Steep E-Juice / E-Liquid: How Long It Takes, How and Why You Should Do It
The dictionary defines steeping as “the soaking in water or other liquid, as to soften, cleanse, or extract some constituent,” but when it comes to e-liquid the purpose is to deepen and improve the flavor, which can often be dull or muted until enough time has passed for the ingredients to fully mix and dissolve. Some e-juice companies recommend 2-4 weeks, while others claim that their e-juice is “pre-steeped;” in either case you should understand the advantages (and limitations) of steeping and the various methods for producing the best e-juice flavor.
Steeping allows for oxidation between flavoring, nicotine, and base ingredients. This process typically takes several weeks, but it varies between formulas and manufacturers. Some times the amount of steeping depends on the flavor itself; for example, Mt. Baker Vapor recommends 2-4 weeks for most flavors, but tobacco flavors require a bit longer (4-6 weeks) to fully develop.
Best Way to Steep E-Liquid
People have differing opinions about how to properly steep e-liquid – from the simple and straight-forward, to complex and detailed procedures that involve multiple steps.
Personally, I like to keep things simple by storing my e-liquid in a cool, dark place and giving it a shake every once in a while to ensure it stays thoroughly mixed.
After a few weeks and a quick taste-test, I’ll determine if more time is necessary and continue steeping until the flavor is up-to-par.
METHOD #1 – Keep Things Simple
- Give your brand new e-liquid bottle a good hard shake to help fully disperse the ingredients.
- Store the bottle(s) in a cool, dark place (like a cabinet or drawer) – out of the reach of children.
- Pull the bottle(s) out every few days and give them another shake until the recommended steeping period is over. 7-10 days is a good place to start if you’re not sure, but 2-4 weeks may be necessary.
METHOD #2 – A Little More Complicated
Some vapers get a little more in-depth with their e-juice steeping procedures, but it really depends on the product and how picky you are about perfecting each individual flavor. Many experts recommend letting the e-juice “breath” through a steeping process similar to the one outlined below:
- DON’T SHAKE FIRST! Remove the e-liquid cap and/or dripper tip.
- Gently squeeze the bottle(s) to force all of the contaminated air out – and let fresh air in.
- Replace the cap and vigorously shake the bottle(s).
- Store the bottle(s) in a cool, dark place and repeat this procedure every few days until the flavor(s) meet your expectations.
These are two of the most common and simple methods for steeping e-juice, but there are a variety of creative ways to improve the steeping process. Is there a right or wrong way to steep your e-juice? I’ve found that METHOD #1 works fine in most cases, but it’s really a matter of preference.
Is Steeping E-Liquid Really Necessary?
One thing to keep in mind, is that some e-juice will still taste horrible no matter how long you steep it or what method you follow. Although steeping can certainly help in some cases, it’s not a guaranteed solution for every product. On the opposite end of the spectrum, some e-juice tastes excellent right out of the bottle – with absolutely no steeping necessary. “Premium” e-juice companies often pre-steep their products prior shipment, eliminating the need to wait or follow a complicated procedure.
So how do you determine when steeping is necessary? First, see what the manufacturer recommends because they’re the most reliable source of information for their products. Customer reviews are another excellent resource, giving you a good idea about what to expect and whether or not you’ll need to steep a particular flavor. Finally, do some testing once the product arrives. Open the bottle and smell the juice, does it smell like the intended flavor? If it has an odd perfume or alcohol smell, it probably needs steeping. Take a quick vape and see how it tastes. If you’re not satisfied with the flavor give it at least a week and come back again for another test after you’ve stored it in a cool, dark place for a while.
The most important thing to remember is that heat, light, and air are the enemies of e-liquid, so keep it out of direct sunlight – even after the steeping period is over. Keep it in a cool, dark place and always give it a nice shake before each use to ensure the ingredients are thoroughly mixed.
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Just bought a 90% VG ejuice. Sample tasted awesome in the store. They mixed me up some fresh and said to let it steep. When asked how long, they said maybe 24-48 hours. It’s been that long now, but it’s still bland with just a tiny hint of the sample flavor. I read about the hot water bath method of steeping and tried that, but that didn’t help. I’m using an Aspire Nautilus tank on an iTaste 134. The juice produces big clouds, but what’s t point if the flavor not there.
Do you have any suggestions? Should I give it a few weeks and try it again or bring it back to the store? Is the ejuice in my tanks trash (should I clean them out) or could that possibly get better with age too?
Give it some more time! 24-48 hours doesn’t seem like nearly enough time for the juice to steep. Most freshly mixed juice takes at least a week, some juice takes 2-4 weeks…
YOU HAVE 90% VG… PG IS WHAT CARRIES THE FLAVOR.. IF YOU REALLY LIKE FLAVOR YOU MAY WANT 50/50 (PG/VG).
Do you recommend taking the cap off when steeping?
I know some people remove the caps when they steep, but it’s never been something that I do. I’ve never found it necessary, but many people believe it speeds up the process…
I don’t really get steeping. I guess it would be necessary if you’re a “vape enthusiast,” but I order my juice from VapeWild and they taste great right away. These are not pre-steeped, but they do give the option to get pre-steeped bottles.
The problem is, it’ll cost you a bit more to get them pre-steeped. For 16.99, you can get a 60mL bottle of juice pre-steeped. Meanwhile, I can pay 19.99 for a 120mL bottle of the same juice, not pre-steeped.
These flavors not only taste amazing right away, but they have more customization (VG/PG ratio, nicotine content, etc). In my opinion, this is the way to go. The flavors taste just fine.
I recently tried Bird Brain by Cuttwood, which is a “premium, pre-steeped” liquid and it didn’t taste nearly as good as “Flint Stoned” by VapeWild. If anything, it was just a bit too sweet and not very creamy. This, to me, makes me want to stick with just straight up, newly mixed E-Juice. I guess to each their own, but I personally just don’t see the point in steeping.
That said, if you have several bottles laying around and wont be cracking them open for a while, I say why not? Give em a shake each day and store ’em in a cool place.