Beginner's Guide to Vaping

Beginner's Guide to Vaping Nicotine Salt

Beginners Guide To Vaping NIcotine Salts

Nicotine salt is the new craze in the vaping industry. Pax Labs, the creators of nicotine salts promises a better vaping experience as it mimics the nicotine rush you get from a cigarette.

The vaping industry is literally buzzing over this new product because of the instant rush you get from nicotine salts. This is incredibly exciting as it presents an opportunity for smokers and vapers alike to satisfy their nicotine cravings.

Nicotine salts are not for everyone but if you feel like the existing products in the market are not effective in fighting your cravings, then nicotine salts may be for you.

In this guide, you will learn everything you will need to know about vaping nicotine salts to help you decide if it is a good fit for you.

Why Nicotine Salts versus Regular E-juices?

What's the difference between freebase nicotine and nicotine salts?

You might be wondering why nicotine salts are any better than what you are vaping currently.

It’s not about which is better but more so about what your preferences are and what kind of vaping experience you are trying to achieve to help you move away from smoking.

The e-juices that you find currently on the market have something called freebase nicotine.

There are differences between freebase nicotine and nicotine salts but what makes nicotine salts different boils down to two key components:

  1. Smoother throat hit
  2. Better nicotine absorbability than traditional e-juices (according to Pax Labs)

What this means is that you will be able to vape at higher nicotine strengths while getting a smoother throat hit. It also means that you will be efficiently getting more nicotine than what is currently on the market which explains the kick you get from vaping nicotine salt.

Why Do Nicotine Salts Use Low Wattage Devices?

Low wattage devices vs High wattage devices
The devices used for nicotine salts are different than what you normally see with vapers blowing huge vape clouds.

Nicotine salts are not recommended for sub-ohm high-powered devices because of the higher nicotine levels in nic salts.

Nicotine salts use high nicotine strengths such as 50 mg nicotine levels compared to the usual 3 or 6 mg in regular e-juices. Low wattage devices are perfect for nicotine salt because you don’t need to consume as much vapor to get the same amount of nicotine in a high powered device.

Just to note, it is highly recommended to avoid using nicotine salts in high-powered devices or sub-ohms to prevent excessive nicotine consumption.

There are two kinds of low wattage devices that are available on the market:

  1. Open System: Manually refillable by buying nicotine salt e-liquids in various nicotine strengths and bottle sizes
  2. Closed System: Refill nicotine salt e-juices by buying cartridges/pods that usually come in packs of 4 in various nicotine levels

 Open Systems vs Closed Systems Nicotine Salt Devices

Are Nicotine Salts A Good Fit For You?

Now that we got a brief overview of what nicotine salt can do for you, you might want to consider if nicotine salt may be a better option for you.

The important thing to consider here is that nicotine salts come in high nicotine strengths. If you are satisfied with what you are using currently, then there is no reason to switch to nicotine salts.

Are nicotine salts a good fit for you? - Current Smoker
Here are some reasons why you might want to get into vaping nicotine salts if you haven’t vaped before:

  • You want to start vaping but don’t know where to start - the devices seem too high-tech
  • You want a vaping experience that rivals the experience of smoking a cigarette

If you meet all of the requirements above, then nicotine salts can possibly be for you. Vaping nicotine salts can help you with your nicotine cravings by giving you a sufficient amount of nicotine as well as providing you with a comfortable throat hit at higher doses.

According to PAX labs, nicotine salt works better at delivering nicotine in your bloodstream than regular vape juices and it would arguably provide a better vaping experience for those who are fresh off the cigarettes.

What you will notice with nicotine salt is that you will instantly feel the nicotine rush which helps curb your cravings faster. The buzz you get from vaping nicotine salts will be similar to smoking a cigarette and the vapor filling your lungs closely resembles smoke filling your lungs.  

Lastly, nicotine salt devices are very user-friendly. With the advancements in vaping technology in the past several years, it can be a bit of a time suck to figure out how it all works.

Most of the low wattage devices are autofire meaning that you only get vapor when you inhale.

Another selling point for low wattage devices is that you have the option to choose an open or closed vape system. With a closed system, you don’t have to go through the hassle of refilling your e-liquids manually and can save you from making a mess. The devices are low profile and sleek which make it easy to fit in your pocket and carry.


Are Nicotine Salts a good fit for you? - Tried vaping before

Here are some reasons why you would want to vape nicotine salts if you have tried vaping before:

  • Haven't been successful quitting smoking cigarettes
  • You want higher nicotine level strengths without the uncomfortable throat hit
  • You want less vapor production when you’re out in public
  • You want to use less vape juice

Vaping isn’t always the answer to smoking cessation but if you haven't tried vaping nicotine salts in the past, we think that it’s worth a try.

If you were to vape at 12 mg or higher with regular e-juices, it can take some time getting used to because of the harsh throat hit and the fact that it can severely affect the flavor of your e-juice. Another reason why vaping may not have worked for you in the past may be due to not picking the right nicotine strength. If you felt like your nicotine cravings are not satisfied with your previous nicotine strength, it may be worth considering into moving into vaping salt nicotine.

Nicotine salts are known to instantly give you a nicotine rush which can effectively help you curb your cravings. With nicotine salts, high nicotine levels such as 35-50 mg, the throat hit become more comfortable and you don’t have to vape as much to get the same feeling. Another plus that you get from vaping nicotine salt is that you will be vaping less e-juice than you would in a sub-ohm device due to the amount of nicotine in the e-liquid.

Another common reason why vaping may not work for some is the public image that vaping can have when you chuck huge clouds in front of a group of people. Low wattage devices can give you an alternative to producing huge clouds which may be something that you are looking for. The devices are low profile and a lot easier to carry around in your pocket which makes it perfect for a night out with your friends.

Are Vaping Nicotine Salts Economical?

If you think that nicotine salts may be right for you, then you might be wondering what the costs are compared to your smoking habits.

*PLEASE NOTE THAT THESE ARE JUST ESTIMATES AND DO NOT REFLECT MARKET CONDITIONS OR ACTUAL COSTS

Cost of vaping nicotine salts vs smoking

The numbers above should give you broad representations of how a pack of smokes a day can easily afford to switch to vaping. The average price for low wattage device run anywhere from $12 to $50 dollars. The initial investment is still worth the cost savings. However, what we will note here is that closed systems can be more expensive in the long run with pods running anywhere from $3 to $5 dollars per pod.

Pros and Cons of Vaping Nicotine Salt vs Freebase Vaping

Pros:

  • Less E-liquid consumption since there is less vapor production
  • Longer shelf life for E-liquid
  • High nicotine strengths
    • User-friendly: have the option to choose open vs closed system and very simple design
    • Low maintenance
    • Convenient: maximize pocket space and don’t have to carry around e-juice bottles  

    Cons:

    • Closed system can be more costly
    • Cartridges or pods are not universal
    • Closed systems carry a limited selection of flavors depending on the device
    • Not for high wattage devices or sub-ohms
    • Not all nicotine salt manufacturers will provide a range of nicotine strength
    • Not for cloud chasers
    • Flavors may not be as pronounced compared to high wattage devices   
    • Throat hit could still be harsh to some at high nicotine strengths. You may have to play around with the nic strengths to get a throat hit you enjoy
    • Battery life may not last as long compared to a high powered device

    Let us know in the comment section if you have any questions or want to share your experiences with us! Don't forget to check out our nicotine salt e-juice collection too!

      Reading next

      nic salt vs freebase
      Open vs closed system devices for nicotine salts

      4 comments

      Penny

      Penny

      I started smoking when I was 19 years old. I’m 59 years old and I quit smoking 6 months 22 days and three hours ago. My daughter got me going on vaping. When I’m out of vape juice and coils, the sky is falling. Lol

      Lawrence Tate

      Lawrence Tate

      I’m looking for smoother, not more nicotine. I can’t find any info that gives equivalency data. For example 10mg free base = ??mg nic salt? I’d like to start with equivalent nicotine absorption and then increase from there, if desired. That should be more common than wanting to start with a high dose, I would think. Any equivalence data would be appreciated.

      J.T

      J.T

      Quit mid December ‘20 after 24 years ish of around pack to pack and a half a day. Tried 100 times it feels like to quit. Some will power was involved because as with anything you have to really really want to, which is where I got. Same story as a lot of cats here, started with big mod because that’s all new vaping was. 3mg is not enough, 6 maybe if you chain hit it but even then not really enough. Was adding nic to make 9mg and seemed better but the hits are harsh esp at the volume a large mod works at. So I picked up Suorin Shine for work with 48mg salts. Heard of salts but new nothing about them. Kinda wanted something to sneaky hit while working. Guy at store explained its more hit with less. So went to work and stated using it and I honestly wish I had started there first. It is more like a cigarette across the board, the size and effect are so similar compared to a large mod. More importantly the nic level is so much better and smoother as well. Couple hits and you are good to go for a while also because it is a vape you can sneak a hit anywhere. The smaller units are just easier to keep in pocket and with less vapor attract less attention. I can’t offer any equipment advice as I’ve only had the Shine for maybe 4 weeks now and it was just a work thing. I can offer though if you are smoker looking for some advice I personally recommend getting a small unit low power in that 10 to 15 watt range with salt nic and not do the full mod. Just stay away from the large mod, they work I mean hell I kicked my habit with big mod it’s just this would honesty been an easier transition with less “I just want a smoke” episodes due to higher nic levels and not to mention the money I have spent zig zagging with juices and nic levels trying to find the sweet spot with the big mod. I was using big mod on days off and travel which I have a lot of with my job now I’m just running the Shine all the time. Spend about 30- maybe 50 bucks and get to it instead of 200. I hope this helps somebody along the way

      Stephen X. Brown

      Stephen X. Brown

      Started smoking at the age of 16. Smoked at least half a pack a day (when not dinking) since 2014 (age of 18) I kept this habit for multiple years (vapes were already around, called “E-Hookahs” at that point. Anything over mid ( which now days I would says is 4-6mg freebase) I would just dread the throat hit, and didn’t really feel the “right nicotine” to make me feel “proper” so to speak. So I just kept smoking. At the start of 2019 I started trying a “Blu” pod system (tried em’ in the past as a kiddo, didn’t like much but wasn’t a smoker at that point overall. Got used to it but all of a sudden the flavors fell out of the market due to normal “tabacco/california/influencesChildrendBS” so it became hard to buy. Asked a buddy who vaped and he said “For people like you, go to nic salts” (I had no idea what this stuff was at this point) so I gave him $70 when he was heading to shop to buy me a vape and some good juices. Got “XXX 50mg” salt nic. At first I was scared because I remember shit being 10 and under. First hit fell in love. Almost immediately dropped from 10 cigs a day to 2. And within a week was done. I feel much healthier as far as breathing in cold air goes, and I still get my nic rush. Have gotten 1 other co-worker off of them into it as well and I would never turn away. If you are a half a pack a day smoker and above that wants to try to elevate the cost or feeling (not quit if you don’t want to) then this is the best chance you can get I feel. 10/10 will choose this over my cowboy killer’s any day.

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