Do refilled carts have a shelf life?

[Metaxa]

Can anyone tell me whether refilled carts have an optimum shelf life, e.g. do they evaporate if not used quickly or does the quality of the juice deteriorate? Needless to say, I'd be storing them with the caps on.

The reason I ask is that I don't want to be having to refill carts every evening or every couple of days. I'd much rather spend a few hours filling 100 carts or so using the straw mod, fresh fluval fibre and some decent juice. That would be about a months worth of quality vaping for me, sorted out in one evening.

I realise that the carts that come with the original e-cig's have probably been packaged for a while prior to shipping, but I've found that the taste from these is vastly inferior to the carts I've refilled with fresh TW juices and they don't last as long. Is this because of inferior and/or insufficient juice, or because they've been knocking about for too long?

I use a 510 if it makes any difference.

TIA for any advice provided.

 

[Hockeytown]

Good question! I'll watching this thread as well. I'd do like a week's worth, but same idea anyhow.

 

[Deschain]

I have to ask, do you really have a 100 carts knocking about?

I suppose you could experiment by maybe filling a weeks worth, if they last ok and taste good until the end of the week, go a little further and try 10 days worth and so on.


.

 

[Metaxa]

lol - No I don't have 100 carts knocking about... yet! I've only had the thing for 3 days. In fact, I only learned that e-cigs existed last Wednesday! However, I'm hooked on the concept and haven't felt the need to smoke a normal ciggy since I got the 510 on Saturday morning. After 35 years of 20+ a day and plenty of miserable attempts to quit, I have found that to be quite staggering and more than a little liberating 8-o

I've quickly picked up on all the mods and vaping techniques I need thanks to this forum, so I'm now happily slicing up my ear buds and chopping down my fish tank watchmacallit. Knowing me though, the novelty of doing all these repetitive tasks will wear off, so what i want to do is minimise the everyday maintenance - hence the question. You can get packs of 100 empty carts from most supplier sites, so I thought I'd get them and stock up - just as long as they'll last OK. If I don't get a definitive answer here, I'll try your suggestion of building the supply up slowly.

Thanks for the reply

 

[jwinney]

I just tried one i filled over a week ago. It worked great!

 

[Deschain]

lol - No I don't have 100 carts knocking about... yet! I've only had the thing for 3 days. In fact, I only learned that e-cigs existed last Wednesday! However, I'm hooked on the concept and haven't felt the need to smoke a normal ciggy since I got the 510 on Saturday morning. After 35 years of 20+ a day and plenty of miserable attempts to quit, I have found that to be quite staggering and more than a little liberating 8-o

It's a bit scary just how easy it is to ditch the cigs with these things innit?

I smoked over 20 a day for around 25 years myself...48 hours after getting my gear I was smoke free. Liberating is certainly a good description.

Let's us know how the trial goes though, because you are right about the novelty wearing off, the ritual may become a chore over time...these things do require a bit more maintanance than lighting up a smoke or knocking out a quick rolly.


.

 

[Kent C]

Can anyone tell me whether refilled carts have an optimum shelf life, e.g. do they evaporate if not used quickly or does the quality of the juice deteriorate? Needless to say, I'd be storing them with the caps on.

The reason I ask is that I don't want to be having to refill carts every evening or every couple of days. I'd much rather spend a few hours filling 100 carts or so using the straw mod, fresh fluval fibre and some decent juice. That would be about a months worth of quality vaping for me, sorted out in one evening.

I realise that the carts that come with the original e-cig's have probably been packaged for a while prior to shipping, but I've found that the taste from these is vastly inferior to the carts I've refilled with fresh TW juices and they don't last as long. Is this because of inferior and/or insufficient juice, or because they've been knocking about for too long?

I use a 510 if it makes any difference.

TIA for any advice provided.

In my experience the amount of juice in premade carts can vary to where if they are lightly filled, they don't last too long and in other cases where they are juicy on top they can last as long as a regular top off and longer.

Most, not all I suppose are not only covered with the rubber but are also in an airtight cellophane and in those conditions unless the cellophane is ripped, I wouldn't expect any loss in those cartridges but again - the original 'fill' can vary to where you might think that is the case.

 

[Scottbee]

The better the seal, the longer the shelf life.

If I were you, I'd consider getting some of the empty (or prefilled... doesn't matter) whistle-tip 901 carts (like from VaporKings). Very inexpensive.. they work amazingly well on the 510 (better than the 510 carts IMHO), and they have a double seal (silicone cap followed by a plastic cap). That style will probably give you the best shelf life and will have the lowest likelihood of leaking while being stored.

$.02

 

[oldtechno]

I've do what you are talking about-except my stayed 'capped' for no more than two weeks...they were fine. Put them in the fridge (away from any small kids....a gun safe is perfect) and they will keep for a long time.

I feel you are right, they fill them at the factory. When they get to you, some last a long time...others barely last as long as a regular smoke--they are old and have evaporated.

I usually toss my used ones into a box every day (I change mine every day). At the end of the week I usually do just what you said -- I take a couple of hours and do a bunch of them. I recommend this method for the same reason you mentioned...put all that work into a few hours instead of spreading it out over the week/s.

But I remind you...topping off is a harsh mistress--it comes at you from all sides, at all times. I haven't tried it yet, but I would recommend the straw mode.

 

[Metaxa]

It's a bit scary just how easy it is to ditch the cigs with these things innit?

Scary in as much as it seems too good to be true and it will all be taken away if the anti-smoking lobby manage to get them banned! But that's a topic for another thread

Yes, I'll definitely keep you posted as to how long they stay good for. I've a feeling it will depend on storage conditions - if I keep them cool and as airtight as possible, I think they should be okay

 

[jj2]

I got a friend who uses the same model as me and I get the used carts. By the time the friend works through all, I'll have over 50 carts.
Since I DIY, I won't do anymore than I'm doing right now which is enough to get me through a week. I won't because I just don't like the idea of letting them sit any longer.
That and it seems that the wool I use as filler sometimes settles and I have to refluff after about a week.

 

[Metaxa]

Thanks for all the advice - Very impressed with the speed of responses!

I'll definitely try the whistle tips and keeping them in the fridge - Gun safe will be difficult here in the UK! Kids are grown up though, so no worries there.

I'm already using the straw mod and can confirm that the claims are true - it really does improve the vapour quantity and longevity. I think this will become standard in cart manufacture as time goes by.

I have a feeling I'll be spending a bit of time on these boards over the coming weeks.

 

[raddiver]

If you are going to do that i would suggest using a "food saver" of some sort. I have one of the hand-held rechargeable units. it came with 4 zip lock type bags. I can store about 10 15ml bottles of juice in one bag.

You could probably fit 6-8 5pk of carts in one of those bags(based on one of the big johnson creek empty cart packs). So that's what, 30-40 carts per bag, and you get 4 bags. so 120-160 carts. You could probably do more if you have the small generic cart boxes.

Im kind of OCD about my nic juice. I dont like air or sun getting to it if it can be avoided.

my 2 cents.
hope it helps
-=RAD=-