Adults only (18+)

How to Fix a Burnt Vape

A burnt vape is something almost every vaper experiences at some point, whether they are completely new to vaping or have been using refillable vape kits for years. The unpleasant taste is usually unmistakable and is often described as harsh, dry or smoky. It can catch you off guard and make even the best e liquid taste ruined. Understanding why this happens and how to fix it safely is important if you want to keep your vape device running smoothly and avoid wasting e liquid, coils or pods unnecessarily.

This article explains in detail what causes a burnt vape, how to solve the issue, how to prevent it happening again and what to do if your device continues to taste burnt even after trying the usual fixes. The information is based on current knowledge of vaping devices used in the UK, including refillable pods, tanks, coils and nicotine salt liquids. Everything is written in a clear, factual and neutral tone to help beginners and experienced users alike.

Understanding Why a Vape Tastes Burnt

A vape tastes burnt when the cotton in the coil becomes too dry or too damaged to properly absorb and vapourise e liquid. When the cotton is not fully saturated, the coil heats the dry material itself rather than the liquid. This creates the burnt flavour that most users find harsh and unpleasant. A burnt coil cannot be repaired once the cotton is scorched, although in some cases you can solve the issue early enough to avoid replacing the coil.

The cotton inside a coil is designed to draw in e liquid through small openings in the metal casing. When everything works correctly, the cotton stays moist and the coil heats only the liquid. If the liquid supply slows down or stops for any reason, the cotton dries out and begins to burn. Once this happens, the burnt flavour often remains even after refilling the tank or pod because the cotton fibres have been damaged. This is why prevention is usually the most effective solution.

How Dry Hits Lead to Burnt Coils

A burnt vape is usually the result of repeated dry hits. A dry hit occurs when the coil fires while the cotton is not fully soaked with liquid. Sometimes this happens because the tank or pod is running low. Other times it happens because the cotton was not primed properly when the coil was first installed. A newly installed coil needs time to absorb e liquid fully before you take the first puff. If the first few puffs are taken before the cotton is ready, the coil may already be damaged and the burnt taste begins early.

Even experienced vapers can occasionally get a dry hit when they inhale for too long or use a very high power setting. In these situations, the coil vapourises liquid faster than the wick can supply it. The cotton then begins to dry out and the taste becomes unpleasant.

How to Fix a Burnt Vape Quickly

Fixing a burnt vape depends on how badly the coil is damaged. If the burnt taste appears suddenly, such as after one strong or rushed puff, it may be possible to recover the coil. If the burnt taste has been present for a while or has developed gradually, the coil is likely permanently damaged and will need replacing.

The first step is to stop using the vape immediately. Continuing to vape a burnt coil not only makes the flavour worse but also worsens the damage inside the coil. Once you stop, check whether there is enough e liquid in the tank or pod. Many burnt hits happen simply because the level has dropped too low. Refill the device and allow the liquid to sit for a while so the cotton can re-soak.

If the burnt taste was caused by chain vaping, where repeated puffs are taken too quickly, it may disappear after a short rest. The cotton may simply have dried out temporarily because the liquid had no time to re-saturate. Giving the coil time to recover often solves the issue without needing to change any parts.

However, if the burnt taste remains even after a refill and rest period, the coil is probably damaged. At this stage the only genuine fix is to install a new coil or a new pod depending on which system you are using. Vape coils and pods are consumable parts and are designed to be replaced regularly.

How to Prime a Coil to Avoid a Burnt Taste

One of the most effective ways to avoid a burnt vape is to prime the coil correctly when you install a new one. Priming means preparing the coil so the cotton wick is fully soaked with e liquid before the first inhale. This process helps prevent the coil from burning prematurely and ensures a smoother first puff.

To prime a coil, begin by placing a few drops of e liquid directly onto the visible cotton sections of the coil. This helps start the saturation process. Next, install the coil into the tank or pod and fill the device. After filling, wait several minutes so the cotton can absorb the liquid. The amount of time needed can vary depending on the thickness of the liquid and the coil design. Waiting long enough is important because under soaked cotton can burn quickly.

Some users also take a few gentle puffs without pressing the fire button. This helps draw liquid through the cotton naturally. Once the coil tastes normal on the first inhale, it is fully primed and ready for regular use.

Why High Power Can Burn Your Coil

Another common cause of a burnt vape is using power settings that are too high for the coil. Most coils are designed to work within a specific wattage range. When a device is set above this range, the coil heats too rapidly. The cotton cannot supply liquid fast enough and the dry sections begin to burn.

Even if the wattage is within the recommended range, chain vaping at the upper limit can cause similar issues. Many users prefer the strongest vapour production, but this also increases the rate at which liquid is vapourised. If the cotton cannot keep up, the burnt taste soon follows. Reducing the wattage slightly and spacing out inhales more evenly often prevents this problem.

How Thick E Liquid Can Lead to Burnt Coils

Some e liquids are thicker than others depending on the ratio of vegetable glycerine and propylene glycol. Thicker liquids take longer to soak into the cotton. If the coil is designed for thinner liquids, a thick liquid may not wick quickly enough. In this situation the cotton dries out more easily and the burnt taste develops faster.

Users should match their e liquid to their coil type. High resistance coils usually work best with higher propylene glycol liquids because they thin out more easily and wick quickly. Low resistance coils, often used in higher powered devices, are designed for thick liquids and can handle the slower wicking speed. Choosing the correct liquid is an important part of preventing burnt coils.

What to Do When Your Pod Tastes Burnt

Refillable pods contain a built in coil so when the flavour tastes burnt, the entire pod usually needs replacing. Pods last a shorter time than traditional coils, partly because the wick and coil are much smaller. Once a pod begins to taste burnt, it is rarely possible to fix it. Allowing the pod to rest or refilling it may reduce the burnt taste slightly, but most of the time the cotton has already been scorched.

If your pod tastes burnt quickly after installing it, the cause may be that you started vaping before the liquid had time to soak in. It may also be caused by using liquid that is too thick for the pod design. Switching to a thinner liquid or allowing more soaking time usually helps extend pod life.

How Long a Coil Should Last Before It Burns

A coil can last anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks depending on how often you vape, the type of liquid used and the wattage setting. Heavy use, very sweet liquids and high power settings all shorten coil life. A coil that tastes burnt after only a day or two usually indicates an issue such as insufficient priming or incompatible liquid thickness. When a coil lasts only briefly, it is helpful to review the way it was primed and the wattage setting used.

What Not to Do When Fixing a Burnt Vape

Some online suggestions claim that burnt coils can be cleaned or washed to restore flavour, but this is rarely effective. The burnt taste comes from damaged cotton inside the coil, and no amount of cleaning can repair scorched fibres. Washing a coil can also leave water trapped inside, which prevents the coil from heating properly and may even damage the device. The safest solution is always to replace the coil.

It is also important not to continue vaping a burnt coil. Not only does the flavour become worse, but inhaling from a burnt coil is unpleasant and unnecessary when a simple coil change solves the issue.

How to Prevent Burnt Coils in the Future

Preventing burnt coils is a matter of good habits, the right liquid and correct device settings. Always keep your tank or pod filled above the minimum line so the cotton does not run dry. Allow time between puffs to let the liquid soak back into the wick. Prime new coils carefully and use liquids that suit your coil type. Keep your wattage within the recommended range. These simple steps greatly reduce the likelihood of a burnt taste.

When to Replace Your Coil Immediately

If your vape produces a burnt taste that does not go away after refilling, resting or adjusting wattage, the coil is no longer usable. If the cotton inside the coil looks dark or charred or if the flavour remains unpleasant, it is time to replace it. Continuing to vape a damaged coil will not improve the flavour. Coils are consumables and replacing them regularly is a normal part of vape maintenance.

Final Thoughts

A burnt vape can be frustrating, especially if it happens suddenly or when you have just filled your tank. Understanding why it occurs is the key to preventing it. Most burnt hits happen because the cotton inside the coil is too dry or the power setting is too high for the coil to handle. By priming coils properly, using the correct liquid, avoiding chain vaping and staying within recommended wattage levels, you can extend coil life and maintain a smoother, more enjoyable vaping experience.

If your vape tastes burnt even after trying the usual fixes, replacing the coil or pod is the safest and most effective solution. Once the cotton is scorched, the burnt taste will not go away. However, with proper technique and regular maintenance, burnt coils can become a rare experience rather than a frequent one.