For many smokers who want to quit smoking, vaping is a great alternative to traditional cigarettes. Vaping offers users a range of flavours and nicotine strengths, making the transition from cigarettes so much easier and smoother.
However, if you’ve recently started vaping – or even if you’re a long-time user and consider yourself a vaping expert – you might have wondered why your vape crackles when you’re taking a puff.
Well, then this article is for you! Continue reading because we’ll tell you more about why vapes sometimes crackle and give you some tips on how to reduce it.
My Vape Is Crackling: Should I Panic?
The short answer is: No.
There is no need to panic or be worried if your vape crackles. In fact, a crackling noise while vaping is quite common and is considered normal.
This indicates that your vaping device or e-cigarette is functioning normally and that the vape juice in your device is vaporising effectively.
However, it’s important to know when the crackling you hear is normal or unusual; a loud crackling noise and spit back or burnt hits do require your attention. When faced with any of these issues, investigate the cause and try to fix any issues or problems that your device or coil might have.
What Causes A Crackling Vape?
Let’s take a look at the different reasons why your vape might be crackling.
E-Liquid Composition
The composition of your vape juice plays a big role in whether your vape will crackle.
The e-liquid in your device or pre-filled pod is typically made of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). Vape juices with higher levels of PG, generally, tend to produce more noise than e-liquids with a higher concentration of VG.
A thicker e-liquid will have a higher level of VG, while liquids with higher concentrations of PG are thinner. Because PG is thinner and evaporates a lot quicker when ignited by your device’s coil, it causes a louder cracking sound when taking a puff on your vape.
Coil Design
Coil design also affects how often and loudly your vape crackles.
Multiple coils or vape coils with a larger surface area (such as mesh coils) can produce more vapour, which causes more crackling when the hot vape juice is vaporised.
Wattage and Temperature
The wattage and temperature settings on your vape can also lead to crackling.
Devices operated at higher wattages and temperatures tend to lead to higher levels of vaporisation, which can produce a louder crackling sound when you’re taking a drag. If you notice that your device is spitting or crackling excessively, this indicates that your device’s power is too low.
Airflow
Your device’s airflow settings, which allow air to move freely from your vape coil to your mouth, also can impact vape crackle.
The tighter your device’s airflow settings – restricting the airflow through the coil – the higher the chances of your device crackling. This causes vapour to be generated with more force leading to a louder crackling noise.
E-Liquid Residue
Some devices may have e-liquid residue in the drip tips or airflow vents which makes the crackling sound louder. This excess e-liquid builds up over time and can impact your vaping, so remember to clean your vape often to prevent residue build-up and vape crackling.
How To Reduce Vape Crackling
Here are a few easy ways you can reduce crackling in your vape:
Adjust Your Wattage or Temperature
A quick and easy way to minimise vape crackle is to reduce the wattage and temperature settings on your e-cig. This can lead to a smoother and quieter puff, as adjusting these settings lowers your vape’s vaporisation.
Play around with the vape’s power output and temperature settings on your vape kit to find the levels that work best for you.
Choose the Right E-Liquid
Always ensure that you are using the correct e-liquid in your vape.
As mentioned earlier, consider the different levels of VG and PG concentrations in your e-liquid. E-liquids with higher VG concentrations (thicker vape juice) produce less crackling than those with higher PG concentrations.
Many vape enthusiasts also suggest using an e-liquid with low levels of nicotine to reduce crackling in your e-cig.
Replace or Clean Your Coil
E-liquid residue tends to stick to and build up on your device’s atomiser, so clean your vape regularly.
If this doesn’t reduce the crackling in your vape, try to clean the coil to reduce the crackling and improve your vaping experience. If you use a device where you can’t clean the coil, replace it with a new, clean coil.
Adjust Airflow
Adjust your airflow settings to allow more air to flow freely from the coil to your mouth.
Reduce the tightness of the airflow setting to reduce vape crackling. Because your device works harder when airflow is restricted, it can lead to excessive crackling.
Tweak the adjustable airflow settings on your vape kit to ensure a smoother vaping experience. The tighter the airflow settings, the more crackling you’ll experience. When your airflow settings are reduced, you allow for smoother vaporisation.
Prime Coils
Prime your new coils properly before you start using them.
This involves soaking your device’s new coil in vape juice before you start puffing. A primed coil helps reduce vape crackling. Ensure that you follow your device’s instruction manual to correctly prime a new coil.
Check For Leaks
A device that leaks can also cause crackling sounds.
If there is any vape juice leaking from your vape tank or atomiser, this can cause your device to crackle and negatively impact your vaping experience. Also, check that all seals and O-rings are in tip-top condition and check that your vape tank or pod is correctly attached to prevent your vape juice from leaking.
Conclusion
If you’ve ever asked “Why does my vape crackle?” you now know that it should not be a cause for concern.
Vape crackling is completely normal and indicates that your electrical device is working properly. This also indicates that the e-liquids in your device are effectively vaporising.
There are, however, times that you should take vape crackling seriously; when your vape or disposable vape pod emits an excessively loud noise, or when you notice vape spitting or burnt hits. When this happens, try to find the cause of the crackling and fix any device or coil issues.
Excessive vape crackling can be fixed by adjusting your vape’s wattage, temperature or airflow settings. You should also ensure that you use the correct e-liquid, replace or clean dirty coils, correctly prime your coils before use, and check for any leaks.
Contact Legion of Vapers for advice on which coils or e-liquid to use with your vape. If you’re ready for a new vape device or looking to upgrade, get in touch to help us find the vape kit that best suits your needs.
