Why Is My Vape Spitting? Common Causes and Fixes for Vape Spitback

May 22, 2025by Matt Hampton


Why Is My Vape Spitting? Common Causes and Fixes for Vape Spitback

Vape spitback can be frustrating and even a little uncomfortable. Many vapers deal with this issue when hot e-liquid pops or gets into their mouth during use. It’s a common problem, but understanding why it happens is the first step to solving it.

Spitback occurs when excess vape juice bubbles in the coil instead of fully vaporizing. This can feel unpleasant, especially if hot liquid reaches your lips. The good news? Most causes are easy to fix once identified.

This guide will explain what leads to vape spitting and how to stop it. You’ll learn practical tips and tricks for preventing spitback in the future too. Keep reading!

What Is Vape Spitback?

Excess e-liquid inside the coil can bubble and pop, causing what’s called vape spitback. It feels like tiny droplets of hot e-liquid hitting your tongue, similar to splashes from boiling water.

Though not harmful, it can make vaping uncomfortable and even leave you nauseous.

The popping sound comes from the coil heating liquid unevenly, instead of turning it fully into vapor. Over time, this issue may clog your tank or affect its performance. Understanding how spitback works is key to addressing common causes like oversaturated coils or improper settings.

Common Causes of Vape Spitting

Vape spitback often happens due to improper device handling or setup. Understanding the root causes can help users enjoy smoother, hassle-free vaping sessions.

Oversaturated coils

Excessive e-liquid on the coil can lead to vape spitting. Oversaturated coils occur when too much liquid floods the wick, leaving no room for proper vaporization. This often takes place after the device sits unused for 24 hours or more, as pooled liquid seeps into the wick and coil.

Eliquid pooling on coils causes spitback and may damage your device over time.

Eliquid flooding frequently results from improper priming or overfilling the tank. Thick residue builds up around an oversaturated wick, making it harder for heat to vaporize all the juice evenly.

Users might hear popping sounds or feel hot droplets hit their tongue due to this imbalance. Regular maintenance and avoiding overpriming help minimize these risks effectively.

Overpriming the coil

Overpriming the coil can cause e-liquid pooling inside the atomizer. Adding too many drops of e-liquid overwhelms the wick, leading to a flooded coil. This excess liquid increases spitting and gurgling noises during vaping.

To avoid overpriming, only apply small drops of e-liquid to prime your coils. Overjuicing leads to eliquid oversaturation and spitting issues. Proper priming prevents excessive eliquid intake and ensures smooth vapor production without spitback.

Low wattage settings

Vaping at lower power can cause e-liquid to heat unevenly. This leads to gurgling sounds and spitback from the coil. Subohm coils, which work best with higher wattages, often perform poorly with decreased power output.

Running a device on low wattage settings may also prevent the coil from vaporizing liquid properly.

Adjusting voltage for vaping helps avoid these issues by ensuring the proper resistance levels for your coil. Turning up power improves vapor production while reducing excess liquid in the chamber.

“Using optimal wattage is key to smooth vaping,” experts advise.

Incorrect PG/VG ratio

Using the wrong PG/VG ratio can cause vape spitting. Higher PG levels, like 50% or more, make the e-liquid thinner. This thin liquid floods coils quickly and leads to popping or spitback.

Smaller MTL coils should not use high-PG blends since they absorb too fast.

For larger DL/RDL coils, a 70/30 VG/PG mix works better. It creates thicker vapor and reduces spitback issues by slowing absorption rates. Choosing the right eliquid blend prevents common problems like gurgling or leaking in your device.

Overfilling the tank

Filling the tank above its capacity can flood the coil and cause vape spitting. Excessive filling of the vape tank leaves little room for air to circulate, forcing liquid into areas it shouldn’t go.

Always keep the tank at least one-third full instead of topping it off completely.

Maintaining proper e-liquid levels ensures smoother vaping and reduces mess. Overfilled tanks may also lead to leaks around seals or airflow holes, creating more issues during use.

Proper filling techniques help prevent these common mistakes leading to vape spitting and improve overall performance.

Taking overly strong puffs

Inhaling too forcefully can cause e-liquid to oversaturate the coil. This leads to flooding, which results in vape spitback. Excessive airflow from strong puffs pulls more liquid into the coil than it can vaporize.

Smaller draws allow the device enough time to heat and vaporize e-liquid properly. Reducing airflow settings can also minimize vape spitting by controlling how much liquid enters the coil during each inhale.

How to Fix Vape Spitback

Learn simple ways to stop vape spitback and improve your vaping experience.

Flick out excess e-liquid

Hold the vape tank firmly and flick it downward 3 to 5 times to remove excess e-liquid. This motion helps expel extra moisture that collects in the coil or mouthpiece, which often causes spitback.

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Make sure to aim the tank away from surfaces or people while doing this. Clearing out excess juice prevents gurgling sounds and eliminates vape spitback effectively.

Fire the vape before inhaling

Activate the vape without inhaling to heat any excess liquid sitting on the coil. This quick step helps vaporize leftover e-liquid, reducing spitback immediately. Press and hold the button for a second or two before drawing in.

Doing this also clears potential blockages caused by oversaturated coils. Engaging the battery briefly allows smoother airflow and better flavor delivery during your puff. Start with short bursts to avoid overheating or burning the wick inside your device.

Adjust your wattage settings

Adjusting vape wattage can help reduce spitback. Low wattage settings often fail to fully vaporize the e-liquid, leaving excess liquid on the coil. Turning up the power ensures optimal coil performance and proper vaporization of your e-liquid.

For adjustable devices, reducing power may help if you notice frequent overheating or burnt hits. Balance vape device power levels based on your specific coil type and recommended wattages for smooth operation without spitback issues.

Reduce airflow or take smaller draws

Reducing airflow can prevent oversaturation in the coil. Too much air flowing through the atomizer may pull excess vape juice into it, leading to spitback. Adjust the airflow settings on your vaping device for a tighter draw and smoother vapor production.

Smokers should also take smaller draws when inhaling. Strong puffs force more e-liquid into the coil than it can handle, causing hot droplets to shoot up through the mouthpiece. Gentle draws allow proper vaporization of e-liquid and reduce chances of spitback.

Use e-liquid with higher VG content

Switching to e-liquids with a higher VG content can reduce vape spitback. Vegetable Glycerin (VG) creates thicker vapor and absorbs more slowly in the coil. A 70/30 VG/PG ratio works well for smoother vaping sessions without excess popping or gurgling.

Higher VG liquids also suit sub-ohm vaping devices designed for dense vapor production. Thicker vape juice minimizes leaks and helps balance performance in your atomizer, especially when using lower wattage settings on your vape tank.

Avoid overpriming your coil

Overpriming the coil can cause vape spitback by flooding it with too much e-liquid. To minimize the risk of overpriming, apply only small drops of e-liquid directly onto the coil when preparing it for use.

Oversaturating the coil makes it harder for the device to vaporize liquid properly.

Controlling how much liquid is primed into your coils helps prevent excessive saturation. This reduces leakage and improves flavor quality during vaping. Limiting added liquid also extends coil lifespan by preventing premature damage from oversaturation.

Preventing Vape Spitback in the Future

Keep your vape clean and in good condition to avoid common issues. Use proper techniques and compatible components for smoother vaping sessions.

Perform regular maintenance

Clean the tank and pod weekly to avoid vape spitback. Wipe away residue and dried e-liquid that can clog the system. Always ensure the coil or pod is in good condition, replacing it every 1-2 weeks if heavily used or if a burnt flavor appears.

Refill the tank before it drops below one-third full to prevent dry hits and overheating. Inspect seals for any leaks or damage during cleaning. Routine care improves performance while extending coilpod life.

Use the correct coil for your device

Choosing the correct coil for your vape device can prevent spitback and improve vapor production. Larger DL or RDL coils work best with e-liquids containing 30% PG, while smaller MTL coils require a PG content of no more than 50%.

Using mismatched coils can cause improper wicking, leading to oversaturation and unwanted e-liquid splatter.

Coil resistance also plays a key role in performance. Low-resistance sub-ohm coils create bigger clouds and need higher wattage settings. High-resistance MTL coils suit tighter draws at lower power levels.

Pairing the right coil with your vape mod ensures consistent nicotine delivery without leaks or sputters. Follow proper filling techniques to maintain smooth operation moving forward.

Follow proper filling techniques

Avoid overfilling the tank to prevent vape spitback. Leaving a small space at the top allows air to flow properly and reduces pressure buildup. Too much e-liquid can flood the coil, leading to excess liquid splattering during use.

Ensure coils fit correctly before filling your device. Improper coil installation may cause leaks or uneven heating. Apply small drops of e-liquid while priming instead of over-saturating.

This helps reduce issues like eliquid droplets forming in the airflow tube and limits spitback problems caused by improper vape filling practices.

Recommended Vape Accessories and Maintenance Tools

Vape maintenance becomes simple with the right tools and accessories. These items help improve your vaping experience while preventing common problems.

  1. Choose rechargeable vape options like the Puff Box, which has a 650 mAh battery and USB-C charging for quick power-ups. Its compact size ensures portability.
  2. Use twist-in vape refills such as Twistin to avoid messy refills and maintain consistency in flavor delivery.
  3. Select drip tips with spit-back protection, like the Joyetech Ego AIO, which features a 360-degree plastic spiral to reduce liquid splatter during use.
  4. Invest in disposable vape options for convenience, especially when traveling or on the go. These require no maintenance or setup time.
  5. Pick high-quality ecigarette accessories that fit your device, including tank seals and spare glass tubes, to prevent leaks and damages over time.
  6. Keep vape maintenance tools nearby for regular cleaning of coils and tanks, ensuring optimal performance daily.

Explore how to prevent vape spitback efficiently by focusing on key practices next!

Conclusion

Excess e-liquid, wrong settings, or improper techniques often cause vape spitback. Simple fixes like adjusting wattage, clearing excess liquid, and proper maintenance can solve the issue.

Regular care and using suitable accessories help prevent future problems. Spitback solutions make vaping safer and more enjoyable for users. Anyone can follow these tips to improve their experience quickly and easily.

FAQs

1. Why is my vape spitting e-liquid?

Vape spitback happens when excess e-liquid collects in the coil and doesn’t fully vaporize, causing it to pop or spit.

2. What causes vape spitback?

Common causes include overfilling the tank, using a low wattage setting, or inhaling too hard on your device.

3. How can I fix vape spitback?

To fix it, check your wattage settings, avoid overpriming coils, and ensure you’re not overfilling the tank. Cleaning the chimney or drip tip can also help.

4. How do I prevent vape spitback in the future?

Use proper wattage for your coil type, prime coils carefully without flooding them, and take slow draws to reduce liquid buildup inside the coil.

 

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