Theo Nash
Alcohol is commonly used as an extraction agent in many flavors. However, removing alcohol from e-juice flavoring is possible. One method is to let the juice sit uncapped for about 24 hours, allowing the alcohol to evaporate. This method may also cause the evaporation of some flavor particles. Another method involves steeping the juice for a day or two, though it is unclear how effective this is at removing alcohol. Alternatively, a vacuum oven can be used to evaporate the alcohol, though this equipment is expensive.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Alcohol removal method | Evaporation |
| Time taken for alcohol to evaporate | 24 hours |
| Alcohol substitute | Food-grade vegetable glycerin |
| Alcohol substitute ratio | 3:1 glycerin to water |
| Alcohol substitute consistency | Syrupy |
| Alcohol substitute taste | Sweet |
| Alcohol substitute storage | Brown bottle |
| Alcohol burn-off | During the baking/cooking process |
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What You'll Learn
Let the e-juice air for 24 hours
E-juice is sensitive to heat, light, and air, with heat being the biggest threat to its longevity and shelf life. Heat can alter the chemical composition of e-juice by energizing the molecules, allowing them to break down and interact with the flavour compounds. This can degrade the e-juice within a matter of hours.
Leaving e-juice to air for 24 hours can help to remove any unwanted alcohol or perfume taste. This is because some e-juice flavourings are designed for food and contain alcohol, which usually evaporates during the baking process but will remain in e-juice unless given the opportunity to evaporate.
There are conflicting opinions on whether e-juice should be left to air. Some people recommend steeping e-juice overnight with the cap off, while others believe that leaving the liquid exposed for too long will cause the flavour to escape. One user reported that the e-juice that was left to air tasted better than the one that was not.
If you choose to let your e-juice air, it is recommended to place it in a cool, dark place, such as a drawer, and to recap it after 6-8 hours. It is also suggested to repeat this process every day or two, shaking the bottle each time before airing it again.
It is worth noting that the effects of light and air take longer to be noticeable and have less impact on taste compared to heat. However, oxygen in the air oxidizes nicotine to produce cotinine, and light from the sun provides energy for this chemical process. Therefore, the more this reaction occurs, the lower the concentration of nicotine in your e-juice.
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Use steeping to remove alcohol
Steeping is a commonly used technique in the vaping community to enhance the flavour of e-juice. It is a process that involves soaking the vape juice in a water-based or other liquid solution to extract its flavour or soften it.
To steep your e-juice, start by drying the bottle and giving it a good shake. Remove the cap and, if it has one, the nozzle for filling your vape. Place the open bottle upright in a dark place, such as a cupboard or drawer, and leave it for around two hours. You can then either replace the nozzle and cap and leave it to continue steeping or start using the e-juice.
It is important to keep the bottle upright to avoid leaks and to keep it away from natural sunlight. You can speed up the steeping process by occasionally agitating the container and removing and shaking the bottle.
For some e-juices that contain alcohol, it is necessary to breathe the mixture before vaping. This involves taking the cap off the bottle and leaving the e-juice in the air for a few hours, which will speed up alcohol evaporation and result in a smoother vape with more mellow and distinct flavours. Most vapers breathe their e-liquid for 2-3 hours, but it should not exceed 12 hours.
The amount of time you should leave your e-liquid to steep depends on the flavour. Fruit-based flavours often need less steeping time (48-72 hours) than tobacco or creamy flavours (two to three weeks).
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Substitute alcohol with vegetable glycerine
Vegetable glycerine, also known as glycerol, is an effective alternative to alcohol for extracting and preserving herbal constituents. It is a clear, colourless, odourless liquid with a viscous consistency and a pleasing sweetness, making it a good base for botanical flavours. It is often used to make tinctures, known as glycerites, which are ideal for children, animals, and adults who prefer not to consume alcohol.
To make a glycerite, fill a clean jar with chopped fresh plant material or ground dried plant material. For fresh plants, add enough glycerine to cover the plant material and fill the jar within one inch of the top. For dried plants, a mixture of glycerine and water is necessary to rehydrate the plants and loosen up the botanical matter. The general recommendation is to use 75% glycerine and 25% water for preservation. The jar should then be capped and left to macerate for 4-6 weeks in a dark location at room temperature, shaking the bottle occasionally to mix.
Glycerine is not as effective as alcohol at drawing constituents out of the cell structure of dried plants, but it excels at preserving the fresh plant juices. It is particularly suitable for fresh flowers and aromatic plants such as lavender, lemon balm, mint, chamomile, violet, and rose.
When substituting alcohol with vegetable glycerine, it is important to note that glycerine is not antimicrobial in the same way that alcohol is. Therefore, it may not be suitable for ingredients with high moisture content, such as citrus peels, as they could serve as incubators for undesired bacteria. Additionally, glycerine takes longer to infuse than alcohol and may not provide the same flavour profiles.
It is also worth mentioning that while the Food and Drug Administration considers vegetable glycerine to be generally safe for human consumption, it is a form of manufactured sugar alcohol that our bodies cannot fully absorb. Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal discomfort, headaches, or dizziness when consuming glycerine.
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Use propylene glycol
Propylene glycol (PG) is a synthetic food additive that is recognized by the FDA as safe for human consumption. It is a clear, slightly syrupy solvent with a bitter and slightly sweet taste. It is also nearly flavourless.
Propylene glycol is often used as a substitute for alcohol in e-juices. It is one of the main ingredients in e-cigarette juice, along with vegetable glycerin. It is commonly used as an additive to aid in the processing of foods and improve their texture, flavour, appearance, and shelf life. It can act as an emulsifier, preventing food ingredients from separating, and as a moisture preserver, helping foods maintain a stable level of moisture and stop them from drying out. It can also act as a carrier, dissolving other food additives or nutrients used in processing, such as colours, flavours, or antioxidants.
When making your own e-juice, you can use propylene glycol as a base and mix it with vegetable glycerin. The typical ratio is 60% vegetable glycerin and 40% propylene glycol. However, you can adjust the ratio to suit your preferences. For example, you can use a 70/30 VG/PG ratio, adding 7ml of VG to 3ml of PG. You can then add your chosen flavouring to the mixture. It is important to note that the flavourings should be concentrated and food-grade.
After mixing your ingredients, you can then pour the extract into a glass bottle and store it in a cool, dark place until ready to use. Amber glass bottles are best as they don't let UV light in. It is also important to sterilize all utensils used in the process and to use measuring equipment to ensure accurate measurements.
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Use a vacuum oven
A vacuum oven can be used to evaporate alcohol from a tincture. This method is particularly useful when creating cannabis extracts, as it ensures the alcohol residue is removed. However, vacuum ovens are considered "heavy equipment" and can be expensive.
To use a vacuum oven, you would first need to build an airflow evaporation system. This involves mounting a fan to the bottom of a wire bookshelf and wrapping the outside with plastic wrap, leaving the bottom and front sides open. This creates an airtight flow of air through the bottom of the shelf.
Once your airflow system is set up, you can place your tincture inside and turn on the fan to increase airflow, which will help evaporate the alcohol. It is important to note that the evaporation temperature should be as low as possible to preserve the flavour of the extract.
Using a vacuum oven can be a safe and effective way to evaporate alcohol, but it may not be accessible to everyone due to the cost and size of the equipment. There are other methods available for evaporating alcohol that do not require a vacuum oven, such as using a rotary evaporator (rotovap) or a water bath.
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Frequently asked questions
Leaving the e-juice uncapped can help evaporate alcohol, but this method also removes some of the tiny flavor particles.
Steeping is a method where the alcohol evaporates from the flavoring. It is unclear how long it takes to steep out alcohol from a mixed bottle of e-juice, but some have tried steeping for a day or two.
Propylene glycol is used in most food flavorings. Another alternative is vegetable glycerin, but too much of it can cause separation.
Combine 40 ml (40% PG 60% VG) with 3 grams of kief and bring to 190-200 degrees Fahrenheit for two hours. Remove from heat and filter through a cone coffee filter.
