How to Use a Salt Nicotine Shot: AuNic VG Nic Salt Guide
How to Use a Salt Nicotine Shot: AuNic VG Nic Salt Guide
If you have just bought a shortfill e-liquid and a bottle of AuNic Salt Nicotine Shot, you might be staring at both wondering what to do next. You are not alone — nicotine shots are one of the most searched topics for new vapers in South Africa, and for good reason. They are the cleanest, most legal way to add nicotine to your vape juice without having to buy pre-mixed, high-strength liquids. This guide breaks down exactly what an AuNic salt nic shot is, why the VG base matters, how to calculate your final strength, and how to mix it correctly the first time — no guesswork, no waste.
What Is an AuNic Salt Nicotine Shot?
An AuNic salt nicotine shot — often called a nic shot or salt shot — is a small bottle of concentrated nicotine salt in a VG (vegetable glycerine) carrier base, designed to be added to a nicotine-free shortfill or longfill e-liquid. The result is a fully mixed vape juice at your desired nicotine strength. AuNic is a South African brand, manufactured locally, which means consistent quality without import delays or currency markups.
Nicotine salts are different from freebase nicotine. They use benzoic acid to bind the nicotine, which does three important things: they hit faster — you feel the nicotine more quickly; they are smoother at higher strengths — less throat hit compared to freebase at the same mg/ml; and they are better suited to lower-wattage pod systems and MTL devices where a gentler delivery is essential.
To use an AuNic VG salt shot, pour the entire contents of the shot into your shortfill or longfill bottle, replace the cap, and shake vigorously for 60–90 seconds. The final nicotine strength depends on the shot strength and the total volume of liquid. A 50mg 15ml shot mixed with 15ml of flavour concentrate makes 30ml of 25mg salt nic. A 50mg 30ml shot mixed with 30ml of concentrate makes 60ml of 25mg. Always match your shot base to your shortfill base — VG shots for high-VG liquids, PG shots for 50/50 liquids.
AuNic VG Salt Shot — At a Glance
Salt Nic vs Freebase — Which AuNic Shot Do You Need?
AuNic makes both salt and freebase nicotine shots, and they are not interchangeable. The difference is not just marketing — it is chemical, and it directly affects how your vape feels, how quickly the nicotine satisfies you, and which device you should use.
| Feature | AuNic Salt Nic Shot salt | AuNic Freebase Shot freebase |
|---|---|---|
| Throat Hit | Smooth, gentle even at high strength | Stronger, sharper — harsher at high strength |
| Nicotine Hit Speed | Fast — feels like a disposable | Slower, more gradual |
| Best Strength Range | 20mg–50mg (ideal for pods) | 3mg–18mg (ideal for sub-ohm) |
| Device Fit | Low-wattage pod systems (10–25W) | Higher-wattage devices, sub-ohm (25W+) |
| Flavour Profile | Bold, sweet — disposable-style intensity | Subtler, more nuanced flavour |
| Best If You... | Want smooth high-nic satisfaction | Want a cigarette-like throat hit |
The rule is simple: if you are using a pod system or MTL device and want a smooth, satisfying hit at higher nicotine strengths, choose the AuNic salt shot. If you are using a sub-ohm tank at 30W+ and want a sharper throat hit at lower strengths, choose the freebase shot. Mixing them up — using a salt shot in a high-wattage sub-ohm setup — can feel overwhelming because the smooth delivery allows you to inhale more nicotine than you realise.
VG vs PG Base — Why It Matters
Every AuNic nicotine shot comes in either a VG or PG base. The base affects the final VG/PG ratio of your mixed juice, which in turn affects vapour production, flavour intensity, throat hit, and how well your coil wicks the liquid.
Because the AuNic VG salt shot is VG-based, it is the right choice when you are mixing into a max VG or high-VG shortfill. Using a PG shot in a max VG juice would skew the ratio toward thinner liquid, potentially causing wicking issues in your coil and muting flavour. Conversely, adding a VG shot to a 50/50 shortfill pushes the ratio toward higher VG than the flavour was designed for — the result can be muted flavour and slower wicking in tight pod coils. Match your shot base to your shortfill base where possible.
Understanding AuNic Shot Strengths
This is where most new vapers get confused. The number on the bottle is the strength of the shot itself — not the strength of your finished liquid. When you dilute that shot by mixing it with nicotine-free flavour concentrate, the final strength drops. Here is how the math works.
15ml Shot Examples
When mixing a 15ml AuNic salt shot with 15ml of flavour concentrate to make 30ml total:
| Shot Strength | Shot Volume | Flavour Volume | Total Volume | Final Strength |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40mg | 15ml | 15ml | 30ml | 20mg/ml |
| 50mg | 15ml | 15ml | 30ml | 25mg/ml |
| 60mg | 15ml | 15ml | 30ml | 30mg/ml |
| 70mg | 15ml | 15ml | 30ml | 35mg/ml |
| 80mg | 15ml | 15ml | 30ml | 40mg/ml |
| 100mg | 15ml | 15ml | 30ml | 50mg/ml |
30ml Shot Examples
When mixing a 30ml AuNic salt shot with 30ml of flavour concentrate to make 60ml total:
| Shot Label | Actual Additive Strength | Final Volume | Final Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50mg (25mg additive) | 50mg/ml in the bottle | 60ml | 25mg/ml |
| 100mg (50mg additive) | 100mg/ml in the bottle | 60ml | 50mg/ml |
When you mix equal parts shot and concentrate, your final strength is exactly half the shot strength. A 50mg shot makes 25mg final. A 40mg shot makes 20mg final. This is the standard longfill ratio used by most South African brands including Pods 'n Salt, Nasty'R, and Dr. Vapes.
How to Mix Your AuNic VG Salt Shot — Step by Step
The process takes under two minutes, but doing it correctly ensures even nicotine distribution and the best possible vape experience.
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1Check your bottles. Make sure you have the correct AuNic shot strength and size for your longfill or shortfill. A 30ml longfill concentrate needs a 30ml shot. A 15ml concentrate needs a 15ml shot.
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2Remove the caps and nozzles. Take the childproof cap and drip-tip nozzle off both the flavour concentrate bottle and the AuNic shot bottle. Set them aside safely.
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3Pour the AuNic shot into the concentrate bottle. Tip the shot bottle slowly and let it drain fully into the larger concentrate bottle. Do not squeeze — just pour. The headspace in the bottle is designed for this exact volume.
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4Replace the cap securely. Screw the childproof cap back onto the mixed bottle. Make sure it is tight — you will be shaking this vigorously.
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5Shake for 60–90 seconds. This is the critical step. Nicotine is denser than your e-liquid. Flip, shake, and rotate the bottle continuously to ensure the nicotine distributes evenly. Under-shaking leads to hot spots — some puffs too strong, some too weak.
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6Let it rest (optional but recommended). Nic salts need less steep time than freebase, but 15–30 minutes of resting allows the molecules to settle. For tobacco flavours, 24 hours improves smoothness. For fruit and menthol, it is vapeable immediately.
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7Fill your pod and prime for 2–3 minutes. Allow the coil to saturate before your first puff. Your AuNic mixed liquid is now ready to vape.
Which Final Strength Is Right for You?
Choosing the right nicotine strength depends on your device, your smoking history, and how frequently you vape. Here is the practical breakdown for South African vapers using pod systems:
If you are switching from single-use disposables to a refillable pod system with longfills, you are likely used to 50mg salt nicotine. To replicate that experience, mix a 100mg AuNic shot (15ml or 30ml) with an equal amount of concentrate. This gives you 50mg final strength — the same as most disposable vapes sold in South Africa. Start there, then step down to 25mg as your tolerance adjusts.
Which Devices Work Best with AuNic Salt Shots?
AuNic salt shots are formulated for specific device types. Using them in the wrong setup leads to either underwhelming performance or nicotine overload.
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✓Pod systems and MTL devices (10–25W)The intended home for salt nic shots. Devices like the Vaporesso XROS, Uwell Caliburn, OXVA XLIM, SMOK Novo, and VOOPOO Vinci handle 20–50mg salt nic perfectly at low wattage. The restricted airflow concentrates the flavour, and the lower heat prevents the nicotine from feeling harsh.
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✓Refillable MTL tanks (1.0Ω–1.4Ω coils)Traditional mouth-to-lung tanks with higher-resistance coils also suit salt nic well. The 50/50 or high-VG base wicks reliably, and the flavour clarity at 12–18W brings out the best in your mixed liquid.
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✗Sub-ohm tanks and high-wattage DTL devices (30W+)Avoid using high-strength salt nic in sub-ohm setups. The smooth delivery means you inhale more deeply without realising it, leading to dizziness, nausea, or headaches. For sub-ohm, use AuNic freebase shots at 3mg–6mg instead.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
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1Using a VG shot in a PG-heavy shortfillIf your shortfill is 50/50 VG/PG and you add a VG shot, you push the ratio toward higher VG than designed. This can mute flavour and cause slow wicking in tight coils. Match bases where possible.
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2Not shaking enoughNicotine is denser than e-liquid. If you do not shake thoroughly, you get inconsistent nicotine levels — weak puffs at the top of the bottle, strong puffs at the bottom. Minimum 60 seconds of vigorous shaking.
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3Confusing shot strength with final strengthA 50mg shot does not make 50mg final liquid. It makes 25mg when mixed 1:1. Always halve the shot strength to get your final strength in a standard longfill mix.
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4Mixing salt shots into high-wattage setups25mg salt nic in a 40W sub-ohm tank is a recipe for nicotine sickness. Salt shots belong in low-wattage devices. Use freebase shots for high-wattage vaping.
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5Buying the wrong size shot for your longfillA 30ml longfill concentrate needs a 30ml shot. A 15ml concentrate needs a 15ml shot. Mismatched volumes leave you with incorrect ratios and wasted product.
Using AuNic Shots with Shortfills (Not Just Longfills)
While longfills are the most common use case for AuNic salt shots in South Africa, you can also use them with standard shortfills. A shortfill is a larger bottle of nicotine-free e-liquid — typically 50ml or 100ml — with headspace left for nicotine shots.
| Shortfill Size | Add | Final Volume | Final Strength |
|---|---|---|---|
| 50ml in 100ml bottle | 1 × 30ml 50mg shot | 80ml | ~18.75mg |
| 50ml in 100ml bottle | 2 × 30ml 50mg shots | 110ml | ~27mg |
| 70ml in 100ml bottle | 1 × 30ml 50mg shot | 100ml | ~15mg |
| 100ml in 120ml bottle | 2 × 10ml 18mg freebase shots | 120ml | 3mg |
Note that shortfills are typically designed for freebase nic shots at 18mg, which dilute down to 3mg. If you want higher salt nic strengths from a shortfill, you will need to decant some of the zero-nic liquid first to make room for additional shots, or accept a lower final strength. Longfills remain the better format for salt nic mixing because they are designed for 1:1 dilution.
What South African Vapers Say About AuNic
AuNic has become the default nicotine additive brand for South African DIY and longfill vapers. Here is the consistent feedback:
Frequently Asked Questions
The Verdict
AuNic VG salt nicotine shots are the most practical way for South African vapers to add nicotine to longfills and shortfills. Made locally, competitively priced, and available in a wide range of strengths, they remove the complexity and cost of importing nicotine additives. The key is understanding the simple math: halve the shot strength to get your final strength in a standard 1:1 mix. Match your VG shot to a high-VG shortfill, shake for a full 60 seconds, and keep the finished liquid in a low-wattage pod device. Whether you are a disposable convert looking to replicate 50mg satisfaction or a long-term pod vaper fine-tuning your daily nicotine intake, AuNic salt shots give you the control that pre-mixed liquids cannot — at a fraction of the price.
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