How to Mix Nic Salts with Regular Vape Juice

Mixing nic salts with regular vape juice might sound like something only seasoned vapers would try, but it’s actually a simple, practical way to tailor your vape exactly to your preferences.

Whether you're looking to fine-tune your nicotine strength, smooth out a harsh throat hit, or just use up leftover e-liquids, combining nic salts with freebase vape juice is perfectly doable with just a little knowledge and care.

From demystifying the distinctions between nic salts and freebase nicotine and outlining the potential benefits and drawbacks of mixing, to providing a clear, actionable guide on how to safely blend them for optimal device compatibility and storage, this article covers everything you need to know to personalise your vape.

Nic Salts vs Freebase Nicotine: What's the Difference?

Before mixing, it’s important to understand the two types of nicotine you’re working with. Both have their place in vaping, but behave differently, especially when combined.

• Nicotine salts are a type of nicotine formulation found naturally in tobacco leaves. In vape juice, they’re created by combining pure nicotine with an acid (typically benzoic or salicylic acid), which lowers the pH level and makes them smoother to inhale, even at higher nicotine strengths.

• Freebase nicotine is the standard form of nicotine used in most e-liquids. It delivers a more pronounced throat hit, which some vapers prefer, but it can be harsh at higher strengths, particularly in low-powered devices.

Here's a breakdown of their key differences:

Pros and Cons of Mixing Nic Salts with Freebase Juice

Now that you know how nic salts and freebase differ, let’s take a closer look at the benefits (and potential drawbacks) of mixing them.

Pros:

• Customise your nicotine level: Got a nic salt e-liquid that's a little too strong or a freebase juice that doesn't quite satisfy your cravings? Mixing allows you to precisely tailor your nicotine intake without the need to purchase entirely new bottles. By carefully combining different strengths, you can hit that sweet spot that perfectly meets your needs at a specific time.
• Achieve a smoother inhale: Freebase nicotine can feel harsh at higher levels, while nic salts are known for their smoother delivery. Mixing offers the possibility of striking the perfect balance, blending the smoothness of nic salts with the familiar sensation of freebase.
• Cost-effective and waste-free: Every vaper has likely encountered a bottle of e-liquid that isn't quite their favourite but still has plenty left. Mixing provides an economical solution to utilise these lingering juices. By combining them with other flavours or nicotine strengths you enjoy, you can prevent waste and get the most out of your e-liquid investment.
• Creative flavour combos: For the adventurous vaper, mixing opens up a playground of unique flavour combinations. By artfully blending complementary or even contrasting flavour profiles, you can create your own signature vape juices that go beyond the commercially available options.

Cons:

• Not all mixes work well: If you mix e-liquids with very different VG/PG ratios (like a 70/30 freebase and a 50/50 nic salt), you could run into wicking issues, dry hits, or poor vapour production, especially in devices that aren’t designed for thicker or thinner liquids. Similarly, mismatched flavours can result in odd or unpleasant combinations.
• Risks of nicotine miscalculations: It's easy to miscalculate nicotine strength when you're eyeballing measurements or mixing on the fly. If you're not careful, you could end up with a mix that's too strong (or too weak) for your needs.
• Limitations by device: Not all vape kits are suited for mixed juices. High-powered sub-ohm devices can make even moderate nicotine mixes feel overwhelmingly harsh, while some low-powered pod kits might struggle with thicker blends.

How to Mix Nic Salts with Regular Vape Juice (Step-by-Step)

Mixing nic salts with freebase vape juice is easier than it sounds, and when done properly, it lets you fine-tune your nicotine experience for maximum comfort and satisfaction. Here’s exactly how to do it safely and effectively.

What You’ll Need:

• Nicotine salt e-liquid
• Freebase nicotine vape juice
• A clean, empty bottle (10ml–30ml with a secure cap)
• A syringe or pipette (for accurate, mess-free measuring)
• Gloves (optional but recommended when handling high-strength nic salts)

Step 1: Choose Compatible E-Liquids

The key to a satisfying mixed vape lies in choosing e-liquids that play well together. Think of it like cooking - the quality and compatibility of your ingredients significantly impact the final dish. To ensure a harmonious blend, there are a couple of key things you'll want to match:

• VG/PG ratios: For the smoothest results, both liquids should have similar VG/PG ratios, ideally 50/50. Combining high-VG freebase (e.g., 70/30 or 80/20) with thinner 50/50 nic salts can lead to issues like poor wicking (resulting in unpleasant dry hits) or leaking, particularly in lower-powered devices not designed for thinner juices.

• Flavour Profiles: Ultimately, the goal of mixing is to create a vape experience you'll enjoy. To maximise your chances of a delicious result, try to pair flavours that naturally complement each other. Sticking to similar flavour families is generally a safe bet - this helps avoid potential clashes, like the sharpness of citrus overpowering a delicate floral note, or the earthiness of tobacco fighting with the brightness of mint. While we encourage a little experimenting here, as of course, taste is subjective, and what might sound odd to one person could be a delightful discovery for another, if you're ever on the fence about a particular combination, give each liquid a sniff. If they smell good together, they’ll likely vape well together.

Step 2: Decide on a Mixing Ratio

The beauty of mixing your own vape juice lies in customisation, and that starts with the ratio of your nic salt to freebase. Remember, start small and experiment cautiously - test batches are your best friend in this process. Aim for a total volume of around 5ml to 10ml for your initial mixes until you're confident in your preferred blend.

Let's say you combine 5ml of a 20mg/ml nicotine salt e-liquid with 5ml of a 3mg/ml freebase e-liquid. This will result in a total volume of 10ml with an approximate nicotine strength of 11.5mg/ml (we'll cover the exact calculation in the next step). This kind of blend often offers a smoother nicotine delivery than pure high-strength freebase while still providing a satisfying hit.

If you want:

• More nicotine: Increase the proportion of nicotine salt.
• A stronger throat hit: Increase the ratio of freebase e-liquid.
• A lighter vape: Reduce the overall volume of both e-liquids while maintaining your desired ratio, or consider using nic salts and freebase with lower nicotine strengths.

Step 3: Calculate Final Nicotine Strength

Use this simple formula to determine how strong your final mix will be:

(Strength A × Volume A) + (Strength B × Volume B) ÷ Total Volume = Final Nicotine Strength

Using our earlier example of 5ml of 20mg/ml nic salt and 5ml of 3mg/ml freebase:

Multiply the strength by the volume for each liquid: Nicotine Salt: 20mg/ml × 5ml = 100 Freebase: 3mg/ml × 5ml = 15

Add these two results together: 100 + 15 = 115

Divide the sum by the total volume of your mix (5ml + 5ml = 10ml): 115 ÷ 10ml = 11.5mg/ml

This resulting 11.5mg/ml blend gives you a mix that’s less intense than pure nic salts, but much smoother than high-strength freebase - a sweet spot for many ex-smokers or moderate nicotine users.

Remember, you can adjust the volumes and strengths of your starting liquids to achieve your desired final nicotine concentration.

Step 4: Mix Thoroughly

Once you've accurately measured your nic salt and freebase e-liquids, the next crucial step is to ensure they are completely and evenly combined.

Pour your measured amounts into a clean bottle using a syringe or pipette for accuracy. Secure the cap and shake it vigorously for a good 30 to 60 seconds. This energetic shaking is essential to properly blend the different viscosities of VG and PG, as well as to evenly distribute the nicotine and flavour concentrates throughout the mixture. Think of it like making a salad dressing, where you need to emulsify the oil and vinegar.

After shaking, allow your mixture to sit undisturbed for a few minutes. This helps with flavour and prevents issues with wicking.

Step 5: Test in a Suitable Device

Now for the moment of truth - trying out your freshly mixed e-liquid! To ensure the best experience, use a device that's well-suited to the characteristics of your blend, particularly the nicotine strength and VG/PG ratio.

Your freshly mixed juice will perform best in:

• Pod systems with adjustable wattage
• MTL tanks with coil resistance above 1.0Ω
• Devices designed for 50/50 blends

Begin with a low wattage setting, typically between 10-20W, and then gradually adjust from there. This cautious approach helps prevent harsh hits and allows you to find the sweet spot for your specific coil and e-liquid combination.

You should avoid using high-powered sub-ohm mods or coils with a resistance below 1.0Ω as these are designed to produce large amounts of vapour at higher wattages. Using high-nicotine e-liquids (even your mixed ones) in sub-ohm setups can result in an intensely harsh and overwhelming experience, potentially leading to discomfort and excessive nicotine intake.

If you must use a sub-ohm device, ensure that the final nicotine strength of your blend is very low (typically 6mg/ml or less) and that the overall VG content is higher to match the wicking requirements of sub-ohm coils.

Step 6: Store Safely (If Not Using Immediately)

If you've mixed a larger batch or aren't planning to vape your custom blend immediately, proper storage is crucial to maintain its flavour, nicotine potency, and overall quality over time.

• Label your mixing bottle clearly and accurately. Include the flavours you've mixed, the date of mixing, and, most importantly, the calculated final nicotine strength (in mg/ml). This prevents any confusion, especially if you have multiple homemade blends.
• Store in a cool, dark place, away from direct sunlight and extreme temperatures. Heat and light can degrade nicotine and alter flavour profiles, reducing the lifespan and quality of your juice.
• Shake well before each use, especially if your mixed e-liquid has been sitting for a few days. This helps to re-homogenise the mixture, ensuring consistent flavour and nicotine delivery with every vape.

Final Thoughts

Mixing nic salts with regular vape juice isn’t just for advanced users, it’s a smart, flexible way to personalise your vape. With the right balance of flavours, nicotine strength, and device compatibility, you can elevate your vaping experience without starting from scratch.

So, ready to get mixing?

Dive into our range of nic salts here and selection of freebase e-liquids here.

Embrace the experimentation, follow these steps, and get ready to discover your perfect, unique blends.

Happy mixing!