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Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
- by Haroon Qureshi
Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
A burnt taste is one of the most unpleasant problems you can experience when using a vape. Instead of getting the smooth flavour you expect, you may suddenly notice a harsh, dry, smoky or burnt-cotton taste. This can happen with both refillable vape kits and pod systems, while disposable vapes can also develop a burnt taste towards the end of their usable life.
The good news is that a burnt vape taste is often caused by something that can be identified and corrected. Problems such as an improperly primed coil, low e-liquid, chain vaping, excessive wattage or an old coil are among the most common causes.
In this guide, we explain why your vape may taste burnt, what you can do to fix it and how to prevent burnt hits in the future.
What Causes a Burnt Vape Taste?
A burnt taste usually occurs when the coil does not receive enough e-liquid while it is being heated. The wick inside the coil needs to stay saturated with e-liquid so that the heating element can vaporise the liquid properly.
If the wick becomes too dry, the heating element can heat the dry material instead of properly vaporising e-liquid. This can create a harsh burnt flavour.
There are several reasons why the wick may become dry, including using a new coil without priming it, vaping too frequently, running the tank too low, using excessive power or having a coil that has reached the end of its lifespan.
New Coil Not Properly Primed
One of the most common reasons for a burnt taste immediately after installing a new coil is insufficient priming.
New coils contain dry wicking material. Before the coil is used, the wick needs enough time to absorb e-liquid. If you activate the device while the wick is still dry, the heating element can burn the wick.
Once the wick has been badly scorched, the burnt taste can remain even after the coil becomes saturated.
How to Prime a New Vape Coil
Properly preparing a new coil can help reduce the chance of getting a burnt hit.
- Install the new coil according to the manufacturer's instructions.
- Fill the tank or refillable pod with the recommended e-liquid.
- Allow enough time for the e-liquid to soak into the coil.
- If recommended by the manufacturer, take a few gentle draws without activating the device.
- Start at the lower end of the coil's recommended power range.
- Take a few gentle puffs before gradually increasing your settings.
The exact priming process can vary between devices, so always follow the manufacturer's instructions for your particular vape kit or coil.
Your Coil May Be Old or Burnt
Vape coils are consumable components and eventually need to be replaced. With regular use, the wick and heating element can accumulate residue and become less effective.
As a coil gets older, you may notice reduced flavour, less vapour, a harsher throat sensation or a persistent burnt taste.
If the coil has become genuinely burnt, adding more e-liquid will not restore the damaged wick. In this situation, replacing the coil is usually the most effective solution.
How Do You Know When a Coil Needs Replacing?
There is no exact number of days that every vape coil will last. Coil lifespan depends on the device, coil type, e-liquid, wattage and how frequently the device is used.
Look for signs such as:
- Persistent burnt flavour
- Reduced vapour production
- Weak or muted flavour
- Harsh or unpleasant vapour
- Dark or heavily used coil material
- Noticeable decline in overall performance
If the coil continues to taste burnt after checking the e-liquid level and settings, it may be time for a replacement.
Chain Vaping Can Cause Burnt Hits
Chain vaping means taking repeated puffs with very little time between them. When you vape continuously, the coil can vaporise e-liquid faster than the wick can absorb more liquid.
Even when your tank is not empty, the wick may temporarily become too dry to keep up with rapid use.
Taking short breaks between puffs allows the wick more time to resaturate with e-liquid and can reduce the chance of a dry or burnt hit.
Low E-Liquid Can Make Your Vape Taste Burnt
If the e-liquid level becomes too low, the coil may not receive enough liquid. This is especially important with tanks and pods where the coil has specific wicking ports.
When those wicking areas are no longer adequately covered by e-liquid, the wick can become dry and produce a burnt taste.
Check your e-liquid level regularly and refill your tank or pod before it becomes almost empty, while following the manufacturer's recommended filling level.
Wattage May Be Too High
If you use a vape kit with adjustable wattage, setting the power too high for the installed coil can cause a burnt taste.
Higher power makes the coil heat more quickly and can cause e-liquid to be vaporised faster than the wick can supply it. This can result in a dry wick and burnt flavour.
Always check the wattage range printed on your coil or provided by the manufacturer. Stay within the recommended range rather than immediately selecting a high power setting.
Why Is the Correct Wattage Important?
The wattage setting controls how much power is delivered to the coil. Using an appropriate setting can help balance flavour, vapour production and coil performance.
Too much power can cause excessive heat and increase the likelihood of dry or burnt hits. Too little power may produce weak vapour and muted flavour.
The correct setting depends on the specific coil and device, so the manufacturer's recommended range should always be your starting point.
Your E-Liquid May Not Be Suitable for Your Device
Different vape kits are designed to work with different types of e-liquid. Smaller pod systems often work well with thinner e-liquids, while larger sub-ohm devices may be designed for thicker high-VG e-liquids.
If the e-liquid is too thick for the coil, it may not wick quickly enough. This can increase the chance of dry hits and burnt flavour.
Always check your device and coil specifications before choosing an e-liquid.
Sweet E-Liquids Can Affect Coil Life
Some sweet e-liquids can leave more residue on a coil over time. As residue builds up, the coil may become darker and flavour performance can gradually decline.
If you notice that a particular e-liquid causes your coils to become dirty or lose flavour faster, changing flavours or replacing coils more frequently may help maintain better performance.
What Does a Burnt Vape Taste Like?
A burnt vape can taste harsh, dry, smoky or similar to burnt cotton. The sensation can vary depending on how dry or damaged the coil has become.
If the burnt flavour appears suddenly, stop taking repeated puffs and check the device. Continuing to vape on a severely dry or damaged coil is unlikely to improve the flavour.
Can a Vape Pod Taste Burnt?
Yes. Refillable pod systems can also develop a burnt taste.
Some pod systems use replaceable coils, while others have integrated coils inside the pod. A burnt taste can occur when the coil becomes dry, worn or overheated.
Check whether your particular pod uses a replaceable coil or an integrated coil and follow the manufacturer's replacement instructions.
Can Disposable Vapes Taste Burnt?
Disposable vapes can also develop a burnt or dry taste, but the situation is different from a refillable vape kit.
A sealed disposable vape normally does not allow the user to refill the e-liquid or replace the internal coil. If a disposable begins tasting burnt near the end of its usable life, it may indicate that the available e-liquid is nearly depleted.
Because the internal components of a sealed disposable vape are not normally user-serviceable, a disposable that has reached the end of its usable life should be replaced rather than opened or modified.
How to Fix a Burnt Vape Taste
The correct solution depends on the cause of the burnt taste.
- Check the e-liquid level.
- Allow a dry coil time to resaturate.
- Reduce the wattage if it is above the recommended range.
- Take longer breaks between puffs.
- Check whether the coil is old or damaged.
- Replace a permanently burnt coil.
- Make sure your e-liquid is suitable for your device.
- For disposable vapes, replace the device if it has reached the end of its usable life.
Can You Fix a Permanently Burnt Coil?
If a coil has only become temporarily dry, allowing the wick to absorb more e-liquid may help.
However, if the wick has actually become scorched or permanently burnt, it generally cannot be restored. Replacing the coil is the appropriate solution for a refillable device that uses replaceable coils.
Burnt Vape Troubleshooting Guide
| Problem | Possible Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| Burnt taste immediately after installing a coil | Coil was not properly primed | Allow the coil to saturate and follow the manufacturer's priming instructions |
| Burnt taste after frequent vaping | Chain vaping | Take longer breaks between puffs |
| Burnt taste when e-liquid is low | Dry wick | Refill the tank or pod before it becomes too low |
| Burnt taste after increasing wattage | Power is too high | Return to the recommended wattage range |
| Burnt taste from an old coil | Worn or damaged coil | Replace the coil |
| Burnt taste with a thick e-liquid | Slow wicking | Check the recommended e-liquid ratio for your device |
| Burnt taste from a disposable | E-liquid may be depleted | Replace the disposable device |
How to Prevent Burnt Hits
Preventing a burnt taste is easier than trying to recover a badly damaged coil. A few simple habits can help improve coil performance and flavour.
- Prime new coils correctly before use.
- Keep your refillable tank or pod adequately filled.
- Avoid taking rapid consecutive puffs for long periods.
- Use the recommended wattage range.
- Choose an e-liquid suitable for your device.
- Replace worn or damaged coils when necessary.
- Do not continue using a coil that produces a persistent burnt taste.
- Follow the manufacturer's instructions for your specific device.
Why Choose the Right Vape Kit?
Choosing a vape kit that matches your preferred vaping style can make maintenance easier and help provide a more consistent experience.
Compact pod kits can provide a simple and portable setup, while pod-mod and advanced vape kits can offer additional control over power, airflow and coil options.
VapeBoo's vape kit collection includes a range of devices and pod kits from recognised brands, giving adult users different options depending on their preferred device style and features.
When Should You Stop Using Your Vape?
You should stop using a vape if it becomes damaged, unusually hot, leaks significantly or behaves unexpectedly.
If a refillable device produces a persistent burnt taste, stop using it and check the coil, e-liquid level and power settings.
Do not attempt to open, modify or repair sealed disposable vape batteries or other components that are not designed to be user-serviceable.
Final Thoughts
A burnt vape taste is usually connected to the coil, wick, e-liquid level, vaping frequency or device settings. Checking these areas can often identify the cause quickly.
For refillable vape kits, make sure new coils are properly primed, keep enough e-liquid in the tank, avoid excessive chain vaping and stay within the manufacturer's recommended wattage range.
For disposable vapes, a burnt taste near the end of the device's usable life can indicate that the e-liquid is nearly depleted. Since sealed disposable devices generally cannot be refilled or fitted with replacement coils, replacing the device is the appropriate option.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my vape taste burnt?
A vape can taste burnt when the coil wick is not receiving enough e-liquid. Common causes include an unprimed coil, an old coil, chain vaping, low e-liquid, excessive wattage or unsuitable e-liquid.
Why does my new vape coil taste burnt?
A new coil can taste burnt if it is activated before the wick has absorbed enough e-liquid. Allow the coil to saturate properly and follow the manufacturer's instructions before use.
Can chain vaping cause a burnt taste?
Yes. Taking repeated puffs with little time between them can prevent the wick from absorbing enough e-liquid, increasing the chance of a dry or burnt hit.
Can low e-liquid cause a burnt vape?
Yes. When the e-liquid level becomes too low, the coil may not receive enough liquid to keep the wick saturated.
Can high wattage cause a burnt taste?
Yes. Excessive wattage can make the coil heat faster than the wick can supply e-liquid, which may result in a dry or burnt hit.
How often should I replace my vape coil?
Coil lifespan varies depending on the device, e-liquid, wattage and frequency of use. Replace the coil when flavour and vapour performance decline or when a persistent burnt taste develops.
Can a disposable vape taste burnt?
Yes. A disposable vape can develop a burnt or dry taste when its e-liquid is close to being depleted. Since sealed disposable devices generally do not have replaceable coils or refillable tanks, the device should be replaced when it reaches the end of its usable life.
Should I keep vaping if my coil tastes burnt?
No. Stop using the device and check the coil, e-liquid level and settings. If the coil is permanently burnt, replace it rather than continuing to use it.
How can I prevent burnt vape hits?
Prime new coils correctly, keep enough e-liquid in the tank or pod, avoid excessive chain vaping, use suitable e-liquid and stay within the manufacturer's recommended wattage range.
