Does Vape Juice Expire: Tips To Preserve Your Vape Juices
Literally, everything consumable has a shelf life, so you should consume them before they expire. However, most consumables can be preserved to make them stay for a long time before they get spoilt. Okay, enough of all that, let’s get straight to the topic of today –does vape juice expire? Well, vape juices have a shelf life and you’re expected to finish them before the time. But then, there’s more to know.
Shelf Life of Vape Juices
Most vape juices come with an expiration date printed on the device packaging, typically, the expiration dates range from one to two years from the manufacturing date, this is the shelf life of most vape users. It is expected that vapers consume the juices completely within this timeframe to ensure optimal flavor and taste delivery, nicotine potency, and overall quality.
Factors Affecting Vape Juice Expiration
Notwithstanding the 1 – 2 years expiration timeframe, the actual shelf life of a vape juice depends largely on different factors, of which the ingredients used in the juice production are the main culprit. Here are some of the factors that affect vape juice lifespans.
1. Ingredients Used
Vape juices are made with several ingredients to make them taste the way they do. Also, they may include flavors for scenting. Here’s how vape juice ingredients affect the shelf life.
- Propylene Glycol (PG): Vape juices that contain this ingredient tend to have a longer shelf life, as PG is less prone to degradation.
- Vegetable Glycerin (VG): Similar to PG, juices with the VG ingredient tend to last around 1-2 years when stored correctly.
- Flavorings: Flavored juices have a short shelf life as they typically comprise of many volatile components that degrade easily.
2. Exposure to Light
Direct and constant exposure to sunlight or UV rays can break down the components in vape juices, especially nicotine and flavorings. This can lead to a noticeable change in the color and taste of the juice. Hence, it is advisable to store your e-liquids in cool, dry places, and do not vape too long while standing under the sun –maybe while at the beach.
3. Air Exposure
Similar to sunlight rays, oxygen can oxidize nicotine and alter the flavor profile of vape juices. This is why you should always ensure to tightly cover the juice bottle to minimize air exposure. If an e-liquid reservoir is broken, pour the liquid into another container and discard the broken one.
Signs That Vape Juice Has Gone Bad
Well, somehow, you are gonna know your e-liquid has gone bad –the awful taste always sells it out. Vaping an expired vape juice will, for sure, ruin your vaping experience. So, here are some telltale signs that your e-liquid has expired.
- Color Change: A darkened or murky appearance indicates oxidation or ingredient degradation.
- Altered Scent: A sour, metallic, or off-putting smell that’s different from what you used to taste or perceive.
- Separated Ingredients: If you shake the bottle and can find unsettled particles inside the liquid, it’s possible that the ingredients have degraded and dancing around.
- Awful Flavor Taste: Now, this is usually the deal breaker. A dull or strange taste often points to degraded flavorings.
How to Store Vape Juice Properly
Proper storage is key to extending the shelf life of your vape juices and flavored e-liquids. These tips would come in handy.
- Store in a cool, dry place. Keep your vape juice away from direct sunlight and heat sources. A cupboard or drawer would be cool.
- Use glass bottles to store the liquids. If yours comes in plastic bottles, consider transferring them to amber glass bottles. Glass prevents leaching and protects the contents from UV light.
- Make sure the reservoir is airtight.
- Don’t refrigerate your juices to freezing point
Is It Safe to Use Expired Vape Juice?
Using expired vape juice is generally not recommended. While it may not be out rightly harmful to vape them, expired e-liquid can disrupt your vaping experience and might expose you to health risks associated with consuming degraded chemicals –even though the chemicals were edible. If you’re unsure about the quality of an old vape juice and can’t ascertain the expiration date, it’s best to discard it and get a new one.
Conclusion
Put simply, yes, vape juice does expire; it’d even degrade faster before the expiration date, if not stored correctly. If you don’t vape consistently, it’s important not to buy juices and store them in bulk, so they don’t expire on you. You can always shop them at any time on Eightvape, at discounted prices.