I've been wondering how efficient is shaking the bottles after mixing the juice. People always talk about shaking bottle or using a magnetic spinner. But how well do these compare and how would I test this? I usually shake bottles for like 20-30 seconds depending on the ml ranging from 10-120 ml. It seems that using a magnetic stirrer is insane to do, especially when I mix a batch of 20+ juices. It means I would have to clean the glass 20 times and that would add an extra hour just to clean and get done.
I use a simple milk frother from amazon. paid less than 10 bucks and you can use it on low quantity mixes. I use a pyrex 50ml or 100ml container. After I add my flavors I froth it and sit it on a usb coffee cup warmer till it gets clear. Hit it with frother again, wait till clear and repeat one more time. It's not as fancy as a magnetic stirrer but it gets the job done just fine and for less than 20 bucks.
Edit for Links.
This is the milk frother I use (Currently out of stock). Don't get the Ikea one as it is cheaply made and the motor will not last long. The coffee warmer is something I got as a gift but if you search for cup warmer or mug warmer on amazon you can find quite a few.
I modify cotton buds and stick them in my dremel.
I only mix small quantities for myself though.
How are you mixing 20+ juices now? Are you making them in individual bottles? Is each bottle a different recipe?
I made a home made shaker jig for my sawzall that works for mixing single bottles very quickly.
My magnetic stirrer is scheduled to be delivered today...this should really speed up my mixing process a lot. I'll be able to mix and heat larger batches in a beaker, then just fill my 30ml bottles quickly.
To add on to OPs question, should bottles be shaken every day while being cured or should they be shaked after being created then set in a dark room?
I shake multiple times a day, venting the air in the top of the bottle then shaking it to aerate the mix with the new air, let those bubbles float out, cycle the air again to get it fresh and clear out any ethyl alcohol vapor that's evaporated, then repeat the process.
>It means I would have to clean the glass 20 times and that would add an extra hour just to clean and get done.
It doesn't take an hour to clean a piece of glassware 20 times. Glass is quite easy to clean, just put it under a faucet running hot water for a few seconds than wipe it off with a dry towel of some kind and your done.
Either way though I tend to agree with you, nobody really needs a magnetic stirrer they are just super cool for people who mix allot or are running a business but totally not essential. I shake my juice bottles just like you, it works fine.
Actually you don't want to run it under regular water, since it contains chlorine. So what you just did is contaminate your juice with chlorine that later would go into your lungs. Don't get me wrong, it's not that scary. We inhale a shit ton of chlorine everyday when we take shower. Same thing with dry towel, you left fibers in the glass.
Not sure about other people but I have a reverse osmosis water system that I rinse my beakers and mixing items with and use lint free towels so I don't have to worry about chlorine or lint.
Sounds like you're mixing your juices in a clean room, can you share your plans and setup for it?
Not a clean room, just use my kitchen. I have a water ionizer with filtered water option. Use that for washing everything. Air dry the bottles right before using them. Don't ever use same syringe or needle for same flavors. I clean them by soaking in filtered water and rinse it a bunch of times as well. I don't ever dry it with towels or anything, to avoid shit going in. PG/VG are just poured into clean beakers and drawn from there to avoid exposure of the gallon jugs.
I use a milk frother and the crock pot "little dipper" filled with water.
I almost bought one of those but I was afraid the Temp would get too high and mute the flavor. How does it work for you so far?
The temp is actually a bit low to be honest. I know people that swear by 70 celcius in their magnetic stirrers. I took the temo when I started mixing but I cant remember! lol I'll fire it up tonight and have a look.
i know that in plastic bottles people squeeze the air out by squeezing the plastic bottle and getting the ejuice all the way to the brim of the plastic bottle. How do you change the air out in glass bottles?