Does Vape Juice Expire?
Yes, all vape juices will have an expiry date, which typically ranges from 1 to 2 years from the date of production.
The expiry date of vape juice (also known as e-liquid, or e-juice) will depend on when the e-liquid was made and the ingredients it contains. Apart from a printed expiry date, other signs can also indicate out of date vape juice.
How Long Does E-Juice Last?
Vape juice flavourings could last for a year, while its other ingredients (i.e., PG, VG and nicotine) could last for two years.
Not all e-liquids are made the same. They can contain varying ingredients and come in different bottle sizes and volumes. So, the exact answer to the question ‘how long does e-juice last?’ is - it depends on the product you have and how frequently you vape.
Signs That Your Vape Juice Has Expired
Sometimes, there might be signs that your vape juice has expired. Some of the signs include the following:
•It feels like the flavour has changed. As vape juice degrades, the flavours within it can break down, dulling its taste.
•The colour of the e-liquid darkens. The nicotine in vape juice might oxidise and degrade overtime, causing it to darken.
•Its smell reduces. An e-liquid’s smell could fade as it expires.
•The components separate. You might find that the ingredients separate, and some sink to the bottom of the bottle. Once you shake the bottle, check to see if the vape juice mixes back together. If not, it’s more than likely expired.
It’s not advised to use out of date vape juice, so if you think yours has expired it’s best to throw it away.
How Long Does Vape Juice Last by the Bottle?
Here are some estimations for how long a bottle and tank of e-liquid could last you:
•How long does e-liquid last in a 2ml vape tank? We typically find that 2mls of e-liquid can roughly last for up to 500-600 puffs.
•How long does e-liquid last in a 10ml bottle? Based on the idea that a 2ml tank vape can last up to approximately 500-600 puffs, you may find 10ml could last for up to 3,000 puffs.
If you are wondering how many puffs are in your e-liquid bottle it is best to see what the manufacturer advises.
How long a bottle of vape juice will last doesn’t just depend on how frequently you use it though. Whether you’ve opened the bottle or not can also affect this.
An unopened bottle of vape juice could last from 1 - 2 years, whereas an opened bottle might not last as long. Although exactly how long an e-liquid will take to expire depends on the product and its ingredients. You should also always take note of any expiry dates provided.
Do Disposable Vapes Go Out of Date?
Disposable vapes usually come with a pre-charged battery and are pre-filled with e-liquid. These vapes come with a shelf life - which isn’t just affected by the expiry date of the e-liquid, but also the device’s battery life.
Disposable vapes will typically have an expiry date on their packaging, which could be up to two years from production. This doesn’t mean that a disposable vape will last for two years, but that you can open and use it within this timeframe. A more accurate way to determine how long a disposable vape lasts is by looking at its puff count.
How to Store E-Liquid
While all e-liquids will expire at some point, storing them correctly can go a long way to preserving their shelf life. Here are a few ways to do so:
Keep Away from Sunlight and Heat
Consider keeping e-liquid in a cool, dark environment where they’re not exposed to direct sunlight or heat.
Exposing your vape juice to too much sun and heat could alter the flavour, darken the liquid and shorten its lifespan.
Keep it Tightly Sealed
Keeping the bottle of the e-liquid tightly sealed can reduce the risk of it oxidising - when the nicotine and flavours come into contact with the air. This may alter the nicotine and flavourings in the e-liquid, and change the colour of it.
Keep Out of Reach of Children and Pets
It’s vital that you store e-liquid out of reach from children and pets. Vaping should only ever be done by adult smokers who would otherwise continue to smoke, and anyone that falls outside of this group should never vape, or come into contact with e-liquid.
Don't Store Vape Juice in the Fridge
Keeping vape juice in the fridge could affect its ingredients and possibly alter the experience it provides. Find out more about what happens to e-liquid if it freezes.
Avoid storing your e-liquids in the fridge, unless advised by the manufacturer. You should always follow the manufacturer’s storage instructions over any of the general guidance above.
The above are some general practices for all e-liquids; please refer to the manufacturer's guidance for further advice on storage of your specific e-liquid product.
Is Expired Vape Juice Bad for You?
Online sources report adverse effects to vaping expired e-liquid, such as headaches and nausea. However, you should confirm this with a medical professional.
A few other things could happen when you use out of date vape juice:
•Dulled flavour.
•Darkened colouring.
•A change in its smell.
•Reduced nicotine strength.
Vape juice comes with an expiration date for a reason, and you should avoid using it after that date has passed. Knowing when and how it expires can help you avoid issues with out of date vape juice, and ensure an optimal vaping experience.
Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.
This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.
