Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt? Common Causes and Easy Fixes for a Better Vaping Experience

Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt? Common Causes and Easy Fixes for a Better Vaping Experience

Nothing can ruin a vaping experience faster than a burnt taste. Many vapers, both beginners and experienced users, encounter this issue. While the cause may not always be immediately apparent, there are several common reasons behind that burnt taste, along with straightforward solutions to restore the quality of your vape. Here’s a guide on why your vape might taste burnt and how to fix it, so you can enjoy a smooth, flavourful experience.

1. Dry Hits: The Top Culprit for Burnt Taste

A "dry hit" occurs when there’s not enough e-liquid on the coil, causing it to burn the wick instead. This leads to an unpleasant taste and may even produce a harsh sensation in your throat.

Why It Happens: Dry hits are often caused by taking multiple puffs in quick succession, which doesn’t give the wick enough time to re-saturate with e-liquid.

Solution: Take a moment between each puff to let the wick absorb enough liquid. Also, make sure to keep an eye on your vape juice levels and avoid vaping when the tank is nearly empty. For beginners, disposable vapes like those in our disposable vape section often reduce the risk of dry hits, as they’re designed with consistent e-liquid saturation in mind.

2. High Power Settings: Overheating the Coil

Vaping at high wattage can intensify the heat on your coil, which might be too much for your device to handle. The excessive heat can cause the wick to burn quickly, resulting in a burnt taste.

Why It Happens: Some users prefer high wattage to produce larger clouds and stronger hits, but this approach can cause the coil to dry out more rapidly than usual.

Solution: Check your vape’s recommended wattage range, usually found on the coil itself or in the device's manual. Stick within this range, and gradually adjust until you find the best setting without causing a burnt taste. If you’re using a high-powered device, consider trying lower power settings for a smoother, more flavourful experience.

3. Incorrect Priming of Coils: Start with Saturation

Priming your coil properly is essential to avoid that initial burnt taste. New coils come with dry wicks that need to be saturated with e-liquid before use, or they risk burning immediately.

Why It Happens: If you don’t saturate the coil by letting it soak in e-liquid before taking the first puff, you’re essentially burning a dry wick.

Solution: When installing a new coil, place a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the coil’s wick holes. Then fill the tank and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before taking a puff. This allows the e-liquid to saturate the coil thoroughly, preventing a burnt taste on the first puff. Priming is essential for all types of devices, including pod kits and mods. Explore our pod kit collection for options that make coil installation and priming easier.

4. Vaping with Low E-Liquid Levels: Keep Your Tank Full

Running your device on a nearly empty tank increases the chance of dry hits and, consequently, a burnt taste. When the e-liquid level is low, the coil’s wick may not be fully saturated, leading to inconsistent flavour.

Why It Happens: As the tank empties, the wick struggles to draw enough liquid, resulting in dry and burnt hits.

Solution: Make it a habit to refill your tank before it gets too low. Even a small amount of e-liquid can help keep the wick saturated and avoid burning. If you’re looking for high-quality e-liquids, explore our wide range of options on the e-liquids page to ensure you’re always well-stocked.

5. Old or Burnt-Out Coil: Replace Regularly

Like any part of a device, coils wear out over time. Once they reach the end of their lifespan, they’ll produce a burnt taste no matter how much e-liquid is in the tank.

Why It Happens: As coils age, they become less effective at heating e-liquid and often develop burnt residue, which affects both flavour and vapour production.

Solution: Keep an eye on your coil’s lifespan and replace it as soon as you notice a decrease in flavour or vapour quality. Most coils last between one to two weeks, depending on how frequently you vape. Regular maintenance and replacement can help prevent that dreaded burnt taste and ensure a more satisfying experience.

6. Chain Vaping: Take It Slow

Chain vaping, or taking multiple puffs in quick succession, can lead to a burnt taste. This style of vaping doesn’t give the wick enough time to soak up more e-liquid between puffs, causing dry hits.

Why It Happens: Chain vaping puts strain on the coil and reduces the wick’s absorption rate, leading to burning.

Solution: If you enjoy frequent puffs, try pacing your hits to allow the wick enough time to re-saturate. Alternatively, consider using a device that’s better suited for heavy use, such as those designed for longer-lasting flavour and endurance. Disposable vapes may also provide a solution for chain vapers, as they’re designed to be easily replaceable and disposable after heavy use. See our range of disposable vape options for more information.

Choosing the Right Device and E-Liquid for Your Vaping Style

The best way to avoid burnt tastes is to ensure you’re using a vape that suits your style. For example, low-power devices like pod kits are better suited for those who prefer mouth-to-lung hits, whereas high-wattage mods are ideal for direct-to-lung vaping.

When it comes to e-liquids, choosing a VG/PG ratio that complements your device is essential. Devices with low wattage work well with a 50/50 VG/PG ratio, which produces smooth throat hits, while higher-powered mods can handle higher VG content, resulting in thicker clouds.

Suggested E-Liquid: Explore our selection of e-liquids and find the right blend for your device to ensure a consistent, high-quality vaping experience.

Maintaining Your Device for a Smooth Vaping Experience

Regular maintenance is key to avoiding burnt tastes. Alongside priming new coils and monitoring wattage, cleaning the tank, checking for leaks, and replacing coils as needed are essential practices. Maintenance not only enhances flavour but also extends the life of your device, ensuring that each puff is as enjoyable as the last.

Wrapping Up: Preventing and Fixing Burnt Tastes

Vaping should be an enjoyable and flavourful experience. By taking a few preventative steps, you can easily avoid the burnt taste that so many vapers encounter. Start by selecting a device that suits your style, follow best practices for coil priming, and ensure proper maintenance.

For more information and resources on vaping, from disposable devices to advanced mods, check out VapeOffers.co.uk.