Spitback means that liquid e-juice travels through the mouthpiece and reaches the mouth. It may be caused by excess liquid around the coil or condensation in the airflow of e-cigarettes. Stop using the device if liquid reaches the mouth.
What is spitback?
Spitback is droplets of liquid that come up through the mouthpiece during use. The droplets differ from the aerosol that normally forms when e-liquid is heated. A crackling sound alone does not indicate that liquid is reaching the mouth.
Why does spitback occur?
Excess liquid around the coil's airflow can splatter when the coil heats up. Condensation in the mouthpiece, overfilling or incorrect assembly can also contribute. The coil's cotton should be thoroughly saturated; wet cotton is not in itself a fault.
Too low a power level in relation to a particular coil's intended range can contribute to insufficient vaporisation. This does not mean that all spitback should be addressed with higher wattage. Innokin's Z KAL coil at 1.6 ohms has a range of 10–14 W. This specification applies to that particular coil on a compatible device and does not support increasing the power beyond the range.
Hard draws can carry more liquid through the wick and towards the airflow channel. Fast or forceful draws are not a method for clearing the mouthpiece. Do not try to use longer or harder puffs to get rid of the liquid.
Is spitback dangerous?
Nicotine-containing e-liquid can cause poisoning. Nicotine is easily absorbed through the lining of the mouth and the stomach. There is no general risk-free amount that can be stated for spitback, and the nicotine concentration and amount affect the assessment.
If nicotine-containing e-liquid gets in your mouth: rinse your mouth and call the Poisons Information Centre. In less urgent cases, the number is 010-456 67 00. In the event of acute poisoning, call 112 and ask for the Poisons Information Centre.
Nicotine-free e-liquid does not involve nicotine exposure, but it is not intended to be drunk. A nicotine-free label is not a general guarantee that the product is safe to swallow.
Consequences of spitback
Liquid can cause an unexpected taste in the mouth and stickiness around the mouthpiece. In the event of nicotine exposure, symptoms such as vomiting, cold sweats, lethargy and palpitations can appear quickly. The taste of the liquid does not indicate the extent of the exposure.
Common misunderstandings about spitback
Spitback and leaking are different phenomena: spitback is droplets passing through the mouthpiece during use, while leaking is liquid running out of the reservoir. They can have common causes, such as overfilling or an improperly sealed part. Droplets alone do not indicate that the entire device or coil is faulty.
Gurgling sounds can occur when liquid is present in the airflow even without droplets reaching the mouth. The guide to gurgling sounds describes this difference and measures for accessible condensation.
How to prevent spitback
Fill through the intended filling opening, close the fill port and install a compatible coil or pod correctly. The internal cotton of a pre-made coil should not be moved or repacked. Wipe accessible condensation from the mouthpiece and keep the air inlets clear.
For the Innokin GoMax, the manufacturer states that the airflow ports should be closed during filling and opened again afterwards. This applies to the GoMax, not all tanks. A device with adjustable airflow should not be used with the airflow completely closed.
The VG/PG ratio needs to suit the liquid feed. A liquid that is too thin can cause overfeeding; a liquid that is too thick can cause insufficient feeding. Innokin specifies 50VG/50PG or 70VG/30PG for the Go-Z and 70 percent VG or more for the GoMax. These ratios are model specifications, not a general solution to spitback. The explanation of VG and PG describes the differences.
What to do if spitback occurs
Stop using the device, spit out the liquid and rinse your mouth. If the liquid contains nicotine or the contents are unknown, call the Poisons Information Centre on 010-456 67 00 in less urgent cases. In an acute incident: call 112 and ask for the Poisons Information Centre. Call 112 immediately in the event of breathing difficulties, seizures, unconsciousness or pronounced lethargy. Do not wait for symptoms if poisoning is suspected. Do not induce vomiting.
If you have swallowed nicotine-free e-liquid, drink a little water if you are fully awake. Contact the Poisons Information Centre if symptoms occur or the contents are uncertain.
Turn off the device and let it cool before handling intended removable parts.
Wipe visible condensation from the accessible mouthpiece and removable surfaces with dry paper. Do not blow through the entire device in an attempt to clear the liquid. Do not open the battery compartment, a pre-filled pod or a sealed disposable vape for cleaning. Do not use or charge a device if liquid has entered the electronics.
Correct a wrongly closed fill port or incorrectly installed removable part. Do not generally increase the power to vaporise away the problem. If leaking continues or droplets remain, the device should not be used; contact Cigge's support.
When should you replace the coil or adjust the equipment?
A damaged or worn coil needs to be replaced, but spitback alone does not show that the cotton is worn out. Condensation, overfilling, incorrect assembly and damaged seals need to be distinguished from coil wear. A burnt taste requires stopping; burnt cotton cannot be restored through cleaning or refilling.
A replaceable coil is replaced separately. With a fixed coil in a pod, the pod is replaced; the GoMax has a fixed coil, so the entire tank is replaced. How to replace the coil describes the constructions. Accessible condensation can be wiped regularly, but no common replacement interval follows from spitback.
Summary of the post
Spitback is liquid e-liquid that reaches the mouth through the mouthpiece. Stop using the device and deal with any nicotine exposure first. Then troubleshoot accessible condensation, filling, assembly and compatibility. Increasing the power or installing a new coil is not a general solution.
