Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt? Causes, Fixes & Prevention

The good news is that a burnt taste doesn’t mean your vape is broken—it’s usually caused by something preventable. With the right knowledge, you can avoid burnt hits, extend your coil’s lifespan, and maintain consistent flavour and vapour output. 

This guide breaks down the reasons why your vape might taste burnt, how to fix it quickly, and the best ways to prevent it happening again. Whether you’re using a pod, disposable, or a full vape kit, these tips will keep your vaping on track.

• A burnt taste is usually caused by the coil or wick overheating when it isn’t fully soaked with e-liquid. 
• The most common reasons include not priming a new coil, running low on liquid, chain vaping, or using the wrong wattage. 
• Sometimes a burnt taste can be improved by priming and lowering wattage, but once cotton is scorched, the coil generally needs replacing. 
• Avoiding burnt hits comes down to consistent usage habits and proper device care: proper coil care, choosing the right e-liquid, and vaping within recommended settings. 
• Recognising when your coil is finished saves money and ensures your vape stays flavourful and enjoyable. 

When you get a burnt flavour, it usually means your coil’s wick—the cotton material that absorbs your e-liquid—has dried out or scorched. Instead of vaporising liquid, your coil is essentially burning dry cotton. 

Once cotton has burnt, it tends to hold onto that flavour, even if you add more e-liquid afterwards. This is why coils that have been fully scorched usually need replacing. However, sometimes a burnt taste is just an early warning sign that your wick is getting too dry, and you can still save it by adjusting how you vape.

Wondering why your vape is tasting burnt? Here are some of the most common reasons.

One of the most frequent reasons for a burnt hit is forgetting to prime a new coil. Priming means saturating the wick before you use it. If you insert a fresh coil, fill the tank, and immediately take a puff, the cotton inside might not yet be fully soaked. When heated too soon, the coil burns the dry cotton, creating a burnt flavour right from the start. 

How to fix it: 

• Drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton of the coil before installing. 
• After filling the tank, let the vape sit for 5–10 minutes. 
• Take a few short, unpowered “primer puffs” to help draw liquid into the wick. 
• Start at a lower wattage and gradually increase to your preferred setting. 

Another common issue is letting your tank or pod run too low. If the cotton isn’t in contact with enough liquid, it starts to dry out and scorch. Even if you still see some liquid in the bottom, it may not be reaching the wick. 

Tip: Always refill before your e-liquid level drops below the wicking holes. This is especially important with pod vapes, which have smaller liquid chambers and less tolerance for running low. 

Taking several deep hits in a row might feel satisfying, but it can prevent your wick from re-absorbing e-liquid quickly enough. This leads to dry spots on the cotton and eventually a burnt taste. 

Solution: Leave a few seconds between puffs to allow the coil to re-saturate. If you’re someone who likes long sessions, consider a device with larger coils or better wicking systems. 

Every coil has a recommended wattage range, usually printed on the coil itself. If you exceed this range, the coil heats too quickly, vaporising liquid faster than the wick can absorb it. This imbalance causes the cotton to dry out and burn. 

For example, if your coil says 10–14W and you’re vaping at 20W, you’ll almost certainly get a burnt hit. 

Always check your coil’s rating and stay within the suggested power band. If you like warmer, more powerful hits, choose coils designed for higher wattages. 

Even the best-maintained coil won’t last forever. Over time, the wick becomes clogged with residue from sweeteners or flavourings in your e-liquids, making it harder for liquid to soak in. This buildup leads to dry hits and a gradual burnt taste. 

On average, coils last between 1–2 weeks, depending on your vaping style, wattage, and the type of liquid you use. If you’ve been using the same coil for more than two weeks and notice dull flavour or a burnt edge, it’s time for a replacement.

E-liquids are made from a blend of propylene glycol (PG) and vegetable glycerine (VG). Thinner liquids (higher PG) wick more quickly, while thicker liquids (higher VG) can struggle in small coils. 

If you’re using a pod device or a vape pen, stick to 50/50 PG/VG or nicotine salts. Thick, high-VG e-liquids are better suited to sub-ohm kits with large wicking holes. Using the wrong ratio can lead to wicking problems and burnt hits.

E-liquids with lots of sweeteners, like dessert or candy flavours, tend to caramelise on the coil. This not only darkens your liquid but also clogs your wick, eventually causing burning. If you love sweet liquids, be prepared to change your coil more often. 

This is one of the most frustrating experiences: you’ve just replaced the coil, but the first few puffs already taste burnt. Almost always, this comes down to improper priming or not waiting long enough for the wick to absorb liquid. 

Make sure to: 

1. Prime thoroughly. 
2. Wait at least 5–10 minutes before vaping. 
3. Start at low wattage and work up gradually. 

If the coil is scorched on the very first puff, unfortunately it will need replacing. 

Some rechargeable vapes temporarily deliver stronger power just after charging. This short surge can overheat the coil and create a burnt taste. 

To prevent this, take a couple of gentle primer puffs after charging rather than immediately diving into long, strong inhales. This helps the coil stabilise.

Pre-filled pods sometimes arrive with inconsistent saturation. If the cotton is dry in certain areas, you may get a burnt hit straight away. With refillable pods, the issue is usually rushing before the wick is ready. 

The fix: let your pod sit for at least 10 minutes after filling, and take a few gentle primer puffs before normal vaping.

If you catch the problem early enough, you may be able to save your coil. Here’s how: 

• Check your liquid level – make sure the wick is covered. 
• Prime or re-prime your coil – drip a few drops onto the cotton and let it soak. 
• Lower your wattage – stay within the recommended range. 
• Pause between hits – give your wick time to absorb more e-liquid. 
• Replace the coil if the burnt taste is persistent—it’s likely permanently damaged. 

A burnt coil is usually easy to spot: 

• Harsh, acrid throat hit. 
• Smoky or charred flavour that lingers. 
• Noticeable drop in vapour production. 
• E-liquid looks darker than usual. 
• Coil cotton visibly darkened or blackened. 

• Always prime new coils or pods. 
• Stay within wattage limits. 
• Keep tanks topped up. 
• Avoid chain vaping. 
• Choose the right liquid for your device. 
• Replace coils regularly. 
• Clean your tank when changing coils. 

Following these simple steps will significantly reduce the chances of burnt hits. 

If your coil is older than two weeks, or you notice: 

• Persistent burnt taste, 
• Dark or caramelised e-liquid, 
• Decreased vapour production, 
•  …it’s time to swap it out the coil or pod.  

Changing coils regularly helps avoid the burnt flavour and prevents wasted liquid. 

Using the right device for your vaping style makes all the difference. Starter kits and pod systems are designed for simplicity, but they need thinner 50/50 or nic salt liquids to wick properly. Sub-ohm kits, on the other hand, work best with thicker, high-VG juices. 

Explore our full range of vape kits to find one that suits your preferences and reduces the risk of burnt hits. 

A burnt-tasting vape is frustrating, but it’s not a mystery. Almost every cause boils down to your coil’s wick not being properly saturated with e-liquid. Whether it’s because you didn’t prime a new coil, let your tank run low, chain vaped too quickly, or pushed your wattage too high, the result is the same: scorched cotton. 

The key is prevention. With proper care—such as priming your coil, using the correct wattage, selecting a suitable e-liquid, and replacing coils when needed—you can significantly reduce the risk of burnt hits. This helps maintain consistent vapour production and preserve flavour quality over time.