Buzz
Discover the key to maintaining the freshness and potency of your vape products
If you’re a vaping enthusiast, you’ve likely found an old vape bottle tucked away in a drawer and taken a puff, only to realize it tastes a little off. Does that mean it’s expired? Can vape juice actually go bad? And if you’ve used expired vape juice, should you be worried about your health? Keep reading for answers to all these questions and more.
Can vape juice lose its quality over time?
Absolutely, vape juice can go bad. Typically, vape juice with nicotine lasts about a year, while nicotine-free juice can last up to two years. Once opened, vape juice lasts around 3-6 months, whereas sealed bottles have a shelf life of 6-12 months. Expired vape juice may show signs like ingredient separation, color changes, or a strange taste.
Steps to Take
Can vape juice go bad?
Yes, vape juice does expire and generally has a shelf life of 1-2 years. The ingredients in vape juice degrade over time, causing it to eventually go bad. If the juice contains nicotine, it usually lasts about 1 year when sealed. For nicotine-free juices, the shelf life can be up to 2 years when unopened. Once opened, nicotine-containing vape juices are good for 3-6 months, while nicotine-free versions last between 6-12 months.
- Manufacturers label a “best by” date on the packaging, but this is more of a flavor and satisfaction guideline than a safety warning.
- If you purchase vape juice in bulk, keep an eye on the expiration dates to avoid using expired product.
How to Spot Expired Vape Juice
Discoloration After prolonged exposure to air, the color of your vape juice may start to darken, changing to yellow or brown depending on its ingredients. E-liquids made with nicotine, propylene glycol, synthetic flavors, and other chemicals tend to darken over time due to oxidation. Juices with higher nicotine content darken quicker. The juice may also darken if it’s frequently exposed to light, heat, or air.
Ingredient Separation Vape juice is typically made with four key ingredients: propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and flavorings. PG and VG are the most stable and have the longest shelf life. However, nicotine and flavor compounds degrade over time, causing them to separate. If the juice becomes thicker, cloudy, or the ingredients start separating, it's a sign that it’s no longer in its best vaping condition.
Unusual taste An “off” taste doesn’t necessarily mean the juice is bad, but rather that it has changed from its original flavor. It might taste sweeter, more odd, less intense, or even have no flavor at all, which suggests the flavoring has faded. A shift in smell is another indicator that your vape juice has passed its prime. While vape juice isn’t typically known for its scent, it does have a distinctive aroma when it’s fresh. If the smell has changed or seems unfamiliar, it could be a sign of expiration.
- Some vapers like to let their e-liquids steep for a while before using them, allowing the flavor to mellow. This process is called e-liquid steeping.
Is it safe to vape expired juice?
It’s best to avoid vaping expired juice, as the ingredients degrade over time. While vaping expired juice won’t harm you immediately, it’s not recommended. As the e-liquid ages, the flavor, quality, and nicotine concentration can change. The chemicals lose their stability, which affects the vaping experience. Additionally, expired vape juice can damage your vape pen by altering the juice's viscosity and causing residue buildup.
Don’t use expired disposable vapes for the same reasons. Even though disposable vapes may seem convenient, they have the same expiration issues as rechargeable ones. The e-liquid in disposable vapes expires just as quickly under similar conditions.
- Though disposable vape batteries lose charge over time, this process takes a while and will happen long after the juice has gone bad.
What’s in vape juice?
Vape juice typically consists of four key ingredients. These are propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerin (VG), nicotine, and flavorings. Propylene Glycol is a synthetic chemical often used as an additive in food. It provides a “throat hit” similar to smoking tobacco, and enhances the flavor. Vegetable Glycerin, a natural oil-based compound, is used to produce vapor and ensure a smooth inhale and exhale. Various flavorings like bubblegum or fruit candy are added for taste. While the FDA deems these ingredients generally safe, nicotine is an exception—it’s a toxic, addictive substance.
- Note that even nicotine-free vapes often contain trace amounts of nicotine. Also, used vapes can release carcinogens and other harmful chemicals.
- Additionally, consider the balance between PG and VG in your e-liquid.
- If there’s too much PG, the hit will be harsh and rough on the throat. Too little PG might not provide the tobacco-like sensation you're looking for.
- VG produces more vapor and offers a smoother hit, so if you prefer more vapor, look for a juice with a higher VG ratio.
How to Store Vape Juice Correctly
Limit exposure to heat, light, and air. While air causes vape juice to oxidize, heat and light speed up this process, breaking down the ingredients more quickly. To slow this down, store your vape juice in a cool, dark place, ideally at room temperature. Though oxidation can’t be completely prevented, keeping your vape juice tucked away in a high cabinet, far from the stove or oven, and out of direct light will help maintain its quality longer.
Always keep your vape juice tightly sealed. As long as your vape juice remains sealed, it can last up to a year, depending on the ingredients. However, once opened, the shelf life is reduced to about 6 months. By keeping it sealed, no oxygen will get in, ensuring that the only air present is what was originally in the bottle when it was packaged.
Consider refrigerating your vape juice. If you don’t have children around, keeping your vape juice in the fridge can help. The cold temperature and lack of light will slow oxidation and ingredient degradation, preserving freshness. This method allows you to store your juice for a longer period without noticing significant changes in its flavor or quality.
How to Safely Dispose of Expired Vape Juice
Don’t discard it in the trash or down the drain. Some people believe that pouring e-liquid down the drain or into the trash can harm the water supply and enter the sewage system. Since many vapes contain nicotine, a toxic substance, this could potentially lead to contamination. While it might seem overly cautious, the long-term environmental impact of vape juice in water is still unclear. For safety, it's best to dispose of expired vape juice in a more responsible manner.
Do dispose of it in kitty litter. Although it might sound unusual, kitty litter can be an effective way to safely dispose of expired vape juice, as it absorbs the toxic chemicals found in e-liquid. Pour the vape juice into the litter, let it soak in, and then throw the litter in a plastic bag, seal it, and dispose of it with your regular trash. Finally, recycle the empty glass bottle.
- If you don’t have access to kitty litter, you can also soak up the expired e-liquid with paper towels or other fabric. Just be cautious if you have pets, as they might investigate and ingest it.
