Why Your Vape Tastes Burnt? Easy Way to Fix it

When you're all set up with your vape, eagerly anticipating a smooth and flavorful vaping experience, that sudden burnt taste can be quite confusing and disappointing. Don't worry, though—this is a common issue that can be fixed with a few simple adjustments.

 

 

Why is there a burnt taste when I vape?

 

1. Expand on Common Reasons for Burnt Taste

 

Your E-liquid is Low

 

One of the most common reasons for experiencing a burnt taste while vaping is that your e-liquid levels are running low. The coil inside your vape is designed to heat the e-liquid, turning it into vapor for you to inhale. The wick, usually made of cotton, absorbs the e-liquid from the tank, keeping it moist so that it can be efficiently vaporized when heated.

 

However, when the e-liquid level is too low, the wick can't absorb enough liquid. As a result, the coil starts heating dry cotton instead of the e-liquid, causing the material to burn. This leads to the unpleasant taste of burnt hits that many vapers encounter.

 

How to Fix It: Keeping an eye on your e-liquid levels and refilling your tank before it gets too low is key to avoiding this issue and prolonging the life of your coil.

 

 

The Wattage Too High

 

Setting your vape device to a wattage that's too high for your coil is a common cause of burnt hits, especially with open system devices where wattage control is available. When the wattage is too high, the coil heats up much faster than intended, causing the e-liquid to vaporize too quickly. As a result, the wick inside the coil doesn't have enough time to re-saturate with e-liquid, and the coil starts heating the dry cotton instead of the juice. This leads to the unpleasant, burnt taste that vapers dread.

 

The wattage your coil can handle is usually specified by the manufacturer and can often be found on the product packaging or directly on the coil itself. Exceeding this range not only produces a burnt taste but can also permanently damage the coil, shortening its lifespan.

 

How to Fix It: To resolve this issue, always check the recommended wattage range for your specific coil. Make sure to set your vape within this range before using it. 

 

If you're tired of constantly adjusting the wattage on your vape or dealing with the complexities of settings, switching to a disposable vape or a pod system might be the perfect solution for you. These devices come pre-set with optimized settings, so you can enjoy a consistent and flavorful vape experience without worrying about wattage or coil configurations. They are designed to be simple, reliable, and easy to use—just inhale and enjoy, making them ideal for both beginners and experienced vapers who prefer a hassle-free experience.

 

 

E-liquids with abnormal PG/VG ratios

 

Not all e-liquids are suitable for every vape device, and one key factor to consider is the ratio of Propylene Glycol (PG) to Vegetable Glycerin (VG). E-liquids with a high VG content tend to be thicker, which can cause issues in certain devices, especially those with smaller coils or wicking ports. When the VG content is too high, the thicker liquid struggles to be absorbed by the wick. As a result, the coil can heat up without enough e-liquid to vaporize, causing the unpleasant burnt taste that many vapers encounter. Click here to learn more about vape juice types.

 

The principle is simple: the higher the VG content, the more likely you are to experience burnt hits if your device isn’t built to handle it. If you are using a high-VG e-liquid in a device designed for thinner liquids, you may end up overworking your coil and drying out the wick.

 

How to Fix It: To avoid burnt hits caused by incorrect PG/VG ratios, it's essential to choose an e-liquid that matches your device’s coil size and wattage range. Devices with larger coils and bigger wicking ports can handle high-VG liquids, while those with smaller coils are better suited to a 50/50 ratio or higher PG content. Always check the recommended PG/VG ratio for your vape, and adjust accordingly to ensure smooth, flavorful hits without the burnt taste.

 

 

2. Vaping Techniques & Priming Coils:

 

 

Your Coils Have Been Primed Incorrectly 

 

When setting up a new coil, it’s essential to properly prime it before vaping. Failing to do so can lead to dry hits, resulting in an unpleasant burnt taste. Priming the coil ensures that the cotton wick inside is fully saturated with e-liquid, preventing the coil from overheating and burning the dry cotton.

 

If the coil isn’t primed correctly, the wick won’t absorb the e-liquid fast enough, especially during your first few puffs. This can lead to immediate dry hits and shorten the life of your coil. Many new vapers rush this step, but taking the time to properly saturate the wick can save you from a bad vaping experience.

 

How to Fix It: To avoid burning your coil, always prime it before use. After inserting a new coil, drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton wick inside the coil. Once you've filled the tank, let the device sit for a few minutes to allow the wick to soak up the liquid completely. For extra precaution, you can also take a few primer puffs—inhale without pressing the fire button. This helps to draw the e-liquid into the coil and ensures it’s fully saturated before you start vaping.

 

 

Puffing Too Frequently

 

Puffing too frequently or chain vaping, can overwork your vape's coil and lead to burnt hits. When you vape too frequently, the wick inside the coil doesn't have enough time to reabsorb e-liquid between puffs. As the wick dries out, the coil starts to burn the dry cotton, creating an increasingly harsh, burnt taste with each hit. This can not only ruin your vaping experience but also shorten the life of your coil.

 

How to Fix It: To avoid burning your wick and getting that unpleasant taste, it's important to give your device a rest between puffs. Taking a short break allows the wick to re-saturate with e-liquid and ensures the coil is properly vaporizing the juice, not the dry cotton. If you're finding it hard to slow down, try taking a deep breath of fresh air between hits, or keep your vape out of reach to encourage more conscious vaping habits. These small adjustments will help protect your coil and improve your overall vaping experience.

 

 

How to avoid burnt hits from your vape

 

 

Change Up Your Vaping Technique

 

Frequent, continuous puffing can lead to your coil overheating and e-liquid drying out, resulting in a burnt taste. One of the easiest ways to avoid this issue is by changing your vaping technique. Instead of taking quick, successive puffs, allow some time between each hit to give the wick a chance to reabsorb e-liquid. A good rule of thumb is to wait at least 15-30 seconds between puffs, ensuring the wick is fully saturated. 

 

 

Avoid Cold/Hot Temperatures

 

Extreme temperatures can negatively impact both your e-liquid and vape device. In cold environments, e-liquid becomes thicker, making it harder for the wick to absorb it properly. This can lead to dry hits and a burnt taste. On the other hand, hot temperatures can cause your device to overheat, affecting the coil's performance and shortening its lifespan. For the best results, store your vape and e-liquid at room temperature, ideally between 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F). 

 

 

Check Your E-liquid Levels Before You Vape

 

One of the easiest ways to avoid dry or burnt hits is by regularly checking your e-liquid levels. Running low on e-liquid can cause the wick to dry out and burn, leading to that burnt taste. 

 

 

Please Wait Sufficiently After Replacing the E-liquid

 

When using an open-system vape device, it’s important to wait a sufficient amount of time after refilling your e-liquid. Once you’ve added fresh e-liquid, the cotton wick needs time to fully absorb the liquid before you start vaping. This process can take anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes.