Nicotine salt e-liquids rose to prominence alongside the wave of small, low wattage pod devices. This guide explains what a nicotine salt is, how it differs from the freebase nicotine in standard e-juice, why many vapers choose it, and who it does not suit. Five salt e-liquids from our catalog are listed at the end.
Freebase nicotine came first
Salts are easier to understand once you know about freebase. According to the usual account, freebase nicotine dates to the 1960s and to researchers at Phillip Morris. They found that treating nicotine with ammonia separated it from the acids that occur naturally in the tobacco plant. What was left, freebase nicotine, proved more potent and had a stronger effect, and tobacco manufacturers went on using it for many years.
In e-liquid, freebase nicotine is meant to be vaped at high temperatures. Push the nicotine concentration up and it becomes harsh, with a biting feeling at the back of the throat.
How a nicotine salt is made
A nicotine salt starts as freebase. Researchers learned that adding an acid, such as benzoic acid or levulinic acid, sets off a reaction between acid and base, and the product of that reaction is nicotine salt. The salt form is more chemically stable, and it sits much closer to the nicotine that exists in tobacco leaves.
Why salts feel smoother
Two things explain the gentler throat feel:
- Chemical structure: the stable salt form goes down smoothly, so a high nicotine level does not bring the harsh sensation that strong freebase does.
- pH: pH measures how acidic or alkaline a solution is. Freebase nicotine has a high pH and is very alkaline. Nicotine salt has a low pH, which makes it more acidic.
That combination of high strength and a smooth hit, together with the restricted draw of a pod system, is a large part of why salts became so popular.
Easy devices for newcomers to vaping hardware
Pod systems built for nic salt e-liquid are very simple to operate, and no earlier experience with vaping devices is needed to work one out. The range of pod systems on sale is wide. Some are disposable and ready to use straight from the box.
Who should avoid nicotine salts
Salts do not suit everybody. If you have no experience with nicotine, the buzz from a salt e-liquid can be overwhelming. E-liquids are also made with 0mg of nicotine or at very low strengths.
Five nicotine salt e-liquids we stock
The ejuice.deals salt range covers fruit, tobacco, menthol, dessert and breakfast flavors. These five were among the most popular when this guide was written. All of them are 50/50 VG/PG.
- I Love Salts Spearmint Gum: spearmint bubblegum, sweet and minty. Sold in a 30ml bottle with 25mg or 50mg of nicotine salt.
- Air Factory Salt Mango: a later addition to the Air Factory series that tastes of mango-flavored taffy candy. Sold in a 30ml bottle at 18mg or 36mg.
- TWST Salt Watermelon Madness: watermelon mixed with lemonade, both sweet and tart, and a refreshing choice for summer. Strengths are 35mg and 50mg, and it is sold as a 60ml pack of two 30ml bottles.
- Jam Monster Salt Blackberry: buttered toast with a little blackberry jam on top, in the style Jam Monster is known for. Sold in a 30ml bottle at 24mg or 48mg.
- Yogi Salt Blueberry Granola Bar: a crunchy granola bar with blueberry, honey and vanilla bean. The flavor is rich and realistic. Sold in a 30ml bottle at 35mg or 50mg.
There are many more salt e-liquids in the store beyond these five.