Why does my vape spit?
If your vape spits, crackles, or produces small droplets, it is often because e-liquid is not vaporized completely evenly at the coil. The phenomenon is sometimes called spitback and may feel as though small amounts of liquid or warm aerosol are moving up through the mouthpiece.
In many cases, it is temporary and caused by liquid accumulation, the wrong e-liquid, an overfilled pod, or a coil that is not working as it should. In this article, we explain why it happens, how to distinguish spitting from other problems, and when it may be time to inspect the pod or coil more closely.
What does it mean when a vape spits?
When a vape spits, small droplets of liquid may move up from the coil through the airflow channel. It may sound like a popping or sizzling noise and sometimes feel like small droplets in the mouthpiece.
This happens when e-liquid gets on or around the coil in a greater amount than can be vaporized evenly. When the coil then heats up, the liquid can react quickly against the hot surface and spit upward.
Spitting is not the same as normal vapor production. Rather, it means that the liquid is not being vaporized in a completely controlled manner at that moment.
Why does a vape spit?
A vape is designed to transport e-liquid to the coil in the right amount. The coil then heats the liquid and converts it into aerosol. If the balance between liquid supply, heat, and airflow is disrupted, spitting may occur.
Common causes include:
- Too much e-liquid around the coil
- Too low a power setting for the coil
- E-liquid that is too thin for the device
- An overfilled pod or tank
- Hard or rapid inhalations
- A worn coil or pod
- Condensation or liquid in the airflow channel
It is therefore important to view spitting as a symptom. The cause may vary depending on which type of vape is being used and how the device is designed.
Too much e-liquid around the coil
The most common reason a vape spits is that there is more e-liquid around the coil than the coil has time to vaporize. When the coil heats up, small droplets can quickly expand and be thrown up through the airflow channel.
This can happen if the pod is overfilled, if the liquid is too thin for the device, or if e-liquid has collected in the airflow channels.
If liquid frequently ends up in the airflow, it may be relevant to read our article about why vape juice sometimes ends up in the airflow channel.
Too low a power setting can prevent the liquid from vaporizing evenly
If the power is too low in relation to the coil's recommended operating range, the coil may have difficulty vaporizing the liquid quickly enough. E-liquid may then collect on the coil's surface instead of being converted evenly into aerosol.
When the liquid is then heated, it can cause popping sounds, spitting, or a gurgling sensation.
This does not mean that you should use the highest possible power. The power should be within the range specified for the particular coil or pod.
If you want to learn more about power settings, you can read our article about watts, volts, and puff counters in a vape.
The wrong e-liquid can contribute to spitting
The composition of the e-liquid affects how it is transported to the coil and how it behaves when heated. A thinner liquid can move more quickly through the cotton, while a thicker liquid moves more slowly.
If a liquid is too thin for a particular pod or tank, more liquid may reach the coil than the design is intended to handle. This can increase the risk of spitting, gurgling sounds, or liquid in the airflow channel.
If, on the other hand, the liquid is too thick for a smaller pod, the coil may have difficulty staying evenly saturated, which can affect flavor and performance in other ways.
For more information, you can read our guide about whether you can use any e-juice in your vape or view our selection of vape juice.
Overfilled pod or tank
An overfilled pod or tank can cause liquid to be pushed into areas where it should not be, such as the airflow channel or the space around the coil. When the device is then used, the liquid may spit, bubble, or produce a gurgling sound.
It is therefore important to distinguish between the liquid reservoir's fill level and the airflow channels. The airflow channels should be free of liquid for the device to function as intended.
Hard inhalations can draw in more liquid
If you take very strong or rapid puffs, the pressure inside the pod can change. This can cause more e-liquid to be drawn toward the coil than can be vaporized immediately.
This is particularly common in smaller pod systems where the airflow is more restricted. If the liquid supply becomes too high in relation to the heat from the coil, spitting may occur.
It can also cause more condensation or liquid to collect in the airflow channel over time.
Condensation can be mistaken for spitting
In some cases, the sensation of spitting is not caused by liquid coming directly from the coil, but by condensation that has collected in the mouthpiece or airflow channel. When air passes through a damp channel, bubbling, popping, or small droplets may occur.
Condensation is common in many pod systems and does not necessarily mean that something is wrong. However, if the amount of liquid increases or returns quickly, it may be a good idea to inspect the pod more closely.
Read more in our article about why some pods develop condensation underneath the pod.
Can an old coil cause spitting?
Yes. A coil that has been used for a long time can develop buildup from flavorings, sweeteners, and other substances in the e-liquid. This buildup can affect how evenly the coil heats the liquid.
If the coil no longer vaporizes the liquid evenly, some parts of the coil's surface may become hotter than others. This can contribute to uneven vaporization, spitting, weaker flavor, or a burnt taste.
A worn pod or coil may also have poorer liquid control than when it was new.
You can read more about this in our article about how a pod wears out over time.
Is it dangerous when a vape spits?
Spitting is usually not a sign of a serious fault, but it can be unpleasant. Small amounts of hot liquid or aerosol may reach the mouthpiece, which can feel sharp or irritating.
If it happens occasionally and the device functions normally, there is often no clear reason for concern. However, if it happens frequently, if larger amounts of liquid collect, or if the flavor changes noticeably, it may indicate that the pod, coil, or e-liquid should be checked.
Spitting and gurgling sounds are often related
Spitting and gurgling sounds can have similar causes. Both phenomena can occur when there is too much liquid in or around the airflow channel.
The difference is that gurgling is often heard when air passes through liquid, while spitting is often felt or heard when small droplets come into contact with heat and move upward.
If your vape both spits and makes gurgling sounds, you can read more in our article about why a vape makes gurgling sounds.
Example: why does a new pod sometimes spit?
A new pod may sometimes spit during the first few uses. This may be because the cotton and coil have not yet stabilized the liquid flow completely.
If some parts of the cotton are more saturated than others, the liquid may be distributed unevenly around the coil. When the coil heats up, small droplets may then spit before the liquid flow becomes more even.
This is often temporary. If the spitting continues for a longer period, it may be due to the wrong liquid, overfilling, or the pod not functioning as intended.
More information is available in our article about why a new pod may feel different during the first few days.
How can you reduce the risk of a vape spitting?
It is not always possible to avoid spitting completely, but several factors can reduce the risk.
- Use e-liquid that is suitable for the device.
- Do not fill the pod or tank above the recommended level.
- Check that the pod is seated correctly.
- Use the coil within the recommended power range.
- Wipe away condensation and liquid from the mouthpiece and contact surfaces.
- Replace the pod or coil if the flavor becomes weak, burnt, or uneven.
If the problem occurs frequently, it may be a sign that the device is not suitable for the liquid, that the pod is worn, or that liquid is entering the airflow channel.
Key points to remember
A vape usually spits because more e-liquid collects around the coil than can be vaporized evenly. When the coil heats up, small droplets may be thrown up through the airflow channel.
Common causes include too much liquid around the coil, too low a power setting, the wrong e-liquid, overfilling, hard inhalations, condensation, or a worn pod or coil.
Occasional spitting is usually not a serious problem. If it happens frequently, if larger amounts of liquid collect, or if the flavor changes noticeably, it may be time to check the pod, coil, and which e-liquid is being used.
Quick facts
- Spitting from a vape is often called spitback.
- It is often caused by e-liquid collecting around the coil.
- Too low a power setting can prevent the liquid from vaporizing evenly.
- The wrong e-liquid can increase the risk of spitting.
- Condensation and liquid in the airflow channel can cause similar symptoms.
- A worn coil or pod can contribute to the problem.
- Recurring spitting should be inspected more closely.
