SUMMARY
- Une mauvaise compatibilité de votre ratio PG/VG
- Une quantité excessive d'e-liquide lors du remplissage
- Un problème d'amorçage de la résistance
- Une usure de la résistance
- Une résistance non adaptée à votre inhalation
- Une utilisation de e-liquide non adapté à votre taux de nicotine
- Un réglage de la puissance non adapté à votre résistance
Whether you're a beginner or an expert in vape, getting e-liquid on your hands or lips after using your electronic cigarette will always be a bad experience. In this article, we're going to cover all the points you need to know so that this misadventure never happens to you again! The causes can be varied, but they are generally easily avoidable and will save you a lot of trouble with your vape. Leaks or drips can be completely benign, but they can also be problematic if they damage your battery.
Incorrect compatibility of your PG/VG ratio
The wrong choice of PG/VG ratio for your e-liquid is the most common cause of leaks! As a reminder, the ratio of your e-liquid determines, among other things, its fluidity in relation to the percentage of propylene glycol and vegetable glycerine it contains. We're talking about the wrong choice of e-liquid, because it has to be compatible with the resistors you use.
For example, an e-liquid made up mainly of Propylene Glycol (70PG/30VG) will be more fluid and should be used with a resistor with a high Ohmage (ohm) to avoid leaking. If you use it with equipment designed for vaping with a low ohm resistance, you run the risk of huge leaks, because the resistance won't be able to contain the e-liquid in the tank, which is far too impregnated.
To help you choose your PG/VG ratio, take a look at our guide on "how to choose your e-liquid".
Too much e-liquid when refilling
When filling your cartridges or clearomizers, it is essential to respect their capacity. Overfilling your vape can cause e-liquid to build up in your coil and lead to leaks or drips in your electronic cigarette. You could also experience e-liquid splashing in your mouth due to excess e-liquid.
A problem with the ignition of the coil
Priming your coil is an essential step for any vapoteur. This is the step that allows you to soak your cotton for the first time and extend the life of your coil, among other things. If your coil isn't soaked enough, you run the risk of burning your coil and, as well as having a big dry hit, leaks due to deterioration of the cotton. And if you soak your coil too much, it will become saturated with e-liquid and will no longer be able to play its initial role as a buffer, letting liquid through.
Wear and tear on the coil
The choice of your vaping equipment is an important point when you're starting out, to ensure the best possible vaping experience. An electronic cigarette with a coil that isn't suited to your inhalation could lead to leaks or condensation in your clearomizer, with the risk of damaging your kit.
To help you find the type of coil that's right for you, you can find more advice in our "How to choose your coil" guide.
The wear and tear of your coil can also be a factor when it comes to leaks or drips from your electronic cigarette. As a reminder, a coil is a consumable that needs to be changed for optimum use of your e-cig. With repeated use of your vape, the cotton will gradually lose its capillary properties and allow e-liquid to pass through.
We advise you to check the condition of your coil regularly to avoid it burning and getting that horrible taste that every vapers hates!
A coil not suited to your inhalation needs
Too much vapour compared to your inhalation method
When using your vape, if you inhale slowly and your coil is too low in ohms, you risk producing too much vapour. The vapour created will not be fully inhaled and will accumulate at the bottom and against the walls of your coil. Over time, this can lead to liquid leaks or drips in your vape.
Insufficient vapour for your inhalation method
Conversely, if you inhale deeply and your coil is too high in ohms, the vapour will not be dense enough. You'll have to inhale for longer to get the same amount of vapour, which could cause your coil to overheat and wear out prematurely. If your coil burns out, it will no longer be able to act as a buffer and will let liquid through.
Use of e-liquid not adapted to your nicotine level
As with the previous point, if your nicotine level is not adapted to your needs, you could be exposed to leaks.
Let's say you're vaping with too high a nicotine level. You run the risk of inhaling small quantities of vapour, because you'll experience too much of a hit and discomfort in your throat. Some vapour will remain trapped in your cartridge or clearomizer, leading to e-liquid leaks. Conversely, if your nicotine level is too low, you're going to take one puff after another, at the risk of burning your coil, which will no longer be able to do its job, as we've already seen.
We can't stress this enough, but setting your nicotine level is an essential part of the process of giving up smoking. You can find all our advice on how to choose the right nicotine level in our guide "How to choose your nicotine level".
A power setting not adapted to your coil
The power setting on your vaporiser can also be a factor in leakage. In fact, each coil has minimum and maximum limits in terms of use that must be respected.
If you use a coil with a higher wattage than recommended, you run the risk of damaging it by burning it. This will lead to leaks and a change in flavour, forcing you to replace it. If, on the other hand, you use insufficient power, your electronic cigarette's coil will not generate enough vapour compared with its initial design and may leak liquid, once again causing a risk of dripping.
Although current kits are now equipped with technology that recognises the ohmage of the coil installed and adapts the power automatically. We still advise you to always check the recommended wattage. You'll find this information on all our product sheets, as well as on the box and body of each coil.
An improperly cleaned mouthpiece/Drip Tip
We're not talking about leaks as such, but micro-sprays of e-liquid. If you haven't cleaned your Drip Tip properly, you may get small splashes of juice when you inhale. It's a small point to watch out for, but it's never pleasant to have liquid on your lips.
A mistake when reassembling my electronic cigarette
After changing your coil, cleaning it with lukewarm water or simply dismantling your clearomizer or atomizer, a gasket may be incorrectly fitted or pinched, causing a loss of water tightness and resulting in drips on your equipment.
It's important to check where the seals are before dismantling your equipment, and to be meticulous when reassembling it to avoid any risk.
Excessive temperature of the e-liquid
Like any other liquid, e-liquid for electronic cigarettes is subject to changes in temperature. A leak can usually occur when your e-liquid is exposed to high heat, such as during the summer. When your e-liquid is exposed to heat, it liquefies and the cotton of your coil lets some of the liquid through. So it's important to keep your e-cig away from heat. There are other heat-related precautions to take into account. Find out more about best practices for preserving your e-liquid when it's hot!
A significant variation in atmospheric pressure
Whether you're using a clearomizer or a cartridge, these parts of your e-cig are subject to changes in atmospheric pressure because of their need to be watertight. When we talk about atmospheric pressure, we're talking about major changes in altitude, like when you go hiking in the mountains or take a plane.
With the drop in atmospheric pressure at altitude, the air expands and puts pressure on your e-liquid, which will try to escape through your airflow, your coil or make its way close to the joints of your e-cigarette. If you know you're going to be going to the mountains or taking a plane, the solution is to wrap your e-cig in a handkerchief and carry it vertically, upside down, with the airflow open to let the air escape and not have too much e-liquid inside to limit the stress. You can find more tips on how to organise your trip abroad by plane with an e-cigarette!
An electronic cigarette left unused for some time
You've put your vape in a corner or in the cupboard without using it for a while. It's possible that you'll be in for a nasty surprise when you pick it up again, with drips or leaks appearing. Because your coil has been immersed in your eliquid for a long time, it can regularly leak liquid.
After a period of inactivity on your electronic cigarette, we advise you to change the coil and your e-liquid for a fresh coat of paint. The risk of vapourising without making these changes is a possible alteration in flavour and e-liquid splashes when you inhale.
Wear and tear on electronic cigarettes
Electronic cigarettes, like any other product, will wear out over time, leading to leaks. Your coils and cartridges are consumables whose condition needs to be monitored and replaced if necessary. The gaskets on your clearomizers and atomizers are also items to keep an eye on over time. The plastic they're made of can dry out and crack over time. If this happens, look inside the box. In most cases, replacement gaskets are supplied when you buy your clearomizer.