Nicotine Concentrate Turning Brown

[Chick Bowdrie]

I wasn't really careful with my nicotine concentrate and contaminated it with some VG. It's also maybe 6 months old minimum. Is it time or contamination that turned it brown? Is this a bad thing. It also makes me wonder if the brownish pre-mixed e-liquid in shops isn't mixed in a very sterile environment.

 

[Baditude]

Liquid nicotine will normally turn darkish when exposed to oxygen or heat. Oxygen doesn't affect it in any way other than the darker color. Heat exposure may decrease its potency. That's why I don't recommend using heat to steep e-liquid.

Nicotine should be good for at least 2 years unless you keep it stored in a freezer.

e-liquid naturally turns darker over time.
Why E-liquid Changes Color

 

[gpjoe]

From everything I know, which isn't a lot, the nicotine will oxidize over time and turn yellowish then brown. Freezing the nic base will slow this down considerably. The reason the store bought juice is darker may be that the juice is older and may have been sitting on the shelf for a while, or it may have some darker flavoring.

 

[score69]

My guess is it's mostly likely oxidation/degradation from the storage conditions.

Nic is in a PG or VG base and will keep clear for years, properly stored in a freezer.

You may have lost a bit of potency, but it will vape just fine. I honestly prefer the taste a little better with age.

 

[gpjoe]

...and Baditude beat me

 

[score69]

...and Baditude beat me

And me...

 

[puffon]

Different flavors affect color also.
Some mixes will turn brownish in a few days.
Others I've mixed, stay clear for several months.

 

[Canadian_Vaper]

Just oxidization, most people keep it in the freezer as it slow down the process.

 

[Baditude]

Nic concentration can affect the appearance of the same flavor.

 

[stols001]

Unless your VG itself was contaminated, I don't really see how a bit of VG being in there is a problem. Think about it. If every time you added nic to VG it caused contamination, well, we would actually be unable to make flavors.

As others have said, it's probably just oxidization, and the reason why most DIY will freeze large quantities of nicotine to halt the oxidation process, and keep a smaller amount in the refrigerator for mixing. If it's in a light colored bottle, or hot conditions, it will darken.

If it doesn't taste horrible, have things floating in it or otherwise turning VERY odd colors like bright red, it's probably fine. If you have a tolerance for somewhat oxidized nic, I don't see any reason for you not to use it, but maybe store it in the fridge from now on so you aren't exposing it to further light and heat. And read up on storage of nicotine so you know what to do with the next batch you purchase.

Good luck,

Anna

 

[Chick Bowdrie]

Good responses, I'm not concerned now, thanks folks!