Does E-Liquid Oxidation Really Work?
If you have been vaping for a while, you might’ve heard vapers talking about steeping their e-liquids. Technically referred to as “oxidation”, the steeping process involves exposing an e-liquid to oxygen to improve its flavor. Countless vapers swear by this simple process, claiming that it makes an enormous difference. If you're interested in steeping your e-juice to enjoy a richer, fuller flavor, read on to find out how to do this.
What is Oxidation?
Oxidation is the term for the process of allowing oxygen to mix with the molecules that are in your e-juice. Your juice consists of vegetable glycerin, propylene glycol, flavoring extracts and nicotine. All these components consist of tiny molecules that each interact with oxygen in a different way.
When liquid is exposed to oxygen for a relatively long period of time, the oxygen molecules bind with the molecules that are in your juice. The oxygen molecules break down the molecules that are in your batch over time.
The oxidation process results in a richer flavor that's more concentrated. This has to do with the fact that the oxygen molecules first break down any molecules that don't require enormous energy. The process is fairly like reducing a sauce in a pan.
Besides concentrating the flavor of your e-liquid, this process also eliminates any flavors that come from alcohol or the bottle in which the liquid is stored. Also, because of how oxygen interacts with nicotine, many vapers believe that a juice that has been properly steeped provides a stronger, more satisfying hit to the throat.
How to Steep Your E-Juice
The most popular method of steeping requires some patience. For this method, the labels of the bottles are removed, and the bottles are placed in a cool and dark place for anywhere from ten to fourteen days. Once each day, the bottles are shaken. Once every couple of days, the caps of the bottles are removed for an hour or two.
If you don't want to wait several days to enjoy your new batch, you can use the bath method. First, fill a basin or wide bowl with warm water. Then, place your juice bottles inside of a plastic resealable bag. Place this bag into the basin or bowl. Once the water has gone down to room temperature, take out the bottles, give them a shake and enjoy.
The Process Really is Simple
It's hard to deny the fact that oxidation has its benefits. If you're willing to take the time to steep your e-liquid bottles, you'll find that it's worth it. This simple process can give you an incredibly rich, balanced flavor.
Tags: e-liquids, e-juices, vape juices, oxidation, steeping, methods, vaping, tips