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WARNING: This product contains nicotine. Nicotine is an addictive chemical.

E-Liquid Guide - Freebase vs Nicotine Salts

E-Liquid Guide - Freebase vs Nicotine Salts
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E-liquids (also called vape juice, eJuices, or nicotine liquids) usually have just four ingredients: vegetable glycerin (VG), propylene glycol (PG), flavoring, and nicotine.

The kind of nicotine in the eJuice is important for deciding what type of vaping device to use. The device you choose can also affect how well your body absorbs the nicotine.

What is Freebase E-Liquid?

Freebase nicotine is mostly taken straight from the tobacco plant, getting pure nicotine without any extra impurities. This form of nicotine has higher alkalinity, which makes the throat hit stronger as nicotine levels go up. At 3mg, the throat hit is smooth but noticeable, while it becomes harsher at 6mg and even more intense at 12mg. Most e-liquid makers stick to levels between 0mg and 6mg, as 12mg or 18mg can be too harsh and not many people vape at those higher levels. E-liquid with 0mg has no nicotine, just VG, PG, and flavoring.

What are Nicotine Salts?

Nicotine Salts, or Nic Salts, are made by slightly changing freebase nicotine and adding benzoic acid to balance its alkalinity. This reduces the harshness, making it smoother to vape even with higher nicotine levels. Nic Salts usually start at 20mg and can go up to 59mg, but still feel comfortable because the throat hit is gentler when used with a lower-power device like a pod system.

Now that you understand the different types of nicotine and their features, we can help you find the right device for each one.

What are Sub-Ohm Salts, or Sub-Ohm Nicotine Salts?

Nicotine Salts are usually used with lower-power, smaller devices, but there are some exceptions. Some e-liquid makers create nicotine salts for use with sub-ohm devices, calling these e-liquids "Sub-Ohm Salts." You can safely use these with box mod kits or higher-power devices, as they typically come in 3mg and 6mg nicotine strengths. The reason for using nicotine salts in this form is to reduce the harsh throat hit of regular freebase nicotine, giving a smoother throat hit than a typical 3mg or 6mg e-liquid.

Freebase E-Liquid and Sub-Ohm Devices

Freebase e-liquids work well with sub-ohm devices, like box mods with bigger atomizers such as tanks and RDAs. Since freebase nicotine has lower nicotine levels, it's ideal for sub-ohm devices. These devices have larger coils, higher power, and lower resistance, which allows the freebase nicotine to vaporize within the e-liquid, delivering a small dose of nicotine in large vapor clouds. This setup is great for those who enjoy creating big clouds. Even though a lot of vapor is produced, the nicotine level stays relatively low. Freebase e-liquid can be used in pod systems for a more discreet option, but most pod systems aren't designed for it, as they can't vaporize freebase nicotine as effectively as sub-ohm devices.

Nicotine Salts and Pod Systems

Nicotine salts are perfect for pod systems because they work well with lower power, smaller coils, and higher resistance. This setup creates small, discreet vapor clouds that deliver nicotine salts more effectively. The benzoic acid in nic salts helps make the nicotine smoother by balancing the alkalinity, reducing the harsh throat hit. High-strength nicotine salts should never be used in sub-ohm devices, as the stronger vapor output would deliver too much nicotine, causing discomfort.

Some pod systems, like pod mods, can use both nicotine salts and freebase e-juice, depending on the coil or pod installed. A simple rule to follow is that nicotine salts work best with coils at or above 1.0 ohm, allowing for safe and efficient delivery of higher nicotine levels. Anything below 1.0 ohm is considered sub-ohm and should be used with freebase nicotine e-juice. This ensures safer vaporization and proper delivery of lower nicotine levels with larger vapor clouds.

Hopefully, this guide has made it easier to understand the types of nicotine in e-liquids. Check out our guide page to help you find the right one for your needs. With so many vaping products available, it's important to make an informed decision based on your preferences for design and functionality. You can read product reviews on our website or ask fellow vapers in online communities like Reddit.

Conclusion

All e-liquids on FlyingVape.com are made in the USA, UK, and Canada, ensuring high-quality production. We are also committed to youth prevention through our industry-leading age verification system. We prioritize quality customer service and fast processing times to keep our customers satisfied. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions.

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