Why is My Vape Spitting, Popping and Gurgling?

Have you ever taken a puff of your vape only to get a nasty splash of hot e-liquid in your mouth? Or perhaps your device makes strange bubbling noises that don't sound right? You're not alone. Spitting, popping and gurgling are common vaping problems that affect both beginners and experienced vapers.

The good news is that these issues are usually easy to fix once you know what's causing them. In this guide, we'll help you understand why these problems happen and how to solve them quickly.

What Causes Vape Spitting?

Spitting happens when hot drops of e-liquid shoot up through the mouthpiece instead of turning into vapour. This happens because the e-liquid isn't being heated properly.

Common Causes of Spitting

Flooded Coil: Too much e-liquid has soaked into your coil and wick. When you press the fire button, some liquid heats up and bubbles rather than turning into vapour.

Wrong E-liquid: Using e-liquid that's too thin for your device can cause spitting. This often happens with high PG e-liquids in sub-ohm tanks.

Low Power Setting: If your wattage is too low, the coil won't get hot enough to properly vaporise the e-liquid.

Over-priming: Adding too much e-liquid when preparing a new coil can flood it before you even start vaping.

Why Does My Vape Make Popping Sounds?

Some crackling is normal when vaping, but loud popping noises usually signal a problem. These pops happen when pockets of e-liquid heat up too quickly on the coil.

What Causes Excessive Popping

Uneven Heating: Parts of your coil may be heating faster than others, causing e-liquid to pop rather than vaporise smoothly.

Sweet E-liquids: Juices with lots of sweetener can create more popping as the sweeteners heat up.

Coil Design: Some coil types (especially Clapton coils) are more prone to popping because of their complex wire structure.

Understanding Gurgling Issues

That bubbling or gurgling sound is a warning sign that liquid has filled spaces meant for air. It often happens right before your tank starts leaking.

Why Vapes Gurgle

Flooded Coil Assembly: The entire coil area has become saturated with e-liquid.

Airflow Blockage: E-liquid has entered the air channels of your device.

Condensation Build-up: Vapour has turned back into liquid inside the chimney of your tank.

Loose Components: Parts of your tank aren't properly tightened, allowing e-liquid to escape where it shouldn't.

Simple Solutions for Vape Issues

Quick Fixes for Spitting

1. The Blowout Method
   • Remove your tank from the mod
   • Open the airflow fully
   • Cover the bottom with a tissue
   • Blow firmly through the mouthpiece
   • This forces excess liquid out without wasting much
2. Adjust Your Power
   • Increase your wattage (within the range recommended for your coil)
   • Start low and go up by 5 watts at a time
   • Higher power helps vaporise e-liquid properly
3. Check Your Vaping Technique
   • Take gentle, steady puffs and make sure you're using the right technique for your device (MTL or DTL)
   • Avoid sharp, hard draws that pull too much liquid into the coil
   • Let go of the fire button slightly before finishing your inhale

How to Stop Popping

1. Find the Right Wattage
   • Experiment with your power settings
   • Sometimes lower wattage helps, sometimes higher works better
   • Find the "sweet spot" where vapour is good but popping is minimal
2. Try Different Airflow Settings
   • Slightly restricting airflow can sometimes reduce popping
   • Don't close it completely – find a balance
3. Consider Mesh Coils
   • Mesh coils heat more evenly than traditional coils
   • They produce smaller droplets that are less likely to spit or pop
   • Popular tanks like the Geekvape Zeus and Freemax M Pro 3 use mesh technology

Fixing Gurgling Problems

1. Paper Towel Technique
   • Roll up kitchen roll into a thin strip
   • Insert it down the chimney through your mouthpiece
   • Let it soak up excess e-liquid
2. Clean Your Tank
   • Take your tank apart completely
   • Dry all components thoroughly
   • Check O-rings for damage
   • Reassemble carefully, making sure everything is properly tightened
3. Storage and Handling Tips
   • Always keep your device upright when not in use
   • Close airflow vents when carrying your device
   • Don't overfill your tank – leave a small air gap at the top

Choosing the Right E-liquid

Your choice of e-liquid plays a huge role in preventing these problems.

E-liquid Guide for Different Devices

Remember that UK regulations limit nicotine strength to 20mg/ml, which helps avoid some of the problems caused by extremely thin, high-nicotine e-liquids found in other countries.

When to Replace Your Coil

Sometimes, the easiest solution is simply replacing your coil. Signs that it's time include:

• Dark discolouration
• Burnt taste
• Persistent gurgling despite trying other fixes
• Reduced vapour production
• Your coil is more than 1-2 weeks old (depending on usage)

Most coils in the UK cost between £2-£4 each, making replacement an affordable fix compared to buying a new device.

Is E-liquid in Your Mouth Harmful?

Getting a small amount of e-liquid in your mouth isn't dangerous. E-liquid contains:

• Vegetable Glycerin (VG) – a food-safe ingredient
• Propylene Glycol (PG) – used in many foods and medicines
• Food-grade flavourings
• Nicotine (usually)

While nicotine isn't meant to be swallowed, the tiny amount in a few drops won't harm most adults. That said, it tastes awful and the hot liquid can be uncomfortable, so it's worth fixing the issue.

Prevention Tips

The best way to deal with spitting, popping and gurgling is to prevent them from happening:

1. Proper Maintenance
   • Clean your tank weekly
   • Replace coils regularly
   • Check O-rings for wear and tear
2. Correct Priming
   • Add just a few drops of e-liquid to a new coil
   • Wait 5-10 minutes after filling before vaping
   • Start at lower wattage with new coils
3. Mindful Filling
   • Don't overfill your tank
   • Keep e-liquid away from the central air tube
   • Close airflow while filling

When to Consider an Upgrade

If you've tried everything and still have problems, it might be time for a new device. Modern vapes like the Hayati Pro Ultra Plus 25000, Hayati Rubik 7000, Lost Mary BM6000, or Aura Bar 10000 have improved designs that reduce these issues significantly. Consider upgrading if:

• Your device is more than 2 years old
• You're constantly replacing coils (more than weekly)
• Your tank has a bottom-fill design
• You've tried multiple solutions without success

Conclusion

Spitting, popping and gurgling are annoying but fixable problems. With the simple solutions in this guide, you can get back to enjoying a smooth, satisfying vape. Remember that proper maintenance and using the right products for your device are key to preventing most vaping issues.

If you're still struggling with these problems, contact us online. At TheVapoez, we're always happy to help our fellow vapers find the perfect vaping experience.