ARE THERE ANY STORAGE PRECAUTIONS TO TAKE WITH E-LIQUIDS?
E-liquids remain consumable entities in the same way as other consumer products and therefore require the application of adequate conservation measures. The nature of the components and the method of manufacture can influence the properties of the liquid, which directly affects the short and long-term shelf life.
The elements impacting the conservation of an e-liquid
Similar to medications, e-liquids are relatively susceptible to heat and can cause them to age more quickly if not stored at the correct temperature (between 18°C and 20°C). It is also recommended to place the bottles in a dry and dark heat-proof space to improve the conservation of e-liquids.
Light is then a factor capable of degrading the components of an e-liquid (flavours, nicotine, etc.), and under the action of UV rays, the mixture will gradually turn brown without impacting the health of the consumer. However, some e-liquids are distributed in opaque bottles to limit the effects of UV rays.
Air is finally an element not to be neglected when the e-liquid has been started because certain compounds can be denatured by being oxidized. This phenomenon will also be responsible for the loss of flavour in 7 days and will become significant after 15 days. In the case of a DIY e-liquid, the manufacturer is advised to fill the container to its maximum volume to limit the presence of air.
Short-term or long-term shelf life
An individual consuming these e-liquid bottles quickly within a few days can simply keep them on a desk or in a bag without any special conditions. However, e-liquids should not be exposed to high temperatures such as the summer heat wave (40°C maximum) to avoid repeated oxidation of e-liquids in bottles.
The conservation of e-liquids over the long term requires the minimization of the effect of parameters accelerating the ageing of the mixture. Indeed, a vaper wishing to keep an e-liquid must neither open nor use a bottle that he has no intention of consuming in the days following its opening. Be careful, e-liquids placed in a refrigerator or freezer can become more viscous and must be brought into contact with the ambient air to regain normal fluidity, at the risk of oxidizing the nicotine.
Customize storage: DIY e-liquids
The DIYs contain dosages personalized by the vaper and will thus modify the physical properties of the e-liquid. The latter is always governed by generic conservation measures and may be more or less sensitive to the influence of the elements depending on their composition. For example, the preservation of e-liquids with a high concentration of Propylene Glycol (PG) will be less complex because PG is an excellent preservative.