The oxidation problem of e-cigarettes mainly involves three aspects: oxidation of e-liquid components, corrosion of metal parts, and degradation of battery performance, which may lead to poor taste, equipment damage, and even safety hazards. The following provides a systematic anti-oxidation preservation method from three dimensions: e-liquid, hardware, and environment, and combines scientific principles with practical skills to ensure the long-term preservation quality of e-cigarettes.
The nicotine, flavoring, vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG) in e-liquid are prone to oxidation under the influence of oxygen, light and temperature, resulting in darker color and bitter taste.
Store in a sealed container
Use the original factory sealed bottle: Unopened e-liquid should be kept in the original factory sealed state to prevent air from entering.
Sub-packaging and sealing: If sub-packaging is required, use brown glass dropper bottles (UV-resistant) + food-grade silicone rubber sealing rings to reduce oxygen contact.
Vacuum packaging (Advanced solution) :
Use a vacuum pump or a manual air pump to extract the air from the bottled portions and then seal them to extend the shelf life.
Applicable scenarios: Long-term storage (more than 6 months) or expensive e-liquid.
2. Keep away from light and low temperatures
Avoid light
E-liquid should be stored in opaque containers (such as brown bottles) to avoid direct sunlight which can cause the degradation of nicotine.
Analogy: Similar to red wine, it needs to be stored away from light to prevent the oxidation of tannins.
Low temperature
The optimal storage temperature is 10-20℃ (in the refrigerator's crisper drawer), but please note:
Avoid freezing: VG will thicken at low temperatures, but it will not damage the e-liquid.
Moisture-proofing: If refrigerated, make sure the bottle caps are sealed to prevent condensation water from seeping in.
3. Reduce contact with metals
Portioning tools: Use plastic or glass droppers to portioning e-liquid. Avoid prolonged contact between metal needles and e-liquid.
Atomizer storage: If the atomizer needs to be stored for a long time, the e-liquid should be drained and cleaned to prevent the residual e-liquid from oxidizing and corroding the metal parts.
The metal components of e-cigarettes (such as the atomizing core, battery contacts, and casing) are prone to performance degradation or damage due to oxidation.
Battery anti-oxidation
Regular charging
Lithium batteries should be stored for a long time at 40% to 60% of their capacity (approximately 3.7 to 3.9V) to prevent over-discharge from causing battery aging.
For example, it is recommended that the battery of a mobile phone be stored at 50% for a long time. The principle is the same.
Moisture-proof and dustproof
Use a battery storage box (with an insulating pad) + desiccant (such as a silica gel bag) to prevent the contacts from oxidizing.
Avoid metal contact: Do not store the positive and negative terminals of the battery together with metal items such as keys and coins.
2. Anti-oxidation of the atomizer
Empty the e-liquid:
Before long-term storage, the e-liquid in the atomizer should be emptied to prevent the residual liquid from corroding the metal heating wire or cotton.
Disassembly and cleaning
Disassemble the atomizer into components such as the atomization core, base, and glass chamber, clean them with warm water or alcohol, and then dry them.
Drying technique: Use the cold air setting of a hair dryer or a drying oven to accelerate the evaporation of moisture.
Dust-proof sealing
After cleaning, the atomizer components should be placed in a sealed bag or storage box to prevent dust from entering the airway.
3. Anti-oxidation of the equipment casing
Metal casing
Wipe regularly with a microfiber cloth to remove sweat stains or oil stains and prevent corrosion.
When stored for a long time, food-grade mineral oil (such as baby oil) can be applied to form a protective film.
Coated components
Avoid friction with hard objects to prevent the coating from peeling off and causing oxidation.
Oxygen, humidity and temperature in the environment are the main factors accelerating oxidation and need to be controlled through the following methods:
Reduce the oxygen concentration
Vacuum sealing
Use vacuum bags or vacuum tanks to store the e-cigarette main unit, spare atomizers, etc., to reduce oxygen exposure.
Tool recommendation: Household vacuum sealing machine (such as Fresko brand).
Nitrogen-filled preservation (advanced scheme) :
It is suitable for professional collections or high-priced equipment by injecting nitrogen and discharging oxygen, but the cost is relatively high.
2. Control the humidity
Desiccant
Place silica gel desiccants (reusable) in storage boxes or drawers to keep the humidity below 40%RH.
Detection tool: Electronic hygrometer (such as Xiaomi Temperature and Humidity Meter 2nd Generation).
Moisture-proof box
If the environmental humidity is relatively high (such as during the rainy season in the south), an electronic moisture-proof box (with humidity adjustable to 30%-50%) can be used.
3. Stabilize the temperature
Avoid high temperatures:
The long-term storage temperature should not exceed 25℃ to prevent the decomposition of e-liquid components or battery aging.
Taboo: Do not place e-cigarettes in the car, beside the radiator or in direct sunlight.
Avoid low temperatures:
The performance of batteries will decline significantly below 0℃, so freezing storage should be avoided.
Mark date:
Mark the opening date on the e-liquid bottle or repackaged bottle, and give priority to using e-liquid with a longer opening time.
Regular maintenance
Check the battery voltage every three months. If it is lower than 3.2V, it needs to be charged to 50% before storage.
Avoid mixed use:
Different brands of e-liquids may accelerate oxidation due to differences in composition. It is recommended to store them separately.
Child protection
E-liquid and batteries should be stored out of the reach of children to prevent accidental ingestion or short circuits.
Anti-oxidation of electronic cigarettes requires comprehensive management from three aspects: e-liquid, hardware and environment. The core principle is:
Sealed to isolate oxygen: e-liquid sealed, batteries stored independently, and equipment vacuum-packed.
Control temperature and humidity: low temperature (10-20℃), low humidity (<40%RH), and avoid light.
Reduce metal contact: Avoid prolonged contact between e-liquid and metal, and clean the equipment regularly.
Recommended plan:
Daily use: Refrigerate the e-liquid sealed + charge the battery to 50%+ store the device in a dust-proof bag.
Long-term collection: Vacuum sealing + moisture-proof box + desiccant + regular inspection.
For travel: Separate small bottles + shockproof cases + batteries stored separately.
Through scientific storage, the service life of e-cigarettes and their accessories can be significantly prolonged, maintaining the best taste and performance.