Why Some E-Liquids Change Colour
June 27, 2017If your favourite e-liquid has turned a strange colour and you feel like you should throw it away – don’t! This is usually a natural process, and nothing to worry about. We take a look at why your e-liquids change colour, and how you can tell if an e-liquid is bad.
Oxidation
Most of the time, when an e-liquid changes colour it’s because of a completely natural process known as oxidation. Oxidation is a chemical reaction that happens when nicotine is exposed to oxygen in the air, causing a slight change in colour. It’s easy for this to happen, as your e-liquid bottle will obviously be exposed to oxygen every time you open it to refill your tank, and nicotine is a highly reactive substance.
Some e-liquid manufacturers and keen vapers will actually encourage the oxidation process if they steep e-liquids. Steeping by letting your e-liquid ‘breathe’ with the top off for a while encourages oxidation, and along with methods of shaking, storing and heating e-liquid, it can help make flavours more powerful and tasty.
Storage
If you don’t keep your e-liquids in a cool, dry place, you might also find the colour naturally changes. This is because of heat or light reacting with the ingredients inside your e-liquid. Although this shouldn’t result in your e-liquid tasting bad, it’s not recommended by suppliers, and we always suggest keeping e-liquids in a secure cupboard away from cooking areas, or even in a box in your refrigerator. Because of natural oxidation, remember that no matter how well you store your e-liquid, you might find some colour changes anyway. There are a few brands who add preservatives to e-liquids to avoid this colour change, but most high-quality e-liquid manufacturers avoid adding any unnecessary ingredients to their mix.
Vaping
Even putting e-liquid in your tank and using a little can cause the rest of the e-liquid in the tank to change colour – and it’s usually nothing to worry about! Just like e-liquid in the bottle, this is caused by the ingredients reacting to oxygen, heat and light.
Sometimes, e-liquids with a very high VG count can change colour quickly when you vape. They can almost caramelise on the coil in an atomiser, creating a substance that looks like dark gloop and stains your e-liquids. This is one time where the discolourisation can actually make your e-liquids taste bad, so if you are vaping with a 100% VG e-liquid and notice this, you should give your tank and atomiser a good clean.
MTL (Mouth-to-Lung): Mimics traditional smoking.
A mellow tropical blend of Pineapple and creamy Pawpaw. Nic Salt 10ml e-liquid for MTL vaping.
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Tropical Pineapple Dream 10ml Nic Salt E-Liquid
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
A creamy, exotic medley of Curuba, Passionfruit and Banana. 50/50 Freebase 10ml e-liquid for MTL vaping.
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Tropical Passionfruit Splash 10ml Freebase E-Liquid
£3.99
A bright, tangy blend of Golden Kiwi and Tangelo with a cool finish. 50ml High-VG shortfill for sub-ohm vaping.
£11.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Tropical Kiwi Cooler E-Liquid Short Fill 50ml
£11.99
A vibrant tropical mix of Mango, Blood Orange, and Pineapple. 100ml High-VG Shortfill for DTL vaping.
£15.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Tropical Mango Paradise 100ml Shortfill E-Liquid
£15.99
Smooth Tobacco
£3.99
Vapouriz Premium Vapouriz Premium Classic Tobacco E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
Sweet Banana and buttery Pancake with a caramel glaze. Freebase E-Liquid, 10ml.
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Caramelised Banana Pancake 10ml E-Liquid
£3.99
Creamy Milkshake with roasted Pistachio flavour. Freebase E-Liquid, 10ml.
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Pistachio Milkshake 10ml E-Liquid
£3.99
Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream with a sweet Raspberry swirl. Freebase E-Liquid, 10ml.
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream 10ml E-Liquid
£3.99
Roasted Coffee, sweet Caramel and steamed Milk. Freebase E-Liquid, 10ml.
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Caramel Latte 10ml E-Liquid
£3.99
Raspberries and rainbow sherbet
£11.99
Double Drip Double Drip Raspberry Sherbet Short Fill E-Liquid 50ml
£11.99
Golden Banana and buttery Pancake with a caramel glaze. High-VG Shortfill, 50ml.
£11.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Caramelised Banana Pancake E-Liquid Shortfill 50ml
£11.99
Creamy Milkshake with roasted Pistachio flavour. High-VG Shortfill, 50ml.
£11.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Pistachio Milkshake E-Liquid Shortfill 50ml
£11.99
Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream with a sweet Raspberry swirl. High-VG Shortfill, 50ml.
£11.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream E-Liquid Shortfill 50ml
£11.99
Roasted Coffee, sweet Caramel and steamed Milk. High-VG Shortfill, 50ml.
£11.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Caramel Latte E-Liquid Shortfill 50ml
£11.99
Golden Banana and buttery Pancake with a Caramel glaze. High-VG Shortfill, 100ml.
£15.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Caramelised Banana Pancake 100ml Shortfill E-Liquid
£15.99
Roasted Pistachio with smooth Milkshake flavour. High-VG Shortfill, 100ml.
£15.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Pistachio Milkshake 100ml Shortfill E-Liquid
£15.99
Creamy Vanilla Ice Cream with a sweet Raspberry swirl. High-VG Shortfill, 100ml.
£15.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Raspberry Ripple Ice Cream 100ml Shortfill E-Liquid
£15.99
Fresh, roasted Coffee, sweet Caramel and creamy Milk. High-VG Shortfill, 100ml.
£15.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Desserts Caramel Latte 100ml Shortfill E-Liquid
£15.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Heisenberg flavour Vampire Vape E-liquid
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Heisenberg E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
Stronger hit of Menthol
£3.99
Vapouriz Premium Vapouriz Premium Millionaires Menthol E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
Mango, Raspberry and Vanilla
£3.99
Double Drip Double Drip Mango Raspberry Ice Cream E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Rich, sweet Grape flavour Nic Salt E-liquid
£3.99
Bar Salts Bar Salts Grape 10ml Nic Salt E-Liquid by Vampire Vape
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Cherry Blast flavour 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
Pocket Fuel Pocket Fuel Cherry Blast 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
Fresh Ripe Strawberry
£3.99
Vapouriz Premium Vapouriz Premium Strawberry Bliss E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
A light and refreshing 50:50 vape with tangy raspberries and crisp, orchard-fresh apples
£3.99
Double Drip Double Drip Raspberry & Apple 50/50 E-Liquid
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Strawberries
£3.99
Vapouriz 50/50 Vapouriz 50/50 Strawberry 10ml
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Pineapple & Grapefruit flavour Vampire Vape 10ml E-liquid
£3.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Pineapple Grapefruit Fizz 10ml E-Liquid
£3.99
Blend of Spearmint, Peppermint & Menthol
£3.99
Vapouriz Premium Vapouriz Premium Menthol Special Blend E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
A rich blend of tangy Rhubarb and smooth, creamy Custard for a classic dessert vape. 50VG/50PG Freebase E-Liquid.
£1.50
Vape Spot Vape Spot Rhubarb & Custard 10ml E-Liquid
£1.50
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Fresh Strawberry flavour 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
Pocket Fuel Pocket Fuel Fresh Strawberry 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Smooth, rich and satisfying Original Tobacco nic salt e-liquid
£3.99
Double Drip Double Drip Nic Salts Original Tobacco 10ml
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Sweet Strawberry and cool Menthol flavour Nic Salt E-liquid
£3.99
Bar Salts Bar Salts Strawberry Ice 10ml Nic Salt E-Liquid by Vampire Vape
£3.99
Peppermint and Menthol
£9.99
Pocket Fuel Pocket Fuel Menthol Mist Shortfill E-Liquid 50ml
£9.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Raspberries and Apples
£3.99
Vapouriz 50/50 Vapouriz 50/50 Raspberry & Apple 10ml
£3.99
Blue raspberries, black cherries and menthol
£11.99
Double Drip Double Drip Crystal Mist Short Fill E-Liquid 50ml
£11.99
Heisenberg flavour Shortfill E-liquid 100ml
£15.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Koncept Heisenberg 100ml Shortfill E-Liquid
£15.99
Smooth Tobacco flavour Shortfill E-liquid 50ml
£11.99
Vampire Vape Vampire Vape Koncept Smooth Tobacco E-Liquid Short Fill 50ml
£11.99
Raspberry and Sherbet
£3.99
Double Drip Double Drip Raspberry Sherbet E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Kiwi, Passion Fruit, and Guava flavour Nic Salt E-liquid
£3.99
Bar Salts Bar Salts Kiwi Passion Fruit Guava 10ml Nic Salt E-Liquid by Vampire Vape
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Juicy, light and refreshing Watermelon flavour Nic Salt E-liquid
£3.99
Bar Salts Bar Salts Watermelon 10ml Nic Salt E-Liquid by Vampire Vape
£3.99
Pineapple Ice flavour Double Drip shortfill 100ml
£14.99
Double Drip Double Drip Pineapple Ice 100ml Shortfill
£14.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Menthol and Mint
£3.99
Vapouriz 50/50 Vapouriz 50/50 Double Menthol 10ml
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Blue Raspberry flavour 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
Pocket Fuel Pocket Fuel Blue Raspberry 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
Cool & Crisp Mint
£3.99
Vapouriz Premium Vapouriz Premium Ice Mint E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
Watermelon flavour Double Drip shortfill 100ml
£14.99
Double Drip Double Drip Watermelon 100ml Shortfill
£14.99
Rich Black Cherry
£3.99
Vapouriz Premium Vapouriz Premium Black Cherry E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Menthol Mist flavour 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
Pocket Fuel Pocket Fuel Menthol Mist 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Fresh mint leaves and pure menthol e-liquid
£3.99
Vapouriz 50/50 Vapouriz 50/50 Ice Mint 10ml
£3.99
RDL (Restricted-Direct-to-Lung): A balanced vaping style slightly restricted airflow.
Original Tobacco flavour 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
Pocket Fuel Pocket Fuel Original Tobacco 50/50 E-Liquid
£2.99
Fresh Ripe Raspberry
£3.99
Vapouriz Premium Vapouriz Premium Raspberry E-Liquid 10ml
£3.99
Bad E-liquids
There are a few ways to tell if your e-liquid is still good to use, and it’s useful to do these if you’ve had e-liquid over a year:
- Check the best before date, and dispose of the e-liquid if it’s past it’s best
- If you’ve had the e-liquid open and in storage for over two years, it may be best to bin it
- If the e-liquid smells strange or very different from when you first opened it, it’s probably off
- If your e-liquid has sediments in it or the ingredients have separated, give it a shake. If this doesn’t mix things up and make it look right again, get rid of it
- Last but not least, if it tastes foul or produces an unpleasant hit, it may be bad! Just double check by cleaning your kit or replacing your coil, in case it’s old e-liquid residue in your vape rather than your e-liquid itself.
As you can see, there are many reasons that an e-liquid changes colour, and it doesn’t mean that your e-liquid has gone bad. Rely on smell and taste rather than sight and store your e-liquid well, and it will last a long time.
