The Ways of The Steeper

Most new vapers don't bother with steeping, and for quite awhile vaping can be enjoyed this way. Those who find themselves becoming more interested in perfecting taste and getting the most from every vape find that steeping adds a great new element to vaping and another means of controlling their own experience.

Simply put, steeping is the art of aging your e-liquid by waiting before vaping it. For expert steepers, it may also involve "breathing" the e-juice or applying heat to maximize the effectiveness of the steeping process. Whatever your experience level, the tips below will give you the information you need to start enhancing the flavor of your e-juice with just a little time and attention.

As we just mentioned, steeping involves a combination of stimulating your e-juice and allowing it to "rest." For anywhere from a couple of days to a couple of weeks, you'll age the juice to bring out its full flavor. That's why most vapers start by breathing the e-juice. This means giving the liquid more access to air by removing the lid. 

Before starting, take one to two minutes to shake the bottle so all the ingredients are well-mixed. After you remove the cap, set the liquid in a dark place at room temperature. Since the lid is off, be sure to place it out of the way where it won't be tipped over accidentally. 

The juice should be allowed to breathe for several hours at least. Some recommend no more than 12 hours at a time to prevent flavor and nicotine from evaporating. While it's breathing, check on it when you remember to squeeze excess air out of the bottle.

After the e-liquid is done breathing, replace the cap and allow it to sit again for another two days. Repeat this process as many times as you want for up to two weeks.

There are no clear rules about how long to steep individual e-juices, but some general guidelines have been developed to help newer vapers. Typically, fruity flavored e-juices require the shortest steeping time, followed by tobacco or earthy flavors. Rich and creamy dessert flavors should be steeped the longest. The exception tends to be premium e-juices, which may ship pre-steeped or may not need to steep at all.

For fullest flavor, most e-liquids need to steep for as much as two weeks. However, if you're impatient, you can, of course, shorten the time to your preference. Applying heat speeds up the steeping process, as well. You can apply heat by placing the e-juice bottle in a bowl of hot water or even near a heater or the vents on the back of your computer. Most recommend applying heat for no more than a few hours at a time.

As you can see, steeping and how to do it is based largely on personal preferences. Take time to experiment with your favorite juices to get the flavor you like best.