# What is the shelf life of vinegar? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 19, 2007, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555 "2007-12-19T05:03:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/1 "2007-12-19T05:03:33Z")
I’m cleaning out the deeper recesses of our pantry right now, and I have before me three one-gallon jugs of vinegar, all of which have been opened. :rolleyes: They have ‘best by’ stamps indicating ’00, ’06, and ’09. Are they all still vinegar? Even the oldest one certainly still _smells like_ vinegar. Should I just toss the expired ones? Or should I keep them around for cleaning purposes and use the fresh stuff for cooking/seasoning? Or can I use all three of them for whatever I want? If it still smells like acetic acid, then it’s still good, right? Or is it? ---
**Author:** ![Kevbo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/e47774/32.png) [@Kevbo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kevbo)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 5:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/2 "2007-12-19T05:36:37Z")
Acids in general, and vinegar in particular are not uncommonly used as preservatives…as in pickling. I wouldn’t hesitate to use vintage vinegar if it passed my nose test, but then I’m pretty frugal. Kevbabe OTOH will pour milk down the sink one day after the “use by” date even when it smells fine. ---
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 4:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/3 "2007-12-19T16:05:16Z")
That raises an interesting question, what the hell _can_ happen to vinegar? You basically already had sugar rot into alcohol by way of yeast, then the alcohol rot into vinegar with bacteria. I’m not sure how much farther you can go. ---
**Author:** ![chowder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/977dab/32.png) [@chowder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chowder)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 4:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/4 "2007-12-19T16:12:21Z")
A quick Google: Balsamic 3 years Apple 5 years Malt, indefinitely All this provided the product is kept away from light and heat ---
**Author:** ![Anaglyph](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/ed8c4c/32.png) [@Anaglyph](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaglyph)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/5 "2007-12-19T16:13:38Z")
[QUOTE=wolfman] That raises an interesting question, what the hell _can_ happen to vinegar? You basically already had sugar rot into alcohol by way of yeast, then the alcohol rot into vinegar with bacteria. I’m not sure how much farther you can go. [/QUOTE] Under aerobic conditions, to CO2 and Water 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 5:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/6 "2007-12-19T17:12:45Z")
What kind of vinegar is it? From your line " Or should I keep them around for cleaning purposes and use the fresh stuff for cooking/seasoning? " can I assume it’s white vinegar (since I never heard of cleaning with wine, rice or dear god help me balsamic vinegar)? If it is white, it’s fine, but you shouldn’t use it for cooking anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/7 "2007-12-19T17:57:05Z")
[QUOTE=muldoonthief] If it is white, it’s fine, but you shouldn’t use it for cooking anyway. [/QUOTE] Why not? Admittedly, I only use white vinegar for pickling, but I do use it. ---
**Author:** ![bouv](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/bc8723/32.png) [@bouv](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bouv)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 6:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/8 "2007-12-19T18:10:50Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Moto] Why not? Admittedly, I only use white vinegar for pickling, but I do use it. [/QUOTE] There’s very little flavor in white distilled vinegar compared to other vinegars. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 6:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/9 "2007-12-19T18:15:23Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Moto] Why not? Admittedly, I only use white vinegar for pickling, but I do use it. [/QUOTE] I’m basically going by Alton Brown’s recommendations from his episode dedicated to vinegar. According to him, regardless of what you’re making, there is a vinegar with a flavor profile which will enhance your food. White vinegar is made from grain alcohol, and has no flavor beyond its acidity. Of course, he’s used white vinegar to make cottage cheese several episodes later, but he fessed up to it and said that was the sole exception. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/10 "2007-12-19T18:21:33Z")
[QUOTE=muldoonthief] I’m basically going by Alton Brown’s recommendations from his episode dedicated to vinegar. According to him, regardless of what you’re making, there is a vinegar with a flavor profile which will enhance your food. White vinegar is made from grain alcohol, and has no flavor beyond its acidity. [/QUOTE] When I’m pickling banana peppers, I doubt that this is important. BTW, my pickled banana peppers are so good they’ll make you cry. ---
**Author:** ![KneadToKnow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kneadtoknow/32/3999_2.png) [@KneadToKnow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/KneadToKnow)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/11 "2007-12-19T18:27:50Z")
[QUOTE=muldoonthief] Of course, he’s used white vinegar to make cottage cheese several episodes later, but he fessed up to it and said that was the sole exception. [/QUOTE] I love it when he crosses lines he’s drawn for himself in the sand. “Stuffing is evil” is the classic, but I’m still waiting to see what other uses his cube-steak-making meat tenderizer thingy has. ---
**Author:** ![Washoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecae2f/32.png) [@Washoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Washoe)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/12 "2007-12-19T19:32:43Z")
[QUOTE=chowder] A quick Google: [/QUOTE] Which is what I should have done before I opened my mouth. It took less time to find a reliable answer than it did to compose and proofread (yes, I do that) my OP. From [The Vinegar Institute](http://www.versatilevinegar.org/faqs.html): > [@](#): > > \*\*How Long Does Vinegar Last? > \*\* > The Vinegar Institute conducted studies to find out and confirmed that vinegar’s shelf life is almost indefinite. Because of its acid nature, vinegar is self-preserving and does not need refrigeration. White distilled vinegar will remain virtually unchanged over an extended period of time. And, while some changes can be observed in other types of vinegars, such as color changes or the development of a haze or sediment, this is only an aesthetic change. The product can still be used and enjoyed with confidence. To answer **muldoonthief** ’s query, yes—it’s white distilled vinegar. ---
**Author:** ![muldoonthief](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/muldoonthief/32/3188_2.png) [@muldoonthief](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/muldoonthief)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 7:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/13 "2007-12-19T19:52:02Z")
[QUOTE=Mr. Moto] When I’m pickling banana peppers, I doubt that this is important. BTW, my pickled banana peppers are so good they’ll make you cry. [/QUOTE] I’m gonna have to request a cite for that. Or at least post the recipe. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/14 "2007-12-19T19:58:49Z")
I actually _like_ the taste of white vinegar. It has the bite without anything else getting in the way. Yummy! ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 8:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/15 "2007-12-19T20:02:06Z")
[QUOTE=jayjay] I actually _like_ the taste of white vinegar. It has the bite without anything else getting in the way. Yummy! [/QUOTE] Yup, everything else is just dirty vinegar. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 8:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/16 "2007-12-19T20:13:05Z")
[QUOTE=muldoonthief] I’m gonna have to request a cite for that. Or at least post the recipe. [/QUOTE] Sure. Pack sliced banana peppers in a jar with some salt and let stand while preparing the vinegar mixture: 1 pint white vinegar 3/4 cup sugar 1 teaspoon celery seed 1 teaspoon mustard seed The sugar is what does it - it makes a sweeter pepper. Heat the mixture for 3 minutes, then add to jar, leaving 1/4" at top. Seal and process in a water bath for 10 minutes. I generally let the pickles go for at least two weeks before eating them - and I always boil eggs and pickle them in the peppered vinegar after I eat all of the peppers. ---
**Author:** ![mks57](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b9bd4f/32.png) [@mks57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mks57)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/17 "2007-12-19T21:12:10Z")
What about vinegar eels? ---
**Author:** ![Hello\_Again](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/85e7bf/32.png) [@Hello\_Again](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hello_Again)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/18 "2007-12-19T21:15:44Z")
Ah, the nostalgia. I believe my first post to the Straight Dope, lo, these many years ago, was “Can vinegar go bad?” Basically, it is very hard, but not impossible for vinegar to go bad. A friend of mine who was a Chemistry grad student, told me they once found something growing in a bottle of pure NaOH. Compared to that, household vinegar is a downright hospitable environment. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Colophon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f05b48/32.png) [@Colophon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colophon)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/19 "2007-12-19T21:25:37Z")
[QUOTE=Hello Again] A friend of mine who was a Chemistry grad student, told me they once found something growing in a bottle of pure NaOH. [/QUOTE] Pure NaOH is a solid, so I’m guessing it was an aqueous solution? ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2007, 9:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555/20 "2007-12-19T21:47:46Z")
[QUOTE=Hello Again] A friend of mine who was a Chemistry grad student, told me they once found something growing in a bottle of pure NaOH. [/QUOTE] If you leave NaOH solutions out long enough, they will become solutions of Na[sub]2[/sub]CO[sub]3[/sub] or even NaHCO[sub]3[/sub]. This might just be livable, and maybe even act as a source of carbon for some plant life (That’s just guessing). Definitely that was not a NaOH solution by the time they found it. I’m guessing your friend was not an analytical chemist. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-shelf-life-of-vinegar/430555.md?page=2)