How long is it safe to store my ejuice in #1 plastic bottles?
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I would recommend glass for long term storage. Squeeze plastic bottles will leech juice through the container wall and cheap hard plastic bottles may leech undesirable polymers and plasticizers over time.
For short term storage up to a year or so they should be OK.
This is my personal opinion and not based in science of any kind.
For short term storage up to a year or so they should be OK.
This is my personal opinion and not based in science of any kind.
That's what I was looking for, thanks Danny!
I was wondering what the difference between short and long-term storage was
I've got unflavored nicotine in a PG/VG mix, in brown glass and stored at room temperature with subdued light, from 3-4 years ago. It's still fine.
Not sure what a #2 plastic bottle is. But, I've got flavored eLiquid in the squeeze bottles as delivered 3-4 years ago which also seems to be doing just fine. I doubt I'm coating my lungs with plastic, and I see no indication of juice 'leeching' through the plastic.
I'm not a chemist. Just my experience. YMMV
Not sure what a #2 plastic bottle is. But, I've got flavored eLiquid in the squeeze bottles as delivered 3-4 years ago which also seems to be doing just fine. I doubt I'm coating my lungs with plastic, and I see no indication of juice 'leeching' through the plastic.
I'm not a chemist. Just my experience. YMMV
@ChelsB - #1 plastic is PET or PETE. It is not recommended for more than a one-time use. In other words, don't reuse it once the original contents are used up. However, it is also NOT one of the plastics below, that are known to not leech plastics components into the contents.
#2, #4, and #5 bottles are ALL safe to keep liquids in, and do NOT leech plastic components into the contents. Nor do they allow anything to enter into or exit through them. That's why they're also the plastics used in medical and laboratory grade plastic supplies and equipment (bottles, beakers, graduated cylinders, centrifuge tubes, etc.).
The link to that plastics page I posted in another discussion is somewhere on here. Did you save or bookmark it from that? I think you said you were going to at that time. I'm on a different computer and don't have access to it on this one.
#2, #4, and #5 bottles are ALL safe to keep liquids in, and do NOT leech plastic components into the contents. Nor do they allow anything to enter into or exit through them. That's why they're also the plastics used in medical and laboratory grade plastic supplies and equipment (bottles, beakers, graduated cylinders, centrifuge tubes, etc.).
The link to that plastics page I posted in another discussion is somewhere on here. Did you save or bookmark it from that? I think you said you were going to at that time. I'm on a different computer and don't have access to it on this one.
This isn't the website I posted the link to in the other discussion, but it also has easy to understand info. on each plastic container type and number:
The Different Types of Plastic and Their Number Classifications (Codes) - Quality Logo Products, Inc.
The Different Types of Plastic and Their Number Classifications (Codes) - Quality Logo Products, Inc.
Thanks so much! I thought I'd book marked it but I hadn't. I'm using from my phone today and it's difficult to easily search for things.
Thanks again, you are so helpful![emoji4]
You're welcome! No problem!
Here's the one I originally bookmarked and posted the link to in other discussions. I like it alittle better than the info. on the other page I just linked to above:
Plastic Bottles: Are They Safe & What Do The Numbers Mean?
Here's the one I originally bookmarked and posted the link to in other discussions. I like it alittle better than the info. on the other page I just linked to above:
Plastic Bottles: Are They Safe & What Do The Numbers Mean?
FWIW, these LDPE bottles are what I've been working with for about 6 months. The price isn't bad and they work well. One of the reviews says they leak and the caps pop off. My experience is that doesn't happen unless you don't press the dropper tips on tightly enough. I had one pop off. I discovered that you have to press hard to pop the dropper tip on. When it goes SNAP it's on and won't leak or pop off while you are filling a tank. The tip comes off easy enough with a fingernail. It's just a little hard to press on the first time.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ITTTSOM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01ITTTSOM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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I'm storing nic in 1 liter amber glass bottles in the freezer. The active bottle i mix from is 250 ml. The 1 liter bottles are in a zip lock bag then surrounded with thin bubble wrap then put in another zip lock bag. Some of those bottles may not be opened for 10 years. My pg and vg are stored in their original containers which should empty about every 3 years. I have a bottle of flavoring that will probably last about 4 years. I'll be transfering that to glass. I mix once a month into a plastic squeeze bottle and keep refrigerated for the month. I reuse that bottle. I would think that for indefinite storage over years glass is the prudent choice.
@DaveP - If you like those 60mL LDPE bottles...for only $9 more than those 25 cost on Amazon...you can get 100 of them from DropperBottles.com. They also have a bunch of others sizes, too. Brad, the owner, will also split a bag of 100 into several different sized bottles, too. You just need to pay the price for 100 of the largest ones you buy, but put a note at Checkout that says how many of each size you'd like. For example: (60) 60mL + (40) 30mL...and he'll do it for you. He's a really nice guy who runs the business himself, and is quick to answer the phone and answer any questions you may have, too. His bottles are also very good quality ones. I've not had the first problem with any of them!
Plastic E-Liquid (Child Resistant Only)
Plastic E-Liquid (Child Resistant Only)
Wow, I just went to that website, what a good deal!
No it just starts getting to taste good at that point. I have juices I revisit from time to time that are pushing 3 years old. Some mellow some get a little harsher but never turn unvapable.
Why do you say that? What is LDPE "not fine" for? Supporting study/research links would be appreciated as well.
In addition to @JCinFLA's great description I would add the following:
With #1 (PET, PETE) think of plastic used for most soda pop/ bottled water bottles. They are often crystal clear and glass smooth(aside from dyes that might tint the plastic green like a sprite/7Up bottle or some other color) and kind of hard. They will make a loud crackling/cracking sound if you were to step on them. We are starting to see a lot of flavor concentrate manufacturers (and re-bottlers) using them (FA, Capella, and Bull City to name a few). They are often quite rigid for how thin the wall thickness is. These are "use one and toss/do not refill."
With #2 (HDPE) think of plastic used making a plastic milk (also bleach, ammonia, motor oil, shampoo, conditioner, lotion are all commonly #2) bottle (half or one gallon bottles). Usually has a very fine texture but still kind of "glossy" feeling. May be semi-clear (translucent) or solid white or some other color (I have seen black, blue, red, silver, and green). This will make a softer, more of a "crumply" noise when crushed, than the sharp "crackly" sound of #1 (PET). Not as commonly used as #4 (LDPE) by commercial e-liquid/flavor manufacturers primarily due to cost (HDPE costs more than LDPE or PET) though I have received bulk nic in HDPE from one vendor (and PET from two others).
With #4 (LDPE) can look very similar to #2 (HDPE) though is generally softer. Step on an LDPE bottle and you will likely hear little more than the sound of your own footstep as it just kind of spinelessly collapses. #4 (LDPE) bottles are the most common offering for empty DIY bottles that are ready to fill as they are generally a little cheaper than the same bottle made from HDPE. When in doubt of whether it is #2 or #4 look for the recycling code on the bottom of the bottle or on the label.
Both HDPE and LDPE are better choices if you want to reuse/refill them. HDPE is a better choice for longer storage (more than six months to a year(?) I'm totally guessing here...) because the HDPE is generally believed to be less permeable by air/oxygen than LDPE (though how much I haven't a clue).
However, if you are concerned with improving longevity/freshness; I would first look at getting rid of anything with an eye-dropper style cap. At least get solid caps to replace the eye droppers when not in constant/regular use. The ultra soft rubber that is used to make the bulb you squeeze is much more permeable than any of the plastic bottles you are likely to use. I wouldn't hesitate to use an eye-dropper equipped bottle for my daily-use, fill-my-tank/dripper bottle that is getting refilled every month or so; but I would never choose one for something that was only going to be used occasionally.
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