Vaping is trendy these days and with the devices come accessories, surely it would not function without e-liquid. It is a main component, the precious juice that makes the magic happen.
So, definitely, we would not want to ruin our precious e-liquids, instead we want them to last forever. In this article we are going to tackle just how to best take care of your e-liquids, the storage spaces, and what to avoid.
Vape Juice – Ingredients
As aforementioned, if we do not know from what our e-liquids are made we can`t evaluate and decide correctly on the proper storage and the methods we will apply to preserve our juice as long as possible in its original taste and state.
Usually the most common ingredients we find in an e-liquid are:
- flavourings
- nicotine
- vegetable glycerin
- propylene glycol
Let us go through them to understand better the qualities they hold and how to storage them the right way.
Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG)
The above mentioned ingredients are always present in e-liquids. Once we heat our device its VG that is responsible for the density of the vapour, while PG delivers a strong throat hit when inhaled, but it is much thinner and only carries the flavour.
Now, depending on the ratio mix of ingredients blended in together with PG and VG, the latter two will make all the difference and will command your type of vape experience.
Nicotine
This ingredient we are more familiar with as we find it also in cigarettes. It is usually synthesised or derived from tobacco plants. Nicotine mainly satisfies those pesky cravings, and when mixed with e-liquids it bumps up that throat hit which smokers find pleasant.
Nicotine can be found in two types:
- freebase – available at lower strengths, and possesses a stronger throat hit
- nicotine salts – the sensation is that this hits the throat more smoothly, but holds a strong amount of nicotine
Flavourings
Who doesn`t like flavours? I mean like ice-cream; we all tend to have our favourite ones.
Flavourings add that hint of excitement also in vaping, and form part of e-liquids. There is a wide array of flavours and combinations from refreshing menthol options to sweet desserts and savoury tobaccos, but also light and fruity blends.
Just keep in mind that flavourings are quite reactive to air, heat and sunlight.
Storing E-Liquids – Top 5 Suggestions
Now that we have gone through the ingredients of an e-liquid, let us get acquainted on how to store properly our precious juices.
1. Avoid Sun and Heat
Prolonged exposure to sun is damaging to a lot of things, including e-liquids. Flavour can degrade if left exposed to UV light for too long, while the flavourings can darken and caramelise with the heat. This will shorten your e-liquid lifespan.
Thus, e-liquids must be kept away from direct sunlight and heat, instead keep them upright in room temperature and in a dark place, like a cupboard, especially if you have a stock or you are not using it often.
2. Tight Seal
The oxygen in the air affects the flavourings in e-liquids, therefore it is highly suggested to keep your bottles closed tight as leaving them open will cause oxidation. Moreover, flavour can be ruined and colour altered over a period of time.
Thus, always seal tightly once you are done and topped up. If you are around children, be mindful. E-Liquid bottles make use of child locking caps, so closing them firmly will avoid a dangerous situation where children could accidentally ingest liquid.
3. Stow Away from Children and Pets
Store in a location where e-liquids cannot be easily or accidentally accessed, either in a container or a cupboard, even if they are nicotine-free. This way you are not only safeguarding children and pets, but also by storing your precious juices in the dark away from direct sunlight will preserve them more.
4. Shake Well Before Use
Some vapers would argue that you need to shake e-liquid bottles only when you mix a nicotine shot into a short filled bottle, but even premixed e-liquids such as 10ml freebase and nicotine salts can also benefit from this.
It is always a good idea to shake a new bottle and let the bubbles settle before using it, as the main ingredients can slowly begin to separate in the long run.
5. Avoid The Fridge
It is a persistent myth that storing e-liquids in the fridge will preserve them more, but what actually works fine for food doesn`t apply to vape juice.
Actually, once the ingredients are mixed, the PG and VG will cool down at different temperatures which could cause them to separate from each other and also from the flavouring. Moreover, the flavouring`s molecules could start to crystallise as they cool. Flavour will be impaired, separation of fluids will kick in, and your e-liquid will darken.
Also, the vape device and coil will need to work much harder to heat the chilled e-liquid, affecting the battery, and we would not want that to happen as charging means taking breaks from puffing. So, room temperature is always advisable.
Follow these winning tips: close your bottles tight, store in dark room temperature locations away from extreme heat or cold, shake well before use, and you should maximise your e-liquid life span and flavour potential.
In Conclusion
Therefore, as we learned by now, once we buy e-liquids it is imperative that we store them correctly as this increases shelf life, ensures that flavour remains fresh thus attaining the best fragrance and vape experience possible, while saving us money in the long run too.
Once you know what the ingredients of your e-liquid are, what is made of, you can evaluate shelf life, and where best to store it. This will ensure that your e-liquids` flavour remains intact for as long as possible.
All that is left now is choosing what to vape. We have an array of juices, devices, and accessories, so feel free to visit our website and/or store, reach out, we will be glad to share our expertise and guide you accordingly.
