How many times can you reuse plastic bottles?

[cocacola31173]

I have about 10 of the 30 ml bottles left over from Mt Baker Vapor and I see they sell just the bottles. I was just wondering how many times is it safe to reuse the same bottle?

I tried using some of the glass bottles that I have but I don't like the separate dropper...will prob use them for juice I don't use a lot of though.

 

[cskent]

I reused the same plastic bottle for close to a year, refilling it about every 2 weeks. It never leaked or anything so I just kept on using it. I gave it away recently though to a friend who wanted to try my juice, I just gave him the entire bottle.

 

[Jonathan Tittle]

I have about 10 of the 30 ml bottles left over from Mt Baker Vapor and I see they sell just the bottles. I was just wondering how many times is it safe to reuse the same bottle?

I tried using some of the glass bottles that I have but I don't like the separate dropper...will prob use them for juice I don't use a lot of though.

It really depends on the bottle and its composition. The bottles that MBV use & sell are LDPE. They're not as sensitive to the tank-cracker juices as HDPE bottles are (specifically the neck of said bottles, in my experience with various vendors' HDPE bottles). As long as you take care of the bottles and you're not hard on them, they should easily last a year or more. LDPE plastics are meant to be flexible and last a long time, but as with anything, if you're hard on it, toss it around and/or abuse it, the lifespan of the bottle drops.

HDPE's tend to be the worst, IMO, as they're harder and over time develop weak spots in the plastic (from squeezing, liquids that simply deteriorate the plastic etc). They're normally clear whereas most LDPE's are frosted looking (like MBV's).

 

[Rickajho]

It's not really a question of "safe" it's more a matter of can you get the previous flavor out to reuse it with something different. Some flavors aren't worth the effort of trying to remove from the bottle. Put a banana in a bottle that previously had menthol in it, no matter how well you tried to clean it. Go ahead.

 

[jgoss]

I'm still reusing bottles from ecblend. Have been since about June of last year. They still seem fine to me.

 

[crxess]

#1 choice LDPE

Plastics by the Numbers | Eartheasy Blog

 

[WileECoyote]

I stick to reusing glass. I haven't found a fool proof way to clean the droppers though...

 

[WillyZee]

#1 choice LDPE

Plastics by the Numbers | Eartheasy Blog

thanks crxess ... nice link

 

[Wow1420]

It really depends on the bottle and its composition. The bottles that MBV use & sell are LDPE. They're not as sensitive to the tank-cracker juices as HDPE bottles are (specifically the neck of said bottles, in my experience with various vendors' HDPE bottles). As long as you take care of the bottles and you're not hard on them, they should easily last a year or more. LDPE plastics are meant to be flexible and last a long time, but as with anything, if you're hard on it, toss it around and/or abuse it, the lifespan of the bottle drops.

HDPE's tend to be the worst, IMO, as they're harder and over time develop weak spots in the plastic (from squeezing, liquids that simply deteriorate the plastic etc). They're normally clear whereas most LDPE's are frosted looking (like MBV's).

You are describing PET plastics, not HDPE. HDPE is also frosted like LDPE.

 

[pufZeppelin]

I stick to reusing glass. I haven't found a fool proof way to clean the droppers though...

hey,

wonder, do you realize you can pull the glass dropper stem
out of the cap, rinse, screw a paper towel in to dry...

gentle but firmly, twist and wiggle it 'pops' right out
now easy to clean, lube it up and slip it back in...

 

[vaperature]

It's not really a question of "safe" it's more a matter of can you get the previous flavor out to reuse it with something different. Some flavors aren't worth the effort of trying to remove from the bottle. Put a banana in a bottle that previously had menthol in it, no matter how well you tried to clean it. Go ahead.

I find if you let water sit in it for a day or two the flavor / scent of the previous juice comes out.

 

[Wingsfan0310]

I had a few that had peppermint and strong menthol in it that were given me and I don't think even a flamethrower could get the smell out. All that would be left is a melted plastic bottle that smells like menthol and peppermint I'm a glass man.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[wllmc]

hahaha man same here . i have a buddy that started on menthol vapes. he gave me at least thirty 10ml bottles. had to toss over half due to the menthol. thank god he is off the menthol now . ha. pretty much using glass for all the repeat offenders . testers and stuff i dont like usually gets put in plastic and thrown in the cabinet of doom or given away

I had a few that had peppermint and strong menthol in it that were given me and I don't think even a flamethrower could get the smell out. All that would be left with a melted plastic bottle that smells like menthol and peppermint I'm a glass man.

Cheers,
Steve

 

[Stosh]

I use the LDPE plastic bottles, and the flavors never were an issue. When my bottle of peppermint is empty, make another batch in the same bottle, menthol and other long lasting flavors the same. I've permanent labeled the bottles, and just keep using the same flavor in the same bottle...

 

[LoveVanilla]

Don't know the type of plastic (they were inexpensive w/metal needle tops), but I've been pitching any with juice. Dripped some where I could distinctly taste the plasticizer (this after sitting 2-3 weeks with juice). I'm a glass man now.

 

[boog]

I only use Kerr HDPE bottles (made in U.S.). I have stored ecto cooler concentrated flavoring in one for ~2 years, still in perfect shape.

all of my DIY goes into them. I believe I could use the same bottle for 10-20 years and it would still be in perfect shape.

 

[dead not sleeping]

I stick to reusing glass. I haven't found a fool proof way to clean the droppers though...

Push the bladder through the cap top down. The glass dropper will then pull out. Rinse everything well, dry, put the dropper back in the bladder and pull the bladder through the cap bottom up. It'll pop right back in the groove. If you pull, push or twist on the dropper you can snap it, just work with the bladder part.

dns