How to Avoid a Burnt Taste in Your Vape: Tips and Tricks for Better Flavor

There’s nothing worse than taking a puff from your vape and getting hit with an unpleasant, burnt taste. Not only does it ruin the flavor of your e-liquid, but it can also be a sign that something’s wrong with your device or coils. A burnt taste in your vape usually happens when the coil overheats or burns the e-liquid before it has a chance to vaporize properly.

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Fortunately, this issue is avoidable, and with a few adjustments and maintenance tips, you can prevent that burnt flavor and enjoy a smoother, more flavorful vaping experience. In this guide, we’ll walk you through some practical tips and tricks to avoid a burnt taste in your vape, ensuring you get the most out of every puff.

1. Prime Your Coil Properly

One of the most common causes of a burnt taste is not priming your coil before use. New coils need to be saturated with e-liquid before they are used to prevent burning the cotton wick inside. When you don’t prime the coil, the wick can dry out, and when you take a puff, the coil will burn the cotton, leading to a burnt taste.

How to Prime Your Coil:

• Drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the coil’s wick and the inside of the coil.
• Let the coil sit for at least 5-10 minutes after filling the tank, allowing the e-liquid to soak into the cotton fully.
• Start with lower wattage settings and gradually increase the power to avoid overheating the coil.

Tip: Always make sure your coil is completely saturated before use, especially when installing a new coil.

2. Check Your Wattage Settings

Another common reason for a burnt taste is using a coil at too high of a wattage. Coils are designed to work best within a specific wattage range, and going above that can cause them to overheat. This leads to the e-liquid being vaporized too quickly and can burn the wick.

How to Avoid This:

• Always check the recommended wattage range on the coil packaging.
• Use lower wattage settings initially and gradually increase them as you get comfortable with the flavor and vapor production.
• If you notice a burnt taste, lower the wattage to prevent further damage to the coil.

Tip: Some devices have a feature that automatically adjusts the wattage based on the coil resistance. Make sure this feature is enabled if your device supports it.

3. Use the Right E-Liquid

Certain e-liquids can contribute to the burnt taste, especially those that are too thick or have a high VG (vegetable glycerin) content. Thick e-liquids can clog the coil and cause uneven heating, leading to a burnt wick.

How to Avoid This:

• Opt for e-liquids with a balance of VG and PG (propylene glycol). For sub-ohm tanks, e-liquids with a higher VG content (70% VG / 30% PG) are typically best, but they can still be prone to burning if used at too high of a wattage.
• If you’re using a high-resistance coil, try using e-liquids with a higher PG content (50% PG / 50% VG), as they are thinner and easier to wick.

Tip: If you’re using a very thick e-liquid, you may want to reduce the wattage to avoid overheating.

4. Regularly Maintain and Replace Your Coils

Coils have a limited lifespan, and over time, they will naturally degrade. When your coil becomes old or gunky, it becomes less efficient at vaporizing e-liquid, and the chances of getting a burnt taste increase.

How to Maintain Your Coil:

• Replace your coil every 1-2 weeks, depending on your usage and the type of e-liquid you’re using.
• Regularly clean your tank and replace the cotton wick if possible to prevent the buildup of residue, which can contribute to a burnt taste.

Tip: If you’re using a rebuildable atomizer, make sure to regularly clean and rewick your coils to keep them fresh.

5. Avoid Chain Vaping

Chain vaping—taking multiple puffs in quick succession—can cause your coil to overheat, especially if it hasn’t had enough time to cool down between puffs. This can lead to a burnt wick and unpleasant flavor.

How to Avoid Chain Vaping:

• Take breaks between puffs to allow your coil to cool down.
• If you’re using a high-wattage device or coil, be mindful of how often you’re vaping.
• If you’re experiencing a burnt taste from chain vaping, let your device sit for a few minutes before taking another puff.

Tip: Keep in mind that the thicker the coil or the lower the resistance, the longer you may need to wait between puffs to avoid overheating.

6. Keep Your Tank Full

If your tank runs low on e-liquid, the coil can start to burn the wick, which can lead to a burnt taste. Always ensure there is enough e-liquid in your tank to keep the coil fully saturated.

How to Avoid Low E-Liquid Levels:

• Check your e-liquid levels regularly to ensure you’re not vaping on an empty tank.
• When the e-liquid level drops low, refill the tank to avoid the coil running dry.

Tip: If you’re using a pod system or a tank with a smaller capacity, consider carrying a spare bottle of e-liquid for convenience.

7. Use the Right Coil for Your Device

Different devices and tanks use coils with different resistance levels, and using a coil that’s not suited for your device can cause poor performance and a burnt taste. Coils with lower resistance (sub-ohm) are designed for higher wattages, while higher resistance coils are better for lower wattages.

How to Choose the Right Coil:

• Check the specifications of your device to ensure you’re using the correct coil.
• If you’re new to vaping, start with a coil that has a higher resistance (1.0Ω or higher) to avoid potential issues with wattage and overheating.

Tip: Using coils designed specifically for your device ensures optimal performance and reduces the risk of burning your wick.

8. Avoid Vaping When the Coil Is Dry

Vaping when the coil is dry is one of the quickest ways to get a burnt taste. When your coil doesn’t have enough e-liquid, it can overheat and burn the wick. This is especially common when you’re getting close to running out of juice or if the tank is nearly empty.

How to Avoid Dry Hits:

• Always ensure that there is enough e-liquid in your tank before taking a puff.
• If you’ve recently filled your tank, wait for a few minutes to allow the e-liquid to fully soak into the coil.

Tip: If you’ve just refilled your tank and are unsure if the coil is fully saturated, take a few dry puffs (without pressing the fire button) to draw e-liquid into the wick.

Conclusion

A burnt taste in your vape can be a frustrating experience, but by following these tips and taking proper care of your tank and coils, you can ensure a smoother and more flavorful vaping experience. From priming your coils correctly to using the right e-liquid and wattage settings, these small adjustments can make a big difference in the quality of your vape.

By maintaining your equipment, avoiding chain vaping, and ensuring your tank is always properly filled, you’ll significantly reduce the chances of experiencing that unpleasant burnt flavor. Happy vaping!