Does Vape Juice Expire or Go Bad
When Does Vape Juice Expire
Does vape juice expire or does vape juice go bad? The simple answer to these questions is that it would indeed expire eventually. However, you do not have to worry about that for quite a bit of time. The shelf life of ingredients present in vape juice is a couple of years. Ideally, all bottles should have their production date mentioned on the label. Once you know the date of production, you can gauge the shelf life of the product. The general rule followed is that the it can best be used within a year of the date of production. Proper storage can increase its life span to two years.
Various factors influence how quicker different e-liquids expire. The flavorings used in the juice is one such factor.
The established shelf life of the vital components of e-liquid, including VG, Nicotine, and PG, are approximately two years. While some manufacturers claim that their products last for a longer time, but it would be better if you consider two years to be the starting point. However, you need to remember that the quality is of immense value. It is crucial that the liquid has satisfactory quality and is stored properly for it to last for a couple of years. Low quality would get stale within a short span.
Similarly, if your e-liquid is stored at someplace where there is direct exposure of light or under extreme heat conditions, its components would start breaking down before time. Perhaps the most significant factor which makes it difficult to determine how long it would last is the breaking down of flavor with time which leads to change in taste, ultimately causing it to have a stale taste. Different flavors have a varying lifespan. While some last for five years, others can only remain optimal for a couple of years.
The vaping industry is not subjected to strict regulations at this point. Considering that the FDA is hardly focused enough on the expiry date of food items, it can scarcely be expected to keep a check on e-juice. Thus, the expiry dates the bottles carry are estimated periods by the manufacturers.
Companies which to make sure that they do not become the center of any negative attention and therefore provide the date. Think about it. If someone uses an e-juice a year after it has expired to find it terrible in terms of taste, they cannot place the blame on the manufacturers for it.
Expiry dates are estimated and thus whether you want to use an e-liquid or refrain from it is something that depends on your decision.
How Long Does E-liquid Last Once Opened
Vape juice can last for two years from the date of production even if it has been opened. The only thing that you need to make sure is that the bottle is sealed properly and is stored in a suitable place. If you reseal the bottle soon after opening it, there is little chance that outside elements would affect it. Therefore, you can use the it until the same expiry date with ease.
How to Tell If Vape Juice Is Expired
- Changed Color
Sometimes, you might notice a slight change in color of the e-liquid. This is not out of the ordinary and should not alarm you. It can still be used for vaping safely. However, if the color change is significant, you are right to be apprehensive. There is a chance that it has gone stale. Therefore, if you notice a drastic change in the color of your vape juice, it is advisable to refrain from using it and get rid of it.
The reason that e-liquid changes color is oxidation which is quite a common chemical reaction. Nicotine is highly reactive, and when it reacts with other ingredients, it can bring about a change in the color of the liquid. Exposure to light, air, and heat can also result in a color change. The taste of vaping experience is not affected by oxidation as it is a natural chemical reaction. Therefore, if the color change is slight, it can be used for vaping without any inhibitions.
- Changes in the Thickness of the Liquid
It is the quality of the brand that influences the thickness of e-juice. If the e-juice you are using has a high amount of Propylene Glycol which is something smokers opt for to get a throat hit, the texture of the juice would be more liquefied. On the other hand, if the concentration of VG or Vegetable Glycerin is high, the juice would have a thicker consistency. VG-based e-juices are ideal for those who want to try vape smoke tricks.
Residue can build up at the bottom of the bottle with time. Thus, it is advisable to shake the bottle before you use it. The residue is not something that you need to worry about. Once the bottle is shaken, the components merge together. However, if this does not happen, the juice should not be used for vaping. It has probably gone bad.
Let me provide you with a simple trick to find out if your juice has gone bad. This should be done while pouring it into the device. Irrespective of thickness, e-juice is supposed to drip from the bottle. If you do not notice it dripping, consider it a sign that the product is not best for use.
- Corrupt Smell
It is quite common to smell food items to make sure that they are eatable, and their condition is acceptable. Vape juice is no different. The smell can be used to determine whether the e-juice has gone stale. If you think that the juice does not smell as per your expectation, it is better that you dispose of it.
Can Expired Vape Juice Hurt You
To date, no studies are available to determine whether expired e-liquid is harmful to your health or not. However, it is better to be safe and pay heed to the expiration date, which is listed on the bottle.
You can think of an e-juice bottle to be similar to an old ibuprofen bottle. It is unlikely that vaping expired juice would be fatal. However, you would not get the benefits you were looking for. You might not even realize the level of nicotine that you have consumed if the product is expired.
An important point to remember is that if you are looking for a nicotine fix, old e-juice would not be of much help. This is because older e-juices offer less potent nicotine hit. The flavor fades. Thus, if you have the bottle of e-juice for a long time, you should not be surprised if it has a stale taste.
It is not the e-liquid itself which would cause harm. Considering the chemicals present in traditional cigarettes, you do not have to be worried about serious harm with it. However, it might lose its flavor and leave your mouth with an undesirable aftertaste. Indeed, you would not be able to enjoy your vaping session and would find it to be a waste of time. Therefore, unless you have some reason that cannot be ignored, using stale vape juice is a bad idea. It would be much better if you opt for a fresh bottle.
How to Store Vape Juice
You can make sure that your vape juice lasts longer via a few simple measures. For one thing, it is advisable that the bottle is stored in a dark and cool place. Direct exposure to sunlight or heat should be avoided as these elements cause the e-liquid to stale within a short span.
- Keep Away From High Temperatures And Light
If you make your own liquids, using tinted glass bottles would be a better option. This would not only prevent contamination but would also enhance shelf life. If you are purchasing e-liquid, try to opt for brands that offer the product in tinted glass bottles. These bottles make sure that the juice is not exposed to heat and light.
It is best to refrigerate your e-juice. This is because the ideal storage area for your e-liquid is a dry, dark, and cold place. If you cannot use the refrigerator for the purpose, another option is putting the juice in a box and placing it inside a drawer. Even if the juice is not stored in a refrigerator, it needs to be in a place which is dry and cool.
A lot of e-liquids come in plastic bottles which are not best suited for long-term storage. If it is to be stored for a long time, you might want to transfer it to a tinted glass bottle which is airtight.
The glass vials are not very costly and make sure that the taste of your vape juice remains intact. Keep in mind to label the juice on the new bottle, mentioning the expiration date that was given on the plastic bottle.
- Always Keep Your E-Liquids Sealed
Apart from light and heat, there is another factor which can cause your juice to go bad before its expiration date, and that is air. It is essential that you take measures to prevent exposure of air to your juice.
Cotinine is produced with the reaction of nicotine with oxygen. During this oxidation process, two hydrogen atoms are lost while one oxygen atom is gained. Thus, your liquid loses nicotine owing to it.
It is not possible to restrict the entry of oxygen into the bottle completely. However, adequate storage measures can minimize this exposure.
How Do You Dispose of Expired Vape Juice
The answer which would immediately come to mind with this question is throwing the juice in the trash. However, this can be risky. If the juice is not disposed of properly, it can be dangerous for the pets, children, and the environment. Therefore, it is not advisable to dump the e-liquid down the sink. Make sure that you dilute it before throwing it away. Let us provide you with some methods that can make things easier.
For one thing, avoid dumping it down the drain before diluting it. The nicotine would otherwise find its way to the watershed.
If you are interested in gardening, you have another option. You can pour the unused e-juice into a spray bottle and then fill up the remaining bottle with water. Rodents and plant-eating insects have an aversion to nicotine. Thus, when the solution is sprayed on the plants, it would keep the pests away from them.
Some suggest that the liquid should be poured into a bag of cat litter. The liquid would be absorbed by the cat litter and thus would not pose any harm to anyone. You can also use coffee grounds for soaking up the liquid.
If you feel that you always have to dispose of expired or spoiled e-liquid bottles, you might want to change your approach a bit. Buy smaller quantities of the vape juice. You will find that the taste is significantly better if the bottle is fresh.
Conclusion
While selecting vape juice, it is essential that you think about the frequency with which you would be vaping in a week. This will enable you to get the right amount of e-liquid, thereby ensuring that you can enjoy fresh flavors at all times. A vital factor to remember is that the expiry date present on the bottle reflects the flavors you can expect from it.
If the e-juice is stored correctly, it can last for a couple of years with ease. You need to ensure that the cap of the bottle is properly sealed and it is stored in a dry, cool, and dark area when it is not in use. If you pay heed to the expiry date and store your juice properly, you will be able to enjoy the best flavors with your vaping.
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