Crackle – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Crackle is the audible sizzling or popping sound created when e-liquid is rapidly vaporised on a heated coil. Often described as a gentle “fry,” the crackle lets you know the vape coil is actively drawing liquid through the cotton and converting it to vapour. For beginners, it is a reassuring cue that the device is working; for advanced users, a consistent crackle indicates balanced wicking, correct wattage and a primed coil. While the noise level varies between atomisers, some crackle is normal and even desired, especially in sub-ohm tanks and rebuildables designed for cloud chasing. A faint crackle can also enhance flavour perception by signalling that the coil is running at an optimal temperature.

Technical Details

Crackle occurs when micro-droplets of e-liquid suspended in the cotton fibres contact a coil wire heated above the liquid’s boiling point. The sudden phase change from liquid to gas produces tiny pressure bursts—mini “explosions” that generate the familiar pop. Clapton coils, mesh strips and multi-strand builds accentuate the effect because their increased surface area traps more liquid. Wire composition matters: nichrome and stainless-steel ramp up quickly, intensifying the crackle, whereas kanthal is slightly quieter. Wattage settings between 15 W and 80 W on a 0.3–0.6 Ω coil typically produce the most audible crackle; go too low and the coil “gurgles,” too high and the cotton dries with a hiss. High-VG juices (70 VG or thicker) can muffle the sound, while 50/50 blends and nicotine-salt formulations tend to snap more sharply.

Usage & Tips

• Prime new coils thoroughly: saturate the cotton from the top and side ports, then take several dry pulls without firing to avoid dry hits and excessive crackle.
• Start at the lower end of the recommended wattage range and increase in 5 W increments until you reach a steady, even crackle—this prevents flooding and spit-back.
• If crackle turns into loud popping or hot droplets reach your mouth, lower the wattage 5–10 W, close the airflow slightly or check for over-wicking.
• Clean condensation regularly from the DripTip“>drip tip and chimney; trapped droplets can re-enter the coil and exaggerate popping.
• Replace coils or re-wick when flavour drops or crackle becomes inconsistent—built-up residue restricts flow and causes erratic boiling.

History & Context

Early cig-a-likes were almost silent, but the move to refillable clearomisers in the 2010s introduced louder coils. Rebuildable dripping atomisers (RDAs) and Clapton wire turned crackle into a badge of honour among Australian cloud-chasing communities, signalling fresh wicks and big vapour potential. Today, manufacturers tune airflow and coil geometry to deliver a satisfying “Hit“>throat hit soundtrack” without spit-back, making crackle an intentional part of the modern vape experience.