why is my vape spitting
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Why Is My Vape Spitting?
Spitting means excess e liquid on the coil popping as hot drops. Avoid overfilling, take gentle even puffs, clear the excess, and use a suitable e liquid.
Spitting, also called spitback, is when small drops of hot e liquid pop up into your mouth as you vape. It is unpleasant but usually harmless and fixable, and it nearly always means there is too much e liquid on or around the coil. This guide explains the causes and fixes, alongside our guide on why a vape bubbles.
Quick answer
Spitting, or spitback, happens when excess e liquid pools on the coil and pops up as small hot drops when it heats. Common causes are overfilling, a flooded coil, very long or hard puffs, over priming a new coil, or e liquid that is too thin. Fixes include not overfilling, taking gentle even puffs, clearing the excess, and using an e liquid suited to your coil.
Why a vape spits
Spitback comes from too much e liquid sitting on or near the coil. When the coil heats, that excess liquid can pop and spit small hot droplets up the airway into your mouth. It is usually caused by overfilling, a flooded coil, taking very long or very hard puffs, over priming a new coil, or using an e liquid that is too thin for the coil and floods it easily.
Why a vape spits
| Cause | What helps |
|---|---|
| Overfilling | Leave the recommended air gap |
| Flooded coil | Clear the excess; gentler puffs |
| Very long or hard puffs | Take gentle, even puffs |
| Over primed new coil | Prime lightly, not heavily |
| E liquid too thin | Use a suitable e liquid |
How to fix it
Start by not overfilling, leave the air gap the instructions recommend. If the coil is flooded, clear it by placing a tissue over the mouthpiece and blowing gently through, or take a few gentle puffs to clear the excess. Take steady, even puffs rather than very long or hard ones, prime new coils lightly rather than soaking them excessively, and use an e liquid suited to your coil. These steps stop most spitting.
Spitting means excess e liquid on the coil popping as hot drops. Avoid overfilling, take gentle even puffs, clear the excess with a tissue, and use a suitable e liquid.
Stopping a vape spitting
- Avoid overfilling; leave the recommended air gap
- Clear a flooded coil with a tissue over the mouthpiece, blowing gently
- Take steady, even puffs rather than long or hard ones
- Prime new coils lightly, not excessively
- Use an e liquid suited to your coil
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| Spitback means the vape is faulty | Usually it is just excess liquid on the coil, easily cleared. |
| You should fill right to the top | Overfilling is a common cause of spitting; leave the air gap. |
| Hard, long puffs are best | They can flood the coil and cause spitback; gentle even puffs help. |
| Any e liquid suits any coil | Very thin liquid floods some coils; match the e liquid to your device. |
Frequently asked questions
Why is my vape spitting?
Because excess e liquid pools on the coil and pops up as hot drops, usually from overfilling, a flooded coil, hard puffs, over priming, or thin e liquid.
How do I stop spitback?
Avoid overfilling, take gentle even puffs, clear the excess with a tissue, prime new coils lightly, and use a suitable e liquid.
Is spitback dangerous?
It is usually harmless but unpleasant, as the drops are hot; clearing the excess liquid resolves it.
Does overfilling cause spitting?
Yes, filling past the recommended level is a common cause; leave the air gap the instructions suggest.
Can a tissue help?
Yes, placing a tissue over the mouthpiece and blowing gently through clears excess liquid from the airway and coil.
The bottom line
Spitting, or spitback, is when small drops of hot e liquid pop up into your mouth as you vape, and it almost always means there is too much e liquid on or around the coil. The usual causes are overfilling, a flooded coil, very long or hard puffs, over priming a new coil, or an e liquid that is too thin for the coil. The fixes are simple: avoid overfilling and leave the recommended air gap, take gentle even puffs, clear the excess with a tissue, prime new coils lightly, and use an e liquid suited to your device.
More help and related reading
If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure about your device or situation, our team is always happy to help.
- Why is my vape bubbling?
- Why is my vape leaking?
- How to prime a vape coil properly
- Browse the full Help and Guidance library
Key things to remember
- Spitback is excess e liquid popping on the coil
- Often from overfilling or a flooded coil
- Hard or long puffs can cause it
- Take gentle even puffs and clear the excess
- Use an e liquid suited to your coil
Technique and spitback
How you puff has a big effect on spitback. Very long or very hard draws pull more liquid onto the coil than it can vaporise cleanly, so it pops and spits. A steady, even puff, firm enough to turn the liquid to vapour but not so long it floods, usually keeps spitting at bay.
If a coil does flood, gently blowing through with a tissue over the mouthpiece clears the excess. Combined with not overfilling and priming new coils lightly, good technique stops most spitback before it starts.
Puffing and spitback
| Habit | Effect |
|---|---|
| Very long puffs | Floods the coil |
| Very hard puffs | Pulls excess liquid up |
| Steady, even puffs | Less spitback |
| Tissue and blow through | Clears the airway |
| Light priming | Avoids a flooded new coil |
A few more questions
Is spitback the same as bubbling?
They are related; a flooded coil can both gurgle and spit, so clearing the excess liquid helps with both.
Do and don’t
Do
- Leave the recommended air gap when filling
- Take gentle, even puffs
- Clear a flooded coil with a tissue
- Prime new coils lightly and use a suitable e liquid
Try not to
- Overfill the pod or tank
- Take very long or hard puffs
- Over prime a new coil
- Use very thin e liquid in the wrong coil
Is spitback harmful?
Spitback is unpleasant but generally harmless, the main risk is a small hot droplet on the lip or tongue, which is startling more than dangerous. It does not mean the device is faulty or unsafe, simply that there is excess e liquid on the coil that needs clearing.
That said, a vape that constantly spits is worth sorting, both for comfort and because it often points to overfilling or a flooded coil that also wastes e liquid. The fixes are quick, and once your fill level, technique and coil are right, spitback usually disappears.
Spitback at a glance
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| What it is | Hot e liquid popping up |
| Harmful? | Usually no, just unpleasant |
| Main cause | Excess liquid on the coil |
| Quick fix | Clear with a tissue |
| Prevent | Do not overfill; gentle puffs |
More questions answered
Why does a new coil spit?
Often from over priming, too much e liquid on a fresh coil floods it; prime lightly and take gentle first puffs.
Can a mouthpiece help with spitback?
Some devices have anti spitback designs or a longer drip tip; a clean, unblocked mouthpiece also reduces droplets reaching your mouth.
A couple more questions
Does overfilling cause spitting?
Yes, filling past the recommended level is a common cause of spitback; leave the air gap the instructions suggest.
Will a lower power reduce spitback?
On devices with adjustable power, lowering it slightly can reduce spitting, as the coil is less likely to flood and pop.
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
Always follow the instructions and safety guidance supplied with your specific device, as details can vary by model and version.
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