Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?

Vapes are known for their juicy flavors that range from strawberry and watermelon to pineapple, dragon fruit, and more. The last thing you want to happen when you’re expecting a fruity flavor sensation is for a bitter taste to fill your mouth.

Unfortunately, a common problem amongst vapers is a burnt taste. Not only does it leave a bad taste in the mouth, hitting a vape that tastes burnt can pose potential health risks. Here, we look at how to prevent a vape that tastes burnt, the reasons why it happens, and how to fix it when it does.

Reasons Why Your Vape Tastes Burnt

Dry Wicking Material

The wick is a vital component of a vape. Commonly made from absorbent cotton, the wick connects the coil or heating element to the vape liquid.

If you don’t refill your vape enough, the wick can be one of the reasons a vape tastes burnt; it is drying out and burning instead of helping to vaporize the liquid.

Overheating Coils

A vape coil is a spiral-shaped wire that surrounds the wick. When a user hits a vape, the coil heats up and starts the vaping process. Because the coil is the primary heat source in a vape, there is a risk of overheating, which can burn the wick or the coil itself.

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Overheating can occur for various reasons, including too much power, lack of airflow, buildup of liquid, overuse, and issues surrounding the battery.

E-Liquid Issues

You pay for what you get regarding vape liquid (juice). Higher quality products contain better ingredients, are less harmful, and are less likely to lead to buildup. The main thing to consider is the type of vape you use and the liquid inside.

Most vape juice is high in propylene glycol (PG) or vegetable glycerin (VG). High PG vape liquid is more suited to low-powered mouth-to-lung (MTL) vapes as it has less flavor, while high VG vape liquid is better for direct-to-lung vapes as it produces bigger clouds.

Incorrect Wattage or Voltage Settings

Be sure to match your vape and settings with the correct coil resistance to ensure your vape doesn’t overheat. The electrical resistance of vape coils is measured in ohms (Ω). Vapes with low ohm coils produce more vapor, taking more battery power, whereas vapes with high ohm coils produce less vapor.

DTL vapes require sub-ohm coils, which means they have a resistance below 1.0 ohm. MTL vapes require a higher ohm count to burn liquid at a lower temperature. Vapers who use the wrong ohm coil can damage their vape and make the battery unsafe.

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How to Fix A Vape That Tastes Burnt

Checking the Wick and Coil

If you take a hit and it tastes burnt, your coil or wick is likely the problem. The best way to determine which one is the issue is to remove the coil and check the heating surface.

Coils should be white and shiny to work effectively, so the wick is probably the issue if this is still the case.
You may also notice that the wick is burnt on the edges after removal. It’s time to replace them if you notice any signs of damage.

Adjusting Wattage or Voltage

Setting your vape up for success starts with selecting the correct power levels.

One way to produce more vapor or flavor is to use a low ohm coil, but you can also achieve this by raising the amount of power to your vape.
Most modern vapes have an up and down button that alters the amount of wattage to give you the vaping experience you desire.
Remember: use the right amount of power for your vape.

Choosing the Right E-Liquid

With thousands of products on the market, selecting the right vape liquid may seem overwhelming, but choosing high-quality e-liquids will increase the life of your vape and your experience.

Choosing the right high-quality vape liquid starts with choosing a trusted brand with great customer reviews. Then, select a flavor you love and a nicotine level that suits the right level of PG or VG for your vaping needs.
E-liquid with higher PG can hit the throat harder and may be more flavorsome, while liquids high in VG produce big clouds. Most average vapers enjoy a 50:50 ratio, but this depends on your style and vape.

Regular Maintenance

There are many things you can do to keep your vape working well for longer and avoid that familiar burnt taste.

It’s essential to keep your vape clean and maintained. Don’t let the battery run flat, and avoid storing your vape in rooms with high temperatures. For a deep clean, take your vape’s components apart and clean them separately; just be sure to let them dry before putting them back together.
Other vape maintenance includes avoiding over-tightening parts, not overfilling the tank with liquid, and regularly disassembling it to check the components are in working order.

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How to Prevent a Vape That Tastes Burnt

Proper Vaping Techniques

Vaping, like most things, requires practice. It’s tempting to chain vape the delicious clouds, but not only is this bad for your lungs, it can be bad for your vape. Instead, let your device cool down between puffs and let the wick fill up each time. You’ll soon understand the benefits when each puff is full of flavor.

Using the Right Equipment

As the saying goes, “If you buy cheap, you buy twice.” If you choose cheap vapes with low-quality vape liquid, you’ll need to replace components much more frequently than buying from trusted brands with good reviews.

Staying Informed

From the DTL revolution to devices with ColdStream™ technology, which cools vaping liquid to lower temperatures for a smoother hit, vaping is constantly evolving. It’s important to keep up to date with new technology to improve your experiences.

Conclusion

Vapes tasting burnt is a sad fact of life for vapers everywhere. There are many causes, including dry wicking material, overheating coils, using low-quality e-liquid, or the wrong wattage settings. However, you can drastically lower the chance of your vape tasting burnt by only buying trusted brands, keeping your vape maintained, and cleaning the individual parts when needed.

FAQs

Is hitting burnt vapes bad for you?

Yes, your burnt vape could be damaging your health. It can cause respiratory problems, lung issues, and excessive coughing, but it may expose you to harmful chemicals like Vitamin E acetate, formaldehyde, and diacetyl.