Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt? Easy Fix for Burnt Hits

For many vape users, the rich flavor of the vape juice is a big attraction. Whether it's refreshing mint or juicy fruit, it can bring a different experience. But if you suddenly smell a burnt taste during use, that good feeling is instantly destroyed. Not only does it affect the taste, but it may also harm the device. Then why do refillable vapes suddenly produce a burnt taste? And how to solve it? Here we take a look at the 9 common causes of burnt taste and the corresponding fixes.

1. Your Vape Coil Needs Changing

Vape coil is like the “engine” of refillable vapes, the use of a long time, the cotton wick will begin to age, dry, and even blocked by impurities in the vape juice. Once the vape coil is in poor condition, the oil heating is no longer smooth, it is easy to produce a burnt taste, which not only affects the flavor, but also may damage the device.

Fixes: If you suddenly smell a burnt odor while hitting a vape, the first thing to do is to check the vape coil. See how long it's been used and if it's blackened or has burn marks. Generally speaking, light users are recommended to replace it about once a week, and heavy users may need to change it in three or four days. Replacing the vape coil with a new one not only restores the flavor, but also allows your vape to continue to perform consistently.

2. You Didn't Prime the Coil

Whenever you replace a new vape coil, don't rush to use it. Pre-moisturization is a step that should never be skipped. The purpose of pre-moisturization is to allow the vape juice to fully penetrate into the coil, otherwise the cotton is dry, and once heated, it will burn directly, which not only destroys the taste, but also may make the entire coil scrapped.

Fixes: When you get a new vape coil, first use a few drops of vape juice to the cotton wick, so that it “drinks full of juice”. After installation and then fill the vape tank, and then do not rush to vape, leave a 10 to 20 minutes, and so the vape juice slowly seeped into the cotton wick is completely wet and then start to use. This can effectively avoid dry burning, and the vape hits are also smoother.

3. Wrong Coil Resistance Causes Burnt Hits

The wrong coil resistance will have an adverse effect on the use of refillable vapes. If the coil resistance is not set correctly, it will cause the heating speed to be too fast, so that the vape coil will not have time to absorb enough vape juice, which in turn will cause the cotton to be burnt and produce a burnt taste.

Fixes: Before using your vape device, carefully check the recommended resistance range of your device and choose a vape coil that matches it. For example, if your device recommends a coil between 0.6Ω and 1.2Ω, then do not install a 0.2Ω low resistance coil to avoid a burnt taste due to resistance mismatch.

4. Power Setting Too High for Your Coil

Many people like to turn up the power in pursuit of more vapor and stronger throat hit, but the higher the power, the better. If it exceeds the range that the vape coil can withstand, it is easy to burn the cotton wick directly, and the burnt taste will naturally follow.

Fixes: The safest thing to do is to check the vape coil you are using and adjust the device according to the manufacturer's recommended power range. When using it for the first time, try starting at the lower limit of the recommended value, and then slowly adjusting upwards to find a balance that is not prone to burn the wick but also satisfies the taste. This will not only prolong the life of the vape coil, but also avoid the frequent smell of burning.

5. Low E-liquid Level Leads to Burnt Hits

Too little vape juice is also one of the common causes of burnt taste. Especially when vaping fast or when the device is tilted, if the liquid in the vape tank doesn't cover the wick, the cotton won't be able to absorb the juice, and the result will be a direct dry burn with a burnt taste coming out.

Fixes: Don't wait until the juice is almost gone to refill it. It is recommended to keep the vape juice always in the upper middle of the vape tank. Especially if you often take deep puffs or if the device is not used in an upright position, you should pay attention to timely refueling. Once you realize that the juice is close to the oil hole or even lower, it is best to refill it immediately to ensure that the wick is always in a “well-fed” state.

6. You're using the wrong type of e-liquid

Not all vape juices are universal. Different refillable vape devices have different VG/PG ratios. If you use the wrong type, for example, if the vape juice is too thick for the cotton wick to absorb, it will be easy to supply the juice poorly, and a burnt taste may appear after a few puffs.

Fixes: Before using the device, read the recommended type of vape juice on the device manual. Generally speaking, low wattage vapes are more suitable for high PG juices, which have good fluidity and fast juice conduction; while devices pursuing big vapor are more suitable for high VG juices, which have more vapor but are thicker. Choosing the right juice ratios not only avoids dry burning, but also greatly improves the overall flavor experience.

7. You're Chain Vaping

Many people like to vape several puffs in a row, but this “continuous vaping” behavior is actually very unfriendly to the vape coil. If the cartridge is heated up before the next round of juice is sucked in, it will dry out and burn over time, and the burnt taste will come naturally.

Remedy: When hitting a vape, remember to give it some “breathing” time. It's best to take 4 to 6 seconds between puffs to give the cartridge a chance to reabsorb the juice. The quicker and harder you inhale, the more likely it is that the cartridge will dry out, and the more likely it is that the burnt taste will find its way to your door.

8. Dirty or Clogged Coil Can Ruin the Flavor

After a long time of use, the surface of the coil will inevitably accumulate some soot residue or tar deposits. These dirty things will affect the heating effect, so that the heating becomes uneven, making it easy to get an unpleasant paste or burnt taste, seriously affecting the flavor.

Fixes: If your device supports the replacement of the vape coil or vape head, it's simple, just change it with a new one periodically. If you don't have a replacement mechanism, you can also take your device apart every week or two to check it out and keep it in good condition by gently wiping off any obvious dirt or cleaning key areas with cotton swabs. This will not only improve the vaping experience but also make the device last longer.

9. Poor Quality Vape Juice

Don't underestimate the quality of vape juice. Poor quality or expired vape juices may not only contain harmful ingredients, but also emit a strange burnt odor when heated, which will directly ruin your vaping experience.

Fixes: You should always buy the right brand of vape juice, read the production date and recipe ingredients, and don't buy those unknown products on the cheap. Normally, when you store it, pay attention to avoid light and humidity, and put it in a cool place. Generally speaking, the shelf life of unopened vape juice is less than one year, and it is best to use up the juice within three months after opening to ensure the flavor is pure and does not deteriorate.

Conclusion

To summarize, a burnt taste from refillable vapes is usually caused by improper use or maintenance of the device. In most cases, as long as the vape coil is replaced in time, the vape juice is used correctly, and the device parameters are reasonably adjusted, the problem of burnt taste can be completely solved. In addition, users also need to keep their devices clean and master the correct vaping habits, so that they can enjoy the wonderful experience brought by refillable vapes for a long time.