Yes, Storing E-Liquid In The Refrigerator Can Be A Bad Thing!

There has been a lot of discussion among vapers over whether it's okay or not to put e-liquid in the refrigerator to prolong the amount of time it can be safely stored. Anyone with knowledge on the proper storage of e-liquids knows that they should be kept in a cool, dark place away from sunlight and other sources of heat. But is it necessarily okay to store them in the fridge to meet these requirements, despite the type of material the bottle is made of?

One of the reasons storage in the refrigerator might not be a good idea, has to do with the degradation of certain types of flavors. In the cold conditions of a refrigerator, concentrated flavors can crystallize over extended storage times, changing the taste of the original liquid and destroying the balance of its chemical makeup.

Two of the main ingredients in e-liquid: Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG), also experience alterations to their compositions when exposed to extreme changes in temperature. PG is used, in part, as a thinning agent in e-liquid and is meant to be stored at close to room temperature. VG is a liquid sweetener that’s used as a thickening agent. At low temperatures, it can potentially become too thick, resulting in caramelization of the sugar and creating a mixture which is too thick to be used in vaping devices effectively.

Another problem with long-term refrigeration can be the formation of condensation within the bottle due to the wet conditions inside the fridge. Often, microbial material is present within the air of the typical home refrigerator. Over an extended storage period this material causes bacteria to grow within the headspace, which is the air pocket in the top of the bottle. Over time, this material can breakdown the stability of the e-liquid.

People tend to store e-liquid in the refrigerator because they understand that it's best to store it in a cool, dark place. The structure and flavor of the e-liquid can be better maintained if it's kept at, or near, room temperature, and the fridge is far too cold for this purpose. If possible, buy smaller quantities of e-liquid at a time so that it gets used quicker and long-term storage isn't a necessity. Observing proper guidelines for storing your e-liquid will ensure that it maintains the great flavor and consistency that you enjoy for the full duration of its use.