Does Vape Juice Expire?

Something we get asked a lot is, “does vape juice expire?” as well as “how long is vape juice good for?” Well, today we will be answering those questions so that you can make sure that you are able to get the most out of each bottle of e-liquid. After all, we know that you spend a good amount to maintain your vaping hobby, so it’s only natural that you want to make sure that you enjoy every last drop before it’s no longer vapeable. 

How Long Does Vape Juice Last?

So, does e-liquid expire, and if so, when does vape juice expire? The fact of the matter is that e-liquid will expire eventually, and the shelf life of vape juice is around two years, although it can be shorter or longer depending on the specific ingredients within the formula.

Now, remember that this shelf life refers to the length of time from when the vape juice is manufactured to when it’s no longer in good, vape-friendly shape. This means that when you purchase vape juice from a store, it may have already been sitting there for months. Therefore, never assume that your e-liquid will last two years from the time that you purchase it.

What Happens When Vape Juice Expires?

The good news is that when vape juice expires, it’s not suddenly toxic or dangerous to consume. It’s not like a food item in your fridge that begins to grow mold that could poison you. What happens to e-liquid as it ages is it oxidizes, just like wine. Small amounts of oxygen seep in which change the chemical composition of the formula. Some molecules bond together and become stronger, while others evaporate.

Maybe you’ve noticed that as a vape juice sits in storage, it becomes darker in color and a thicker consistency. This is oxidization at work. At first, this process will concentrate the flavor, but eventually, the flavor will evaporate, meaning that you’ll end up with a stale-tasting vape. Further, the nicotine molecules can also evaporate and weaken over time, which means that vaping an expired e-juice may mean that you don’t get that nicotine hit that you crave.

How Can I Prevent My E-Liquid from Expiring?

So, what can you do to prevent your e-liquid from expiring before its expiration date? Well, it all comes down to proper storage. In order to slow down the process of expiring, we suggest keeping your vape juices in a cool and dark place like a closet or a cabinet. That’s because light and heat are the biggest offenders when it comes to oxidization, and they can cause your vape juice to lose its flavor and nicotine potency relatively quickly.

You might also want to adjust your e-liquid buying habits as well. Now that you know that vape juice does lose its quality over time, you may want to avoid buying more vape juice than you’ll reasonably consume within a short period of time. By overbuying vape juice, you run the risk of ending up with a few expired bottles that you never got the chance to vape, and this means wasted money.

Also, always stick with high-quality e-liquids from premium brands, as the better the quality of the ingredients, the more chemically stable they are, which means the longer they should last.

Yes, Vape Juice Really Does Expire

But that doesn’t mean that it’s dangerous to consume. Basically, expired vape juice will be far less likely to satisfy you when you vape it. Use this guide to make sure that you maintain your e-liquid collection in a way that prevents it from expiring before you get a chance to fully enjoy it. It's important to always make sure your vape is cleaned regularly and your juice is fresh.