As technology continues to bring us the latest and greatest tobacco products, vapers now find themselves with a product they may not entirely understand- which brings us to this article.
Here, we’ll examine vape juice and answer some common questions like:
- What is vape juice made of?
- How to store vape juice?
- When does vape juice expire?
1. What is Vape Juice Made Of?
The vaping industry adheres to all regulations, just like any other legitimate company. Every ingredient is labelled on every product package and clearly presented to every consumer.
Vegetable Glycerin VS Propylene Glycol
At the core of vape juice are two substances: vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol.
- Vegetable Glycerin, commonly referred to as VG, is a substance extracted from natural plant oils. This compound has been labelled “generally recognized as safe” by the FDA , and it is responsible for the thick sensation vapers feel in every puff.
- Propylene Glycol, or PG, is a petroleum byproduct. This substance is colorless and odorless. PG is most often used to hold the nicotine and flavor concentrates in e-liquid.
2. How to Store Vape Juice?
Vape juice is a new substance that most users don’t have much experience with. This liquid often confuses novices. Some common questions include:
- How long does vape juice last?
- Can I freeze it?
First, let’s talk about how to properly store vape juice. In essence, there are three enemies to the freshness of your vape juice.
- Air
- Heat
- Light
Exposure to any of these elements can seriously affect your vape juice. The nicotine and vegetable glycerin will begin to oxidize, and the flavor will fade or turn sour. Vape enthusiasts who love sweet and fruity flavors are all too familiar with this souring. So, how long does vape juice last? It depends on how you store it.
Tips
Here are some storage tips that are sure to help:
- Find a dry and cool place to keep your e-liquid.
- Store your juice away from sunlight.
- If you need to store it for a long period, your refrigerator is your best bet.
- For optimal storage, use a dark glass container to block out as much light as possible.
Some people believe that cold temperatures can negatively affect the flavor profile. However, in terms of long-term storage, the refrigerator is the best tool we have. It is worth noting that vape juice will not freeze in a home refrigerator because they have a much lower freezing point. Note that you should always give vape juices time to return to room temperature before using them.
3. Does Vape Juice Go Bad?
The answer to this question is both yes and no. First, it is important to define what bad means. In many ways, the product does go bad. Let’s take a look at the aging process of vape juice.
Vape juice is classified as a product with an extended shelf life. This means that the product does not have ingredients that will go bad at room temperature. If stored properly, these kinds of products can realize a long shelf life. Generally, consumers should plan on enjoying their vape juice within 1-2 years of purchase. There are several factors to consider here.
When Does Vape Juice Expire?
It is always wise to take a quick glance at the packaging before purchasing or consuming a product.
It is important to remember that shelf lives are based on the product being stored in optimal conditions. The average user will likely have a shorter shelf life than they assume. Simply put, the sooner, the better. If you’re unwilling to take the extra steps for proper storage, then it is best to buy in smaller quantities and move through your inventory quickly.
The shelf life of vape juice typically reflects the quality of the product. In terms of flavoring, natural flavorings are thought to oxidize and decompose more easily than artificial flavorings. However, poor-quality vape juice is considered to decompose more quickly than premium juice.
4. How Do I Know if My Vape Juice Has Gone Bad?
Visual Symptoms
Observe the appearance. “Healthy” vape juice will typically have a uniform appearance and consistency. Use this as a reference point when comparing vape juices. Look at the problematic vape juice and see if you can spot any critical differences. You may find that older vape juice can have an entirely different texture or consistency.
Old juice can change in two ways:
- One juice may separate into different layers, oils will separate, and the overall appearance will change significantly.
- Other substances may begin to clump together or even form solid fragments within the liquid.
In either case, it is important to recognize these phenomena as signs of expiration. Many users find that their vape juice turns brown as the product ages. While this is not a good sign for the health of your vape juice, this doesn’t have to worry you about your health. It is perfectly normal for vape juice to brown over time.
Smell and Taste Symptoms
Next, let’s take a look at the smell and taste. Unlike the visual aspects of the liquid, the smell and taste are more subjective and take some expertise. Experienced vapers have an easier time tasting something off in their vape juice than novices.
When tasting, one way to start is to observe the flavor’s concentration. Interestingly, some users report that they find aged juice to taste better than new juice. They argue that the flavor needs more time to develop and darken for a more enjoyable experience. However, this can only go so far. Every juice will cross a point of no return at some point.
At this point, even seasoned vapers should start to wonder. Another quick test is the smell test. Again, older users will have an easier time with this than newer users, but make sure to give the juice a good whiff. Old juice will likely carry an off-putting smell that most people will recognize.
Ultimately, the compounds in vape juice will inevitably break down over time. There is no way to truly stop the effects of aging. Many desirable characteristics are lost as the product ages. Vape juice will lose nicotine concentration in the product, which can be unsatisfying for users.
In addition, the flavors the consumer picked will degrade or fade, leaving behind an unwanted taste. What the user is left with is a product that is ostensibly safe but worthless or flavorless.
Conclusion
There isn’t a ton of public literature on the topic, and some users simply aren’t experienced enough to recognize the signs of a bad product. Just because something is safe to consume doesn’t mean it is good to use.
We all deserve to enjoy the best quality vape experience. Always make sure to check the packaging when purchasing vape juice. Hopefully, as awareness of the vape juice expiration issue continues to grow, we can reduce the number of expired vape juices on the market and return to only consuming the freshest and best products.