Cupping – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Cupping is the practice of briefly sealing a coil-fitted RDA or RDTA inside a small, heat-resistant cup—usually glass, silicone, or ceramic—to trap e-liquid vapour. The purpose is to let the cotton fully saturate without firing, then to release a dense, flavour-rich cloud in one draw. Beginners use cupping as a leak-check and flavour test, while advanced vapers employ it to pre-condition complex builds like Clapton coils before full installation.

Technical Details

Cupping relies on a tight seal between the drip cap and the cup’s Diameter“>inner diameter, typically 18–22 mm for 24 mm RDAs. The coil is wicked but left unwicked for dry-burn cleaning first, then re-wicked. After saturating the cotton, the cup is inverted over the deck for 30–60 seconds, creating a micro-environment at 40–50 °C that equalises pressure and draws liquid evenly into the fibres. Variations include “drip-cupping” (using the original top cap as the cup) and “shot-glass cupping” (borrowing a 25 mL lab beaker). Silicone versions add heat resistance up to 220 °C and are popular for squonk setups.

Usage & Tips

• How-to: Fire the coil to a dull orange for dry-burn cleaning, let it cool, insert fresh cotton, saturate, then cup for 30 s. Release slowly to avoid spit-back.
• Problem-solving: If liquid pools in the cup, trim excess cotton or lower wattage; gurgling indicates over-saturation.
• Safety: Always use heat-resistant materials; avoid plastic cups that may leach or warp. Never fire while the cup is sealed.

History & Context

Cupping evolved from 2016 Australian cloud-chasing circles seeking flavour “purges” before competitions. The technique quickly spread online, spawning 3D-printed “vape cups” and becoming standard prep for rebuildable enthusiasts nationwide.