important to freeze nicotine?

[cheesegrits]

Hi y'all. Just the thread I was looking for.

I'm about to start DIY'ing, and like a lot of folk, am looking at stocking up on bare nic prior to whatever regulations the FDA decides to slam us with. My plan had been to get a liter of the Nude Armor, 100mg, 50/50, in 125ml bottles. I typically vape at 6mg, 50/50, and get through 100ml a month, if that. So that should keep me going for a while!

But from reading this thread, it seems that the higher nic strength may oxidize quicker. And I'm not sure, but opinion seems to be that PG based may also oxidize quicker.

So ... what's my best bet, concentration wise, and PG/VG mix wise, for maximum freezer shelf life?

I am a little limited on freezer space, as I only have a standard over/under, no separate chest freezer, which is why I'd originally planned on the higher concentration. Although I'll probably get one soon, so if lower nic concentration makes a significant difference to shelf life, I don't mind getting more of a lower concentration, and I'll find a way of accommodating it for now. If the Cherry Garcia has to go, it has to go.

Hugh


.

 

[Tepid]

I had 100%PG 100MG from MFS in the freezer for a little over a year, it's no darker than when I got it
I also have a lot of Wizard Labs NIC 100mg 100%VG that is perfectly fine after a little over a year
I also have RTSVapes NIC stored away.

I break my stock down into 250ml, 120ml, 30ml and 15ml Amber Boston Rounds with Cone Caps
I label the bottles, and then Vacuum Seal them in freezer bags and label those as well.
I start using the 15ml bottles and then break down the larger bottles to the 15ml as needed.
So, yes, storing at 0 to -10 degrees is a good idea for long term storage.

Your best money will always be on the 100mg NIC base.

I vacuum seal for a couple of reasons.
One if a bottle cracks for whatever reason, I don't ahve 100mg NIC base all over everything
2 if a lid cracks, same deal. and I think it helps protect the lid a bit from condensation, possible freezer crystals forming and
destroying the cap or leaching into my base.

 

[Boletus]

If the Cherry Garcia has to go, it has to go.

It's going to be a dirty, thankless job, but someone's got to do it. You might even be able to find volunteers to help.

 

[cheesegrits]

With regards to the Cherry Garcia, I couldn't possibly ask anyone else to help, that would be shirking my personal responsibilities, and expecting others to make sacrifices for my addictions. This is something I must do myself. Of course, as I'm down to just the scrapings in the bottom of a pint carton, first I'll have to go and get a few quarts, so there's some in there that needs getting rid of.

But back on topic ... opinions seem to be that there isn't much to choose between Wizard, MFS and Nude quality wise, so I guess it comes down to pricing. I'm still tempted by the Nude Armor deal, as although it is more expensive, I'm fairly convinced that replacing the air with argon has to greatly increase shelf life. If there is (effectively) no oxygen in the bottle, oxidation has to be slower. I'm not a scientist, I don't even play one on TV, but makes sense to me.

So I'm figuring on getting that for my "screw the FDA" long term, future proofing stock. But I'll just find the best deal, price wise, from one of the reputable labs for whatever I'm going to actually use in the short term.

Oh, and I just found a well reviewed vacuum sealer on Amazon for $40, so I ordered that as well. So my long term stock will be in Nude Armor bottles, vacuum sealed, in a lightproof box (along with a "freezer pack" thing, to help reduce temp fluctuations in brown-outs, etc), in my freezer. That should maximize lifetime!

Thanks for the advice,

Hugh

 

[Boletus]

I don't think you can get much better than that, storage-wise. Of course it can't hurt to keep your nic surrounded by cartons of Cherry Garcia, which you replace with fresh cartons periodically. Forget about the rest of that stuff in your freezer, it is just taking up space anyway.

 

[we87]

What are the opinions of keeping a base solution at room temp?

For example if I put my 50/50 VG/PG 6mg base in my vape room, on my vape, ready to go. That way when I want to make a bottle I just use that and add flavoring to it. This seems easier to me at least, but something tells me there's a draw back to this. Personally I see no difference between this and storing any other bottle of ejuice premixed at room temp.

What are y'all thoughts?

 

[Boletus]

What are the opinions of keeping a base solution at room temp?

For example if I put my 50/50 VG/PG 6mg base in my vape room, on my vape, ready to go. That way when I want to make a bottle I just use that and add flavoring to it. This seems easier to me at least, but something tells me there's a draw back to this. Personally I see no difference between this and storing any other bottle of ejuice premixed at room temp.

What are y'all thoughts?

For short to medium term storage, room temp is fine. People have even stated that a year at room temp could be OK, but in a hot area without AC, maybe not. Freezing is only really called for if it will be months before you use it. The nicotine will lose some of its potency over time, and lower temperatures will slow that considerably.

 

[we87]

For short to medium term storage, room temp is fine. People have even stated that a year at room temp could be OK, but in a hot area without AC, maybe not. Freezing is only really called for if it will be months before you use it. The nicotine will lose some of its potency over time, and lower temperatures will slow that considerably.

This even applies when it is a 50/50 mix?

 

[Boletus]

Yes, the PG/VG ratio should not matter. I think flavorings would get funky before the nic, PG, or VG. I have had some flavored stuff get weird tasting after having it sit on my desk for a couple of months.

 

[MooseMan]

All of Wizards Labs nic is purged with argon when bottled according to there website.

Whats the best way just to store PG and VG? Glass bottles in the freezer too I guess?

What about flavors? Seems like I read somewhere that flavors and ready made juice shouldn't be stored in the fridge or freezer, but I might be mistaken.

 

[zoiDman]

This even applies when it is a 50/50 mix?

50:50 or Any Ratio shouldn't be a Problem if your Nicotine Base / e-Liquids are Kept in a Cool, Dark Place. Like a Locked File Cabinet.

I would Also suggest that you Transfer Nicotine Base or e-Liquids to Glass Bottles for Long term Storage.

 

[Mowgli]

What about flavors? Seems like I read somewhere that flavors and ready made juice shouldn't be stored in the fridge or freezer, but I might be mistaken.

I read that freezing would separate them but they could possibly remix if shaken when they get rewarmed.

My juice is long gone before it's 6 months old and I toss my flavors at a year. Stocking is good, overstocking not so much

 

[MooseMan]

Yeah that makes since. Guess if an 8 ml vial (what wizard labs sells) ain't gone in a year then it must not tickle your fancy.