One word you will always hear in the vaping community – especially when the subject of improving vape juice is being discussed – is “steeping.” Experienced vapers recommend it as the best way to revamp your e-juice flavor and taste. In truth, steeping vape juice is a widespread practice amongst pro vapers. And just as you will see in this article, steeping is a simple process that you can carry out anytime.
What is Steeping?
Steeping e-juice allows it to mature for a better taste and a more pronounced flavor. There are many ways to achieve this (as discussed later in this article). The main idea behind steeping is to allow the e-liquid ingredients and flavors to blend and remove any volatile compounds such as alcohol.
Why Steep E-juice? – What Does Steeping E-juice Do?
Steeping e-juice may be a norm for some vapers, but there are reasons they do it. Generally, steeping is highly recommended if your e-juice gives off an alcoholic or perfume taste. Steeping e-liquid allows the PG and VG concentrates to blend and allows you to mix e-liquids or flavors without ruining them. It is also known to neutralize harmful effects such as coughing or throat burn, allowing for a better vaping experience.
Do You Have To Steep Vape Juice?
No. Steeping vape juice isn’t mandatory. However, certain situations call for it. Here are some instances where you’ll have to steep your e-liquids:
- When you want a better taste: Ask anyone who has been vaping for a long time; they’ll tell you that steeping e-liquid is the best way to perfect it. No matter the flavor or concentration of nicotine, a steeped e-liquid always tastes better.
- When the e-juice is fresh: Fresh e-juices are always mildly aggressive and give off a throat burn. Most times, too, they give off an alcoholic or perfume-like scent that most vapers dislike. The best way to solve this problem is to steep the vape juice.
- When you want to mix flavors: To mix different e-liquid flavors, you have to steep. It is the only way the two flavors can blend to give a homogeneous taste and flavor. You can also combine a previously steeped liquid with a new one. This process is called seed steeping.
Steeping E-juice Vs. Breathing E-juice – Is It The Same Thing?
Steeping and breathing are two terms in the vaping world that sometimes get confused for each other. However, these two processes are entirely different, even though they both improve the vape liquid.
Steeping entails allowing the vape liquid to mix thoroughly and then mature. You can achieve this by settling the vape juice in a cool, dark place, preferably a cupboard for some time, or by other quicker steeping methods.
Breathing, on the other hand, is all about oxidation. To breathe e-juice, you take off the cap of the e-liquid bottle and allow oxygen to come in contact with the juice for a certain period. Breathing is usually done when some unwanted chemicals need to be released from the vape juice.
Here’s a summary of the differences between breathing and steeping.
| Steeping | Breathing |
| Can be done in different ways | It Is done in just one way – exposing e-juice to air |
| Requires shaking the e-liquid bottle | Doesn’t require shaking |
| Can last anywhere from a few hours to several weeks | Can only last a few hours |
| Main goal – for better mixing of chemicals | Main goal – for evaporation of chemicals |
| Heat is necessary | Heat is not necessary |
What Is Streathing?
Streathing is a combination of steeping and breathing. While steeping, it may be necessary to allow vape juice to breathe so that volatile chemicals and unwanted odors can evaporate. To breathe e-juice, you apply heat, shake the vape juice bottles, and take off the cap to breathe. Finally, you store it safely away from sunlight.
How To Steep Vape Juice? – What Are The Best Steeping Methods?
The simplest and best way to steep e-liquid is by storing it in a cool and dark place for a few weeks while shaking the bottle at regular intervals. This could be once a day or every few hours. For this method to be truly effective, the bottles must be kept away from light and sit for about two weeks.
However, there are several other preferred methods we will share on how to quickly steep e-juice. Here are some of them and their procedures.
Hot Bath Method
You need some hot water, a pan, sink, or bathtub for this method. The hot water should preferably be between 120 degrees and 150 degrees Fahrenheit. Once you have this all set, follow these procedures:
- Pour the water into the bowl or bath
- Seal up your bottles in a zip-lock bag and put them in the bath
- Allow for a few hours
- Remove the bottles when the water has cooled to room temperature
- Uncap the bottles and allow the juice to vaporize for some minutes
- Seal the bottles, shake well, and store.
If you feel the juice isn’t properly steeped, you can add some warm water after the first bathwater has cooled. However, ideally, this process shouldn’t last more than 5 hours.
Slow Cooker Method
In this method, you utilize the slow, steady heat slow cookers to steep your e-liquids. Here’s how it’s done:
- Fill the slow cooker with water.
- Put the vape liquid bottles in a zip-lock bag. Make sure to remove all the air in it.
- Set the heat from the cooker to the lowest temperature
- Place the bottles inside and leave for about 2 – 4 hours.
- Remove the bottles and uncap them to breathe.
- Seal, shake well and store for use.
This slow cooking method shouldn’t exceed 4 hours. You can also shake the bottles mid-process for better results.
Microwave Method
For this method, you only need a microwave.
- Place your e-juice bottles in the microwave.
- Turn on the microwave.
- Set the heat/temperature of the microwave to the highest.
- Remove bottles after 10 – 30 seconds
- Shake well.
- Repeat the process until the juice is well steeped.
As an alternative, you can set your microwave to the highest heat possible and allow the bottles to heat up for about 15 minutes. Afterward, you open them up to breathe, shake and use.
Hot Rice Method
You’ll need a substantial quantity of dry, uncooked rice and an oven for the hot rice method. The rice volume isn’t specific but what matters is that it should be able to submerge your vape juice bottles.
- Heat the rice in an oven but don’t let it burn.
- Remove the rice bowl and immerse your e-liquid bottles in it completely.
- Allow the rice to cool.
- Remove the bottles.
- Uncap, breathe and shake well.
You can repeat the process if you feel it needs further steeping. Remember, the rice should be hot enough to allow you to touch it for a few seconds but not hot enough to burn your hands.
Ultrasonic Cleaner Method
If you have an ultrasonic cleaner for jewelry or electronic cigarettes, you can use it to steep your vape juice. Here’s all you need to do.
- Fill up the ultrasonic cleaner with water.
- Place the vape juice bottles inside.
- Turn on the cleaner and leave for about 30 minutes.
- Put off the cleaner and remove the bottles.
- Uncap, breathe and shake well.
You can repeat the process if you’re unsatisfied with the results.
Note: To ensure that your e-liquid doesn’t get diluted or contaminated, endeavor to seal the cap tightly before starting any of these steeping methods.
How To Steep E-liquid Fast? – Which Steeping Methods Will Give You The Quickest results?
For steeping e-juice fast, the recommended methods are;
- Hot bath method.
- Ultrasonic cleaner method.
- Hot rice method.
These methods can get your vape juice well steeped in 2 hours or less.
How Long To Steep E-liquid?
Time is the most crucial factor when it comes to steeping vape juice. However, the steeping time will depend on the steeping method used. For the simple, regular method of storing vape juice in a cool and dark place, the process should last for at least two weeks.
Quicker methods like those stated above should only last a few hours. However, bear in mind that some e-juice may require you to steep for longer times depending on the freshness and the flavor.
Can you steep your e-juice for too long?
Yes. This is why you should test your e-juice after steeping for a while. Doing this will let you know whether to continue steeping or abort the process.
Does Steeping E-liquid Really Make A Difference?
Steeping e-liquid makes a difference and is everything to some vapers. Although, to others, it’s unnecessary. It all boils down to how experienced you are in vaping and the kind of juice you vape. Vape juice that has been on the store shelf for a long time has naturally steeped. Steeping these juices further won’t produce any significant results.
However, freshly-made e-liquid will show changes in flavor, taste, and sometimes color when steeped. Hence, you must know how to steep vape juice, just in case the e-juice at hand needs an upgrade.