If you are a dedicated vaper, you will have for sure felt that sharp, acrid taste of a burnt hit at some point. A smell of burning can ruin any vaping session fast. Instead of a flavourful puff of your favourite e-liquid, you get a bitter, metallic flavour.
That burnt flavour is a signal that something is genuinely wrong with either your vape kit or the particular e-liquid you are using. In this article, we go over the most common causes of burnt hits and the steps you can take to avoid them altogether for smooth and enjoyable vaping.
What Causes A Burnt Taste In A Vape
A burnt hit can strike anytime, from the very puff you take after filling your kit with e-liquid, all the way to when you are running out of it. Below, we list out all the mistakes and issues that result in dry and bitter-tasting puffs.
An Overused or Worn-Out Coil
A vape coil can only fire so many times. Every time you take a puff, its e-liquid-soaked cotton heats up to vaporise the juice. So, expect your typical coil to last 1-2 weeks with regular use. As it degrades from sweetener buildup or general use, its ability to wick liquid drops. You will first notice a weaker flavour and vapour production, and finally those burnt-tasting hits.
Insufficient E-Liquid
This cause is an obvious one. As you use up e-liquid, its level falls, and as soon as it’s below the wicking ports on the coil (holes with exposed cotton), the cotton can't soak up more juice. The coil then burns this dry cotton. So, always keep an eye on the e-liquid level, and never let it get below a quarter full.
Chain Vaping
If you are taking repeated puffs one after the other, it won’t give the wick enough time to soak up enough liquid in between hits. This, again, will lead to dry cotton. So, avoid puffing in quick succession.
Incorrect Power (Wattage) Settings
Each coil is rated for a particular wattage (dependent on its resistance level). If your device’s power output goes above that, the coil can scorch the wick even before it can draw in more liquid.
Not Priming a New Coil
You can tell a vape is burnt if the first puff you take tastes bitter. A brand-new coil contains dry cotton. If you install it, fill the pod/tank with e-liquid and start vaping immediately, you're burning that dry cotton. So, always prime the coil by letting it sit for 10 to 15 minutes before you take the first puff.
Using the Wrong E-Liquid
E-liquids come in different VG (Vegetable Glycerin) and PG (Propylene Glycol) ratios. High-VG liquids are thicker and meant to be used by advanced mods. If you use them in a low-power device or a pod system with small wicking holes, it can lead to poor saturation and burnt hits.
How to Fix and Prevent Burnt Hits in Your Vape
As with all things, prevention is the best cure when it comes to avoiding burnt hits in vapes. And when you do experience bitter puffs, there are steps you can take to make them go away.
Tips to Fix Burnt Taste
Check Your E-Liquid:
Don’t keep on vaping and expecting it to get better. Stop after a burnt hit. Check your pod/tank and refill it if it’s low. If the juice level was very low, let it sit for a few minutes to let the cotton re-saturate.
Lower Your Wattage:
You can try to adjust your device’s wattage level, if it is adjustable. Now, take a few short puffs to see if the flavour comes back.
Slow Down:
If you were taking one puff after another, only take slow and gentle draws. Wait at least 15-20 seconds between puffs to allow the wick to soak up.
Replace the Coil:
If it’s a particularly strong burnt taste, then the cotton wick is very likely charred. Its flavour won’t return even after a refill. So, install a new coil, and remember to prime it.
Steps to Prevent Burnt Hits From Happening
Prime Your New Coil:
Every single time you unwrap a new coil, apply a few drops of vape juice directly on its cotton wick. Now install it, fill the tank/pod, and wait for 10 minutes.
Maintain Proper E-Liquid Levels: After every few puffs, take a peek at the remaining juice in the tank. If it’s starting to get low, refill it, especially if it’s below the quarter-full level.
Choose the Right E-Liquid:
Only use an e-liquid appropriate for your particular vape device. Pod systems and starter kits go much better with 50/50 blends. Save your high-VG e-liquids for sub-ohm tanks and higher-wattage kits.
Take Care of Your Vape:
Make sure you clean your tank and mouthpiece regularly. Regular vape maintenance will prevent any gunk buildup that can affect flavour and performance (and add to the burnt hits problem).
Sticking to these guidelines determines how long a vape lasts and the kind of experience you get out of it over its useful life.
Burnt Taste Vape Troubleshooting Guide
Below, we have listed the different burnt tastes vapers come across while vaping, their likely causes, and how to restore your device to a clean and proper flavour.
|
Symptom |
Likely Cause |
What To Do |
|
Sudden, harsh burnt taste |
Either your tank ran out, or you are chain vaping |
First, refill the tank, let it sit, and then try a gentle puff |
|
Burnt taste with a new coil |
You did not give the new coil enough time to saturate the e-liquid |
Replace the coil if it is burned out, or prime it properly this time around |
|
Gradual loss of flavour, turning bitter |
Your coil is either nearing the end of its lifespan, or it's too gunked up with sweet e-liquid usage |
Insert a new coil. Try using less-sweetened e-liquids |
|
Burnt taste only at high wattage |
Your power output is too high for the coil |
Bring the wattage level down to the coil’s recommended range |
|
Burnt taste in a prefilled pod kit |
Your device is out of e-liquid |
Dispose of the pod+refill container properly and replace it with a refill pack |
Shop High-Quality Vapes and E-liquids Now
You can avoid awful vape hits for once and all by taking care of a few things. It always starts with priming your new coil, and then monitoring the e-liquid level, never going above the correct wattage range, and replacing coils on time.
The quality of your kit and coil plays a role, too. If you need replacement coils, pods, or want to buy rechargeable vapes, you’ll find them all in our online vape shop.
