I can nonetheless keep in mind the primary time I skilled a burnt hit from a vape. I inhaled, anticipating the standard burst of my favorite vape juice flavour, solely to be greeted by one thing that tasted like burnt rubber.
Fortunately, with 16 years of vaping expertise and dependable, high-quality gadgets, burnt hits at the moment are a factor of the previous for me. However if you happen to’re newer to vaping, it’s one thing you would possibly nonetheless expertise.
The excellent news is {that a} burnt-tasting vape is sort of at all times preventable—and fixable. On this information, I’ll stroll you thru the commonest causes, from working out of e-liquid to coil issues, and present you find out how to repair (and keep away from) them so you may get pleasure from a easy, flavorful vape each time.
Contents
Low e-liquid ranges
Each vape machine, whether or not it’s a disposable or a high-end refillable package, has a heating aspect (coil) and a wick. The wick absorbs the e-liquid, and the heating aspect vapourises it when energy is utilized.
When your e-liquid ranges run too low, the wick dries out, and as a substitute of vapourising liquid, the coil burns the wick. This results in that unmistakable burnt style.
Options
- For disposables or prefilled pods: Change your machine or pod as quickly because the flavour begins to deteriorate.
- For refillable pods or tanks: All the time regulate your e-liquid stage. Guarantee it stays above the coil, and refill as quickly because it drops too low.

Even with sufficient e-liquid, you may nonetheless get a burnt hit if the coil isn’t absolutely saturated. This typically occurs when a tool has been left on its facet for too lengthy. (That’s one purpose our testing crew seems to be to see if a tool can stand upright!)
Options
- Retailer your machine upright every time potential to permit the e-liquid to evenly saturate the coil.
- If the machine has been mendacity down, maintain it upright for a couple of moments earlier than vaping to let the liquid soak again into the wick.
- Give your machine a mild shake to redistribute the e-liquid.

After years of analysis and growth, the highest vape manufacturers have develop into superb at what they do. Nevertheless, there are nonetheless many corporations making an attempt to leap on the bandwagon – and their efforts typically lead to poor gadgets.
This caught me out a couple of months in the past after I was in Spain. I’d left my machine behind and was determined for a vape. At a bar I noticed a small number of disposables. I’d by no means heard of the model, however I purchased one anyway – solely to get a burnt inhale after a couple of vapes.
Options
Mixed, my crew spends actually a whole bunch of hours yearly placing new gadgets by way of their paces. We additionally monitor suggestions from hundreds of consumers.
Whereas each model can have its off-day, there are some manufacturers that not often have issues with burnt coils. For reusable, refillable pod programs, we discover Vaporesso constantly produces probably the most dependable gadgets, intently adopted by Oxva.
For prefilled pods or disposable gadgets, strive sticking with manufacturers like IVG, Elfbar and Misplaced Mary.
These aren’t the one good manufacturers on the market. For extra recommendation, see our linked suggestions for various manufacturers and gadgets on the sidebar of this put up.
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The heating aspect, or coil, is a standard offender in burnt hits, particularly in refillable gadgets. Over time, coils put on out, resulting in poor efficiency and burnt flavours.
Options
- Change your coil or pod commonly. Coils/pods are consumable components and sometimes final between a couple of days and a few weeks, relying on use.
- Enable time for e-liquid to saturate the coil absolutely earlier than vaping. 5 minutes is normally sufficient, however for highly effective gadgets, take a couple of priming puffs first. For an in depth information, see our put up on The way to Prime a Coil.

If in case you have a refillable pod or tank and vape it instantly after filling it, you’re prone to get a burnt style. It’s because the e-liquid has sufficient time to saturate it into the coil.
Answer
Enable e-liquid to soak into the pod or coil earlier than utilizing it for the primary time. Permitting 5 minutes is greater than sufficient for many gadgets except you’re utilizing a strong vape mod and tank.
Alternatively, you may take two or three priming puffs earlier than you activate the machine. See The way to Prime a Coil for an in depth rationalization.
Study extra: The way to Cease a Vape Coil From Burning

Chain vaping is incessantly given as a purpose for burnt coils. In reality, this trigger is pretty uncommon, but it surely’s nonetheless potential – if you happen to puff repeatedly, or inhale too onerous, you may burn the coil out.
Answer
Most guides will let you know to cease chain vaping. However take into account why you’re chain vaping. Chances are high, it’s as a result of you are attempting to get extra nicotine.
You see, nicotine customers self-titrate, which suggests they modify their utilization to get the quantity of nicotine they need. When there’s extra nicotine of their vape, they vape much less. When there’s much less nicotine accessible, they inhale extra to get sufficient nicotine.
I’ve discovered this too. I take advantage of the very best energy I can, whereas a colleague makes use of the bottom energy he can – however vapes 3 times as a lot as me.
So in case you are repeatedly puffing in your vape till you burn your coil out, likelihood is your nicotine ranges are too low. Should you improve your energy, there’s an excellent likelihood you’ll vape loads much less – and get the identical quantity of nicotine total.
The exception to that is in case you are making an attempt to wean your self off nicotine. In case you are, transfer down one energy at a time, fairly than making an attempt to dramatically reduce down, and monitor your self intently to make sure you aren’t vaping extra. (The best manner to do that is to observe how a lot e-liquid you’re getting by way of.)

Very candy e-liquid can typically trigger issues with coils, because the sucralose can gunk up the coil. That is typically much less of an issue with disposable vape gadgets and prefilled pods, as they’re designed for the e-liquid they’re utilizing and the coils don’t have to final lengthy anyway. Nevertheless, it may be an issue with refillable gadgets.
Answer
Change to a less-sweet e-liquid, or use a sucralose-free e-liquid like Halo Max.

In case your machine’s airflow is blocked, you may put further strain on the coil. The identical can occur in case you have a tool the place you may management the airflow, and have it set to very restricted.
Options
Should you can take away the highest of your pod machine, or the drip tip of your vape tank, you may:
- Blow by way of it to clear any blockage.
- Clear with a cotton bud.
You may also strive eradicating the pod or tank, putting your mouth on the bottom of the tank and blowing by way of it. If in case you have variable airflow, modify the setting to a extra open place.
Sadly, for disposable gadgets and glued coil gadgets, the one choice is to switch the disposable or pod.
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If that’s loads to absorb, keep in mind that 90% of issues with coils are attributable to both low e-liquid ranges or inhaling too shortly after filling a refillable pod. Keep in mind these two factors, use a vape from a high quality model and you’ll’t go far unsuitable!

