Does Vape Juice Expire & Is Expired E-Liquid Safe?
Explore the factors that affect E-Liquid expiration, how to identify expired vape juice, and what happens when you vape expired E-Liquids. Get informed and vape responsibly with our no-nonsense guide!
Is your E-Liquid safe to vape after its expiry date?
This question plagues many vapers, who wonder about the shelf life of their favourite flavours and if using expired E-Liquid or disposable vapes could be harmful.
On our website, we sell discounted E-Liquids reaching their expiry date in what we call a “short date sale.” Customers purchase these, then contact us shortly after receiving their order with one pressing question: are these E-Liquids safe to vape past their expiration date?
We’re here to alleviate your concerns and help you feel more informed about the safety of your expired (or nearly-expired) E-Liquids.
Does E-Liquid Expire?
The truth is, yes, E-Liquids do come with an expiry date, usually set by manufacturers for liability reasons. But this doesn’t necessarily mean they become dangerous to use past this date. In fact, there’s currently no evidence to suggest that vaping expired E-Liquids is harmful.
However, the quality can be compromised. Read on for more information.
Steeped vs. Expired E-Liquids
First things first, let’s clear up the difference between steeped vape juice and expired E-Liquids.
Distinguishing between steeped and expired E-Liquids can be a tricky affair. Steeping, akin to ageing wine, allows E-Liquids to develop a more robust flavour over time. Many flavour chasers value steeped E-Liquids over freshly made ones.
On the other hand, expired E-Liquids have surpassed their recommended shelf life and may have degraded due to factors like improper storage and oxidation. This degradation could lead to a loss in flavour, nicotine strength, and consistency over time, though the colour of the E-Liquid is not really a reliable indicator of this.
In truth, a heavily steeped E-Liquid will look a lot like an expired E-Liquid from outside of the bottle, so colour is not always the best way to judge. We cover the effects of steeping E-Liquid in an article on our knowledgebase.
Consider the Nicotine Content
If you’re wondering if your nicotine-free shortfill E-Liquid is safe to vape past its expiry date, the answer is usually yes, so long as it’s not several years past its date and there’s nothing visibly wrong with the E-Liquid, like an obvious issue with the consistency.
This is because without nicotine, all you have in that bottle is VG (Vegetable Glycerin) and PG (Propylene Glycol), plus a small percentage of flavourings. These ingredients actually act as preservatives and have a long and stable shelf life—with VG alone lasting between 4 to 6 years under the right conditions.
The main concern when vaping expired E-Liquids is whether they contain nicotine—but even these are usually safe to vape outside of their expiry date. Still, nicotine tends to degrade with time, so this is something to consider when you’ve run out of juice and all you have left is a bottle that went out of date a few months ago.
Read on for more about how nicotine affects the expiry date of vape juices.
Rules & Regulations Around E-Liquid Expiration Dates in the UK
In the UK, most manufacturers set the expiration date of E-Liquids to roughly 3 years from the date of manufacture, though this will vary by manufacturer.
This expiry date essentially serves as a point beyond which manufacturers can’t guarantee the quality of their product. Responsible E-Liquid manufacturers, to ensure their products’ long and stable shelf life, adhere to stringent standards and storage guidelines.
Can You Vape Expired E-Liquid?
While there is no definitive evidence suggesting that vaping expired E-Liquids is harmful, it’s always a case of “vaper beware.”
When an E-Liquid passes its expiration date, changes in taste, smell, and nicotine content can make for a less than pleasant experience. Remember, the expiration date is a guideline beyond which manufacturers cannot guarantee product quality. It’s not a legally-binding date beyond which point the E-Liquid is unsafe.
This isn’t a case of lumpy, curdled milk past its expiration date. In truth, E-Liquids don’t have a clearly-defined timeline for expiration, and even when they are expired, there are no clear harms associated with vaping them.
Can You Vape an Expired Disposable Vape?
Much like E-Liquids, disposable vapes also carry an expiry date, which is set 2 years from the date of manufacture.
But here, the determining factor is not the E-Liquid’s lifespan but the lifespan of the internal battery. This is because batteries will naturally degrade over time—in a way which is much clearer and more defined than with E-Liquids.
As manufacturers cannot guarantee battery life beyond 2 years, using an expired disposable vape comes with its risks, primarily related to battery safety rather than E-Liquid. As always, proceed at your own risk.
How Long Does E-Liquid Last?
Once opened, E-Liquid lifespan can significantly vary, primarily due to oxidation and storage conditions. If kept unopened in a cool, dark place with minimum exposure to air, your E-Liquid can still provide a great vaping experience for a considerable period of time.
What Happens When E-Liquids Expire?
When E-Liquids expire, there may be a noticeable change in flavour, smell, thickness, and even the separation of elements. Factors like nicotine oxidation and improper storage conditions contribute significantly to this degradation.
How to Tell if Your E-Liquid Has Gone Bad
Telling signs of expired E-Liquid include changes in smell, taste, and consistency. If the E-Liquid smells off, or the flavour isn’t as it should be, it’s best to dispose of it.
Moreover, any heavy elements sinking to the bottom of the bottle are a sign of expired E-Liquid.
Always remember: it’s not worth the risk for a £3 bottle of expired vape juice.
How To Correctly Store Vape Juice
Storing vape juice correctly can significantly prolong its shelf life.
Avoid exposure to heat, light, and air, keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use, and store it in a cool, dry place.
And while it might be tempting, refrain from storing vape juice in the fridge or freezer.
Summary
Being informed about E-Liquid expiry dates, the safety profile of expired vape juice, and the correct storage practices can significantly enhance your vaping experience.
The main takeaway here is to be aware of the expiry date on your E-Liquid and ensure it’s stored in appropriate conditions to maintain its quality. If you’ve got a bottle of liquid that’s a few months out of date, so long as it’s been kept in the right conditions, you can rest assured that it’s safe to vape.
And if you suspect your E-Liquid has gone off, don’t risk it—there’s always a fresh bottle waiting for you at Vape Green.
