Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt? 7 Fixes You Need Now
Ever looked up "burnt coil disaster" just for a giggle? You're definitely not the only one. Nearly every vaper, from weekend warriors to proper cloud chasers, has endured the absolute nightmare of a scorched-tasting puff. It's like anticipating a lovely smooth inhale and getting a mouthful of charcoal instead. And yes, even reliable disposables can suffer from this incredibly frustrating issue.
A harsh, burnt drag can completely wreck your session — and your entire day. It usually signals your liquid's running dangerously low, your power's cranked too high, or your coil's been pushed beyond its limits. The outcome? Cremated cotton, rubbish flavour, and a coil that's basically screaming for mercy. But here's the silver lining — burnt hits are typically dead easy to prevent.
If your favourite device like RandM Torndo 15000 suddenly tastes like burnt cardboard, don't panic — your kit hasn't been hexed. You've likely just missed a crucial step. Let's dig into what's creating that awful burnt taste and how you can sort it out quickly.
What's Actually Causing That Horrible Burnt Taste?
Dry Hits: Your Coil's Absolute Nightmare
A dry hit occurs when the cotton wick inside your coil hasn't soaked up sufficient e-liquid. The coil then heats bone-dry cotton, which tastes precisely as dreadful as you'd imagine.
Common triggers include:
- Dangerously low liquid levels
- Firing immediately after topping up
- Taking rapid puffs without proper intervals
Even long-lasting devices need adequate time between draws to maintain proper wick saturation.
Sugary E-Liquids & Coil Contamination
Absolutely love pudding flavours? Your coil definitely doesn't. E-liquids packed with sucralose create caramel-like deposits on the coil over time. This gunk burns and completely destroys your taste experience.
Watch for:
- Flavour that's strangely sweet or completely muffled
- Black, sticky residue coating the coil
- Pathetic vapour output
Consider switching to unsweetened or lightly sweetened liquids if you want your coils to survive longer.
Cranking the Wattage Too High
Running your device way above the coil's recommended power range will overheat the e-liquid or torch the wick. That's a guaranteed route to dry hits and a completely knackered coil.
Top tip: Always stick within the wattage guidelines printed on your coil. If your device has automatic mode, switch it on and let the kit handle the calculations.
Constant Puffing
Chain vaping means hammering several puffs one after another. The wick can't replenish its e-liquid supply, and before long, you're breathing in charred cotton.
To prevent this:
- Wait 20–40 seconds between draws
- Take shorter, gentler puffs
- Use lower-strength nicotine liquid to reduce constant hitting
7 Quick Solutions for Burnt Vape Taste
1. Keep Your Liquid Topped Up Properly
When the juice drops below the coil inlets, your wick dries out — and burns. Refill well before levels get critically low.
Tip: With disposables, a gentle shake occasionally can help distribute the liquid more evenly around the coil.
2. Always Prepare New Coils Correctly
An unprimed new coil is a burnt coil just waiting to happen. Allow the coil to sit in your filled tank for 8–12 minutes before vaping, or take several gentle draws without pressing the fire button to help the wick absorb liquid properly.
3. Give Your Coil Breathing Space
Don't pound the fire button like it's personally wronged you. Allow the coil recovery time between puffs, particularly with smaller pod devices or disposables.
4. Adjust Your Power Settings Sensibly
Higher wattage doesn't automatically mean better performance. Fruit-based e-liquids often shine around 35W; dessert blends can handle up to 50W. Always check your coil's safe operating range.
5. Choose the Right VG/PG Balance for Your Device
Thicker high-VG liquids might not flow properly in pod systems. Stick with 50/50 VG/PG mixtures for tighter draw devices and most disposables.
6. Replace or Properly Clean Gunked Coils
Sticky, contaminated coils mess with airflow and ruin flavour. You can rinse them under warm water or soak in vodka, then dry completely — but honestly, replacing them is much more effective.
7. Be Patient After Refilling
After filling up, give your device a proper rest. The wick needs time to fully absorb the fresh liquid. Rush this process, and you'll suffer with that burnt taste.
Emergency Coil Rescue Method
No spare coil available? Try this:
- Remove the coil and rinse thoroughly under warm water or soak in strong alcohol
- Leave for 8 minutes
- Rinse again and air dry completely overnight
- It won't perform miracles, but might rescue your session.
How Frequently Should You Replace Coils?
Every 10–18 days is typical, but depends on your vaping habits and liquid choices. Sweet juices tend to destroy coils much faster.
Replace your coil when:
- Flavour deteriorates or tastes consistently burnt
- Vapour production drops dramatically
- You hear gurgling, notice leaking, or see discolouration
Burnt Taste on a Brand New Coil?
This usually indicates the coil wasn't properly primed. Even fresh coils can get ruined if you rush that first hit.
Sort it out:
- Drop some e-liquid directly onto the visible cotton
- Let your filled tank rest for 12 minutes
- Take a few dry pulls (without firing) to help wick saturation
- Begin with low wattage and slowly increase
Final Thoughts: Say Goodbye to Horrible Burnt Hits
You shouldn't have to tolerate burnt hits as an unavoidable part of vaping. With some patience, correct priming techniques, and sensible power management, you can enjoy smooth, delicious flavour — consistently.
Want smoother draws and flavour you can trust? Visit EuroCityVape.com for reliable gear and premium e-liquids made to keep your vape experience burn-free.
