Do THC Carts Expire? [How Long Do Vape Cartridges Last]
THC carts, short for cartridges, are pre-filled containers with cannabis oil. These carts are used with vape pens and are quite popular due to their convenience, portability, and discreet nature!
If you've had a vape cart that's been sitting in your drawer for some time, you may wonder if it's past its prime. Do THC carts expire? Well, yes, they technically expire as they have a shelf life.
However, their expiry also depends on factors such as how you've stored them and how often you use them.
A cart usually stays in good shape for a few months to a year. How long do these vape cartridges last, and when are they past their prime? Let's learn more!
Do THC Carts Expire?
The short answer is yes, THC carts do expire over time. The oil in the cartridge happens to degrade, which changes the potency, affects the flavor, and reduces the aroma.
Most of the cartridges have a shelf life of about 12-18 months, while others may last longer depending on the quality of the THC oil.
However, if your cart has gone bad before its expiration date, the chances are that you stored it in poor condition.
Exposure to heat, light, and air accelerates the degradation process of the THC oil, which makes your cart go bad much before it reaches its prime.
How Long Does a Disposable THC Cart Last?
You cannot refill a disposable THC cart as it is primarily designed for one-time use. Keeping this in mind, the carts are designed to have a long lifespan that depends on the size of the cart.
On average, we can say that a disposable cart may last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks for moderate users. Heavy users may finish it within a few days, while most occasional users stretch it out for beyond a month.
Once it's empty, you can dispose of it properly. Most disposable carts live out their lifespan and rarely go bad before you can finish the pre-fill.
How Long Do Carts Last by Volume?
For occasional users, a small vape cart of about 0.5 grams may last two to three weeks, while that of 1 gram may last an entire month.
For heavy users, the THC oil may run out much faster, shortening this lifespan. Storage habits also extend the life of the cart and preserve the quality, taste, and aroma profiles.
Factors Affecting How Long Carts Last
Some factors speed up the degradation process, which makes your cart go bad, while other factors can preserve the quality and taste. What habits impact cart longevity? Let's find out.
User Types and Cart Lifespan
Usage habits are the primary factor in determining how long a THC cart would last. Occasional users can make a cart last for weeks or months, while heavy users who vape multiple times a day could finish it within a few days.
Knowing the usage affects how long the vape cart would last and provides an estimate.
Storage Conditions
If you've left your vape cart in the car for a couple of days, don't expect it to taste the same.
Exposure to sunlight, heat, temperature changes, or even air quickly degrades the cannabinoids and terpenes in the THC-pre-filled liquid. This reduces potency and alters the flavor, making your cart expire way before it reaches the shelf life.
Oil Quality
The oil quality in the cartridge also determines its shelf life. High-quality THC oils with fewer impurities are less prone to degradation.
Such oils also maintain their potency and flavor for up to 18 months! That's quite a long time. If you remember to store it properly, it can last a really long time.
Material and Build of the Cartridge
The material of the cart may also have an effect on the shelf life. Vape carts are made from glass, plastic, etc. Certain materials are better able to preserve THC oil, while others may not be as ideal for longevity.
The coil type is also quite important. For example, ceramic and metal coils have different shelf lives. If the coil goes bad, your vape will produce an altered flavor and smoke. High-quality vape carts are less likely to leak and last a really long time.
Exposure to Air
Improper seals, frequent openings, and poor storage are all factors that increase exposure to air.
For those of you who missed your chemistry classes, exposure to air does a few bad things, such as accelerating oxidation! This degrades the THC into CBN, which is much lower in potency and also has a poor flavor and taste profile.
If you don't want to find yourself stumped, it's best to store your cart properly!
Terpene Stability
Terpene is the magic term for the compound that produces flavor and aroma. These are volatile compounds that degrade even faster than cannabinoids.
Prolonged exposure to heat and air results in terpene degradation and affects the potency, flavor, and aroma of the cart, which may expire way before it reaches the shelf life.
Shelf Life of a THC Cart
An unopened or properly stored THC cart has a shelf life of about 12-18 months, as the degradation process doesn't come close to the cannabinoids and terpenes.
Opened carts are exposed to air. They may last from 6-12 months before you notice any changes in the potency or flavor.
Signs of Expiry or Degradation
Looking for the expiry signs can save you from puffing a THC cart that has expired. Here's what you should look for.
- Change in Color
Examine your vape cart for the color of THC oil. Noticing brown or black liquid? Yep, your THC cart is done for.
THC oil that turns darker indicates oxidation or degradation, which suggests that the oil's quality and potency have been diminished.
- Weird Taste or Smell
A burnt, sour, or off-taste is a clear sign that the oil or terpenes have broken down, indicating spoilage or degradation of the THC cartridge's contents. It's time to dispose of it.
- Thicker or Thinner Oil
Extreme changes in oil consistency may be a sign of spoilage, especially if it becomes unusually thick or runny. Exposure to heat and air are the culprits for this kind of spoilage!
- Reduced Potency
Over time, THC degrades into CBN (cannabinol), reducing its psychoactive effects, so you may not achieve the buzz you were looking for! If you find your vape not working for you anymore, the chances are that it's no longer as effective due to degradation processes.
How Your Hits Affect Vape Cart Usage
The length and size of your puffs have a big impact on how long your THC cart lasts. Longer, deeper pulls consume more oil per hit, reducing the overall number of puffs.
If you're trying to stretch your THC cart's lifespan, consider taking smaller, shorter hits. This can help you enjoy your cart over a longer period without compromising the experience.
Is It Safe To Use Expired THC Carts?
Let's not scare ourselves: vaping an expired one isn't all dangerous, but it can be quite an unpleasant experience that your taste buds won't look forward to!
Expired oil tastes bad—honestly, pretty bad. If you're not fond of this disappointing experience, it's best to replace expired carts with fresh ones. There are a couple of other considerations, too.
Reduced Potency
Expired THC loses its potency, so you would be using a vape that doesn't help you achieve the high you so liked in the beginning! This means that you have to bid your goodbyes to the psychoactive effects!
Throat and Lung Irritation
Experienced a cough and dry throat after taking a puff from the cart? Yep, it's the expired THC oil. Degraded oil produces a harsh vapor that irritates the throat and the lungs, creating a pretty unpleasant experience.
Thicker or Leaky Oil
The oil may become unusually thick or cause clogging, and in some cases, expired carts may leak due to a breakdown in the oil's consistency and cartridge materials.
Risk of Contaminants
While rare, prolonged exposure to air or improper storage of expired carts can allow mold or contaminants to develop, which could pose a health risk when inhaled! Always examine a vape cart that's been left out unsealed for quite some time!
How To Store Your Cart Properly?
Proper storage can extend the lifespan of your THC carts. So, if you're wondering if THC carts expire before their shelf life, the answer is yes. But can you extend the shelf life? Also yes! Here are some storage techniques that may help you use your cart for a really long time.
Keep it Cool: Store your THC cart in a cool place to prevent heat from degrading the cannabinoids and terpenes. Avoid leaving it in hot cars or near heat sources.
Avoid Direct Sunlight: Light exposure can cause THC oil to degrade quickly. Store your cart in a dark place, such as a drawer or storage box, to preserve its quality and potency.
Minimize Air Exposure: Make sure the cartridge is properly sealed when not in use to reduce oxidation. If you're storing it for a long time, make sure it's tightly capped.
Store Upright: Keep your cart in an upright position to prevent oil from leaking or clogging the mouthpiece. This helps maintain the functionality of the cartridge.
Detach from Battery: If you're not using your vape for an extended period, detach the cartridge from the battery to prevent accidental activation or damage to the connection.
Getting the Most Out of Your Vape Cart
THC carts are a discreet, convenient, and enjoyable way to use cannabis. However, these carts don't last forever. Knowing the degradation factors that make the cart go bad quickly can help you extend its shelf life.
Look into proper storage tricks and usage habits that can make it last a while. If you want to purchase a high-quality cart that lasts a really long time and helps you achieve the buzz right away, explore Diet Smoke's THC cart collection.
High potency, incredible flavors, and long shelf life, combined with amazing aroma profiles, are a dream come true for cannabis enthusiasts. Why are you missing out? Explore Diet Smoke's flavorful vape cart range today!