Vape Juice FAQs

Whether you call it vape juice, pod juice, e-liquid or e-juice, here’s what you need to know about the key ingredient in your vaping setup.

Frequently Asked Questions:

• Does Vape Juice Go Bad?
• Why Does My E-Juice Turn Brown?
• What Should You Know About VG and PG in Juice?
• Which eJuice should you choose?
• Are the Ingredients In E-Liquid Safe?
• What Does Steeping Mean?
• How Much Nicotine Is In a Vape Compared to a Cigarette?
• What Is Nicotine Salt?
• Why Do People Like Nicotine Salts?

Does Vape Juice Go Bad?

Like any perishable product, vape liquid can go bad. Every bottle you buy should have an expiration date. Don’t buy a bottle that’s close to expiring unless you’re sure you’re going to use it up by the expiration date.

If you store your e-juice properly, it can last up to two years. Improper storage and handling can make it go bad before that. The best place to store e-liquid is the refrigerator. If you can’t or don’t want to store it there, keep it any place that’s shielded from heat and light. Keep it tightly sealed.

Why Does My E-Juice Turn Brown?

E-liquid that’s left in your tank or a bottle can sometimes turn brown. Why does this happen?

It’s a natural process called oxidation. This is the same process that turns a slice of apple or banana brown when it sits on your counter.

It isn’t harmful, and it won’t alter the flavor or your vaping experience. If you want to avoid it, follow these steps:

• Store your e-juice in a cool, dark place.
• Shake the bottle gently.
• Don’t mix e-liquids.
• What Is In a Bottle of E-Juice?

Most e-juice is just flavoring and nicotine in a base that’s usually a combination of vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG). Depending on the brand, some juices may be higher in VG or PG.

We've also written about how long e-juice lasts.

What Should You Know About VG and PG in Juice?

The levels of VG and PG in your juice can make a difference. When you shop for juices, check the levels of these key ingredients to get the experience you want.

VG:

• Best for creating large, billowy clouds.
• Works in any standard vape setup.
• High-VG juices can be too thick for most pod mod devices.

PG:

• Best for delivering great flavor.
• Gives a strong throat hit.
• High-PG juices work better in pod mods.
• Produces fewer clouds.

We've written more about eJuice ingredients here.

Which eJuice should you choose?

If you’re looking for a vape juice for your tank setup, any juice will work. Choose a high-VG one if cloud production matters to you. If you’re looking for a juice to fill your pod mod or you care more about flavor than clouds, look for one that’s at least 50% PG. More on choosing eJuices or making your own with these great e-juice recipes.

Are the Ingredients In E-Liquid Safe?

Vegetable glycerin and propylene glycol: There are no known problems with either VG or PG, both of which are common ingredients found in a number of foods, cosmetics and personal care products.

Nicotine: Nicotine is addictive, but it’s not what causes smoking-related illnesses. If you’re addicted to nicotine, vaping is a much safer way to get your fix than smoking. It also smells better and is more socially acceptable.

Flavorings: Most e-liquids use a combination of artificial and natural flavorings. Most have added sweeteners. If you’re concerned about these ingredients, look for a specialty manufacturer that makes organic, naturally flavored e-liquids.

What Does Steeping Mean?

Steeping refers to letting an e-liquid sit for a while to let its flavors fully develop. Some e-juices taste better after they steep. If you’d like to try it, here are the basic steps:

1. Remove the lid to expose the e-liquid to air.
2. Store it in a drawer or cupboard away from the light.
3. Leave it for up to two weeks.

When you’re steeping an e-juice, keep it away from children, pets and others who might accidentally spill it or try to eat it.

Here's a more comprehensive description of how to steep e-juice.

How Much Nicotine Is In a Vape Compared to a Cigarette?

That depends on how much nicotine is in your e-liquid, what type of cigarettes you used to smoke, and how heavily you smoked.

Here’s a basic guideline to let you know how much nicotine you should start with. Most e-liquids come in levels from 0mg to 18mg nicotine.

• If you were a light smoker of low-nicotine cigarettes, start with 3mg.
• If you smoked more frequently, start with 6 mg.
• If you were a regular smoker of medium or full-flavor cigarettes, start with 12 mg.
• Heavy smokers of full-flavor cigarettes should start with 16mg or 18mg.

Many people like to start out high and then taper off to lower nicotine levels. If you want to stay at higher levels, read about nicotine salts below. For a more in depth answer to this question check out this post.

What Is Nicotine Salt?

Regular e-juices are sometimes called freebase juices to differentiate them from nicotine salts or nic salts. Nic salts are e-juices developed specifically for former smokers.

With a nicotine salt, you can use a stronger concentration of nicotine without turning the juice harsh and foul-tasting. Some nic salts come in nicotine levels of 25, 35 and 55 mg. In a regular freebase e-liquid, that level of nicotine would taste awful and probably give you a headache.

Why Do People Like Nicotine Salts?

Because they can inhale more nicotine and still enjoy smooth flavor, many former smokers prefer nic salts to regular e-liquids.

Nic salts:

• Let you ingest high nicotine levels in a smooth, flavorful vape.
• Are hard to find in lower nicotine levels.
• Cost more than freebase e-liquids.
• Can I Use Regular Freebase E-Juice In a Pod Mod?

Some people say you should only use nic salts in a pod mod, but that’s not true. You can use any freebase e-liquid that has a PG content of 50% or more.

Now that you know the basics, it’s time to sample the many great flavors of vape liquid out there.