Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt and How Could I Prevent It?

There may be several reasons why a vape tastes burnt - from normal vape coil wear and tear to what type of e-liquid you’re using.

Experiencing a burnt vape for the first time can be confusing, especially for adult smokers who have only just recently switched over from smoking. Whether you’ve only just made the switch or switched over a while ago, this guide will explore possible reasons why your vape tastes burnt, and ways you could prevent a burnt vape taste.

Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?

One of the most common reasons your vape tastes burnt may be because of a burnt vape coil. The coil is typically a key component inside a vape, responsible for heating up the e-liquid and creating vapour.

There are numerous reasons for a burnt vape coil, including the following.

Coil Clogging

Sometimes, the e-liquid inside the vape can clog the coil and become burnt, resulting in a burnt coil. This clogging can be caused by the e-liquid consistency changing - becoming thicker with constant re-heating and building up residue on the wick and coil.

A Dry Wick

If the wick isn’t saturated with enough e-liquid, the coil may heat up and burn the wick. This could then cause the e-liquid to congeal, burn and produce that burnt vape taste.

This might happen more often with e-liquids that have a higher ratio of vegetable glycerin (VG) to propylene glycol (PG). E-liquids with a higher ratio of VG typically have a thicker consistency, which may limit the wick’s ability to absorb the e-liquid.

Wear and Tear

The natural wear and tear of a coil could also cause a burnt vape. Vape coils won’t last forever and degrade over time. To maintain the quality of your vaping experience (and avoid a burnt vape taste) it’s important to replace your coils as instructed by the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Why Does My Disposable Vape Taste Burnt?

Typically, a disposable vape tastes burnt because of a burnt coil. Disposable vapes usually operate in similar ways to rechargeables - using a coil to heat the e-liquid that’s soaked into its wick. 

While disposable vapes may be prone to a burnt coil, unlike rechargeable vapes, you normally can’t replace the coil in these devices

If you’re wondering how to tell if a disposable vape is burnt, the most obvious potential sign of this is that the disposable vape tastes burnt. Another could be that the vape may be producing less vapour than normal.

Preventing a Burnt Vape

To avoid a burnt-tasting vape, it may be useful to practise good coil maintenance. 

Sometimes, a burnt coil is inevitable and signifies it has reached the end of its lifespan. That said, there are ways you could prevent a coil from burning out prematurely, and possibly avoid a burnt vape taste in the process. We’ve listed a few of these ways below. 

Clean Your Device Regularly

Cleaning your device regularly could stop e-liquid residue from building up on the coil and causing a burnt taste.

You might be able to clean your coil, but this will depend on the device you use. If you’re able to clean your coil, you could soak it in vinegar for a few hours before rinsing it with water. Just make sure to let it dry before attaching the coil back onto your vape. However, in most cases it’s best to replace the coil frequently to avoid a burnt vape taste. Before cleaning your vape coil, always check your product manufacturer’s guidance.

Prime Your Coil

Priming your coil before use could also help you avoid a burnt vape taste. 

Typically, priming a coil is only possible with open tank systems or mods. To prime a coil, e-liquid is usually dripped onto the coil’s wick. The wick is then left to completely soak up the e-liquid before use. 

Exactly how you prime a coil can vary, and depends on the device, coils and e-liquids you’re using. Therefore, it’s important to always refer to the manufacturer's guidelines on how to do this properly.

Use the Right E-Liquid

It’s important to use an e-liquid that’s compatible with your device type. Using an e-liquid that’s incompatible might cause the coil to clog and taste burnt. 

Typically, high PG e-liquids work best with low powered vapes, whereas high VG e-liquids work best with higher powered devices. Discover more on how to choose the right e-liquid for you.

If you’re unsure what e-liquid is right for your device, check the instructions and information that came with your device, or refer to the manufacturer's guidelines.

How to Make a Disposable Vape Not Taste Burnt

If your disposable vape tastes burnt, it may help to reduce the amount you’re using the device, and take shorter puffs. However, if the vape still tastes burnt after trying this, it’s best to dispose of the device responsibly and buy a new one. The burnt vape taste may be signalling that the device has reached the end of its lifespan.

Disposable vapes don’t usually need coil maintenance, as they often come with a built-in wick and coil that can’t be replaced. When the pre-filled e-liquid or pre-charged battery runs out, the device can’t be used and should be disposed of.

Can I Use My Vape if It Tastes Burnt?

It usually isn’t advised to use a vape if it continues to taste burnt. If your vape tastes burnt, it may be best to replace the coil with a new one. If your disposable vape tastes burnt, this might also signify it’s time to responsibly dispose of it and start using a new one. 

Typically, vape coils last up to two weeks, but this can change depending on the type of device you have, and how frequently you use and maintain it. If you’ve just replaced your vape coil and the new coil tastes burnt, then this may be because of a faulty coil, or an issue with your device that requires further troubleshooting.

Devices That Prevent a Burnt Vape Taste

If you’re looking for an experience that doesn’t require a great deal of knowledge on how to fix a burnt vape, our rechargeable pod based vape VEEV ONE may be worth considering. 

VEEV ONE is designed to prevent a burnt taste. So, you can enjoy the experience without having to worry about getting a burnt taste in your mouth. What’s more, with VEEV ONE there’s no need to replace wick and coil, and there’s no flavour transfer from one capsule to another.

Ready to make the switch from smoking to VEEV ONE? Discover VEEV ONE today. 

Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids.

This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information