Do Carts Expire? How to Best Store Your Cannabis Cart

Californians have gone ape for vapes. 

If you are an avid user of vape cartridges, you’ve probably have asked before: do carts expire? Or you’ve wondered about the color of the oil in your weed cartridge and whether or not it was still safe for use.  

The rising popularity of cannabis oil and concentrates begs the question, what’s the best way to store your vape oil cartridges to maximize shelf life and potency?

Geno Guerrero, Lead Extraction Technician at Caliva, has the answers to your frequently asked questions about marijuana vape oil storage.

Caliva's popular Daybreak cartridge should see limited light if not in use. 

What’s the Best Way to Store Marijuana Vape Oil to Extend Its Shelf Life?

Make note of the steps below to ensure that you are storing your cartridges in the best environment. After all, all we want is the best-tasting bud that’s full of flavor. 

1. Avoid heat. According to Guerrero, 70℉ is the ideal temperature to store vape oil cartridges. High storage temperatures can degrade the taste and potency of the oil, and can also cause cartridges to leak.
2. Avoid sunlight. The sun degrades oil quality, in the same manner, it degrades flower quality. Oil exposed to light will become darker and less potent over time. And, like with flower, heat from the sun can also play a role here. Overall, this is common sense. Don’t leave your weed cartridge in the hot sun all day. 
3. Cold in moderation. Cannabis vape oil doesn’t have the same issues with colder temperatures that flower does, like humidity problems and/or trichomes falling off buds. Despite a greater tolerance for cold, your oil (or concentrates) shouldn’t stay in the freezer, as that can still create moisture issues inside a cartridge.
4. Overall, be aware of time. Do carts expire? The expiration date on most vape cartridges purchased from a licensed seller is usually one year from the date of manufacturing. However, regardless of the expiration date on the container, how long a vape cart lasts – its shelf life — is determined by how well you care for it.

These factors mean the best storage places for marijuana vapes are cool, dry places, like a desk drawer or refrigerator. If possible, keep the cartridge upright and not on its side, to help prevent leakage.

How Long Does a Weed Cartridge Last?

When you buy from a dispensary, you can look at the packaging to see the date of manufacturing and expiration. If you're buying vape cartridges online, make sure you're dealing with a reputable company. High sales volumes ensure that the vape carts you receive aren't close to expiration when you receive them.

There's no set time limit on the life of vape oil. The better conditions you store it in, the longer it will retain its potency, terpene profiles, color, etc.

How to Store a Vape Pen

Let’s face it. Proper storage is the key to shelf life. Finding a secure manner to store your vape pen will go a long way toward ensuring that it continues to produce vapor. Take these steps to properly store your vape pen.

Store your vape cartridge upright, even when not in use: putting it on its side might cause it to leak and make it easier for dust and dirt to get inside, clogging the device.

Keep your vape pen out of direct sunlight as much as possible. It's best to keep your device at normal temperature. Prolonged exposure to sunshine can potentially harm the e-liquid.

How to Store Cannabis Oil  

Cannabis oils can be kept in the refrigerator in a glass bottle or frozen in ice cube trays in an airtight container. If you combine cannabis-infused oils with herbs, they will take on new flavors. Keep in mind that cannabis-infused oils should not be microwaved and that when cooking with cannabis oils, low heat should be utilized.

The Oil in This Cartridge Is Darker than When I First Purchased It. Is It Still Okay to Vape?

Yes, although the taste and potency may have changed. Guerrero says, “Finding an old vape cartridge with darker oil will still work and will be safe for consumption. Darker oil just means that the vape was probably left exposed to light and has darkened the oil through oxidation; potency might be lower (not significantly lower) now, but it’s still safe for consumption.”

Put Your New Knowledge to Use 

Taking proper care of your cartridges will give you the best experience. Now that you know how to prolong the life of your carts and upkeep their potency, you’ll be getting more bang for your buck. 

Implement your new knowledge by shopping Caliva’s wide selection of carts today and get it delivered right to your door.