Vape Juice in Austin: Choosing Nic Salt or Freebase E-Liquid

Buying vape juice gets easier once you know three things about your device: what kind of coil or pod it uses, how much power it runs at, and how you inhale. With those answers, choosing between nicotine salt and freebase e-liquid, a strength and a VG/PG ratio mostly takes care of itself. Here is how the team at Double Apple Smoke Shop on North Lamar Blvd walks customers through it. E-liquid is sold only to adults 21 and older.

Quick answer: Double Apple Smoke Shop stocks nic salt and freebase e-liquid at 11220 North Lamar Blvd, Ste B202, Austin, TX 78753, open daily 8 AM–12 AM. Low-power pod systems generally take nic salt; higher-power sub-ohm tanks take freebase in lower strengths. See the Vape Juice collection for current bottles.

Nic Salt vs. Freebase: The Short Version

• Nicotine salt (nic salt): made for low-wattage pod systems and higher-resistance coils. Sold in higher strengths, often in the 20–50 mg/mL range, usually in 30 mL bottles.
• Freebase e-liquid: made for higher-wattage devices and sub-ohm tanks that produce more vapor. Sold in lower strengths, commonly 0, 3 or 6 mg/mL, often in 60 mL or 100 mL bottles.
• Rule of thumb: the more vapor your device makes, the lower the nicotine strength it is designed for.

Putting a high-strength salt in a powerful sub-ohm tank delivers far more nicotine per puff than the liquid was made for, and thick freebase liquid can flood or burn a small pod coil. When in doubt, check your device manual or the coil itself, which usually has its resistance printed on it.

Choosing a Strength

Strength is printed on every bottle in milligrams per milliliter (mg/mL), sometimes as a percentage: 3.5% is the same as 35 mg/mL. On our shelves you will typically see salts between 24 and 50 mg/mL and freebase at 0, 3 or 6 mg/mL. If you are moving from a disposable to a refillable device, compare the strength on your old device’s box with the bottle so you do not jump to a much higher or lower level by accident.

VG/PG Ratio, Explained

E-liquid is mostly vegetable glycerin (VG) and propylene glycol (PG), plus flavoring and nicotine. The ratio on the label changes how the liquid behaves:

• Higher PG (for example 50/50): a thinner liquid that soaks small pod coils quickly and has a stronger throat feel. Common in nic salts.
• Higher VG (for example 70/30 VG/PG): a thicker liquid that produces denser vapor. Common in freebase made for sub-ohm tanks.
• Wicking: thick high-VG liquid can be slow to soak into small pod coils, which leads to dry, burnt hits.

Bottle Sizes

Nic salts usually come in 30 mL bottles, which suits pod systems that hold a few milliliters at a time. Freebase is often sold in 60 mL or 100 mL bottles, since sub-ohm tanks go through liquid faster. Bigger is not always better: when you are trying a new flavor, a smaller bottle saves you from being stuck with one you do not enjoy.

Match the Juice to Your Coil or Pod

Your coil decides the liquid more than anything else. Look for the resistance, in ohms, printed on the coil or pod:

• 1.0 ohm and above: mouth-to-lung pods and kits at lower wattage, a good match for nic salt.
• Below 1.0 ohm (sub-ohm): direct-lung tanks at higher wattage, made for freebase in low strengths.
• Prefilled pods and disposables: filled at the factory and not meant to be refilled with bottled juice.

If you are not sure what you have, bring the device in and we will help you read it. Our pods and coils guide explains replacement parts and when to change a coil, and the Vape Devices collection lists refillable kits.

E-Liquid Brands We Carry

Our vape juice wall rotates, but brands that have been part of it include Pod Juice (30 mL salts and 100 mL freebase, including its Freeze line), Coastal Clouds, Naked 100 Salts and Juice Head. Flavors range from fruit and candy to menthol, ice and tobacco styles. Because bottles sell through and new flavors arrive often, call (512) 351-8012 to confirm a flavor and strength before making a trip.

Storing E-Liquid Safely

• Keep bottles capped, upright and away from direct sunlight and heat, such as a parked car.
• Store all e-liquid out of reach of children and pets. Liquid nicotine is poisonous if swallowed or absorbed through the skin.
• Close the child-resistant cap every time, and wash your hands if liquid spills on them.
• If someone swallows e-liquid, call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222.

Where to Buy Vape Juice in North Austin

Double Apple Smoke Shop is on North Lamar Blvd near Braker Ln, a short drive for vapers in North Lamar, Rundberg, Tech Ridge, The Domain and across North Austin. The store is open every day from 8 AM to 12 AM, and you can order bottles online for in-store pickup. Rather not refill at all? See our disposable vape guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I use nic salt or freebase e-liquid?

Use nic salt in low-wattage pod systems and higher-resistance coils, and freebase in higher-wattage sub-ohm tanks. Your device manual or the resistance printed on the coil tells you which kind it is built for.

What VG/PG ratio should I buy?

Pod systems usually work best with thinner liquids around 50/50. Sub-ohm tanks are built for thicker, high-VG liquids such as 70/30 VG/PG.

What does mg mean on a vape juice bottle?

It is the nicotine strength in milligrams per milliliter. A bottle labeled 35 mg contains 35 mg of nicotine in every milliliter of liquid.

Can I put vape juice in a disposable?

No. Disposables and prefilled pods are sealed and are not designed to be refilled. Use a refillable pod system or tank for bottled e-liquid.

Do you carry 0 mg nicotine e-liquid?

Some freebase bottles come in 0 mg, though selection varies. Call (512) 351-8012 to check what is in stock.

Do I need to be 21 to buy vape juice?

Yes. E-liquid is sold only to adults 21 and older with a valid photo ID, including for pickup orders.

Shop E-Liquid at Double Apple

Browse the Vape Juice collection or visit Double Apple Smoke Shop on N Lamar Blvd. For devices, disposables and accessories, start at our vape store in Austin page.

E-liquid containing nicotine is sold only to adults 21 and older. Nicotine is an addictive chemical. Keep e-liquid away from children and pets. Availability changes regularly.

Double Apple Smoke Shop
11220 North Lamar Blvd, Ste B202, Austin, TX 78753
(512) 351-8012 · Open daily, 8 AM – 12 AM