Eliquid can last a long time, but is like any other perishable item with a shelf life. Moreover, in order to maintain shelf life, they to be stored properly. Generally, eliquid have a long lifespan, and some of the chemicals within it are resistant to decay. However, they also contain organic substances like nicotine, VG (vegetable glycerin) and PG (Propylene Glycol), which are susceptible to spoilage.
If you have experienced a sour aroma and flavor, chances are that your eliquid has gone bad. The bad flavor can be noticed immediately, especially if you are using fruit flavored eliquids. However, proper ejuice storage is not only easy, but can help you maintain the quality and flavor of your eliquid to its maximum potential. In this article, we will give you e juice storage ideas that will help you get an awesome vaping experience every time.
E-Juice Storage – What to Avoid?
Heat, light and air are the three culprits that can ruin your eliquid’s flavor. Avoiding these three will ensure that your eliquid can last for longer.
Why Is Heat Harmful to E-Liquid?
Extended exposure to heat can break down the ingredients in eliquids because it contains Vegetable glycerin (VG), which is a vegetable by-product and when it is heated past 554 degrees Fahrenheit, it becomes a different substance entirely. That is why the highest resistance atomizers are capped at 300-390 degrees, so there is no danger of over cooking the VG and PG molecules.
E juice storage tip: If you want to maintain the flavor and strength of your eliquid, avoid leaving it at places with direct sunlight and heat. Instead storing them in a dark place or a cooler place is best suited for maintaining your eliquid taste.
Why Are Light and Air Damaging to E-Liquid?
Both air and light can breakdown nicotine within the eliquid because of oxidation. This can be noticed by the color change as the eliquid will turn brown. Every time you use your e liquid storage container, some air will always get inside. However, you can speed up the process if you leave your ejuice storage container sitting out for long periods of time.
E juice storage tip: To avoid spoilage, we recommend that you store your eliquid in a dark place. Any enclosed space like a cupboard would be sufficient, but make sure that the enclosed area is a cool place that does not endure direct sunlight. For example, your car’s dashboard is an enclosed space but leaving your car out in the sun makes the interior extremely hot, so avoid using your car’s dashboard for ejuice storage.
How to Store Vape Juice?
So now, you are acquainted with the three culprits that can spoil your eliquid, let’s have a look at the three things that will help you store your eliquid, helping you enjoy its flavor, strength and aroma to its maximum potential.
Short-Term Storage
Short-term vape juice storage can be longer than a month but less than two months. In any case, avoiding heat, moisture, light and air will keep your eliquid fresh. Here are some tips to help you with short-term vape juice storage.
- It is imperative that the vape juice storage area that you pick is a dark place, and it should be dry and cool.
- Store your eliquid in an unused cabinet high up on the shelf. This usually does the trick.
- Use a plastic container and squeeze out the access air before tighening the cap. (this only works for short-term storage and is not recommeded for long-term storage).
- If you have a basement in your home, then store your eliquid there because it is the coolest place in your house.
As long as the storage area is dry, cool, dark and free of moisture, your eliquid is going to stay fresh. Keep this as a general rule and you will never have to vape foul tasting eliquid.
Long-Term Storage
You may have prior stock on hand or want to save some of your stock for rainy days. In any case, if you need to store your eliquid for more than two months, then storing them in a cupboard may not be the best choice.
Now you know about short-term vape juice storage. However, if you want to keep your eliquid fresh for the longest time possible, here are some tips to help you.
- Using tinted eliquid bottles can be beneficial since they repent light and heat. Investing in these bottles is a great idea and they are relatively cheap.
- Use glass bottles: while plastic bottles work perfectly fine for short-term storage but are not recommended for the long term. Glass containers, however; are the perfect choice for long-term ejuice storage.
- If you are planning to store your ejuice for more than 6 months, then the back of the fridge will be sufficient. Just make sure that before using your eliquid, let it come to room temperature and shake it well.
Additional tip: Also consider investing in a vape juice storage box, it is a good investment for keeping your juice safe and fresh.
Storing E-liquid in Refrigerator or Freezer
You can store your eliquid for longer in the refrigerator because it will keep your eliquid cool; there is however, light damage that you must consider—but, tinted containers can remedy that problem. Another problem with storing your eliquid in the fridge is that the two main ingredients PG and VG (Propylene Glycol and Vegetable Glycerin) have different cooling and freezing temperatures. This causes separation between the two ingredients, but fret not because you can still use your eliquid. We recommend that you leave your eliquid at room temperature. Once your eliquid is at room temperature, just and shake it well before using; this will ensure that the VG and PG are mixed together.
You might also consider freezing your eliquid. However, In extreme temperatures such as those in the freezer, the mix of the eliquid reacts differently. This can change the flavor profile of the eliquid and it might not taste as good as it did originally.
In short, your home fridge or freezer will not be able to freeze the eliquid but has the potential to damage it.
E-Liquid Storage Container – Plastic or Glass?
Both plastic and glass containers are great for ejuice storage with both having the ability to preserve taste. Some prefer glass bottles, while others prefer to use plastic bottles, so it is mainly about personal preference.
Plastic containers are easier to fill and use because they are easy to squeeze. You will not find that ability in glass containers but you may have noticed that expensive juices come in glass bottles. We recommend amber colored bottles because they save your juice from light.
If you are someone who likes to steep your juice, we recommend a glass bottle because you will be able to unlock delectable flavors and be able to retain the heat that is required for steeping. Nevertheless, the same can be done with plastic bottles, with perhaps less effect but is sufficient.
So therefore, choosing a bottle is really about personal preference and is entirely up to the user.
Vape Juice Storage – Remember About Your Kids and Pets Safety
Even though e-cigarettes are safer than cigarettes, you will still need to take precautions if you have children or pets in your household.
Here are some tips to help you keep your children and pets safe:
- Pets and children have the tendency to chew on things and that is why you should never leave your atomizer and juice where your children or pets can find it.
- Use a vape juice storage box that is closed tightly. Additionally, keep those containers in a secure place.
- Use glass bottles with secure caps.
- Avoid spillage when refilling your container, as your four-legged friend may lick the spilled content, which is not good for your pet’s health.
- Make sure to dispose your used cartridges in plastic bags as pets have a tendency to go through the garbage.
- If you are vaping in your room with your pet or children, use an air purifier. This will reduce the nicotine content in your room. Liquid nicotine can also be absorbed quickly so avoid vaping in areas where there is food and dishes.
E-juice Storage – FAQ
How and Where to Store E-Liquid?
Consider the three rules of ejuice storage to keep your juice fresh:
- Keep it safe from light.
- Keep it safe from Heat.
- Keep it safe from air and moisture.
For short-term storage, use plastic containers and store them in a dry, dark and cool place.
For long-term storage, store your eliquid in the fridge and use tinted glass bottles.
Can I Keep My E-Liquid In The Fridge?
Yes you can, just make sure the bottle that you use is tinted. Additionally, before using the eliquid, let it come to room temperature first, then shake the bottle and you are ready to enjoy vaping.
Can Vape Juice Freeze?
No, at least not in your freezer, because at maximum your home freezer would have temperatures around -18°C,
Does vegetable glycerin freeze?
Yes, but you need -38°C to freeze Vegetable Glycerin molecules and -59°C to freeze Propylene Glycol molecules.