Leaving vape juice in a hot car is generally not recommended. The heat can degrade the ingredients in vape juice and negatively impact the quality and safety of the product. However, the extent of the damage depends on several factors, including the specific ingredients, nicotine content, length of exposure to heat, and temperature inside the car. Understanding the effects of heat on vape juice will help vapers make informed decisions about proper storage and transportation.
Does Heat Affect Vape Juice Quality?
Yes, heat can degrade the quality and taste of vape juice. The main ingredients in most vape juices are vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavorings, and nicotine. Here’s how each ingredient is affected:
Vegetable Glycerin and Propylene Glycol
– VG and PG have relatively high boiling points of 290°C and 188°C respectively. However, long exposure to high heat can break down these compounds gradually.
– This can mute flavors and make the vapor taste burnt or unpleasant. The vapor production and throat hit may also change with degraded VG/PG.
Flavorings
– Flavorings are very sensitive to heat. Exposure can cause them to oxidize, evaporate, break down, and react with other ingredients.
– This leads to a loss of aroma and altered taste. Complex layered flavors can become flat or harsh.
Nicotine
– Nicotine is volatile and will evaporate when heated. Up to 50% or more can be lost if vape juice is left in hot conditions.
– The nicotine content may decrease dramatically, giving an inconsistent and unsatisfying vape.
Effects of Heat on Vape Juice Safety
Excessive heat can also make vape juice less safe by:
– Producing new oxidized chemical compounds as flavors and VG/PG break down. Some may be irritating or toxic when inhaled.
– Potentially concentrating toxic impurities that evaporate more slowly than nicotine and PG.
– Damaging plastic bottles and tanks, leaching chemicals into the juice.
– Promoting the formation of formaldehyde and acetaldehyde in the vapor when used. Both are carcinogens.
So while vape juice ingredients start out as safe at room temperature, decomposition from heat introduces new risks.
What Temperatures are Safe for Vape Juice?
Vape juice should be stored and transported below 40°C/104°F whenever possible. Some things to keep in mind:
– Storage temperatures above 30°C/86°F may gradually degrade juice over time. Temperatures above 40°C significantly accelerate chemical breakdown.
– Brief exposures to higher temperatures under 60°C/140°F (i.e. when vaping) are generally safe. But the hotter the vape, the more rapid the deterioration.
– Prolonged exposure to temperatures above 60°C risks substantial chemical changes plus nicotine loss.
– Do not leave vape juice in environments exceeding 70°C/158°F for any length of time. This can make the juice harsh and unvapable.
How Hot Do Car Interiors Get?
Interior car temperatures can easily exceed safe vape juice limits during hot weather:
– In just 60 minutes under direct sun, car interiors reach 43–66°C (110–150°F).
– On a mild 25°C day, the interior hits 65–76°C (149–169°F) after an hour.
– With outside temperatures of 37°C, in-car temps get as high as 82–94°C (180–201°F).
– Interior surfaces like dashboards and seats reach temperatures 15–30°C hotter than the air.
What About the Trunk or Glove Compartment?
Trunk and glove box temperatures typically reach 10–20°C cooler than the main cabin. However, they can still exceed 60°C on hot days:
– With 37°C ambient air, trunks hit 60–70°C. Glove compartments reach 50–60°C.
– On cooler days, trunks range from 40–55°C while glove compartments are 30–50°C.
So while the trunk/glove box doesn’t get as hot, extended storage there is still not recommended if avoidable.
How Long Can Vape Juice Safely Be Left in a Hot Car?
Brief exposures to elevated but not extreme temperatures will not instantly spoil vape juice. Some general guidelines:
– At 40–60°C, noticeable degradation occurs after 4–8 hours.
– 30–40°C is safe for about 8–24 hours, depending on the exact heat.
– Try to minimize exposure to temperatures over 30°C. Keep total accumulation under 24 hours.
– Exposure over 40°C should be limited to 2 hours or less when possible. Over 60°C is dangerous after any significant duration.
– Leaving juice in a parked car for 1-2 days can severely diminish quality and safety regardless of temperature.
The hotter the vape juice gets, the quicker it breaks down. Take steps to mitigate temperature and time exposure.
Does Nicotine Content Make a Difference?
Yes, juices with higher nicotine concentrations degrade faster in heat. Here’s why:
– Nicotine oxidizes faster at elevated temperatures. More nicotine = more rapid oxidation.
– Loss of nicotine through evaporation also occurs quicker with more nicotine initially present.
– Higher nicotine means more throat hit, which declines more noticeably as the juice deteriorates.
– The oxidized byproducts of nicotine may be more irritating at higher concentrations.
So while all vape juice should be protected from heat, this is especially important for high nicotine blends.
Do PG/VG Ratios Matter?
PG and VG have slightly different heat stabilities:
– PG has a lower boiling point than VG (188°C vs 290°C) and is more vulnerable to evaporation.
– However, PG is less prone to oxidation from heat than VG. VG breaks down more readily.
– Flavors dissolve better in PG. Losing PG to evaporation can mute flavors.
– PG also contributes to throat hit, which lessens as the juice degrades.
So while both PG and VG degrade from heat, VG oxidation is the larger chemical change. Higher VG blends may suffer more.
Does Bottle Material Impact Safety?
Yes, bottle and tank materials make a difference in how heat affects vape juice:
– Glass offers the most heat protection. Avoid plastic when possible.
– Plastics leach chemicals into vape juice when heated, especially softer polyethylene bottles.
– E-juice tanks also degrade over 60°C. Acrylic, polycarbonate, and nylon tanks are most heat-resistant.
– Silicone cases offer some insulation for mods/tanks but still allow significant heat transfer.
For storage, glass represents the ideal bottle material. Certain clearomizer materials like pyrex glass are very durable as well.
Can Shaking or Mixing Remediate Heat Damage?
Unfortunately, shaking or mixing vape juice after heat exposure cannot undo most degradation. Here is why:
– Chemical breakdown of VG, PG, and flavorings cannot be reversed by physical agitation.
– Nicotine evaporation is permanent – shaking will not restore lost nicotine.
– Oxidation produces new chemical compounds that cannot be shaken apart.
– The only benefit is remixing ingredients that may have separated, which is minor.
Damaged vape juice molecules require chemical processes like distillation to reverse decomposition. Shaking or mixing can help blend ingredients but does not repair degraded compounds.
Does Putting Vape Juice in the Fridge Help?
Refrigeration can effectively protect vape juice from heat damage. Key points:
– Fridge temperatures of 2–8°C are ideal for storing e-liquid long-term.
– Nicotine and flavor loss is nearly halted. Oxidation and chemical reactions are minimized.
– Let juice come to room temperature before vaping to avoid tank cracking and condensation.
– Avoid freezing e-liquid. This can permanently alter the ingredient structure.
– The freezer is good for short term storage or transport for up to a few weeks.
Refrigeration preserves vape juice integrity almost indefinitely if sealed from air exposure. It offers an easy way to guard juice from temperature damage.
Tips to Prevent E-Liquid Heat Damage
Here are some tips for keeping vape juice safe from excessive car and ambient heat:
– Never leave juice in a hot car for more than 2 hours. Less time is better.
– Store in the glove box or trunk rather than the cabin if possible.
– Use materials like glass bottles and acrylic tanks that withstand heat best.
– Keep juice in insulated bags or wrap in reflective sun shields when transporting.
– Park in shade and use windshield sun-reflectors to keep the car interior cooler.
– Keep a spare bottle for refills and leave main supply at home.
– Avoid leaving juice in hot environments like attics and garages. Refrigerate for storage.
With some simple planning, vapers can enjoy quality e-liquid all summer without putting it at risk in the heat.
The Bottom Line
Ultimately, leaving vape juice in high temperature environments like a hot car is not recommended. While brief exposures will not instantly ruin e-liquid, the heat can gradually degrade the ingredients and performance. This worsens safety and enjoyment. With proper care, any negative effects of heat on vape juice can be minimized or avoided altogether. Just use common sense and don’t leave those vape juices baking in the sun!
