​Does Vape Juice Expire? Is It Safe Without Doubt?

Have you ever experienced a moment when you open a drawer you haven't touched for a long time and accidentally find a dusty bottle of vape juice with a faded label and a blurred date?

Faced with this mysterious bottle of liquid, you can't help but wonder: is it still usable?

This scenario is more common than we think, as the shelf life and safety of vape juice use are often overlooked.

In this article, we'll take an in-depth look at the shelf life of vape juice, signs of expiration, proper storage methods, and when to stop using aging vape juice.

Stay tuned as we unravel the mystery of the shelf life of VG, PG, nicotine, and flavors.

What Is Vape Juice?

The terms e-liquid and vape juice are often used interchangeably, but there can be subtle differences between them, the main difference being the presence or absence of nicotine.

E-liquids generally contain nicotine, while vape juices are nicotine-free.

Vape juice is a liquid in a vape that is heated to produce vapor inhaled into the lungs.

What Is In Vape Juice?

Before we can determine how long vape juice lasts, it helps to understand what’s in the bottle.

Your typical e-liquid contains four main ingredients:

Vegetable Glycerin (VG)

VG is a non-toxic, colorless liquid that has no odor but has a sweet taste.

Due to the viscous properties of VG, vape juice with a high VG ratio delivers a richer and longer-lasting taste, and you can experience the flavor of the vape better.

If you're new to vape, start by trying vape juice with a high VG ratio for a milder, more pleasurable inhalation experience.

Propylene Glycol (PG)

PG produces less vapor than VG due to its lower viscosity, which allows vape juice with a high PG ratio to provide a tighter inhalation.

PG in vape juice also helps to deliver nicotine and flavorings more effectively, which can enhance the overall smoking experience.

For users who are looking for something closer to a traditional smoking experience, or who are not particular about the amount of vapor, a high-PG vape juice may be a more suitable choice.

Flavor Concentrates

Flavorings make each vape unique. There are thousands of flavored vapes on the market to choose from.

Nicotine

Optional. Nicotine affects shelf life.

So those are the basic building blocks of e-juice.

The ingredients are combined and mixed into an array of delicious flavors, sometimes with added distilled water to adjust thickness.

Also read: How Much Nicotine is in a Vape?

Does Vape Juice Expire?

Yes. Usually, the shelf life of a vape is two years.

Vape juice manufacturers will provide a shelf life or best-before date to emphasize the best of their product.

While it is still feasible to use expired vape juice, its flavor may deteriorate.

How Long Does Vape Juice Last Sealed Vs. After Opening?

The shelf life of vape juice starts counting down when you open the bottle.

The shelf life will vary depending on the type of vape juice, whether it contains nicotine, and whether the vape juice is sealed.

E-liquid Type	Sealed	Opened
Nicotine-free vape juice	1-2 year	3-6 months
Nicotine salts	6 months to 1 year	3-6 months
Freebase vape juice with nicotine	1-2 years	6-12 months

How To Tell if Your Vape Juice Is Expired?

It is very important to trust your instincts. After vaping a vape, if you feel any discomfort, this could be a sign.

An indication that your vape juice has gone bad or is no longer fit for use.

Darkening Color

If your vape juice goes from a bright color to a muddy brown, that's a red flag.

Oxidization causes e-liquid to darken over time.

Separation

Fresh vape juice should have an even consistency.

If the liquid separates, in most cases, a good shake will cause all the ingredients to mix again.

However, if the ingredients are still not fully mixed after several shakes, your vape juice is no longer fit for purpose.

New Flavor

A harsh, bitter, chemical, or peppery taste indicates that the nicotine has oxidized. Throw it away.

Less Smoke

When you exhale, the smoke will be noticeably thinner and the aroma lighter.

Can You Vape Out-Of-Date Vape Juice?

While there is no conclusive evidence that vaping expired vape juice can cause harm, it is always wise to be vigilant as a vaper.

When vape juice exceeds its shelf life, changes in taste, odor, and nicotine content may occur, which can make for a less-than-pleasant experience.

Keep in mind that the shelf life is a guideline for when a manufacturer cannot guarantee the quality of the product, it is not a legally binding date beyond which vape juice becomes unsafe.

Although we don't advise vaping vape juice past its expiry date, there is no current evidence that it is dangerous to do so, however, the flavor and vapor production may be reduced, when compared to fresh vape juice.

While expired vape juice may not pose an immediate risk, it is recommended that it be used within the shelf life of the vape juice to ensure optimal flavor and safety.

Why Does Vape Juice Turn Brown?

There are several reasons why vape juice may be browner or darker in color than when you originally purchased it.

Oxidization

When the nicotine in vape juice meets oxygen molecules, it creates a chemical reaction that causes the nicotine to break down and a visible color change.

Higher levels of nicotine mean that more of the substance interacts with oxygen, leading towards faster and more visible oxidation.

Frequent shaking of the bottle may cause more air to mix into the liquid, increasing the nicotine's exposure to oxygen and thus accelerating the color change.

Ultraviolet Rays

UV rays from sunlight not only accelerate the oxidation process of nicotine but may also convert it into less potent substances, affecting the color and the smoking experience.

Temperature

Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can break down the ingredients in vape juice, which contains vegetable glycerin VG, which turns into a completely different substance when heated above 554 degrees Fahrenheit.

Sweeteners and Flavorings

Because vape juices are made differently, they may contain different levels of artificial sweeteners and sugars.

When you heat the coil to vaporize the vape juice, these sweeteners or sugars will start to caramelize and stick to the coil and cotton.

After using the same coil to vape your vape for a while, the coil will turn darker and stickier and begin to soak into the vape juice, making the overall color darker.

If a color change or other anomalies are observed, consider replacing the vape juice with a new one and make sure to follow proper storage and usage guidelines to maintain optimal quality and vaping experience.

Also, ensure that the vape is cleaned and maintained to minimize the effects of caramelization and carbonation.

How To Correctly Store Vape Juice？

Proper storage of vape juice is essential to maintain its quality and safety.

Choosing a Storage Area

The area you choose to store your vape juice must be a dark place and should be dry and cool.

If you have a basement in your home, then store your vape juice there as it is the coolest place in your home.

Room Temperature Storage

You may have thought of storing your vape juice in the refrigerator for a longer period because the refrigerator can keep the vape juice cold.

However, PG and VG have different freezing temperatures, which may cause the ingredients to separate faster.

We recommend storing vape juice at room temperature.

After using at room temperature, shake well before use; this will ensure that the VG and PG are mixed.

Storage Location

Store vape juice in an unused cabinet or drawer on a shelf.

This usually solves the problem.

Be careful to keep it out of reach of children and pets as well; this can be a big problem if they use vape juice.

Use Colored Bottles

Using colored e-cigarette oil bottles is beneficial because they protect against light and heat.

Investing in these bottles is a good idea and they are relatively cheap.

Plastic vs. Glass Bottles

Plastic bottles are great for short-term storage, while glass bottles are good for long-term use.

Glass containers are perfect for long-term storage of e-cigarette liquids.

By following these storage guidelines, you can ensure that your vape juice maintains its optimal quality and provides a better vaping experience while reducing health risks.

How To Dispose Of Expired Vape Juice?

Please do not discard vape juice directly as it can be harmful to the environment and wildlife.

Vape juice bottles should be recycled in your household waste, however, be sure to clean out any remaining vape juice before recycling.

If you have a considerable amount of vape juice you wish to dispose of, we'd first advise checking with any friends or family who might vape and want it from you.

If not, you can pour older unwanted vape juice into an absorbent material, such as sawdust, wood chippings, or cat litter.

Once soaked, place this into your normal waste as unfortunately, this part is non-recyclable.