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Why Is My Vape Bubbling?
Touch of Vape FAQs
A bubbling or gurgling noise from your vape is one of the most common device issues — and one of the most fixable. Here is what is causing it and how to resolve it quickly.
Flooding
Excess Liquid in the Coil Chamber — Primary Cause
Gurgling Sound
Liquid Being Drawn Past the Heating Element Instead of Through It
Easy Fix
Clear the Flood and Adjust Your Drawing Technique
The cause
Why Is My Vape Bubbling or Gurgling?
Flooding — excess liquid has entered the coil chamber or airway
Liquid is being drawn through the device rather than vapour
Bubbling or gurgling from a vape device is almost always caused by flooding — a situation where excess liquid has entered the coil chamber, the airway or the mouthpiece. Instead of vapour being produced cleanly, liquid is being partially vaporised and partially drawn through the device as liquid, producing the characteristic gurgling sound. This can happen from overfilling the tank, taking too long or too hard a draw, leaving the device horizontal for extended periods or a flooded coil from extended inactivity.
Causes and fixes
Common Causes of Vape Bubbling and How to Fix Each One
Overfilling the Tank or Pod
Filling the tank or pod above the maximum fill line introduces liquid into the central airway tube rather than keeping it in the liquid chamber. This excess liquid then gets drawn up into the coil and mouthpiece on inhalation, producing the gurgling. Fix: Do not fill above the maximum fill line. If overfilled, remove the coil and allow excess liquid to drain before reassembling.
Drawing Too Hard or Too Long
Taking very long, forceful draws pulls excess liquid from the wicking ports into the coil chamber faster than it can be vaporised. The result is a flooded coil that gurgles. Fix: Use shorter, gentler draws. A slow, steady draw at low pressure is more effective than a hard, fast pull for MTL pod devices.
Leaving the Device Horizontal or Inverted
Pod devices and tanks left horizontal or with the mouthpiece pointing downward allow liquid to seep into the coil chamber and airway by gravity. Fix: Store devices upright with the mouthpiece facing upward. If the device has been stored horizontally, hold it upright for a minute before use and blow gently through the mouthpiece (not into it) to clear any pooled liquid.
How to Clear a Flooded Coil
Remove the pod or tank from the device body. Hold a piece of paper towel over the mouthpiece and blow through the device from the battery end. This pushes the pooled liquid out of the coil and airway. Dry the mouthpiece, reassemble and take a few gentle draws without firing to clear any remaining liquid. If gurgling persists, the coil may need replacing.
"Bubbling is almost always flood-related and almost always resolves with a gentle blow-through and a bit of patience. If it persists after that, the coil has been damaged by the flooding and needs replacing."
Touch of Vape teamPrevention
How to Prevent Your Vape Bubbling in Future
01
Fill to the maximum line — not above it
The fill line exists for a reason. Overfilling is the most common cause of flooding.
02
Use gentle, steady draws
Hard draws pull too much liquid into the coil at once. Slow and steady gets better vapour.
03
Store your device upright
Gravity works against you if the device is horizontal. Keep it standing or in a case designed to hold it upright.
04
Blow through rather than draw through when flooded
Blowing gently from the battery end clears pooled liquid without drawing it further into the device.
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