Meta Description: A vape cartridge won’t necessarily go bad, but it won’t taste as good. Puffing on an expired substance is of no practical value, and it probably won’t even have any effects. When taste or aroma fails to reveal it, perhaps appearance will. Let’s know more about it in this blog post.

Introduction

In recent years, the cannabis culture has expanded to include numerous new technological advancements. Cannabis vape cartridges are among the fascinating new technologies which send concentrated hash oil to the dab rig or vape pen and give much more THC than a typical joint or bong hit. However, vape cartridges’ capabilities and limitations are still largely unknown to many consumers, just like any latest tech. Considering that several vape pen designs are still relatively new and lack extensive lifetime studies, one concern is their endurance. You should be aware of the elements determining vape cartridge shelf life if you wonder how long they last.

What’s in a Name?

Given that not all vape cartridges are created equal, not all vape cartridges function comparably regarding how long THC vapes are useful. Even though the majority only contain approximately a gramme of concentrates, these plastic or glass tubes contain various chemicals in varying concentrations. A metal plate heated by a battery just at the tube’s end produces the vaporization effect.

Any component of this device, from the concentrate to the battery, has the potential to break down, become worn out, or just start to smell terrible. So, if you’re wondering how long a dab pen lasts, you should know that it’s not going to last as long as a sturdy silicone bong which can last for years and years. Although the cartridge is prone to failing, you shouldn’t discard it after a few puffs or after just a few weeks on the shelf.

Can THC oil spoil? Yes is the short answer; nevertheless, it doesn’t spoil as soon as you may anticipate. Simple cannabis flowers have a short shelf life for THC because the terpenes could evaporate, or the bud could dry up and lose the THC crystals. While dried marijuana has a shelf life of six to twelve months, THC oil is much more durable and can withstand much more abuse. While all oil will eventually decay as the substance’s chemical connections relax, this process might take years for olive oil or motor oil, for example.

Nevertheless, the breakdown happens more quickly than if you simply left the THC oil out on your kitchen counter for several years because it is constantly subjected to heat and pressure throughout the vaping process.

How long is the life of a vape cartridge? How? is the key question, to which the answer “It relies on a range of situations” is given. Heat can harm durability in addition to energy from the cartridge battery since most cartridges are made of cheap materials that rapidly absorb heat, like heat from a sunny day or the warmth of your pocket. The storage life of THC in a cartridge could also be impacted by exposure to light, particularly sunshine, as the latter destroys the bonds holding the oil intact.

Because of this, the best way to store THC carts would be to keep them in a dry, cool, and dark location, similar to the best way to store virtually every other substance, including cannabis.

Understanding Good, Bad, and Ugly

You may be asking how long THC vapes are good for because it may be difficult or even impossible to detect at first glance whether a THC cartridge has run out. Since the oil doesn’t precisely have an expiration date on the side of the pen, several factors can determine how long carts last.

Additionally, you probably wouldn’t have any issues smoking an old cartridge, simply as you wouldn’t have any issues smoking an old piece of marijuana, but the taste, increased coughing, plus loss of potency will make you regret the choice.

If you’re wondering whether THC vape cartridges expire, the most evident symptom is that the color may change somewhat, from a light amber tint to a darker brown or black. The color of the vape pen cartridge could have changed, which is the first sign that it might have run out of juice. The oil also should flow reasonably freely; however, if you notice plenty of sludge and filth, chances are good that it has lost its effectiveness. Lastly, if the flavor is especially abrasive, acidic, or greasy. Like food left at the back of a refrigerator, you might be able to smell that it has gone bad without really tasting it; that is always better.

You don’t have to worry about tossing away a cartridge to get a new one because certain dispensaries can refill them. However, a used cartridge in the garbage is preferable to a used cartridge on your tongue!