As vape devices continue to gain ever-growing popularity, the quality of vape juices is becoming increasingly important.
These flavored e-liquids enhance the vaping experience, offering diverse tastes and nicotine concentrations.
Naturally, a few questions await answers: Do vape juices expire? If so, how can you prevent this? And how long do they last?
Let's explore these questions together.
Does vape juice expire?
The short answer is yes. Every consumable vape juice has an expiration date or sell-by date printed on it. As a general rule, it's best to vape them before the e-liquid's expiry date. However, these products don't not go bad all of a sudden.
E-liquids have a shelf life of about two years from their manufacturing date. There's no known risk in using expired e-liquid, but its flavor may diminish. You can look out for signs such as poorer taste, a different smell, a darker hue, and separated ingredients.
How long does vape juice last?
There is an expiration date on e-liquid, and it isn't just for show. Although both propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) are responsible for the 1-2 year expiration date for vape juice, the majority of the changes in vape liquid are caused by nicotine oxidation and flavoring deterioration.
Here are main factors that influence the shelf life of your vape juice:
- Nicotine Content: Nicotine oxidizes and darkens when exposed to oxygen, leading to a shorter lifespan for juice containing nicotine.
- Ingredient Quality: Higher quality ingredients like VG, PG, and flavors cause longer-lasting vape juice, whereas cheaper products degrade more quickly.
- Exposure to Heat and Light: Heat and UV rays speed up chemical breakdown, so it's best to avoid leaving vape juice in hot cars or direct sunlight.
- Opening the Bottle: Once opened, exposure to air initiates the deterioration process. Oxygen and bacteria contribute to faster degradation.
- Clean Equipment: Dirty coils and tanks can introduce bacteria into your juice, reducing its shelf life.
The effects of aging differ from one liquid to the next. Older e liquids usually have less nicotine and weaker flavors.
Warning Signs Your Vape Juice May Be Expired
Vape juice is composed of a variety of ingredients that may start to separate over time. It's natural for components to separate, which is why our bottles read "Shake Well."
However, no matter how much vape liquid is shaken, it may not fully integrate if it is too old. Additionally, there may be crystallized detritus that won't dissolve with heat or mixing. Vaping the e-juice at that point would pose a risk not worth taking.
E-liquids, particularly those containing nicotine, will darken over time, which is a typical response. Nicotine undergoes oxidation, a chemical reaction with oxygen that results in a change in color. The vape liquid also darkens during this process. It's necessary to replace your vape liquid if it becomes significantly darker than it was before.
When the bottles are new, vape liquids should taste and smell wonderful. However, flavors degrade over time, resulting in changes in taste or the loss of certain components. If a vape juice no longer tastes as you remember, the flavors have deteriorated, and it's time to replace it.
The nicotine in the vape liquid will decrease over time as nicotine degrades. Expired vape juice may not only taste awful, but it may also not satisfy your nicotine needs.
Is expired vape juice harmful?
A couple of hits won't kill you, and that's how many vapers discovered something strange about their liquid in the first place. However, no research on the safety of expired vape juice has been conducted.
It's uncertain whether vaping expired e-liquid can be dangerous or what might happen if you vape a lot of it. Nicotine and flavors are the two components of vape juice that degrade the most. Thus, you're likely to be vaping something that tastes bad and doesn't meet your needs.
How To Properly Store Vape Juice
The most important part is to keep it cool and dark. The best storage options are cabinets and drawers inside your home, as they help extend the life of the liquid. Ensure the location where the liquid is kept is secure.
Consumption of e-juice by children or pets could result in serious illness. By storing e-juices in secure places, you can easily verify their contents before use. Avoid leaving e-juices outside, on window sills, or in warm, humid environments. Also, refrain from storing them in the fridge.
Storing e-juices in these locations can accelerate their decomposition. Instead, keep the juice in a dark, cool, and dry location. It's ideal to use a hermetically sealed bottle.
Why does e-liquid turn brown?
Another frequently asked question is, "Why did my vape juice turn brown?" Let's focus on some reasons.
- Nicotine Oxidation: Nicotine is sensitive to oxidation, especially when exposed to air, heat, and light. As nicotine oxidizes, it can turn brown.
- Steeping: Many vapers steep their e-liquid, which involves allowing it to sit for a period of time to enhance flavor. During steeping, chemical reactions can occur between the ingredients in the e-liquid, causing it to darken.
- Sweeteners and Flavorings: Some e-liquids contain sweeteners and flavorings that can darken over time, especially when exposed to heat or sunlight.
- Temperature: Exposure to high temperatures, whether during storage or while vaping, can accelerate oxidation, leading to a darker color.
Overall, the color change in e-liquid is a natural consequence of its chemical composition and the conditions to which it's exposed.
Disclaimer:
The information on this website gives general insights about vaping and vape products. It's important to note that this isn't medical advice. Only use it as a reference. We can't guarantee the accuracy, reliability, or health benefits of the content on our website, including blog posts, product pages, and social media.
FAQ
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