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Nic Salt E-Liquid FAQs: Understanding The Biggest Rising Trend In Vaping For 2024
Nic salt e-liquids are quickly becoming the go-to option for UK vapers, particularly those who discovered vaping through disposable vapes.
With the smoother nicotine delivery even at higher strengths and bold flavour profiles, more and more vapers are considering giving them a try than ever before.
Read on as we explore the most common Nic Salt FAQs, so you can get the answers you need to decide for yourself if they are the right fit for your journey!
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Nic Salt E-Liquid FAQs
- Conclusion
Introduction
Welcome to our breakdown of the most common FAQs new and current vapers have about nic salt vape liquids. In this blog we will explore as many different questions as possible to give you the information you ened to try them with confidence, or possibly decide that they aren't the right vape juice for you!
If you are a disposable vape user, you may not even be aware that the e-liquid inside the single-use kits you enjoy is actually a different format to traditional freebase e-liquids, which have been around a lot longer than nic salts. If you are looking for an alternative to disposables, then opting for nic salt vape juice like our EDGE Bar Salts, paired with a refillable vape kit could well be the best option for your journey, especially in light of the upcoming UK disposable vape ban.
Whether or not you have tried them before, it is likely that you will have one or two questions about what they are, how they work, and how they can benefit you - so explore the FAQs below to troubleshoot and discover the facts so you can make an informed purchase.
Nic Salt E-Liquid FAQs
Looking for an answer to a specific query? Use the nav here to jump straight to the information you are looking for.
- What Are Nic Salt E-Liquids?
- What Is The Science Behind Nic Salts?
- What Is The Difference Between Freebase and Nic Salt E-Liquid?
- What Are The Benefits Of Nic Salt E-Liquid?
- Is Nic Salt Vape Juice The Right Choice For Me?
- What Is The Best Nic Salt E-Liquid Strength For Me?
- What Vape Kits Work Best With Nic Salt E-Liquid?
- What Vape Coils Work Best With Nic Salt E-Liquid?
- How To Inhale A Nic Salt Vape?
- What Are Bar Salts?
- Are Nic Salt E-Liquids A Good Alternative To Disposable Vapes?
- Will Nic Salt E-Liquids Be Banned In The UK?
- Are Nic Salt E-Liquids Safe?
- Where Can I Buy Nic Salt E-Liquids
What Are Nic Salt E-Liquids?
Nic salts are a unique type of e-liquid that utilise a modified form of nicotine to deliver enhanced user benefits including smoother delivery at higher strengths, longer lasting craving satisfaction and a faster acting hit to help manage cravings.
Nic salts is simply a shorthand name for nicotine salt e-liquid, referring to the special type of nicotine mentioned above. They have not been around as long as traditional 'freebase' vape juice, but have gained incredible popularity over the years, particularly since the rise of disposable vaping culture, with single-use vapes exclusively being filled with nic salt flavours.
Earlier examples of nic salt vape juice followed a very similar format to other 50-50 vape liquids, however the most modern and popular style, known as 'bar salts', have carved out a unique foothold in the industry by utilising double-concentrated flavourings to deliver particularly rich and bold profiles, often acompanied by a cooling sensation ranging from low to icy-cold.
Nic salt e-liquids are typically available in a slightly smaller range of strengths: 5mg, 10mg or 20mg vs the traditional freebase range of 3, 6, 12 and 18mg. The reason they are called nic "salts" is because while some nicotine salts occur naturally within the tobacco leaf, they can also be created by adding a weak acid to a nicotine base; in science, these combined elements are described as a “salt”,
What Is The Science Behind Nic Salts?
The nicotine used when making e-liquids comes in two varieties - freebase and salt. Freebase nicotine is the type we use for 'traditional' vape juice like our core range , and is named as such because the nicotine molecules are freely suspended in a base like propylene glycol (PG). This creates a specific dilution that we can then accurately blend as a part of our e-liquid recipes to create the different strengths available.
Nicoine salts are also suspended in a base material for mixing purposes, but the nicotine molecules are modified with the addition of an acid. The most common acids used for vaping are benzoic, salicylic, levulinic and lactic. These acids create nicotine benzoate, salicylate, levulinate and lactate. There are many different varieties of salt nicotine out there, and while some have unique effects such as cooling or even muting certain flavour profiles, they all have three things in common: incredible smoothness even at high concentrations, fast-acting craving suppression, and longer-lasting effectiveness.
The trademark smoothness is achieved becasue in its natural state, nicotine is particularly akali in pH - this is why freebase delivers a throat hit. By adding the acid molecule, this pH is neutralised and brought much closer to that of the human body, which not only means it has little to no throat hit, but can also permeate your body much faster via the blood-brain barrier, delivering a much faster nicotine hit that leaves your cravings satisfied for longer.
What Is The Difference Between Freebase and Nic Salt E-Liquid?
Ultimately both nic salt and freebase e-liquids work in the same way, they are most commonly mixed to a 50-50 PG-VG ratio, they pair with the same kinds of refillable vape kits, and often come in the same types of flavour. The key difference is how the two different forms of nicotine compare, providing user experiences that can suit different preferences depending on what you are looking for on your journey.
Where nic salts like our Bar Salt range are very smooth at all available strengths, freebase juices like our Elite range deliver a throat hit which increases in intesity with each strength from the mild 3 and 6mg up to the more powerful 12 and 18mg options. Some vapers enjoy the throat hit as it brings the experience closer to that of smoking a cigarette, which can make the switch from smoking a little easier - for others however, the smoothness of nic salts can make vaping easier to practice day-to-day, particularly if the user was a previous smoker who enjoyed the reduced harshness offered by menthol cigarettes, or simply find that vaping makes them cough.
Where nic salt vape juice stands out vs freebase however is in the rapid and long-lasting craving satisfaction it can provide. While many vapers are perfectly satisfied by traditional e-liquids, others feel that the extra impact offered by nic salts helps them manage cravings more easily, and can reduce the amount a person needs to vape to do so.
Whether or not these differences are a benefit or a drawback is entirely down to personal needs, and new vapers should consider what experience is best suited to them before purchasing to ensure their journey is as successful as possible.
What Are The Benefits Of Nic Salt E-Liquid?
When new to vaping it can easily be assumed that all e-liquids are the same. Nic salts however are uique, and offer a range of benefits that might make them the perfect choice for your vaping journey:
Faster, Smoother & Long-Lasting Nicotine Delivery
Thanks to the science behind nic salts explained in the FAQs above, these unique e-liquids have the potential to be one of the most powerful tools to help you quit smoking. Vaping is of course intended to be a less harmful alternative to cigarettes for adult smokers looking to quit, and ensuring nicotine is delivered effectively is vital in achieving that.
The nicotine in nic salts is neutralised to reduce throat hit to almost unnoticeable levels, making them extremely smooth even at the highest legally permitted strength in the UK - 20mg. This means they can deliver an amazing amount of craving supression without impacting taste, or trigering unwanted coughing. They also deliver the nicotine faster, and supress cravings for longer, meaning you don't have to vape as regualrly as freebase to meet your needs.
More Intense Flavour
Aside form the nicotine it delivers, the biggest influecning factor when choosing to vape is often the range of flavours available to try. Nic salts are available in just as many profiles as freebase vape juice, but modern examples such as our Bar Salt range utilise double-concentrated flavourings to deliver a more intense flavour experience. The reason for this is to more closely replicate the experience offered by dispsoable vape brands like Elux, Lost Mary and Elf Bar, which are largely responsible for the sudden surge in demand for nic salt vape liquids. Especially in light of the UK ban on single-use vapes, more vapers than ever are looking for a like-for-like experience which can only be offered by 10ml bottled bar salt style e-liquids.
Is Nic Salt Vape Juice The Right Choice For Me?
To decide whether or not nic salt vape liquids are the right choice for your journey, it's important to understand your needs and goals. If any of the following examples apply to you, then they could be a good option:
1. You are a first-time vaper that has just converted from a heavier smoking habit, requiring more powerful nicotine delivery to manage cravings.
2. You tried vaping but felt that the nicotine hit was ineffective or the flavour wasn’t strong enough.
3. You already tried high strength freebase e-liquids that satisfied your cravings but felt the throat hit was too intense.
4. You are having to vape more frequently than you would like in order to manage cravings.
What Is The Best Nic Salt E-Liquid Strength For Me?
To ensure you are getting the most from your vaping journey, choosing the right nicotine strength is vital. Nic salt e-liquids come in a slightly different range than typical freebase examples, so even if you are already familiar with 3, 6, 12 and 18mg options you should take note of a the differences when opting for nic salts. Don't forget that nic salts absorb faster and last longer than freebase nicotine, meaning you may not need to opt for a higher strength to get the same level of satisfaction - it's better to start lower and work your way up until you find a level that suits your needs from the list below:
5-10mg - These options are the two lower strengths available in our bar salts range which you can browse here. 5mg is great for lower to medium intensity smokers looking for smooth satisfaction. If 5mg doesn't quite manage cravings, then 10mg is a good option. Freebase users who previously found 12-18mg satisfactory will likely be able to use 10mg as the more efficient nicotine delivery will be more effective than you might expect. This is a bonus as you will be able to beat cravings with a lower strength than you used previously in freebase.
15-20mg - These are the two higher strength options available in our range. there are not many brand sout there offering a 15mg option, but consumer feedback has guided us with many people telling us that they would like a middle-ground to help manage cravings better than 10mg (which had left some vaping too regularly) but without wantig to go as high as 20mg, which is best reserved for extremely strong cravings or disposable vape users looking to switch to refillable kits.
What Vape Kits Work Best With Nic Salt E-Liquid?
Any typical vape kit set up to pair with 50-50 style vape liquids will work just fine with nic salts, such as those in the collection shown below. Pod kits however like the OXVA and Vaporesso Xros series of devices perform particularly well, and have coils that can really make the most of the bold flavours offered by modern nic salt blends.
Many of the pod kits we offer at EDGE come with the added benefit of built-in coils, meaning the maintainance only requires one extra step than using a disposable vape, making the convenience comparable if you are looking to move away from single-use vapes.
Most devices will give recommendations on their packaging so be sure to check them – you should also have a look at the coil in your pod or tank, if it is rated 0.1 to 0.9ohms, this is ‘sub-ohm’ and is not recommended for nic salts as they are for high-VG juices and are far too powerful for the thinner 50-50 e-liquid.
There are some exceptions to this rule however with some pods offering what is called an RDL experience - this is very similar to a disposable in that a slightly sub-ohm coil is combined with open airflow to deliver a bigger cloud while still being designed for 50-50 blends. You can learn more about different devices in our guide: How To vape In 2024.
What Vape Coils Work Best With Nic Salt E-Liquid?
The best coils for vaping with nic salt e-liquids are undoubtedly those with mesh technology. Mesh vape coils heat more evenly and efficiently and as a result deliver the best flavour depth - a huge selling point when considering how bold the flavour profiles of modern nic salts can be; you'll want to make the most of them! Thankfully most modern vape kits use mesh as a standard, meaning you have plenty of options.
As a general rule, any coil rated 1.0ohm or above will handle nic salts well, with the exception of specifically designed RDL coils, which are sub-ohm (rated 0.9ohm or below) but still inteded for use with thinner 50-50 vape juice blends. If you are a disposable vape user looking to switch to a refillable kit, then these RDL coils will offer a more like-for-like experience and make the transition feel more seamless.
If you are unsure if a kit is suitable - check out the product description before buying, or if you already have one in your hands and are wondering if it will handle nic salts, check the coil/pod itself; they almost always have their ohm rating written on them, so make sure it corresponds with the recommended ratings above and you will be fine.
How To Inhale A Nic Salt Vape?
There are two main inhaling techniques that are best suited for vaping with nic salt e-liquids, by using either of these options you should find your experience is smooth an enjoyable:
MTL
MTL stands for mouth-to-lung and is the go-to vaping technique for both beginners and those who already vape any 50-50 style vape liquids. It is a similar action to that of inhaling with a cigarette in that you inhale the vapour and hold it in the mouth before drawing it into your lungs and then exhaling. This technique is a good option for higher strength juices as it helps to reduce coughing by not overwhelming your lungs.
RDL
RDL stands for restricted-direct-lung and is a middle-ground bewteen MTL vaping and DTL (direct-to-lung) vaping, the latter being reserved for seasoned vapers using high VG juice and sub-ohm kits. RDL coils restrict the amount of vapour produced so you can smoothly inhale straight into your lungs and exhale in one action, with a more open feeling airflow akin to that offered by dsposable vapes.
What Are Bar Salts?
Bar salts, or bar juice, are the names given to a modern variety of nic salt e-liquid designed to replicate the big and bold flavours popularised by disposable vape devices like Elf bar, Elux and SKE Crystal. Ranges like ours which you can browse below, feature all the best-selling and most popular flavours offered by almost all single-use vape brands. The intention is to offer vapers a like-for-like experience when switching from disposables to refillable vapes. They are blended to a 50-50 ratio, pair best with mesh coil pod kits, and come in a range of tapered strengths incluing 5, 10, 15 and 20mg.
Bar salts are the best alternative for those looking to move away from disposable vapes as not only do they mean you won't be adding to the growing environmental issues surrounding disposable vapes (which you can learn more bout here), they also offer incredible value for money long term. Rather than buying a disposable unit for circa £6, containing only 2ml of nic salt vape liquid, you can get 10ml of even better quaity vape liquid for only £3.50. If you want to learn even more about bar salts, check out this blog.
Are Nic Salt E-Liquids A Good Alternative To Disposable Vapes?
In short, yes; when paired with a refillable vape kit of your choice, nic salt e-liquids make the perfect alternative to disposable vapes.
They offer the same bold flavours, in profiles replicating the most popular from all leading brands like Elf Bar, Lost Mary and beyond, pack the same smooth yet satisfying punch when it comes to nicotine delivery, and offer unbeatable value for money long-term.
With single-use vapes set to be banned in the UK within the next 18 months, there's never been a better time to start thinking about alternatives and the popularity of bar salts is only incresing as vapers discover the quality and value for themselves.
You can learn more about alterntives to disposable vapes in our blog here!
Will Nic Salt E-Liquids Be Banned In The UK?
Thankfully no, it does not appear that nic salt e-liquids will be banned in the UK alongside disposable vapes which Rishi Sunak has revealed are set to be made illegal to buy or sell in 2025.
There may yet be some flavour restrictions enfoced, but the government has not yet revealed what this will entail beyond removing examples that may appeal to children such as sweets/candy and soft drinks. We have also been told to expect e-liquid packaging to be toned down to further minimise the appeal to under-18s.
Despite these restriction ultimately you will still be able to buy and enjoy nic salt e-liquidin the UK for the forseeable future.
Learn all about the ban and how it will impact the vaping world in our blog!
Are Nic Salt E-Liquids Safe?
While research is still ongoing, Nic Salts have not been linked to any risks beyond any of those posed by traditional e-liquids (which are very minor vs smoking). Public Health England’s landmark study has positioned vaping as 95% less harmful than smoking, and is yet to be disputed, with multiple subsequent studies consistently finding vaping to be a less harmful alternative to traditional cigarettes including Yorkshire Cancer Research’s 2021 Vaping Demystified investigative film and multiple annual vaping evidence reviews conducted by the UK Gov themselves.
EDGE Bar Salts and indeed all EDGE vaping products are subject to rigorous safety tests in-line with TPD regulations designed to ensure only safe products make it to market. Everything we sell is registered with the Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) who have vetted our safety test results to ensure they comply or exceed expected standards before we can release them for sale so you can trust in our quality.
Where Can I Buy Nic Salt E-Liquids?
You can buy nic salt vape juice right here at EDGE Vaping! We have 40 flavours matching the most popular profiles of leading disposable vape brands, but with unmatched quality, safety and value.
Check out the products in the carousels above or click the shop now button below to browse the full range today!
Conclusion
We hope that this guide has helped you troubleshoot any queries you might have regarding vaping with Nic Salt e-liquids. Whether you are a new vaper, a veteran looking for something new, or a disposable user looking to find an alternative in light of the ban, nic salts are a fantastic option and well worth giving a try!
If you are wondering how to build a long-term vaping setup that makes transitioning to refillable vapes more seamless - check out our guide to making the switch!