How long does e juice last

We all know when food has expired, but what about e-liquids? Can they really ‘go off’, and what happens if they do? 

Does e-Liquid expire?

Short answer: yes, e-liquids do expire. However, it takes a very long time for this to happen.

E-liquids degrade slowly over time, so it’s not like they’ll suddenly turn ‘bad’ on the exact date shown on the label. Rather, this best before date indicates when the degradation of the juice is likely to start. 

Most e-liquids have a shelf-life of around 2 years from the manufacturing date. This does vary slightly depending on the formulation used, though. For example, nic salt e-liquids degrade slower than freebase nicotine e-liquids. Plus, fruity flavours degrade quicker than more complex flavours, like desserts.

The way you store your e-liquid can also affect how quickly it degrades. If you keep your e-liquids closed in a cool, dry, dark place, they will probably last a pretty long time. Alternatively, if you store them in a warm, damp, or bright place, or the lid has been left off for a while, then the juice is far more likely to be past its best.

What happens when e-liquids expire?

When e-liquids expire, it’s mainly the degradation of the flavourings and nicotine that have an impact – not so much the propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin.

This means you may see the following changes in your e-juice:

  • Flavour – As the flavours break down, your e-liquid may begin to taste different from how it’s supposed to, or of nothing at all.
  • Smell - Similarly to flavour, the smell of your vape juice may change or disappear altogether.
  • Colour - Due to oxidation, the e-liquid is likely to become darker in colour.
  • Strength - Oxidation will also cause the nicotine to become weaker, especially if it’s freebase nicotine.
  • Thickness - The vape liquid may become thicker or thinner, depending on the formulation used.
  • Separation - Lastly, the ingredients in the e-juice may begin to separate. You might be able to see the thicker, heavier ingredients settling at the bottom of the bottle - and, unfortunately, a shake of the bottle won’t solve this.

Is It safe to use expired e-liquids?

As we explained above, when e-liquids start degrading over time, they will likely begin to change in flavour, scent, colour, thickness, etc.

However, this doesn’t necessarily mean the vape juice has become unsafe to use. None of the ingredients in e-liquid will suddenly turn toxic over time.

Despite this, we would still recommend that you avoid using your e-liquid if you are starting to see the changes listed above. Not only will it be fairly unpleasant to use an e-liquid when the flavour, thickness, and strength has changed, but there is also a lack of research into the effects of continuously using very expired e-liquid.

If your e-juice has passed the best before date on the label, but you can’t see any of these signs of degradation, then it will be safe to use.

How to store e-liquids

Remember to store your e-liquids in a cool, dry, dark place and keep them closed until you need them. This will help to preserve their life for as long as possible. 

A popular question that many people ask about vape juice is how long it lasts. As vape juice does contain a series of food-based ingredients that will expire, it is important to consider that vape juice does have a set expiry date. The shelf life of any e-juice will depend on the type of ingredients that can be found inside. It's important to never consider using a vape juice if the ingredients seem to have:

  • Changed the smell of the vape juice
  • Changed the thickness or density of the liquid when compared to average vape juice
  • or massively changed the color when compared to other e juices.

All vape juice needs to be properly stored in a cool and dark place. When exposed to light or too much heat, the food safe materials inside can turn and expire.

The short answer on the overall expiry is that most Vape juice does have a shelf life of around 2 years when it can be stored correctly. The question of how long does vape juice last really comes down to the way it is stored and the ingredients inside.

Can you vape expired e-liquid?

Most vape juice will have a printed expiration date to help you see the day that it expires. When you decide to vape after the expiration date you can run the risk that the e liquid could be too dangerous to vape. The date is often considered to be a recommendation but it often dictates the number of turning points for the liquid such as:

  • A loss in flavor
  • A loss in nicotine
  • A discoloration
  • A lack of vapor
  • And more.

If you are using vape juice to quit smoking an expired vape juice may not serve the purpose you are looking for as it will be so down on its nicotine content it will not be effective. The food safe ingredients may not cause you any health effects but the overall quality of the vapor and flavor will be at a loss.

How to store Vape juice:

1 Storing Vape juice can be done easily by following a few tips:

  • 2 Store them in a cool place
  • 3 Store them in a darker place
  • 4 Make sure they are not exposed to liquids
  • 5 Make sure they remain adequately sealed and use up vape juice you open before opening others.

How long does vape juice last after it is opened?

Once Vape juice has been opened it can still last two years from its manufacture date. As long as the bottle remains properly sealed with a or stored in your vaporizer sealed, you can make sure that it will enjoy the same expiry date. Just make sure that you are able to reseal vape juice as soon as it's opened to prevent the chance it could be exposed to outside elements.

How long can a bottle of eliquid last when vaping?

The time that vape juice lasts really comes down to how much you vape. A larger bottle often last longer and depending on the amount of heat that you are using with a vaporizer, you can conserve ejuice too. If you are going to be vaping at a high temperature regularly, you could easily go through 60 mL a week. Vaping between 50 to 100 W with an average amount of vaping could have you at about 30 mL of juice every week.

Conclusion:

When you are choosing an eliquid, it is important to decide how much you might actually be vaping on a week to week basis. Getting the ideal amount of e liquid for vaping each time can make sure you are always getting the freshest flavors. Keep in mind that the expiry date on any type of vape juice is really a direct reflection of the flavors that you will get out of the juice.

With proper storage the average vape juice can last for two years without issue. Making sure that the cap is sealed and the product can be kept in a cool, dry, dark place when not in use is crucial. By being mindful of expiry dates and working to store your vape juice well, you can make sure that the e-juice you are using has the best flavors possible.

Is 2 year old vape juice still good?

There is an expiration date on e-liquid, and it isn't just for show. Although both propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerin (VG) is responsible for the 1-2-year expiration date for vape juice, the majority of the changes in vape liquid are caused by nicotine oxidation and flavoring deterioration.

How long is juice good in a vape?

After the e-liquid has been manufactured it has a shelf life of around two years. This date might be shorter if the bottle of e-liquid is opened, not stored correctly, or depending on the type of vape juice.

How long does opened vape juice last?

Any e-liquid changes its color due to oxidation which is the usual chemical reaction. It is a natural chemical reaction that does not change the overall taste or evaporation experience. The shelf life of e-juice is about one to two years.

How long can vape juice sit in tank?

You should realistically not leave the juice for more than 5 days. At this point, it will usually have been too long and start to taste awful. If you leave a tank un-vaped for too long, the coil floods and starts to leak.