PG smells like alcohol???

[Ratman]

I have a gallon of PG that I picked up about a year ago for DIY. I don't use much of it but went to make up a batch the other day and the PG has a very strong fermented or alcohol smell to it. It may have been there all along but I sure do not remember it if it did.

Is this normal or has it gone bad somehow or ???

 

[FACE MEAT]

That's not normal. I wouldn't use it.

 

[glasseye]

Mine doesn't smell like that. It's got no smell at all. I think I remember reading there's about a year shelf life on that stuff.

 

[thejaker]

Standard PG should have a shelf-life of around 2 years. It is also a colorless (even more-so than VG) solvent. Does yours have any 'tint' to it?

One test to perform would be to take a known sample of 'good' PG and test with litmus paper. Then test again with your PG in question. But from my experience, I have never had an alcohol-smelling PG.

Let me know if you need some help finding litmus test strips

Best,
Jake

 

[Ratman]

I think I am just gonna pitch it. I appreciate the feedback everyone. I will keep an eye out for litmus strips just for the sake of knowledge though and report back when/if I find anything out on it.

 

[yo han]

So what exactly happens when it goes bad? And is it dangerous to use? I mean, I have 6 year old bottle here which I don't use anymore. It has no strange smell or color or anything. How do you know it's gone bad?

 

[yo han]

No-one? ...

 

[supertrunker]

i doubt it presents much danger - after all it is vapourised, but i'd not use it unless i had nothing else. I was under the impression that PG was a mild bactericide so nothing ought to be able to grow on it or ferment.

None of mine last a year anyway because i am greedy.

T

 

[zoiDman]

So what exactly happens when it goes bad? And is it dangerous to use? I mean, I have 6 year old bottle here which I don't use anymore. It has no strange smell or color or anything. How do you know it's gone bad?

I don't know.

But one of the First things I would Consider is the Possibility that the Container that the PG was in May have Effected it.

 

[thejaker]

So we've come to the conclusion there is an unknown contaminant in it - throw it out! PG is so cheap to warrant grabbing another gallon

I agree with Zoid here though. PG is EXTREMELY hygroscopic and could have picked up something from the container or the surrounding atmosphere.

Where are you storing the stuff?

 

[yo han]

Thanks for the responses.
It's stored in a cool, dark place. I don't intend to use it anymore but I'm just curious what exactly could have gone bad. I mean, there are several liquids which can be stored for years without going bad.
Personally I think there's nothing wrong with the PG. There's no expiration date on it and unless someone can come up with an exact explanation I don't believe "going bad" is an issue with this stuff.

 

[zoiDman]

Thanks for the responses.
It's stored in a cool, dark place. I don't intend to use it anymore but I'm just curious what exactly could have gone bad. I mean, there are several liquids which can be stored for years without going bad.
Personally I think there's nothing wrong with the PG. There's no expiration date on it and unless someone can come up with an exact explanation I don't believe "going bad" is an issue with this stuff.

It is Very Hard to say what Happens to Anything when you read a 5 or 6 Sentence Post on an Internet Forum.

There could have been Impurities in the PG to Start With?
The Plastic the PG was stored in could have been the Wrong Type of Plastic?
The Plastic could have been the Right Type, but it had Impurities in it?

It's just too hard to Say.

I know one thing though. PG and VG shouldn't be Effected by any FDA Regulations because they are Used in other Markets. So I don't see a Need to buy Gallons and store PG for a Long Period of Time.

But If I was to Store PG or VG for a Long Period of Time, I would do it in a Glass Bottle with a Poly-Seal Cap. That way I could Rule Out the Plastic Container Leeching into the PG or VG.