How to recognize a flooded e-cigarette coil?

Does your e-liquid have a strange flavour or is your clearomiser gurgling more than ever? Your e-cigarette coil may be flooded!

Flooding (when the coil becomes saturated) is a common issue for vapers, whether beginners or experienced users. It can spoil your vaping experience, reduce the lifespan of your coil and even damage your equipment if the problem persists. In this guide, we explain why a coil floods, how to recognise a flooded coil, what to do to save it and how to prevent it from happening again.

What is a flooded coil?

A flooded coil means that too much e-liquid has entered the wick, preventing optimal vaporisation. Instead of heating the liquid to produce vapour, the coil bubbles, spits or produces an unpleasant taste.

Why does a coil flood?

Several causes may explain this issue:

• Drawing too hard: excessive suction can pull too much liquid towards the coil;
• Power too low: if your box is set too low in watts, the e-liquid is not vaporised quickly enough and builds up;
• E-liquid that is too thin: an unbalanced PG/VG ratio (too much PG) or an overly thin liquid (e.g. 100% PG) encourages leaks;
• Worn coil: a clogged or damaged wick does not absorb liquid properly, causing build-up;
• Overfilling: too much e-liquid in the tank can compress the air and force liquid towards the coil;
• Sealing issue: a faulty seal or a poorly screwed-on clearomiser can allow liquid through;
• Temperature changes: thermal shock (e.g. leaving your e-cigarette in direct sunlight then vaping) can expand the liquid.

7 signs of a flooded coil

How do you know whether your coil is really flooded? Here are the signs that can help you identify a faulty e-cigarette coil:

1. A burnt or caramelised taste: excess liquid overheats and cooks on the coil instead of vaporising properly;
2. Excessive gurgling: your clearomiser makes a “gurgling” sound with every draw because the e-liquid bubbles in the coil instead of evaporating cleanly;
3. Less dense, cooler vapour: the vapour is less abundant and harsher on the throat because excess liquid chokes the coil, preventing optimal vaporisation;
4. E-liquid spitting into your mouth: liquid splashes occur when drawing because the coil cannot vaporise it all and expels unprocessed liquid;
5. A coil that heats up abnormally: the clearomiser becomes scorching hot after a few puffs because excess liquid overloads the coil, which has to work harder to heat up;
6. E-liquid leaks through the airflow: internal pressure pushes the liquid outwards;
7. A sudden drop in flavour: the e-liquid has lost its flavour, even with a new coil, because flooding dilutes the flavourings and prevents even vaporisation.

What should you do when a coil is flooded?

Don’t panic! Here are 5 ways to save a flooded coil before throwing it away.

1️⃣ Wipe away excess liquid (the simplest method)

• Switch off your box and dismantle the clearomiser;
• Blow gently into the drip tip (mouthpiece) to expel excess liquid;
• Wipe the coil with absorbent paper (without pressing too hard);
• Leave it to dry for 5-10 min before reassembling. ? Tip: If you have an air compressor, a quick blast can help remove the liquid.

2️⃣ Increase the power (watts) gradually

• If your coil is set too low in watts, increase the power in 5W increments until vaporisation returns to normal.

⚠ Warning: Do not exceed the recommended range for your coil (e.g. 40-80W for a 0.2Ω coil).

3️⃣ Fire without drawing (light dry burn)

• Remove the tank (to avoid burning the cotton);
• Heat the coil at low power (10-15W) for 2-3 seconds;
• Repeat 2-3 times to evaporate excess liquid.

⚠ Warning: Do not do this with a dry cotton coil (risk of burning the wick).

4️⃣ Change e-liquid (if it is too thin)

• If your liquid is too thin (PG > 70%), switch to a thicker blend (50/50 or 70% VG);
• High-VG liquids are less prone to leaks.

5️⃣ Replace the coil if it is too damaged

• If the burnt taste persists after these steps, the coil is probably dead;
• Replace it to avoid damaging your clearomiser.

Tutorial: changing an e-cigarette coil

How can you prevent a coil from flooding?

Prevention is better than cure! Here are 10 tips to prevent flooding:

1. Match the power to your coil
2. Do not draw too hard
3. Fill your tank correctly
4. Use a suitable e-liquid
5. Check the seals
6. Avoid thermal shocks
7. Clean your clearomiser regularly
8. Replace your coil before it wears out
9. Use a leak-proof clearomiser
10. Store your e-cigarette properly