When Your E-liquid Go Bad or Expire

Many vapers, both beginners and experienced ones tend to have quite a lot of queries regarding the various vaping aspects. One question that is often asked on multiple forums and sites related to vaping is with regards to the expiry of e-liquids. People wonder whether e-liquid expires or not. 

The common belief is that an unopened e-juice can last a lifetime and never expires. The reality is somewhat different. The truth is, all the e-juices have a shelf life and expiry dates. Using these dates, you can decipher what the suitable time by which the juice should be used is. 

The shelf life of e-liquid

When you purchase any food item, the first thing you do is check out the expiration date. This date is an estimated time by which the content does not have any guarantee about the quality anymore. The expiration date of e-liquids works on the same lines. You will find that the expiry dates of the majority of the e-liquids are set for a couple of years. 

E-liquid constitutes three vital ingredients, PG, nicotine, and VG. Each of these has a lifespan of around two years if the right conditions are maintained for storage. They begin breaking down earlier if subjected to extreme heat or direct sunlight. 

The problem owing to which the expiry of every bottle of e-liquid is variable is the breaking down of flavor. Flavors change over time, gradually becoming stale and the time taken by each flavor to complete the process varies. While some do not last more than two years, others take around 5 years to lose their taste.

Considering that these dates of expiration are merely estimated, it all comes down to your observation. You need to decide if your bottle of e-liquid has passed its shelf life or can still be used for vaping.

Incomplete information

There is no proper regulation of the electronic cigarette industry in most of the countries. Thus, often many products do not meet the uniform labeling standards. Therefore, it becomes quite difficult to determine when the product has crossed the time of being useable. You cannot be sure about the safety of the product in this case. 

No concrete studies have been done that reveal the potential danger old e-juices carry. However, it is always better to be cautious than regret later. So how should you decide whether the e-juice bottle can be used safely or not?

It is usually estimated that the ingredients of e-juice including the nicotine, VG, and PG should retain their usefulness for approximately two years. Food flavorings are also used in the e-juice that can be expected to reduce the shelf life of the product even more. Many manufacturers recommend that it is unwise to use any product that is older for more than one year. However, there are no scientific studies that would substantiate this theory.

The effects of nicotine

A noteworthy fact is that the e-liquids that do not comprise of nicotine last longer as compared to those that have the ingredient. Nicotine also has an expiration date. Thus, when this ingredient is eliminated from the e-juice, the expiration date depends on VG, PG, and the flavors.

The breakdown of e-liquids containing nicotine implies that nicotine loses its effectiveness by the time you use the juice for vaping. For instance, if you take 6mg of e-liquid, you might not get a hit of more than 3mg. For many, this is not acceptable at all since they are looking for a greater hit and effect.

The longevity of vape juice

If you are wondering how long vape juice lasts, the answer depends on the brand you use and the flavors of the e-liquid. Usually, the duration is a couple of years since all the main ingredients of e-juice including the Propylene Glycol, nicotine and vegetable glycol all have a shelf life of up to two years. 

Keep in mind that there is a chance that your vape juice will go bad well before it reaches its expiry date. This can be owing to some external factors that influence the mix.

How to store the e-liquid

A dark and cold place that is not exposed to direct sunlight is an ideal area for storing e-liquid. Direct exposure to sunlight leads to heating up of the liquid, causing its breakdown. Therefore, liquids should not be kept in the car or sills of window since the e-juice will then expire rapidly. One highly reliable sign of e-liquid going bad is the change in its color.

It is usually seen that the liquid acquires a yellowish color that darkens with time. This issue can be dealt with by opting for e-juices stored in bottles with dark colors. Ensure that the containers are tightly sealed and placed inside a cabinet when not in use.

How should one manage their liquid?

Usually, the common problem with vapers owing to which they face the issue of e-liquid expiring is that they purchase a large quantity within a short span. This can be because bulk purchases cost less. However, while this might lower down your vaping costs, overall expenses are increased owing to spoilage of the juice.

If you frequently end up with spoiled e-liquid that you are unable to use, perhaps you should consider making some adjustments in how you purchase the product.

Dealing with expired e-juice

If a couple of your bottles of e-juice have expired or spoiled, it is essential that you get rid of it safely and responsibly. Several methods can be used for the purpose.

The first thing you should keep in mind is that e-liquid should not be dumped down the drain without being subjected to dilution. Failure to do so will lead to the accumulation of nicotine of e-juice in the pipeline.

There have been suggestions that it is a good idea to pour the liquid in the bag of cat litter. The liquid will be absorbed by the cat litter, preventing any chances of the animals being harmed if they find their way to your garbage. The liquid can also be soaked using coffee grounds.

An alternate option is available for those interesting in gardening. You can use a spray can for dumping the e-liquid, filling the bottle with water. Nicotine is disliked by rodents and insects that harm plants. You can thus use the solution to keep the pests away by spraying it on the plants.

While there are no reports that suggest that vaping an e-juice past its expiration date can be harmful to health, there are chances of it losing its flavor or leaving behind a bad aftertaste. Thus, you might end up wasting your time vaping the stuff. Unless you have no other option and have reached the heights of desperation, it would be a good idea to get rid of the bottle and commence vaping with a new one.

If you often end up with expired e-liquid bottles, maybe you should buy a lesser quantity of the juice. Keep in mind that for better taste, fresh bottles work best.

Preventing the e-juice from spoiling early

It is not just time that leads to problems in the preservation of e-juice. High temperature and light also affect the e-juices used by the e-cigarettes. This is the primary reason that many manufacturers offer juice in dark or tinted bottles. As per their recommendation, a cold environment works best for the storage of the e-juices.

Nicotine can react with other components of e-juice in the exposure of heat and light. Prolonged exposure can lead to shortening of the lifespan of the e-liquid.

Therefore, it is recommended by all the experts that e-juices are stored in refrigerators or coolers that protect them from heat and light. You can also store them in drawers or cupboards where they will not be exposed to light. It would be most suitable if the cabinet or drawer is in the room that is coolest in the house. Some people prefer storing their e-juice in cabinets since they feel that refrigeration leads to alterations in the taste of the e-liquid.

The packaging of the liquid should be maintained. Oxidation can be a problem which hampers with the levels of nicotine in the juice. Excess exposure to oxygen leads to the nicotine strength present in e-liquid decrease significantly.

The signs to look for

There are sure warning signs that should alert you that your e-juice is nearing its expiration or is getting spoiled. If any of these signs are detected, it would be best not to use the juice for vaping.

  • Odors

This is the most obvious sign of the spoilage of e-liquid. If you smell a foul odor from your e-juice, consider it a clear indication that the e-juice is not fit for use. Usually, this occurs when it has been a couple of years since the e-juice has been purchased. If you think that there has been a drastic change in the smell of your e-liquid, get rid of it.

  • Thickness changes

The consistencies of different e-juices vary. However, the specific thickness of a type of e-juice remains consistent throughout. Sediments can accumulate at the bottom of the e-juice bottle if the e-juice sits for a long time. Usually, these sediments become mixed in the liquid when you shake the bottle. If this does not occur, you should consider it a sign that the liquid is no longer suitable for vaping.

  • Changes in color

Slight variations in color are often seen in e-juices. It is quite difficult to interpret the small shift in color of the juice to a bit darker shade, but drastic changes should alert you that something amiss.

A drastic color change should tell you that a significant chemical change has occurred in the juice. It is essential to ensure that you do not confuse these color changes with the subtle changes that occur over time owing to the interaction of nicotine with other ingredients or oxidation. 

These changes do not harm you or the device in any way. They are chemical reactions that can occur because of air or heat exposure and other external factors.

Final words

The point to remember is that there is a certain lifespan of every e-liquid. Furthermore, they are affected by some external factors as well. Improper handling and storage can also lead to their spoilage. 

There is no indication using expired e-juice can be harmful to health. However, the lack of research and studies cannot guarantee that it is safe to use expired products. The best option would be to remain cautious at all times. Get rid of the e-juice you think might have spoiled.

If you are looking for a profound quality of e-liquids, take a look at the delicious blends we offer online. You can also take a look at a store nearby. Enjoy your vaping!

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