Got E-liquid? Here's How and Where to Store It

Whether you are a flavor enthusiast or are a Glacier Mint purist, chances are your bottle buying resembles a six-pack or more every time you stock up. If you're anything like us, at any given time you probably have more vape e-liquid containers than condiments in your fridge. Like your trusty ketchup, e-liquid eventually goes bad, so it's important to store it properly to ensure you're enjoying it to the last drop.

The general rule of thumb is you can expect most e-liquids to remain fresh for one to two years, when stored in ideal conditions. This will slightly vary by brand depending on the flavorings used. While there are currently no known severe health effects from consuming expired vape e-liquid, the quality will take a hit, so you definitely shouldn't.

KEEP YOUR EJUICES AWAY FROM THE HEAT

E-liquids store best when kept in cool, dark environments such as cupboards, drawers and basements. The fridge is probably the next best place, assuming yours is dry and the e-liquids won't get mistaken for any aforementioned condiment. Shunning sunlight and heat exposure in general is the key factor to remember, so no leaving bottles for later in your car, as tempting as that may be.

TRANSFER YOUR E-LIQUIDS TO TINTED BOTTLES IF NECESSARY

Here in Las Vegas where Baton is based, the windows of our office building are tinted, as are those of the cars we drive. We know firsthand the importance of protection from the sun's rays, but not all nic-salts come in opaque bottles like ours do. If you plan to consume your e-liquids quickly clear bottles are less of a concern, but tinted are a must if you're going to start a collection.

SEAL YOUR BOTTLES AS TIGHTLY AS POSSIBLE BEFORE STORING

After the sun, a quality vape e-liquid's number one nemesis is the air itself. Oxidation contributes to nicotine loss, and it can be fairly substantial. So don't just casually or haphazardly store bottles that are going to sit for a while. Ensure the caps are all screwed back on tightly and the bottles are bagged for extra protection.

DO YOUR OWN MARKUP OF THE PURCHASE DATE

A good and useful habit to get into is labeling the bottles you buy, when you buy them. That way you won't have to wrack your brain trying to determine the freshness of different vape flavors. Manufacturer batch dates can rub off or be hard to determine, so bust out that Sharpie and keep your own notes!

ENGAGE YOUR SENSES WHEN BRINGING OUT AN OLDER E-LIQUID

In the mood for a flavor you haven't touched since who-knows-when? When you've neglected to follow the advice in the previous paragraph about marking the date, the nose knows if it's still good or not! Additionally, if your e-liquid has undergone a serious change in color, has developed sediment that won't shake away, or has thinned out in consistency, these are all visual signs that your e-liquid is now toast. When in doubt, don't forget the most important sense of all -- common sense. A few dollars' worth of juice down the drain is not worth any potential sickness.