Crispy Coil – What It Means in Vaping & How to Fix It

Definition

A Crispy Coil is a vaping coil that has been overheated to the point where the cottonwick inside is singed or burnt, producing a harsh, unpleasant flavour often described as tasting like burnt toast or charcoal. This condition occurs when the cotton inside the Coil is insufficiently saturated with e-liquid, causing the wicking material to burn rather than vaporise the juice. The term “crispy” refers to the dry, burnt texture of the cotton wick, which can no longer properly absorb and deliver e-liquid to the heating element.

Technical Details

Crispy coils develop when the heating element reaches temperatures exceeding 300-400°C without adequate e-liquid saturation. The cotton wick, typically made from organic Japanese cotton or synthetic fibres, undergoes pyrolysis – a chemical decomposition caused by high heat in the absence of liquid. This creates carbon deposits on the Coil surface, appearing as dark, crusty black spots. The resistance of a crispy coil often increases by 0.1-0.3 ohms from its original specification, affecting the device’s power output and potentially damaging Cartridge systems. Unlike Clapton Coils designed for enhanced flavour and Cloud Chasing, crispy coils lose all performance characteristics and require immediate replacement.

Usage & Tips

Prevention Strategies

• Prime new coils thoroughly by dripping e-liquid directly onto the cotton wick before first use
• Allow 5-10 minutes after filling a new Cartridge or tank for proper wick saturation
• Start at lower wattage settings and gradually increase to your preferred level
• Chain vaping – avoid taking multiple puffs in quick succession

Solutions

Once a coil becomes crispy, it cannot be salvaged and must be replaced. Attempting to clean or reuse a burnt coil will result in continued poor flavour and potential health risks from inhaling burnt cotton fibres. Australian vapers should always keep spare coils on hand and replace them at the first sign of a burnt taste.

History & Context

The term “crispy coil” emerged in the early 2010s as sub-ohm vaping gained popularity among Australian enthusiasts. As vapers pushed devices to higher wattages for increased vapour production, coil burning became a common frustration. The vaping community adopted this descriptive term to quickly communicate the irreversible damage to fellow vapers, particularly in online forums and vape shops across Australia.