How Long Does Vape Juice Last?

Usage of vape juice has increased tenfold in the past five years as public sentiment shifted from conventional tobacco cigarettes to vape fluids and e-cigarettes. Because it's still a relatively nascent market, we get a lot of questions about our line of vape products. A common question is how long does vape juice last? Before we answer that, let's do a quick view of why vaping is considered better.

Why Vape?

For starters, it's safer than smoking tobacco. According to studies by the Royal College of Physicians, vaping is 95% safer than smoking. If you're trying to lower your nicotine intake, vaping is a great alternative as our juices give you full control over dosage. Plus, vaping accommodates every palette with thousands upon thousands of flavor variations available.

Does Vape Juice Expire?

Because it contains a variety of food ingredients that expire, the simple answer is: yes, vape juice has an expiration date. Knowing the shelf life of your product is important to avoid any unwanted side effects of consuming expired vape fluid. The expiration date depends on one major factor: what specific ingredients are in the juice.

Common ingredients that you'll find in vape juice include water, nicotine, and either a propylene glycol or vegetable glycerin base. Flavorings are also added for taste, which can also affect its shelf life. Currently, there are more than 7,000 flavors available including coconut, apple, cinnamon, and cherry.

There are quite a few chemicals added to manufacture the flavors, but a notable one is Diacetyl, which is what's responsible for the buttery taste in popcorn. Diacetyl is perfectly safe to consume, but inhaling it can lead to a medical condition known as obliterative bronchiolitis.

How to Properly Store Vape Fluid

Vape juice is sensitive to high temperatures. If stored in an extremely humid or cold environment, the juice loses its freshness and flavors faster. Properly stored vape juice can preserve the potency and flavor for a long time. Think of vape juice as processed food in that the expiration date signifies when the product starts to lose its quality rather than when it becomes toxic to consume.

Loss of quality happens when certain chemical compounds start to break down. The most significant one is known as nicotine oxidation. During production, vape juices are deliberately put through nicotine oxidation. The mixture of chemicals is exposed to oxygen to release the flavors before it's packaged. However, upon opening the bottle of vape juice, the molecular components are re-exposed to and agitated by the air, thus causing the product to lose its flavor.

Aside from temperature, vape juice is also highly sensitive to light. Avoid exposing it to direct sunlight, and try storing vape juice in a cool, dark corner. Leaving it inside your car or by a window, for example, can significantly deteriorate the quality of the product. Lastly, vials of vape juice should be shaken periodically so that the liquid and its components don't settle.

How Can You Tell If Vape Juice Is Expired?

The easiest way to tell if vape juice has expired is through the expiration date. If unavailable, you can also look for changes in flavor. Drastic loss in flavor and nicotine content are two common signs that your vape juice is past its expiration date. Although it is still safe to use, the product's quality is subpar, so you’re better off just buying a new bottle. You'll also notice lack of vapor and discoloration of the fluid.

Also, if you switched from smoking tobacco cigarettes to vaping, it's important to know that expired juice contains lower amounts of nicotine. If you notice that your vaping routine isn't fulfilling your body's demand for nicotine, it may be because the juice has already expired.

How Do You Discard Expired Vape Juice?

Expired vape juice, while not a danger to the vaper, should be kept out of reach of children and pets. To discard, empty the remaining contents of the vial into an absorbent material, such as cat litter. Place the material inside a plastic bag and throw it in your garbage. Vape juice should not be discarded by directly pouring into the sink or into your lawn. The chemicals could erode your pipes or make your soil infertile.

Final Word

Vape juice is a healthier alternative to smoking tobacco, but switching to these products means you have an expiration date to consider. Knowing your vape juice's shelf life is key to fully enjoying the flavor and quality of your purchased products. Use this article as a guideline to managing your supply.