Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt? (Causes & Fixes)

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, we’ll break down why your vape tastes burnt and provide step-by-step solutions to fix it. By the end of this article, you’ll know exactly how to prevent burnt hits and enjoy a smoother vaping experience.

Section 1: What Causes a Burnt Vape Taste? 🔥

1.1 Chain Vaping (Overheating the Coil)

Taking frequent puffs without allowing enough time for the wick to reabsorb e-liquid can cause the coil to overheat. When the wick dries out too quickly, it burns, leading to a harsh, unpleasant taste.

How to Fix It:

• Allow a few seconds between puffs.
• Use a higher-resistance coil that can handle chain vaping better.
• Increase your nicotine strength to reduce frequent hits.

1.2 Not Priming a New Coil

If you install a new coil and immediately start vaping, the dry cotton inside the coil will burn instantly, leading to a permanently ruined coil and an awful taste.

How to Prime a Coil Correctly:

1. Drip a few drops of e-liquid onto the cotton inside the coil.
2. Fill your tank and let it sit for 5-10 minutes before vaping.
3. Take 3-4 light dry pulls (without pressing the fire button) to help the e-liquid absorb. Don’t overdo it, as this can cause the coil to oversaturate. 

1.3 Using Too High Wattage

Every coil has a recommended wattage range. Exceeding this range can burn the wick and damage the coil, leading to a burnt taste.

How to Fix It:

• Check the coil’s recommended wattage (usually printed on the coil itself or in the manual).
• Lower the wattage within the safe range for your coil.

1.4 Low or Empty E-Liquid Levels

When your tank is too low on e-liquid, the wick won’t absorb enough juice, leading to dry hits and a burnt taste.

Solution:

• Keep your tank at least one-third full to ensure proper wicking.
• Tilt your vape slightly to help the e-liquid reach the coil.

1.5 Using the Wrong VG/PG Ratio

The VG (vegetable glycerin) and PG (propylene glycol) ratio in your e-liquid affects how well it wicks.

• High VG liquids (70% or more) are thicker and may not wick well in coils designed for lower VG.
• High PG liquids (50% or more) wick faster and work best in smaller coils.

Solution:

• Use the correct VG/PG ratio for your specific device.
• If you experience frequent burnt hits, try a higher PG e-liquid.

Section 2: How to Fix a Burnt Taste in Your Vape 🛠

2.1 Change Your Coil or Clean It

If your coil is already burnt, no fix will completely reverse it—you’ll need to replace it. However, you may be able to clean rebuildable coils.

How to Clean a Reusable Coil:

• Soak it in warm water or alcohol for a few hours.
• Let it dry completely before reinstalling.
• Dry burning and cleaning is another technique. Connect the reusable coil with your mod and pulse the coil at low wattage (10-20W) until it glows red, burning off gunk.
• After dry burning the coil, let it cool, then rinse under warm water. Then use a soft brush to remove the remaining debris. Dry burn again to remove any moisture.

2.2 Prime Your Coil the Right Way

If you skipped priming, try this method to salvage your coil:

1. Remove the burnt coil and check if the cotton is still white (if blackened, replace it).
2. Drip e-liquid directly onto the coil’s cotton.
3. Let it soak for 5-10 minutes before vaping.

2.3 Adjust Your Wattage & Vaping Style

• Lower your wattage to avoid overheating the coil.
• Take slower, longer puffs instead of short, harsh ones.
• Use a temperature control mod if available.

2.4 Use the Right E-Liquid for Your Coil

• MTL (mouth-to-lung) coils work best with 50/50 VG/PG e-liquids.
• Sub-ohm coils work best with higher VG e-liquids (70/30 VG/PG).
• Avoid overly sweetened e-liquids, as they gunk up coils faster.

Section 3: How to Prevent a Burnt Vape Taste in the Future ✅

To avoid dealing with burnt hits altogether, follow these best practices:

✔ Replace Coils Regularly: Depending on usage, change coils every 1-3 weeks. 

✔ Keep Your Tank Filled: Never let the e-liquid level drop too low. 

✔ Use High-Quality E-Liquids: Cheap e-liquids contain more sweeteners, which burn coils faster. Use e-liquids from trusted manufacturers.

✔ Maintain Your Vape Device: Clean your tank and coil housing regularly to prevent buildup. 

✔ Let Your Vape Rest: Don’t chain vape—give the wick time to reabsorb e-liquid.

Conclusion

A burnt vape taste can be frustrating, but once you understand the causes and solutions, it’s easy to fix and prevent. Whether it’s 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.

💬 Have you ever experienced a burnt taste? What worked for you? Let us know in the comments!