First of all, crackling is completely normal for an e-cig. The “gurgle” you hear is simply the sound produced by the liquid coming into contact with your heated resistance. The crackling is then without risk because it is the sound which precedes the evaporation of the liquid. However, more disturbing cracklings, producing an unusual noise and sometimes even triggering small projections, can interfere with your vaping experience. What are its inconveniences and how to fix them?
Equipment in poor condition
If your electronic cigarette is poorly maintained, you risk clogging the various sensitive parts of your clearomiser. Undesirable dirt and residue can appear and disrupt the heating of your resistance.
If this problem persists, I advise you to clean your clearomiser, and its various components (seals, drip-tip) and to change the resistance. Take care to drain your different parts before reassembling everything.
A vape that is too powerful
Crackling may also be due to a problem with your e-cig setting: too powerful a wattage combined with too low a resistance or an e-liquid with too much PG will produce this effect. It is, therefore, necessary to understand the relationship between the ohms of your resistance and the watts of your e-cig: a small resistance used with a large wattage will certainly lead to overheating of your resistance, crackling or even some toxicity. Refer to the following guidelines to fully understand the relationship between power range and resistance value:
- for a resistance greater than 1.5 ohms, the power of your e-cig must not exceed 10 watts
- for resistance between 1 and 1.5 ohms, the power of your e-cig must be between 9 and 15 watts
- for resistance between 0.5 and 1 ohm, the power of your e-cig must be between 10 and 30 watts
- for resistance between 0.3 and 0.5 ohms, the power of your e-cig must be between 20 and 60 watts
- for resistance between 0.15 and 0.3 ohms, the power of your e-cig must be between 20 and 100 watts
It happens that certain PG-dominant liquids (type 20-80), poorly absorbed by the cotton during vaporization, also create this effect. Prefer resistors with a value less than 1.2 ohms, and therefore more suitable for these e-liquids. For more details, you can refer to this article dedicated to the change of resistance.
Due to leaks
Liquid leaks are a problem related to your clearomiser. They may be due, among other things, to a change in atmospheric pressure, for example during travel or journeys at altitude, due to poor maintenance or even storage in an inappropriate environment for your equipment.
We did a more detailed article about e-cig leaks.
A battered resistance
A resistance just mounted and too little soaked in the liquid will produce this phenomenon. Before filling its tank, you must “prime” your resistance, that is to say, pour a few drops of your liquid on the cotton (on the side of your resistance). Your cotton must therefore be soaked before mounting your resistance. Ordinarily, you have to wait an additional 10 minutes before the first puff or risk possible leaks or even a dry-hit which will be very, very unpleasant!