after.

Both "steeping" and "curing" seem like the completely wrong terms as I see no reason "curing" is any more accurate. Age makes more sense. Oxidize? maybe, we need a chemist to tell us what is actually happening.

A buddy of mine makes really excellent juices. He will mix them up, we try them immediately, and they are delicious. They can change after about 24 hours, but in general I would say you can tell if it is going to be good or not immediately.

This is not the gospel of course but I do think there is a certain level of hive-mind ignorance within the vaping community, or the internet in general. Something to consider.