Does E Liquid Expire?
Does e liquid expire? It’s a question most of you vapers will be eager to know the answer to – particularly if you’re keen to avoid seeing your precious vape juice go to waste!
As the cost of living continues to rise, we’re all feeling the squeeze right now, which is why it’s never been more important to get the most from your vape juice. That’s why it’s wise to get a good understanding of your liquid’s shelf life – that way you can use it all up before it goes off!
So does e liquid expire and, if so, how long can you usually expect your vape juice to last? Let’s clear up any confusion by taking a look at the facts.
Does E Liquid Go Off?
When answering this question, we need to establish exactly what we mean by “off”. If we mean does e liquid have a best before date then yes, it does. However, does that mean you won’t be able to use your vape liquid if it’s passed this date? Well, not exactly.
You see, the best before date is just something we manufacturers put on the bottle to make our customers aware that the product will no longer meet the same standard of quality once the date has passed.
Like all consumable products, the ingredients in e liquids – namely propylene glycol (PG), vegetable glycerine (VG) and nicotine – start to break down over time, which is why we include a best before date on all our juices.
But while your passed-its-best-before-date vape liquid might not provide quite the optimum vaping experience it did before, it certainly won’t do you any harm so it could still be worth using up.
So, to vape or not to vape? In the end it’ll probably come down to how old the e liquid is. If it’s been sitting in the cupboard for 4 years then it might not taste too great. On the other hand, if it’s only slightly past its best before date and it’s been stored properly then it should be fine.
We’d advise just putting a little in your tank and having a try. If it’s okay then happy days, you can continue vaping it. Alternatively, if it tastes a little iffy then it’s up to you whether you want to keep it or not but it’ll still be perfectly safe to use nonetheless.
How Long Does E Liquid Last?
So now we know it’s safe to vape your e liquid after the date on the bottle, what’s the usual time frame manufacturers give and how long does vape juice usually last before it starts to spoil?
While we can’t comment on other manufacturers’ e liquids, the best before date on all of our products is 18 months after production. So if you purchase your juice from us, we’re confident that it’ll stay fresh and flavoursome for up to a year-and-a-half after you’ve purchased it.
With that said, it’s important to remember this is under one condition: it’s stored correctly. E liquid should always be kept in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and sources of heat. If your vape juice has been sat on a sunny windowsill or close to a blazing radiator then chances are it won’t even last until its best before date before it’s pretty much unvapable.
Telltale Signs E Liquid is Past it’s Best
As well as the expiration date on the label, there are a few ways you can tell if your e liquid is past its best.
As mentioned already, one of the biggest giveaways is a drastic change in the taste. Whether the flavour is underwhelming or it tastes different to how you remember it, this is a clear indication your e liquid’s best days are behind it. Likewise, it can also lose its smell.
Again, this doesn’t mean your liquid’s unvapable – you might wish to still use it up, rather than waste it, but if you’re someone who prioritises flavour then you might decide it’s time for a new bottle.
So that’s pretty much all you need to know about e liquid and its best before date. If you arrived here because you were desperate to find out the answers to questions like “does e liquid expire?” and “how long does e liquid last?” then hopefully you now have all the info you were looking for.