How Long Does E-Liquid Last?
Not all e-liquids are made the same. E-liquids - commonly referred to as vape juice - may comprise of various different ingredients, and come in different bottle sizes and volumes. So, the answer to the question ‘how long does e-liquid last?’ is - it depends on the product you have, and how frequently you vape. As an adult vape user, or an adult smoker currently considering switching to vaping over continuing to smoke, it’s understandable to have questions about how long these products will last.
Read on to get answers to common questions, like ‘can vapes expire?’ and ‘how long does vape juice last?’
How Long Does Vape Juice Last by the Bottle?
To get a better understanding of the longevity of these products, it might be more useful to replace the question of ‘how long does e-liquid last?’ with ‘how long can e-liquid last?’
In the UK, the maximum volume nicotine-containing e-liquid can be sold at in a refill container is 10ml.1 Meanwhile, e-cigarette tanks can only be designed to have a capacity of up to 2ml.1 These are the regulations set by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).1
As well as these restrictions, it’s also worth considering that some vapes, like box mods, allow for variable wattage settings, and will therefore produce varied amounts of vapour. In these instances, it can be more difficult to work out how long a bottle of e-liquid might last for. What’s more, the device itself will have its own rough lifespan too.
All this said, you may be able to estimate how long e-liquid could last. Explore how long your e-liquid could last for below.
- 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.
Ultimately, how long a bottle of e-liquid could last depends on how frequently you’re using it. In addition to this, you should also take note of any expiry dates provided for the product.
Does E-liquid Expire?
All e-liquid will have an expiry date, just like any other product with food-based ingredients.
When does vape juice expire? The expiry date will differ depending on when the e-liquid was made and the ingredients it contains. However, aside from a printed expiry date, there are other indicators that an e-liquid might be past its use by date, or coming up to it.
Propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG) are two key ingredients typically found in e-liquid. When stored properly, their shelf life can be two years or more. Nicotine is another ingredient commonly found in e-liquids, and also typically holds a shelf life of two years.
When e-liquids containing these ingredients are stored in the correct way (as detailed by the manufacturer), they could offer a shelf life of two years. However, if stored incorrectly, you may find these ingredients degrade faster.
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. Measures that could help maintain their shelf life include keeping them in a cool, dark environment where they’re not exposed to other liquids like water. The bottles should remain sealed for as long as possible too, so only open one when you’re ready to use it. Direct sunlight, too much oxygen, and extreme temperatures could all affect the longevity of your e-liquids.
How to Tell if the E-liquid is Expired?
Sometimes, there might be signs that your e-liquid has expired. Some of the signs of expired vape juice include the following:
- It feels like the flavour has changed. As an e-liquid degrades, the flavours within it could break down, reducing the taste of the e-liquid.
- The colour of the e-liquid darkens. The nicotine within may oxidise and degrade overtime, which can cause the e-liquid to darken.
- Its smell reduces. An e-liquid’s smell could fade while it expires.
- The components separate. You might find that the e-liquid components have separated, and some have partly sunk to the bottom of the bottle. Once you shake the bottle, check to see if the e-liquid mixes back together. If it does, it might be fine. If not, it’s more than likely expired.
It’s not advised to use expired e-liquids. If you think your e-liquid has expired, it is best to throw it away.
[1] https://www.gov.uk/guidance/e-cigarettes-regulations-for-consumer-products
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.
