Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?

Vaping, for many, is a recommended and preferred alternative to smoking, offering a huge collection of flavours from e-liquids and the potential for a less harmful experience than cigarettes.

Yet, one common issue that vapers discover with little knowledge or experience of filling their pod or tank is the dreaded burnt taste! If you've ever asked yourself, "Why does my vape taste burnt?" Rest assured, you are not alone. Vaping burnt e-liquid is not ideal, as it can damage your lungs. This article delves into why your vape might taste burnt and offers practical solutions to prevent this unpleasant experience.

To move past this temporary setback and start vaping your chosen vape juice that has freshly arrived in the post, we have compiled a useful how-to guide that covers all you need to know to get the flavour back to what it should be.

But before we can begin to explore the ways you can fix or prevent a burnt taste when vaping, first we must unravel all the potential reasons why it can happen.

Understanding the Burnt Taste in Vapes

The burnt taste in vapes can be disappointing, especially if you are expecting a smooth, flavourful hit. After all, the reason you have quit your addictive smoking habit is to enjoy better health and regain the full taste of flavour you have been missing!

But fear not. The unpleasant taste from a burnt vape is often a result of the coil or wick not being properly saturated with e-liquid. When this happens, the coil heats up without enough liquid to vaporise, leading to that burnt taste.

What you need to do is prime your coil correctly, allowing enough time for that vape juice to soak up around the coil wick. Other key considerations that may be preventing impactful flavour as expected include:

• A common occurrence is a lack of e-liquid in the tank or pod. Always ensure a good level before vaping.
• The coil may just be old and need replacing.
• Too much nicotine can create a burnt taste and harsh feeling in the throat.
• The coil or tank may need a more thorough cleaning.
• You may need to allow more time for the coil to prime correctly.

Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt With a New Coil?

One of the most common times users experience a burnt taste is when they've just installed a new coil. This is because they leave the wicking material (usually cotton) dry. If left dry, the wick will not be able to turn vape juice into vapour.

A new coil requires proper priming before use, and we cannot stress the importance of this action enough. If you skip this step, you risk burning the wick, which leads to a burnt taste.

The solution is simple and with a little patience can go a long way. Always prime your new coil by applying a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the coil's wick holes. Do not soak too much vape juice on the coil as this can lead to an over-caramelised taste following excess vape juice buildup.

Allow the e-liquid to sit for a few minutes (at least five) and take a couple of dry hits (inhale without firing the device) to help the liquid saturate the wick fully.

Fail to do so and the vape experience will just taste like dry burnt cotton. Ensure once this is done you are vaping at the correct wattage and neither of the wicking ports on either side of the coil are exposed.

If after following these steps the coil still tastes burnt, it is likely you have damaged the coil and will need to swap for a new one, following the steps above before first use.

Extra tip: Always ensure the Ohm setup is correct. Not matching the recommended Ohms level suggested by the vape coil manufacturer can damage the coil. This level is usually inscribed on the coil itself to indicate the minimum and maximum wattage.

Why Does My Rechargeable Vape Taste Burnt?

Although the initial extra outlay on a rechargeable vape can cost more than a single-use disposable vape, the increased longevity will mean saving lots of money. But vapers still have concerns when a rechargeable vape tastes burnt. After all, when you spend more – you expect more, right?

A rechargeable vapes can develop a burnt taste due to several factors:

• Chain Vaping: Taking consecutive puffs without allowing time for the wick to re-saturate can lead to a burnt taste.
• Faulty device: Ensure the battery and pod or tank attached to the device are in good working order. Regularly check for any malfunction and seek the device user manual for any further assistance or tips to maintain effective use.
• Dry Hits: When the wick isn't sufficiently saturated with e-liquid, it leads to dry hits, resulting in a burnt taste.
• High Wattage: Vaping at wattage levels that exceed the coil's capacity can cause excessive heat, burning the wick.
• Wrong battery – Check you have the right battery for the vape. If it is an internal battery, this will not be an issue. But for external battery rechargeable vapes, ensure the battery capacity matches the power of the vape kit, and do not overcharge.

To avoid these issues, take breaks between puffs, ensure your device is set to the correct wattage, and always keep your tank filled to prevent dry hits.

Vape Tastes Burnt After Charging

If your vape pod kit, vape pen, vape mod or cigalike tastes burnt after charging, it might be due to increased power output. Some devices deliver a higher wattage or voltage post-charging, which can overheat the coil, especially if the e-liquid supply is low.

Another tip is to not use your vape while charging unless it allows for ‘passthrough vaping’. If your device does not allow this, that may be the reason why the vape tastes burnt after charging.

Plus, always check your device wattage settings after charging and before use. Make sure it is set within the recommended range for your coil and not low on battery or overcharged.

Why Does My New Disposable Vape Taste Burnt?

Disposable vapes are pre-filled and designed for convenience, but they are not immune to a burnt taste. The higher probability is that the prefilled 2ml disposable vape is simply out of vape juice.

However, if your disposable vape tastes burnt immediately, it might be a defect. Consider contacting the manufacturer or retailer for a replacement.

With disposable vape kits, bear in mind you can not alter any component within the device. And sometimes one of those parts may break down and stop functioning. The wicking drying up unexpectedly is an example of that. This can occur because the vape juice left in the tank is not enough but the battery is still running. The coil will still heat but there is not enough liquid to saturate the wick.

Always remember to discard disposable vapes responsibly by taking them to your local recycling centre, where they can disassemble all parts safely to avoid a fire in a standard waste bin and potentially even reuse the battery for something else.

Practical Tips to Avoid Burnt Vape Taste

1. Prime Your Coils

Always prime your coils before use. This step ensures that the wicking material is thoroughly saturated and helps prevent early burnout. Even after priming, when filling the tank, it’s always a good idea to leave your device for a good 5-10 minutes before using it. This will ensure that your wick is completely saturated with e-liquid, therefore eliminating the risk of a burnt coil on your very first hit.

2. Monitor Wattage Settings

Ensure your device is set to a suitable wattage level. Exceeding the recommended wattage can overheat the coil and burn the wick. If you can find a device with automatic coil detection as a feature, this will keep your wattage at the best level to prolong the life of your coil and avoid a vape-burnt taste!

3. Manage E-Liquid Levels

Keep an eye on your e-liquid levels. Running low on e-liquid increases the risk of dry hits. Regularly fill your tank or pod to ensure the wick stays saturated. A top tip is to find a pod vape kit or tank with clearly visible e-liquid windows to help you stay in control of what you vape.

When selecting your vape juice, also remember the more Vegetable Glycerine (VG) in the bottle, the thicker the e-liquid will be which will eventually lead to a clogged coil and a higher chance of a burnt taste. Sticking to a 50-50 balance of VG and Propylene Glycol (PG) will keep the liquid at a thinner consistency and less likely to burn out when the coil is overused.

4. Avoid Chain Vaping

Give your wick time to re-saturate between hits. Chain vaping, or taking several puffs in quick succession, can lead to a burnt taste as the wick doesn't have enough time to absorb more e-liquid. Keep the puffs as low as possible throughout the day to ensure you are not vaping more nicotine than you would be smoking (even though you are doing your body a favour by removing tobacco).

5. Replace Coils Regularly

Coils have a limited lifespan and need regular replacement. A burnt taste could indicate that it's time to change your coil. Depending on your usage, coils might last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks. After two weeks, look at replacing it with a new coil to keep the taste fresh to match your vape juice consistency.

6. Drop Your Nicotine Levels

Another idea is to try and drop your nicotine strength if it is possible. We understand that is not always the case as it is an addictive substance and you may be used to a certain intensity. But you may be suffering from a burnt taste because you are vaping too high a strength too often. You could always try dropping a few milligrams in strength and seeing if that helps, should all of the other steps not be helping.

Final Thoughts

A burnt vape taste is not only unpleasant but also a sign that something is not right with your vaping setup. By understanding the causes and solutions, you can enjoy a smooth and flavourful vaping experience without the worry of encountering that burnt taste.

Remember, proper maintenance and usage of your device are key to a satisfying vape. To understand a bit more about cleaning your key accessories, read here. For further guidance, do not hesitate to reach out to one of our team at Pure E-Liquids.

By applying these insights and practical tips, you should be able to tackle the common but often avoidable issue in good time. Remember, if you follow all of these simple steps before you start vaping, the burnt taste should not even begin. And even if it does – no worries! The minor setback can be sorted in no time so you can get back to vaping the nicotine you require on your smoking cessation journey.