Nothing ruins a good vaping session like a harsh, burnt taste. If you’ve ever taken a puff and been hit with an unpleasant, burnt flavour, you’re not alone. This is a common issue that can occur for various reasons, but the good news is that it’s completely fixable. In this guide, weโll break down why your vape tastes burnt and provide step-by-step solutions to fix it. By the end of this article, youโll know exactly how to prevent burnt hits and enjoy a smoother vaping experience.
TL;DR
- If cotton is scorched or black, replace the coil or pod. Cleaning only helps rebuildables where there is no cotton installed.
- A burnt taste happens when the coil heats faster than the wick can re-supply e-liquid.
- Top causes: chain vaping, unprimed coil, power set too high, low e-liquid, or the wrong VG/PG.
- Quick fixes: slow down between puffs, prime properly, stay within the printed wattage, keep the tank or pod at least one-third full, and match your e-liquid to your coil.
Burnt taste is a supply and heat mismatch. Fix the supply first. Then control the heat.
Why You Get a Burnt Taste?
The core problem is simple. Your coil got hotter than the wick could handle. When cotton dries, it scorches and tastes burnt. The good news is you can prevent it with a few habits.
Quick diagnosis
| Symptom | Likely cause | Fast fix |
|---|---|---|
| Brand-new coil tastes burnt on the first puff | Coil was not primed | Replace if cotton is dark. Next time, prime and wait 5 to 10 minutes |
| Fine at first, then burnt after 3 to 5 puffs | Chain vaping overheated the wick | Wait 10 to 20 seconds between puffs. Use a higher nicotine strength so you puff less |
| Only burnt at higher power | Wattage is above the printed range | Drop power into the coilโs rated range. Start low and step up slowly |
| Burnt taste when the tank or pod is low | Wicking ports are not covered | Keep it at least one-third full. Tilt to feed the ports |
| Pods taste burnt with thick juice | VG is too high for small wicks | Use 50/50 or 60/40 for pods. Save 70/30 for sub-ohm coils |
| Muted flavour, then a burnt edge | The coil is near the end of its life | Replace the coil or pod. Clean the tank and refill |
| Gurgle followed by hot, sharp hit | Oversaturated or flooded, then dried | Clear the chimney, then use gentle, longer puffs |
Top Causes and How to Fix Them
1) Chain vaping overheats cotton
Taking many puffs back to back does not let the wick re-soak. Cotton dries. Heat scorches it.
Fix
- Wait 10 to 20 seconds between puffs on pods.
- Use a higher nicotine strength so you need fewer puffs.
- Try a higher-resistance, cooler coil if you tend to chain vape.
2) Not priming a new coil
A dry coil will burn on the first fire. Once cotton is scorched, the taste will not recover.
How to prime a stock coil or pod
- Drip 2 to 5 small drops of e-liquid onto visible cotton ports.
- Fill the tank or pod.
- Wait 5 to 10 minutes.
- Take 3 to 4 gentle pulls without firing to help saturation.
- Start at low power and take a few short puffs. Step power up slowly.
Signs the coil is ruined
Cotton looks brown or black. The burnt taste shows up even at low power. Replace it.
3) Power set too high
Every coil has a safe wattage range printed on the metal. Exceeding it burns the wick and caramelises sweeteners.
Fix
- Check the printed range on the coil.
- Start 15 to 20% below the bottom of the range.
- Increase in small steps until flavour peaks without heat harshness.
- If your device supports temperature control and your coil is compatible, use it to avoid dry hits.
4) Low e-liquid level
If feed ports are not covered, the wick cannot keep up.
Fix
- Keep the tank or pod at least one-third full.
- Tilt the device to help juice reach the ports.
- Replace pods before they run dry.
5) Using the wrong VG/PG ratio
Thicker liquid wicks more slowly. That is a problem for small pod wicks.
Guidelines
- Pods and MTL coils: 50/50 VG/PG is best. 60/40 can work.
- Sub-ohm and DL coils: 70/30 VG/PG is common.
- Cold weather tip: Liquids thicken in the cold. Consider a little more PG in winter.
Learn more about choosing the right VG/PG vape juice.
6) Sweet and dark flavours gunk coils faster
Sweeteners caramelize on the coil and restrict wicking.
Fix
- Rotate flavours.
- Rinse the tank when switching.
- If you love dessert profiles, expect shorter coil life and keep spares on hand.
7) Airflow and puff style
Hard, short puffs starve the wick and overheat the coil.
Fix
- Use longer, gentler puffs on pods.
- Open airflow slightly when you increase power.
- Match draw style to coil type. MTL for high-ohm coils. DL for low-ohm coils.
8) Environment matters
- Cold weather: Liquids thicken. Keep the device warm in a pocket.
- Hot cars or direct sun: Can thin liquid and leak, then leave cotton dry. Store in shade.
- Flights and altitude: Pressure changes push liquid. Check and refill after travel.
What Not to Do
- Do not dry burn stock coils that contain cotton. This will burn the wick.
- Do not hit a dry pod to โclear it.โ This will scorch the cotton.
- If you clean metal parts with alcohol, rinse well and let them dry fully before use.
Rebuildables Only: Cleaning Bare Coils
This section is for experienced users of RTAs, RDAs, and rebuildable mesh. Do not apply to stock cotton coils.
How to clean a bare metal coil
- Remove cotton.
- Pulse at low power until the coil glows dull red.
- Rinse under warm water. Use a soft brush to remove residue.
- Pulse again to dry.
- Re-wick with fresh cotton and prime fully.
Prevent Burnt Taste for Good
Break-in routine
- After installing a new coil, take 5 to 10 gentle puffs at low power.
- Increase power slowly over the first tank or pod.
Care habits
- Replace coils every 1 to 3 weeks based on flavour, colour, and usage.
- Keep the tank or pod above one-third full.
- Wipe contacts and clean the tank weekly.
- Match e-liquid to the coil. Use quality e-liquid from trusted makers.
- Store away from heat and direct sun.
FAQs
Why does a brand-new coil taste burnt?
It was fired before the cotton was fully saturated. Replace it if the cotton is dark. Next time, prime and wait 5 to 10 minutes.
How long should I wait between puffs?
On pods, 10 to 20 seconds helps the wick re-soak. If you cannot wait that long, consider a higher nicotine or a cooler coil.
Can I fix a burnt coil?
If cotton is scorched, no. Replace it. Cleaning only applies to rebuildables, where you remove the cotton first.
What VG/PG is best for my device?
Pods and MTL coils work best with 50/50 or 60/40. Sub-ohm coils prefer 70/30. In winter, a little more PG can help with wicking.
Do sweet flavours burn coils faster?
Yes. Sweeteners caramelize and form gunk. Rotate flavours and keep spare coils.
Additional Resources
- Starter Kits for Adults
- Replacement Coils and Pods
- Nicotine-Free E-Liquids
- Vaping Laws by Province
- Flavourless Vape Juice Benefits
Conclusion
A burnt vape taste can be frustrating, but once you understand the causes and solutions, itโs easy to fix and prevent. Whether itโs priming your coil properly, adjusting your wattage, or choosing the right e-liquid, these small changes will make a big difference in your vaping experience.
๐ฌ Have you ever experienced a burnt taste? What worked for you? Let us know in the comments!
