Hot Spot – What is it in Vaping?

Hot Spot – Definition

A hot spot is a small, excessively heated area on a vapecoil where the metal glows bright red or orange while the rest of the coil remains cooler. In vaping, hot spots are an unwanted phenomenon caused by uneven current flow, poor coil contact, or inconsistent wicking. They produce harsh, burnt-tasting hits and can shorten coil life. Eliminating hot spots—through proper coil installation, careful pulsing at low Wattage“>high wattage, and thorough wicking—is essential for smooth flavour and safe vaping, especially with high VG e-liquids that demand even heating.

Technical Details

Hot spots appear when electrical resistance is lower in one section of the coil, forcing more amperage through that narrow path. Common culprits are micro-bends, uneven spacing between wraps, or microscopic debris. The glowing region can exceed 400 °C while adjacent wraps sit below 200 °C. Rebuildable atomisers with hybrid connection decks are particularly sensitive because any imbalance is amplified. Typical warning signs are rapid red flashes during a 20–30 W dry burn or a “spitting” sound when the cotton is inserted. Variations include “leg hot spots” at the coil leads and “center hot spots” where wraps touch. Using heatsink airflow rings and spaced coils reduces risk, while clapton or mesh builds distribute heat more evenly.

Usage & Tips

• Installation: After mounting the coil, pulse it at 15–20 W; gently strum or pinch wraps until the coil glows evenly from the center outward.
• Wicking: Use enough cotton to fill the coil snugly without deforming it; thin tails slightly for high VG juices to prevent dry spots.
• Common problems: Persistent glowing legs—trim excess lead length and ensure post screws are tight. Center glow—space wraps evenly with ceramic tweezers.
• Safety: Never vape on a glowing coil with cotton installed; it will carbonise instantly and may release harmful compounds.

History & Context

Hot spots became a widely discussed issue around 2014 when sub-ohmcloud chasing and high wattage devices gained popularity. Early silica-wicked clearomisers masked uneven coils; the shift to organic cotton and rebuildable atomisers made spotting and fixing hot spots a core skill for flavour chasers.