Flavor expiration question

4cowgirl2 · Feb 5, 2016

I recently purchased several 4oz bottles of flavoring from ecigexpress. When I received them there were dates on the bottom of them and I was not sure whether they were expiration dates or bottled dates. One of the flavors has a date of 12/04/14. I was concerned so I called ecx and asked the question. The representative said he thinks they are date put in bottles. I asked about the one that has a 2014 date because I bought a large bottle so that it would last me for a while and I don't want it to get old on me. He said he thought it would be ok.
This did not make me feel any better about the old date. Anyway I am new to DIY and don't know how long flavoring will last without getting old so was hoping someone could tell me. Thanks

Huckleberried · Feb 5, 2016

@Donovan (ECX Flavor Lab) can you answer this question?

OBDave · Feb 5, 2016

Huh, I've never noticed dates on my little ECX jugs, will check them later.

My BCV bottles have expiry dates usually about 12-14 months out from when they ship. The only one I've had "go bad" is FA Citrus Mix, which I now need to use about 2 percent stronger than I did before.

fat fingered flubs courtesy dumb mobile phone

Donovan (ECX Flavor Lab) · Feb 5, 2016

4cowgirl2 said:
I recently purchased several 4oz bottles of flavoring from ecigexpress. When I received them there were dates on the bottom of them and I was not sure whether they were expiration dates or bottled dates. One of the flavors has a date of 12/04/14. I was concerned so I called ecx and asked the question. The representative said he thinks they are date put in bottles. I asked about the one that has a 2014 date because I bought a large bottle so that it would last me for a while and I don't want it to get old on me. He said he thought it would be ok.
This did not make me feel any better about the old date. Anyway I am new to DIY and don't know how long flavoring will last without getting old so was hoping someone could tell me. Thanks

That is the date that the product was produced, not the date that it was bottled.

What flavor did you order? Was is LorAnn Peaches & Cream?

4cowgirl2 · Feb 6, 2016

It was Capella peaches and cream

lirruping · Feb 6, 2016

I'm sure they'll replace a product that old. ECX has been really good about that kind of issue with me.

4cowgirl2 · Feb 6, 2016

I called them! I was told that they thought it would be fine

OBDave · Feb 6, 2016

I'd mix a small sample and see if it works...also, checked some of my 120 mini-jugs from ECX and while they all have batch numbers, none have dates of any kind...I've only bought bulk TFA (Signature) and FA from them, though.

DjSharperimage · Feb 7, 2016

I've had e-liquids that were 2 years old.
More specifically FA Desert Ship.
And it actually tasted way better than all the fresh mixes that I've made.

Heabob · Feb 7, 2016

4cowgirl2 said:
It was Capella peaches and cream

Is there something wrong with it?

4cowgirl2 · Feb 7, 2016

I haven't had a chance to try it yet was just concerned about how old it was. I don't know how long the shelf life is on flavoring is or if it can go bad or if I should be concerned at all which is really my question. If they had told me when called what the shelf life was instead of telling me they think should be ok I would have been fine. It is the lack of knowing that is bothering me.

Huckleberried · Feb 7, 2016

I do think you got a bum answer from them, but if anything, I'd only think it would maybe fade out. I just mixed a flavor I've had for close to 2 years and it did fade out, but wasn't "bad".

4cowgirl2 · Feb 7, 2016

Thank You Huckleberried that was my concern is that it would make us sick or something.

Huckleberried · Feb 7, 2016

4cowgirl2 said:
Thank You Huckleberried that was my concern is that it would make us sick or something.

Maybe make up a sample size of it or mix a small amount in a spoonful of water or cool whip, see how it tastes. I'd feel safe doing that.

stevegmu · Feb 7, 2016

Old flavoring will simply lose its taste after time. It won't suddenly grow dangerous bacteria just because it is past the best by date...

4cowgirl2 · Feb 7, 2016

Thank you I will mix up a batch as soon as can get to mixing table

4cowgirl2 · Feb 14, 2016

Finally had time to mix a a batch with the flavoring and it is weak but other than that tastes fine. Thank you all for your advice.

OBDave · Feb 15, 2016

4cowgirl2 said:
Finally had time to mix a a batch with the flavoring and it is weak but other than that tastes fine. Thank you all for your advice.

This is what I've generally found to be the case - flavors lose potency, but don't necessarily "die" if they age too long - a couple extra percentage points in your recipe and all should be well...

Superjeep · Feb 20, 2016

I think I would be pretty pissed if I got a bottle of flavoring dated 2 years ago produced or bottled.....

Heabob · Feb 21, 2016

4cowgirl2 said:
Finally had time to mix a a batch with the flavoring and it is weak but other than that tastes fine. Thank you all for your advice.

I use it at 6-7% and sometimes add 0.5% FA Apricot for a little booster.
Many CAP flavors need a 1 week steep to come alive though IMO.

4cowgirl2 · Feb 21, 2016

I was not very happy and it will affect how much I order from them from this point forward.
But the purpose of this post was not to badmouth them but to get information on how long flavoring can be kept and if it would make me sick if expired. I have tried it and other than will have to mix it stronger than my previous bottle it seems to be fine.

Flavor expiration question

VU Sponsors