Salt e-liquid, often referred to as nicotine salt e-liquid or nicotine salts, is a specific type of e-liquid used in vaping devices. It differs from traditional "freebase" nicotine e-liquid in how the nicotine is processed.
According to the provided reference, Salt nicotine, also called nicotine salts, is a solution e-cigarette manufacturers create when combining a nicotine base with one or more acids. This chemical process results in a nicotine compound that is more stable and less harsh when vaporized, particularly at higher concentrations.
How Salt Nicotine E-Liquid Differs
Traditional e-liquids use freebase nicotine, which is the purest form of nicotine but can be quite alkaline. This alkalinity increases with higher nicotine concentrations, leading to a harsher throat hit.
Manufacturers discovered that by adding certain acids (like benzoic acid) to freebase nicotine, they could create nicotine salt. This modification lowers the pH level, making the nicotine less alkaline and much smoother to inhale, even at high strengths. The manufacturers use this technique to make vape liquids with higher nicotine concentrations that won't burn the throat.
Key Characteristics
- Smoother Throat Hit: The primary benefit is the significantly smoother inhale compared to freebase nicotine, especially at strengths above 12mg/mL.
- Higher Nicotine Concentrations: This smoothness allows users to comfortably vape much higher nicotine levels (often 20mg/mL to 50mg/mL or even higher).
- Faster Absorption: Nicotine salts are believed to be absorbed into the bloodstream more quickly than freebase nicotine, mimicking the absorption rate of traditional cigarettes more closely.
- Ideal for Pod Systems: Due to their higher concentration, nicotine salt e-liquids are typically used in lower-power devices like pod systems and Mouth-to-Lung (MTL) tanks, rather than high-wattage Direct-to-Lung (DTL) devices. Using high-strength salt nicotine in a powerful sub-ohm device is not recommended and can deliver excessive nicotine.
Freebase vs. Salt Nicotine E-Liquid
Here's a simple comparison:
| Feature | Freebase Nicotine E-Liquid | Salt Nicotine E-Liquid |
|---|---|---|
| Nicotine Form | Pure nicotine base (alkaline) | Nicotine combined with acid (less alkaline) |
| Throat Hit | Harsher, especially at higher strengths | Much smoother, even at high strengths |
| Typical Strengths | 0mg, 3mg, 6mg, 12mg, up to 18mg/mL | 10mg, 20mg, 35mg, 50mg/mL (and higher) |
| Absorption | Slower | Faster |
| Ideal Devices | Various (tanks, drippers, pod systems) | Low-power pod systems & MTL devices |
In summary, salt e-liquid is a formulation of nicotine specifically designed to deliver higher nicotine levels smoothly and efficiently, making it a popular choice for users seeking a quicker nicotine satisfaction or those transitioning from cigarettes using lower-power vaping devices.
