How to Store E-Liquid and Base Mix Long-Term

Whether you're stocking up on base ahead of the vape tax or buying in bulk to save money, knowing how to store large amounts of e-liquid properly can save you a small fortune. Lucky for us, e-liquid products, including PG, VG, Base Mix, and Nicotine, are remarkably stable in the correct conditions.

This rundown is for the best long-term storage practices for keeping large amounts of stock. For juice that you’re in the process of vaping; store in a cool, dry, and dark place for 6-12 months as directed on the bottle.

The Five Storage Basics

There are five major factors to consider when storing your products to ensure the longest shelf life possible.

1. Light

UV light breaks down nicotine and can affect certain flavour compounds. Store everything in a dark place, out of direct sunlight.

2. Heat (and cold)

Heat speeds up oxidation and chemical breakdown. Anywhere away from sources of heat or areas that get warm is essential. A cool cupboard or drawer is great for Mixed E-liquid and Dilutants. A freezer is ideal for nicotine products, which is why all of our nicotine stock at DarkStar is stored in this way - it ensures a clear and fresh product is delivered to our customers every time.

3. Air (Oxygen)

Oxygen is the main cause of nicotine degradation. Keep your containers sealed tight when you're not using them. For long-term storage, squeeze excess air out of plastic bottles before putting the cap back on

4. Moisture

VG and PG absorb water from the air, leaving bottles open can dilute your base over time and potentially introduce contaminants. Keep the lid on and store in a dry place.

5. Time & Tracking

Be sure to rotate your stock, using the oldest bottles first. When making a big order, roughly calculate your usage over two years and don’t over purchase. Keep an inventory list of exactly what’s in your deep storage so you don’t have to pull everything out to check.

PG, VG, and Base Mix Dilutant (Stores for up to 3 years without nicotine)

VG and PG are hygroscopic, meaning they absorb moisture from the air, but they're also naturally resistant to bacterial growth. Stored properly, they'll outlast most things in your cupboard.

Follow the five basics and you’ll be fine storing dilutant. If you're not sure which base is right for you, read our handy blog post on PG & VG covers everything.

Mixed E-liquid (Stores for 2+ years, less if it contains nicotine)

When mixing larger batches of complete liquid, the five storage basics hold true to form. There are some additional things to consider when mixing with specific flavours, especially if they include nicotine of any amount.

Plastic reactions: Some stronger flavours (particularly citrus and cinnamon) can interact with plastic over very long periods. Consider glass storage for e-liquids containing these flavours.

Labelling: Keeping a track of exactly what’s in the bottle and when you mixed it will help you when identify exactly what you’re pulling out of deep storage in a couple of years’ time. (Seriously, don’t skip this one).

Nicotine: Nic can degrade your e-liquids faster, typically lasting no more than 2 years in sub-zero storage. For longer term storage, consider mixing your e-liquids as 0mg and adding the nicotine when you bring the batch out of storage and into use.

Nicotine (2+ years if stored correctly in a freezer)

Nicotine is the most sensitive ingredient in your DIY setup, and how you store it makes a real difference to how long it stays fresh. All DarkStar nicotine is stored at -18°C before it makes its way to you.

Freeze (or refrigerate): this dramatically slows oxidation and keeps your nicotine fresh for 2+ years when freezing, slightly less when refrigerating. Nicotine freezes at a much lower temperature than your home freezer reaches, so it stays liquid but extremely stable.

Decant: Storing in many smaller bottles means that only a small portion of your stockpile is being exposed to oxygen when you come to use some.

Argon blanket (advanced): some experienced DIYers spray food-grade argon gas into bottles before sealing to displace the oxygen. It works, but it's optional, and we’d recommend squeezing the excess air out of the bottle before freezing if you’re new to storage.

Checking on your stock

Checking your stock periodically can help remedy missed errors or remove stock that may have gone bad. Below are a few things to check when reviewing your stock.

Colour change: Nicotine naturally darkens a little over time; that's normal, but if your liquid has gone dramatically dark brown or almost black, that's significant oxidation.

Peppery or harsh taste/smell: Oxidised nicotine becomes sharp and peppery. If your juice has developed a bite or odd scent that it didn't have before, the nic has degraded, and we’d recommend disposing of it responsibly.

Separation: If layers have formed and won't come back together with a good shake, the liquid may have broken down beyond use.

A quick note: slight colour changes and deeper flavour are completely normal for steeped or aged juice. It's the dramatic changes you need to watch for.

Can You Freeze E-Liquid?

Yes, but with some caveats. This comes up a lot, so let's clear it up.

VG, PG, Base Mix, and most e-liquids are fine to freeze. They’ll get thick and syrupy, but they'll stay liquid. Just return to room temperature before using them. They're fine to freeze and will return to normal at room temperature

Nicotine stores exceptionally well in the freezer - if you're buying nic shots in bulk, this is the way to go

Flavour concentrates vary. Most handle freezing well, but some can behave differently after thawing. If you have questions about a specific concentrate, email us at info@darkstar.co.uk.

Quick Reference: E-Liquid Storage Cheat Sheet

In Summary

VG, PG, and nicotine-free e-liquid can be stored for 2-3 years in the correct conditions.

Nicotine needs a bit more care, but a fridge or freezer extends its life significantly. If you're buying nic shots in bulk, a small chest freezer could genuinely pay for itself in savings.

With the vape tax coming in October, there's never been a better reason to stock up, especially now that you know eexactly how best to store it all.

Ready to start building your supply? Browse our VG, PG, and Premixed Base Mix and Nicotine Shots. For the full picture on what's coming and why stocking up matters, read Why Now Is the Time to Stock Base Mix.