Troubleshooting Coil Hot Spots & Dry Hits

Coil hot spots and dry hits are common issues vapers face, especially when building your own coils or setting up a new tank. These problems can seriously affect your vaping experience, causing burnt tastes, poor flavor, and even damaging your coils prematurely. Fortunately, with the right knowledge and techniques, these issues can be easily identified and fixed.

In this guide, we’ll cover the causes of coil hot spots and dry hits, as well as how to troubleshoot and prevent them.

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What Are Coil Hot Spots?

A coil hot spot is an area of your coil that heats up more quickly than the rest of the coil. This leads to uneven heating, which can cause a burnt taste, uneven vapor production, and poor flavor. Hot spots are typically caused by a few common issues, but they can be easily fixed.

Common Causes of Coil Hot Spots:

• Uneven Coil Wrapping: If the coils aren’t wrapped evenly or there’s a loose wrap, it can create hot spots.

• Incorrect Coil Placement: If the coil is placed too close to the posts or the deck, it may cause uneven heating.

• Dirty Coils: Residue build-up on the coil can result in hot spots when the coil is fired.

• Improper Resistance: If the resistance is too low or too high for your device’s wattage, it can cause uneven heating.

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How to Fix Coil Hot Spots:

1. Pulse the Coil:
   Start by pulsing the coil at low wattage (10-15W). This helps prevent excessive heating and gives you more control over the coil’s temperature.

2. Strum with Ceramic Tweezers:
   Gently strum the coil with ceramic tweezers while it’s pulsing. This helps remove hot spots by adjusting the wraps so they are evenly spaced.

3. Check for Even Glowing:
   Look for the coil to glow from the center outward. The coil should heat evenly, with no glowing hotspots.

4. Adjust Coil Position:
   If necessary, use your tweezers to carefully adjust the position of the coil. Make sure it’s centered over the airflow holes and not touching any posts or other components.

5. Clean the Coil:
   If there’s any residue or e-liquid buildup, clean the coil with an ultrasonic cleaner or gently wipe it down with a soft cloth.

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What Are Dry Hits?

A dry hit occurs when the coil burns the wick because there isn’t enough e-liquid to saturate it properly. This results in a harsh, burnt taste and can ruin the flavor of your vape. Dry hits are most commonly caused by issues with wicking or insufficient e-liquid.

Common Causes of Dry Hits:

• Insufficient Priming: If the cotton is not adequately saturated before use, it can lead to a dry hit.

• Over-stuffed Wick: If the wick is too tight or packed too densely in the coil, it can restrict e-liquid flow.

• Chain Vaping: Vaping too frequently without giving the wick time to absorb more e-liquid can cause the wick to dry out.

• Low E-liquid Levels: If the tank or atomizer runs low on e-liquid, the wick may dry out, leading to a dry hit.

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How to Fix Dry Hits:

1. Prime the Wick:
   Always prime the wick before vaping by adding a few drops of e-liquid directly to the cotton. This ensures the wick is fully saturated before you fire the coil.

2. Proper Wick Placement:
   Make sure the cotton isn’t too tight in the coil and is properly fluffed. A good rule of thumb is that the wick should fit snugly but should not be pressed down too tightly.

3. Adjust the Wattage:
   If you’re experiencing dry hits, try lowering the wattage or power setting. Too much wattage can burn the e-liquid faster than the wick can absorb it.

4. Check E-liquid Levels:
   Always ensure your tank is topped up. If you’re using a rebuildable tank, make sure the juice wells are filled and that the wick isn’t being starved of e-liquid.

5. Give Your Wick Time to Soak:
   Don’t chain vape continuously. Give the wick some time to soak up e-liquid between puffs to prevent it from running dry.

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Pro Tips to Avoid Coil Hot Spots and Dry Hits:

• Don’t Overfill the Wick: Make sure to fluff the cotton so it can absorb e-liquid effectively but avoid stuffing it too tightly.

• Use Higher VG E-liquids for DTL: When vaping with a DTL (Direct-To-Lung) setup, opt for e-liquids with a higher VG content. This will help reduce the chances of dry hits.

• Re-wick Regularly: Even if you're not experiencing dry hits, it’s a good idea to re-wick every 3-5 days to ensure consistent flavor and prevent issues.

• Monitor Coil Resistance: Make sure your coil resistance matches your device’s settings. If the resistance is too low, it can cause overheating and lead to hot spots.

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Conclusion:

Coil hot spots and dry hits are common problems in the vaping world, but with the right troubleshooting steps, they can be easily avoided or fixed. By ensuring your coils are properly installed, wicks are adequately primed, and your device is set to the correct wattage, you’ll enjoy a smoother, more flavorful vaping experience.