How to keep your e-liquid safe?
If you are a vaper, you surely have your small reserve of e-liquid. Know that it is easy to keep your e-liquid. In this article, you will discover how to keep the aromas and the freshness of your e-liquid.
General information on e-liquid
E-liquid is the liquid used to produce the vapour of an electronic cigarette. This liquid is composed of 3 or 4 ingredients, including:
- Propylene glycol
- vegetable glycerin
- aromas,
Nicotine may or may not be present. The vaper who has just quit smoking is still addicted to nicotine. In order not to feel the lack, he should consume it at the beginning of weaning. Nicotine is used to avoid withdrawal symptoms at the start of smoking cessation and its dosage varies from 20 to 0 mg/ml.
Propylene glycol (PG), as well as vegetable glycerin (VG), are substances generally used in the food, pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries.
The aromas give flavour to the e-liquid. Many flavours are available, but manufacturers offer 4 main families: classic, mint, fruit and gourmand. According to your taste, you can add some to your e-liquid. These aromatic substances are of natural or synthetic origin.
My advice for storing your e-liquid?
To preserve its properties, the e-liquid must be well preserved. When denatured, it produces a neutral flavourless vape. Nicotine breaks down and has no use.
Protect e-liquid from light
UV rays degrade flavours and nicotine. Denaturation of the nicotine results in a browning of the e-liquid. Aroma degradation reduces its flavours.
If you have prepared your e-liquid yourself, it is advisable to store it in opaque or coloured bottles to protect it against UV rays.
It is recommended to keep e-liquid bottles away from light to prevent UV rays from degrading them. They must therefore be stored either in a box or in a drawer.
Keep the e-liquid away from heat
The e-liquid must be kept at a constant temperature. Vegetable glycerin under the effect of cold tends to thicken. The e-liquid will then be viscous. It is recommended to store it in the refrigerator. The aromas, organic substances, are denatured by excessively high temperatures. A constant temperature between 18°C and 20°C is ideal. The large amplitude of temperature variation accelerates the degradation of your e-liquid. When the e-liquid thickens under the effect of cold, it will have to be left at room temperature for a few hours and it will regain its fluidity.
Keep e-liquid away from air
The components of an e-liquid oxidize easily in the presence of air. Oxidation can cause it to deteriorate and it becomes ineffective. Once you have opened the bottle, the e-liquid may oxidize and deteriorate, even if you have only vaped a few millilitres. The oxidation of e-liquid is very fast once it comes into contact with air. Packaging is small 50 ml bottles is an option to avoid oxidation because you will only open the bottle you are going to use. If you have adopted a 200 ml bottle, it will be better to transfer it and share it in 50 ml bottles and fill them well to expel the air without leaving any void inside the bottles.
For a DIY e-liquid, you can place it in the refrigerator. The e-liquid will not freeze because it does not contain water. It is also advisable to package it in 50 ml to 100 ml bottles. You are only going to thaw what you are going to use. The bottles must be filled on board to prevent the e-liquid from oxidizing.
The aromas are difficult to keep, it is recommended not to keep any. It is rather advisable to buy only the quantity necessary to redo your liquid for electronic cigarettes according to your consumption. Even in the freezer, the aromatic substances degrade, and the flavours may change slightly after a year to a year and a half.
You should also not keep the liquid for your electronic cigarette beyond 18 months.
Signs of fiddling with your e-liquid
Signs indicate that your e-liquid is expired:
Its smell has changed or remains odourless.
Your e-liquid has changed colour, following a browning of the nicotine or an alteration of the PG/VG base.
Deposits have formed and are visible at the bottom of the bottle. These deposits no longer mix with the e-liquid even if you try to shake the bottle vigorously. The deposits remain at the bottom.
The e-liquid no longer has a taste or the taste has changed.