Gurgling – What Causes It in Your Vape?

Definition

Gurgling is the bubbling, popping or “wet” sound that sometimes comes from a vapetank or atomiser when excess e-liquid has collected in the central airflow chimney or coil chamber. Far from being a feature, gurgling is an audible warning that the device is oversaturated, airflow is partially blocked, or internal pressure has changed. For beginners, it can be mistaken for a normal vape noise, but seasoned Australian vapers recognise gurgling as the first sign of imminent spit-back, leaking or muted flavour. Addressing it quickly restores smooth, quiet draws and prevents hot e-liquid droplets from reaching the mouthpiece.

Technical Details

Gurgling occurs when the vacuum balance inside the tank is disrupted. Normally, a thin film of juice vaporises on the coil wick while negative pressure keeps the remaining liquid in the glass tank. If the cotton is over-dripped, the coil is flooded, or an O-ring has failed, surplus juice trickles into the central airway. Each inhalation then pulls air through the liquid pool, creating the characteristic bubble noise. High-VG blends (70 VG or above) are less prone because of their viscosity, whereas 50/50 or high-PG juices flow faster and exaggerate gurgling. In Genesis atomisers, tilt-and-wick designs can allow juice to pool below the deck if the stainless-steel mesh is not oxidised correctly. Temperature changes—like leaving a mod in a hot car—expand the juice, increase internal pressure and force liquid up the chimney, compounding the issue. Variations include “micro-gurgling” (faint crackle on each puff) and “flooded gurgle” (constant sloshing until cleared).

Usage & Tips

• Blow, don’t draw: With the tank upright and the drip-tip removed, give a few sharp exhales through the mouthpiece to push excess liquid out of the airflow slots onto a tissue.
• Check your seals: Ensure O-rings are seated correctly and the glass tank is not cracked; even a hairline fracture breaks vacuum and invites gurgling.
• Wattage window: Running the coil 10–15 W below its recommended range fails to vaporise juice fast enough—raise power gradually until the noise stops.
• Fill line discipline: Leave a 2–3 mm air gap at the top of the tank to allow for juice expansion, especially in summer.
• Coil hygiene: Dark, caramelised gunk on the coil reduces wicking efficiency and leads to flooding; rebuild or replace when flavour mutes.
• Safety note: Never vape while the device is gurgling and spitting—hot droplets can cause minor burns to the tongue or lips.

History & Context

Gurgling entered the vaping lexicon with early clearomisers (CE4, ViVi Nova) circa 2011, where silica wicks often oversaturated. The evolution toward bottom-vertical coils, larger wick ports and high-density cotton reduced incidence, but the issue persists in modern sub-ohm tanks and pod systems when user habits or coil tolerances are mismatched. Australian vape shops routinely field “Why is my vape gurgling?” questions, making it a staple troubleshooting term alongside leaking and dry hits.