Why does my disposable have an expiration date?

 

Contrary to what most believe, the expiration date on a disposable vape pertains to the battery itself. Disposables do contain a lithium ion battery. Lithium ion batteries tend to discharge after a certain period. Companies attempt to prevent this from happening to the best of their ability. Unfortunately, no one has been able to find a concrete solution to this issue. Hence the expiration date on your disposable device.

 

Bear in mind that the expiration is there as an estimate to when the battery will start discharging.

 

The expiration date also pertains to the liquid inside the device. The liquid does not exactly “expire” it simply enters its steeping phase.

 

Now, what exactly is “steeping”?

 

Steeping refers to the maturing of the e-liquid. Think of it like leaving a fine bottle of wine or whiskey to mature and improve in flavour. The same happens to e-liquid. The steeping/ageing process allows the vegetable glycerine, propylene glycol and flavour concentrate to homogenise into a uniform mix. Put simply, it improves the flavour of the e-liquid.

Steeping also helps with removing off-notes and chemical tastes from the e-liquid. It balances out the flavour. That is why a lot of vapers have the tendency of leaving their vape juice for months on a shelf after purchasing.

 

In conclusion, the expiration date does not mean that the device or the liquid inside has gone bad. It simply means that the e-liquid has entered its steeping phase. It also does not necessarily mean that the battery has discharged completely, it simply means that the battery has reached its discharge phase.

 

-Sam Beukes