Let’s say you have an old disposable vape that has just been found in a drawer. You’re not sure how long it’s been sitting there, but you’re sure it’s been there for a long time. Can you still use it? Do vapes expire?
The answer to the question of whether disposable vapes expire is a simple “yes” – all vape oils have to be used within one year of the manufacturing date. As for whether you can use an old disposable vape, the answer is “maybe”.
If a disposable vape has been used for more than a year, it’s safe to say you won’t feel as good as you would with a new machine. This is because vape oils change over time (which we’ll cover in more detail later) and eventually become less usable. This is why almost every product that contains vape oil (whether it’s a disposable vape, a bottle of vape oil, or something else) has a shelf life.
If your old disposable vape is still in its original box, you can check the date. If it’s past the expiration date, you can still use the device, but you may not particularly like it. However, since you’re reading this, there’s a good chance you’ve taken the device out of the box and thrown it away. – In that case, you need more information.
So, is your old disposable vape still safe to operate? Here’s all the information you need about what happens to vapes as they age.
What happens when e-liquid ages in a disposable vape?
As e-liquid ages, it will begin to degrade. High temperatures and oxidization can lead to a loss of nicotine content and taste quality of the e-liquid. With disposable vapes, this process happens faster if the device is removed from the sealed protective pouch.
The e-liquid in the device, being a disposable vape, can change, affecting the flavor and smoke tar. First, we will discuss changes in e-liquid flavor.
As disposable vapes age, the e-liquid will gradually deteriorate
The ingredients that give vapes their flavor are volatile, which means they undergo molecular changes over time. We discuss this in more detail in our article on vape expiration. In short, changes in vape odor components cause some compounds to fuse, while others degrade into new compounds. This is sometimes called “mellowing”, but what happens is that a single odor begins to fade away. Every vape has a peak, which is always around the first year of use. After that, the flavor profile gradually degrades to an unrecognizable sweetness.
The longer a disposable vape is used, the lower the nicotine content.
Smoke tar may evaporate more easily than the flavoring agents in vape oils. If you have an old disposable vape, it’s still sealed in a plastic or aluminum foil pouch, in its original box, protected from air and light. If it hasn’t been around too long, it may still have most of its original effects. However, if the device is removed from the package, the smoke tar will degrade quickly – even if the device is less than a year old. If the nicotine in a disposable vape has degraded badly, you may notice that it no longer has the throat irritation that it once did. You may also notice a slightly bitter flavor that wasn’t there before.
In general, while there’s no reason not to use an expired disposable vape, it certainly won’t taste as satisfying or as good as a new product. If you can tolerate a drop in flavor, you should expect that you’ll need to inhale vapes more frequently to maintain the same level of satisfaction.
What happens when disposable batteries in vapes age?
All lithium batteries undergo a slow self-discharge process during storage. However, the self-discharge process takes several years and it is unlikely that disposable vapes will have their batteries disconnected during use after a period of storage.
Next, we will discuss what happens to disposable vape batteries as they age. Lithium-ion batteries self-discharge during storage, which means that the energy stored in the battery will dissipate over time, even if it’s not being used. The good news is that the typical self-discharge rate for lithium-ion batteries is typically around 2-3% per month, which means that even if the device is used for more than a year, the battery may still have plenty of life left in it. Plus, you can always charge the battery if the device has this feature. If disposable vapes can’t be recharged and are stored for long periods and the battery no longer holds a charge, then the device is probably too old and you don’t want to use it anyway.
If your old disposable vape has any external signs that the battery may have been damaged (for example, if the device is bulging, or dented because you accidentally pressed it into a drawer or put something heavy on it), you should recycle it immediately rather than use it. Physical deformation is not only a potential cause of permanent changes within the battery, it is also a symptom of it. It is an indication that the battery is no longer safe to operate.
What is the best way to store disposable vapes?
You should store your disposable vape in its original packaging until you are ready to use it. Keep the device away from pyrogens, light sources, and any hidden sources of physical interference.
Let’s say you find some disposable vapes for sale at a discounted price. You want to buy these devices in bulk, but you also want to make sure that they remain safe and enjoyable after being stored for a while. What is the best way to store disposable vapes?
If you want to store disposable vapes for some time. The first thing you need to know is that the main reason vapes deteriorate faster is exposure to heat, light, and air. Since most disposable vapes are opaque, you probably don’t need to worry about light, but you do need to worry about heat and gases. Heat also increases the rate at which lithium batteries lose power. Finally, you need to avoid any situation that could cause physical damage to your system.
Protecting disposable vapes from air pollution
To ensure that disposable vapes last as long as possible in storage. You always want to keep the device in its original packaging until you’re ready to use it. Disposable vapes are usually sealed in plastic or aluminum foil pouches that isolate them from the air and help the e-liquid in the device degrade as slowly as possible. If the seal is broken, you shouldn’t expect disposable vapes to last very long in storage because the e-liquid is directly exposed to air.
The mouthpiece of a disposable vape usually comes with a silicone plug in addition to an aluminum platinum or plastic pouch. If you think you may need to store your disposable vape for a while after opening it, you should keep the stopper and put it back in its original position after using the device. The vent holes in the device will still allow the vape to come into contact with outside air, but using the stopper will at least minimize the contact.
Protecting disposable vapes from heat
In addition to putting disposable vapes in their original packaging, it’s also important to maintain some form of temperature control if you want to store the device for some time. Lithium-ion batteries will have the slowest self-discharge rate if stored in a cool environment. With this in mind, you don’t want to store disposable vapes in an environment that could get hot during the day, such as a garage. It’s best to store the device in an air-conditioned environment that you find comfortable.
Protect disposable vapes from physical damage
If you want to store disposable vapes for a long period, you ultimately need to think about how to secure the risk of physical damage. You don’t want to store your device in an area where it could be bumped or pushed, and you don’t want to put heavy objects on it. Disposable vape cases only offer a little protection, and it’s easy to squeeze out of the case with just a little added weight – potentially damaging the device.
Check the expiration date
If you’re planning on storing some disposable vapes for a while, the last thing you should do is check if the box has an expiration date printed on it. If it’s on the box, you’ll have everything ready to go – you just need to use the devices before the expiration date if you want the best experience. Keep in mind that even if disposable vapes are stored properly, after a year or more of storage, the device will not perform and taste as good a quality as a new machine. If there is no shelf life on the box, write down when you purchased it and try to use the device within a year.
