If you’ve ever taken a puff from your vape only to be greeted by hot droplets of e-liquid on your tongue, you’re not alone. Vape spitting, or e-liquid popping, is a common issue that both beginners and experienced vapers face. It’s annoying, uncomfortable, and sometimes messy, but the good news is that it’s fixable.
Understanding why your vape spits e-liquid and how to prevent it can make all the difference in your vaping experience. Let’s dive into what causes this frustrating problem and explore the best fixes you can try.
Vape spitting happens when e-liquid doesn’t vaporise properly inside your coil. Instead of turning entirely into vapour, small droplets of unvaporised liquid are propelled through the mouthpiece when you inhale. You may hear popping or crackling sounds, signs that excess liquid is being heated too quickly or unevenly.
While a little sound is normal, continuous popping accompanied by e-liquid hitting your lips indicates something is off with your device setup or technique.
When your vape coil heats up, it’s supposed to turn the e-liquid on the wick into vapour. However, if too much e-liquid is present or the coil isn’t hot enough to vaporise it instantly, some of that liquid boils and “spits” upward.
This often occurs due to an imbalance between power, airflow, and the amount of liquid absorbed by the wick. When any one of these factors is misaligned, you’ll experience spitting and popping.
Priming your coil is necessary when setting up a new vape coil, but too much e-liquid on the cotton wick can cause flooding. When the coil floods, excess liquid collects in the chamber, leading to spitting.
Fix: Gently blow through the mouthpiece while holding a tissue near the airflow holes to remove extra liquid. Next time, use fewer drops when priming.
Running your vape at too low a wattage means your coil doesn’t get hot enough to vaporise the e-liquid properly. As a result, liquid accumulates and sputters during use.
Fix: Increase your wattage slightly within the coil’s recommended range. This ensures the coil heats evenly and vaporises all the e-liquid.
Condensation inside your vape’s chimney or mouthpiece can lead to droplets of liquid forming and being drawn into your mouth.
Fix: Regularly clean your mouthpiece with a paper towel or cotton swab. Disassemble the tank occasionally and wipe away condensation.
Taking very sharp, hard drags can draw more e-liquid into the coil than it can vaporise, resulting in spitting.
Fix: Try longer, slower inhales. This gives the coil enough time to heat the e-liquid consistently.
Filling the tank beyond its maximum limit or leaving your vape unused for long periods can cause the coil to flood. When this happens, you’ll hear a gurgling sound and experience e-liquid spit-back.
Fix: Empty the tank partially and clean the excess liquid from the coil. Avoid overfilling in the future.
E-liquids with high PG (propylene glycol) content are thinner and can flow too quickly into the coil, causing flooding.
Fix: Opt for a thicker VG (vegetable glycerin) blendpreferably 70% VG or higherif your vape supports it. Thicker liquids are less likely to cause leaks and spitting.
Over time, coils wear down, and the cotton inside can degrade or burn. A damaged coil won’t heat evenly, leading to unvaporised liquid.
Fix: Replace your coil every one to two weeks, depending on usage and e-liquid type.
If parts of your vape tank aren’t sealed correctly, it can cause leaks and flooding that lead to spitting.
Fix: Check that your coil is screwed in tightly and that all O-rings are in place.
Now that you know what causes spitting, here’s how to fix it effectively:
Disassemble your vape and clean the tank thoroughly. Remove excess e-liquid from around the coil and airflow holes.
Let everything dry before reassembling it prevent leftover liquid from boiling over.
Experiment with your wattage settings to find the sweet spot. Start at the lower end of your coil’s range and gradually increase until spitting stops.
If you’re using a sub-ohm vape, stick to high VG e-liquids (70/30 VG/PG). For pod systems, a 50/50 blend usually works best. The correct ratio ensures smooth vaporisation.
Always keep your vape upright when not in use. Storing it sideways can cause liquid to seep into the coil chamber, flooding it.
Press the fire button for one or two seconds before taking a puff. This burns off excess e-liquid and prevents spit-back on your next inhale.
If none of these steps work, your coil might be burnt or defective. Swapping it for a new one can instantly fix the problem.
It’s easier to prevent vape spitting than to fix it repeatedly. Follow these preventative tips for a smoother experience:
Check your device’s wattage and resistance compatibility. Using a low-resistance coil with a low-powered device often causes issues.
Always leave a small air pocket at the top when refilling. Overfilling increases pressure inside the tank and leads to flooding.
Clean your tank, mouthpiece, and coil base weekly. Remove condensation and residue before it builds up.
Constant puffing doesn’t give the coil time to reheat and vaporise properly, increasing the risk of spitting. Take short breaks between drags.
Once your vape starts tasting burnt or gurgling consistently, it’s time to replace the coil. A fresh coil prevents uneven heating.
A faint popping sound during vaping isn’t always a bad thing. It’s often a sign that your coil is doing its job by vaporising liquid efficiently. However, if the noise becomes loud, accompanied by gurgling and e-liquid droplets, that’s when it becomes an issue.
Persistent spitting might also signal deeper problems like a damaged coil housing or poor airflow design, especially in older vape models.
Different vaping setups are prone to spitting for different reasons:
Pod Vapes: More likely to flood due to small coil sizes and high airflow restriction.
Sub-Ohm Tanks: Can spit when wattage is too low for the coil’s resistance.
Disposable Vapes: Once they start spitting, there’s often little you can do besides replacing the device.
Choosing a vape that suits your vaping style and preferred e-liquid type helps minimise spitting incidents.
|
Issue |
Likely Cause |
Quick Fix |
|
E-liquid spitting |
Flooded coil |
Clean coil, reassemble |
|
Crackling noise |
Too much priming |
Blow through the mouthpiece |
|
Gurgling sound |
Low wattage |
Increase power setting |
|
Spit-back |
Thin e-liquid |
Switch to higher VG juice |
|
Persistent problem |
Worn coil |
Replace the coil immediately |
Vape spitting doesn’t mean your device is broken just means something’s out of balance. With small adjustments to wattage, liquid type, and coil maintenance, you can eliminate spit-back and enjoy consistent, flavourful clouds again.
Remember, every vape behaves differently depending on your usage and setup. It might take a few tries to find the right combination, but once you do, your vaping sessions will be smooth and satisfying.
Vape spitting is one of the most common issues faced by vapers, but it’s also one of the easiest to fix. Whether it’s adjusting your wattage, cleaning your coil, or switching to a thicker e-liquid, these small tweaks can make a big difference.
By understanding how your vape works and maintaining it regularly, you can prevent spitting, enjoy better flavour, and extend your device’s lifespan.
Smooth, flavourful vapour should be the standard, the exception. So, take these tips, tweak your setup, and say goodbye to the unpleasant splatter for good.
