If you just recently embarked on the vape train, let us advise you that there will come a time when even you will encounter a horrible dry burnt taste, and you will start to wonder why.
This is exactly why we want to reassure you and thousands of other vapers, even veteran ones who still can`t figure out what is happening sometimes with the foul taste. Luckily, it is not always because your vape needs to be changed, is worn out, or expired, and most of the time solutions are simple.
Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
A burnt vape taste is almost always caused by the wicking material (usually cotton) getting scorched instead of the e-liquid. This happens when the coil isn’t fully saturated with juice, either because it’s brand new and hasn’t soaked, the tank has run low, the coil is worn out, or the wattage is set too high for the coil’s rating. The fix is usually simple: let a new coil sit in juice for 5–10 minutes before vaping, keep your tank topped up, replace old coils regularly, and stay within the wattage range recommended for your coil.
Now let us review the main reasons and list you fixes on how you resolve or prevent the burnt taste, so that you can enjoy your vape in peace.
Common Causes Explained
1. Did You Let Your E-Juice Sit? – Burn Taste Cause
To fully comprehend this let us first look at how e-cigs function.
Whatever you vape, whether if it is a vape pen beginner kit, or a cig-a-like, or even a flashy box mod with adjustable wattage, with temperature control and the works, they all have an atomiser.
The atomiser is a critical component of the device as when you fire up the vape it’s the atomiser that slowly heats the liquid to create the taste you are used to and vapour. All atomisers hold some kind of wicking stuff but usually we find cotton here which serves to absorb liquid. If you are using a device which allows for replaceable coils, you will notice the cotton poking out from the holes which allows the juice to soak in, they`re found around the coil.
When you top up your device with e-liquid and fire immediately, there is a chance that your vape will vaporise the wicking material instead of heating the liquid. Since the liquid hasn`t soaked into the cotton yet, the cotton will be burnt instead, leaving a harsh burnt taste in your mouth.
This can be manifested especially when you are utilising a new coil as it will be completely dry.
How to Fix
If after you are filling your tank you are getting the burnt taste straight away, the odds are that you didn`t let your liquid sit enough. We recommend that for the first 5-10 minutes you leave the juice to soak in before you start vaping, and you will find that the burnt taste vanished. If you are still getting the burnt taste, most probably you have a ruined coil, and we would suggest purchasing a new one.
If you have replaceable coils on your vape, then all you have to do is to dismantle your tank, unscrew the damaged coil and switch it with a new one. If on the other hand, you hold a pen-style device or a cig-a-like, and you are tasting a burnt flavour, then you will need to change the clearomiser which is the clear tank, or the cartomiser which is the one found on cig-a-likes.
Pro Tip: If your tank holds replaceable coils, prime your coil first prior to screwing it in your vape. This will not only avoid burnt tastes but also prolong the life span of your coil.
Priming the coil – drop few drops of your juice into the cavity at the top of the coil, avoid flooding it as there is the chance that it will spit back when you vape. Also, drop some liquid in each of the juice holes surrounding the coil, where you usually see the wicking material sticking out. The wick is now saturated with juice thus avoiding to burn cotton.
2. Change Your Coil – Burn Taste Cause
You will notice a dry burnt taste more often as the coils are deteriorating. This is a sign to change your coil, as if you persist it will eventually wear out the wick, evaporating your juice to create vapour causing burnt taste.
How to Fix
Simple, replace the coil with a new one, by unscrewing either the top or bottom of the tank to access the coil, then either unscrew or pull out the coil, depends on the device.
While you are there it is good to get it clean before inserting a new coil.
If you are using a clearomiser or cartomiser you can`t replace the coil, so simply screw on a new one.
3. Top Up Your Tank – Burn Taste Cause
Sometimes we get carried away or take our device for granted or we are too busy to note that the tank needs refilling, which can also cause a burnt taste, cause there is no liquid for your vape to heat.
How to Fix
Top up the tank! Check your tank sometimes and fill when needed. On cig-a-likes you will notice when you are running out of liquid as the hit and taste will differ or it won`t be as intense. Just go for a new one.
4. Using The Wrong Juice – Burn Taste Cause
Not all vapes are the same or use the same juice, check out what liquids exist below.
VG: Vegetable Glycerin, it exists in all liquids, commonly mixed with PG and nicotine or just PG if you vape nic-free. High VG juice gets you smooth throat hit and plumes of vapour.
PG: Propylene Glycol, this is where the flavour lies. High PG juice will get you more flavour than vapour.
Sub-ohm: vaping with low-resistance coils.
50/50: it’s a mix of VG and PG suitable for most devices and high-resistance coils, other ratios exist like 70/30 or 80/20 indicating that there`s more of one ingredient than the other.
By knowing all of the above now, you have a handy guide to avoid using the wrong juice for your vape as it can also cause the burnt taste, for example using high-PG and nicotine in a sub-ohm tank.
How to Fix
Use the correct juice for your device, reach out to experts if in doubt.
Usually if you`re sporting a vape pen we suggest 50/50 or nicotine salts, while if you own a box mod with a low-resistance coil go for sub-ohm juice.
5. Vaping at High Power – Burn Taste Cause
Common issue in vapes with variable wattage. Those devices which have fixed wattage will generate the same constant power every time you vape, while other devices can smartly adapt their wattage by sensing the resistance of the coil. Box mods allow you to adjust the wattage manually.
The latter comes handy as you can find your sweet spot, but remember that you can burn your juice by vaping at high power.
Moreover, if you set wattage to high, you can strain your coils causing burnt taste too.
How to Fix
If you are getting burnt taste, consider tweaking your wattage. Always check out the instructions which came with your device or coils as these will tell you the recommended wattage. If in doubt, start low wattage setting, then increase gradually until you reach your desired vapour and flavour
FAQs
How long does a vape coil last before it starts tasting burnt?
Most coils last between 1–3 weeks with regular use, though this varies with e-liquid type, wattage, and how often you vape. A dry or harsh hit is usually the first sign it’s time to replace it.
Can I fix a burnt-tasting coil without replacing it?
Sometimes. If the burnt taste appears right after refilling, letting the juice soak into the wick for 5–10 minutes often resolves it. But if the coil itself is worn out, no amount of soaking will fix it, it needs replacing.
Does high VG or high PG juice cause burnt hits?
Indirectly, yes. Using high-PG juice in a sub-ohm tank built for high-VG liquid can starve the wick, leading to a burnt taste. Match your e-liquid ratio to your device: 50/50 or nic salts for pen-style devices, sub-ohm juice for low-resistance box mod coils.
Why does my vape taste burnt even with a new coil?
This usually means the coil wasn’t primed before use. Add a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the coil and into the wicking holes, then let it sit for a few minutes before firing it for the first time.
Is vaping at high wattage bad for coil life?
Yes. Running wattage above what your coil is rated for scorches the wick faster and can cause burnt hits even on a fresh coil. Check the wattage range printed on the coil or in the device manual, and start low before increasing gradually.
Can chain vaping cause a burnt taste?
Yes. Vaping in rapid succession doesn’t give the wick enough time to reabsorb e-liquid between puffs, which can scorch the cotton even on a healthy coil. Spacing out your puffs helps prevent this.
In Conclusion
Now that you have been informed with all the main reasons which sometimes could tarnish your vape taste and can comprehend more how to go about it, you are in a better position to cater for your vaping device so that it will function flawlessly and avoid to taste that bad burnt flavour again.
One last tip, avoid chain vaping, if you`re constantly holding the vape in your hands you`ll use it more and constant vaping will heat your device faster and strain your coils. Try leaving your vape in your pocket or away from your hands, so that you`re not vaping all the time.
If you need anything like new coils, but also fresh vape kits or disposable ones to minimise hassles, feel free to reach out as we will be glad to assist, so you will be back to enjoying your flavours and nicotine fix in no time.
