Not much ruins the moment than the acrid taste of a burnt coil when you vape. As well as not being very pleasurable, a burnt vape can indicate underlying issues, or lead to damaged vape parts and wasted e-liquid if not fixed. In this guide we explain how to fix burnt vape problems and help you understand the common causes so you can avoid it happening again.
In this article:
How to fix a burnt vape - first steps
Fixing a burnt vape - in detail
How to know if your vape is burnt
How to fix a burnt vape - first steps
If you’ve taken a nice long draw on your vape only to have a burnt taste land on your tongue, here are some fast trouble shooting tips to try in the first instance:
✓ Stop using your vape - Don’t be tempted to carry on in the hope it will suddenly be okay. Continuing to use your vape can worsen the taste and damage the coil
✓ Check the coil - A burnt coil is nearly always the main culprit. Remove it and inspect for any blackened areas
✓ Adjust wattage - When the settings are too high the wick and coil can burn. Check your device manual for recommended ranges
✓ Clean the tank - Residue buildup can cause burnt flavors. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly before refilling.
✓ Prime your coil - Before using again, ensure your coil is saturated with e-liquid. When the wick is not properly soaked it can lead to dry hits and that burnt taste
*IF YOU HAVE A DISPOSABLE VAPE WITH A BURNT TASTE THEN YOU’LL NEED TO DISPOSE OF IT, IT CAN’T BE SAVED
Fixing a burnt vape - in detail
If you’ve done your initial health checks but the problem persists, it may be time for some under-the-bonnet work. These are the most common ways to fix burnt vape issues:
1. TAKE YOUR DEVICE APART
Turn your vape off completely and grab a towel to lay the parts on and avoid e-liquid dripping on to furniture. Carefully unscrew the tank from the battery, then remove the drip tip and base to access the coil.
Tip: Take photos as you go to help with reassembly
2. CLEAN OR REPLACE THE BURNT COIL
What you do now depends on the severity of the burnt vape coil. Inspect it and then act according to the the level of the burn:
✓ Light burn - Rinse coil under warm water for 30 seconds and air dry for 24 hours.
✓ Severe burn - If the cotton is black or crumbly then replace it immediately
3. REFILL WITH FRESH E-LIQUID
Even if you’ve fixed the coil, your remaining e-liquid will hold the burnt vape taste. Empty the tank completely before refilling so you’re not mixing old burnt juice with fresh e-liquid.
Fill to around 80% capacity and let the liquid saturate the wick for 5-10 minutes before vaping.
4. REASSEMBLE AND TEST
Now that you’ve cleaned or replaced the burnt coil, vape juice has been refilled and refreshed and you’ve let the wick saturate, it's time to put everything back together. Hand-tighten the components taking care not to over-tighten. After 5-10 minutes power up your device, starting at about 75% of normal wattage.
Take a few primer puffs to draw liquid into the coil and gradually increase power while checking that there is no burnt taste.
How to know if your vape is burnt
If the taste is very subtle then you might not be too sure if you actually are experiencing a burnt taste, or if it's something else. These are the most common signs of a burnt vape:
| Unpleasant Taste | A sharp, burnt flavour not part of the e-liquid flavour profile |
| Reduced Vapour | Your vape produces less vapour than usual |
| Dark or Blackened Coil | Coils that are overly dark or charred |
| Gurgling Sounds | Excessive bubbling or gurgling may mean liquid is leaking onto a burnt coil |
| Harsh Throat Hit | The throat hit feels harsher or more dry than normal, signaling a dry or overheated wick |
Causes of a burnt vape
Although it’s useful to know how to fix a burnt vape, ideally, it’s better to avoid it happening at all. Here’s a run though of the most common causes of a burnt vape with advice on how to prevent any of them from happening:
1. DRY HITS
A dry hit happens when the cotton wick inside your coil isn’t fully saturated with e-liquid. It most often occurs with new coils, which is why you might still get a burnt coil taste even after a replacement.
Solution: Always prime new coils by dripping a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the cotton before use. This is called priming. It allows the wick to absorb enough liquid to prevent premature burning and also to produce the smooth vapour you enjoy.
2. POWER SETTINGS
Different coils have different optimal power ranges, which should be displayed on the packaging. When you vape at wattage or voltage levels above your coil’s recommended range it can quickly overheat and burn the cotton and e-liquid.
Solution: Check the coil packaging or manufacturer’s instructions for the ideal wattage or voltage. Adjust your device accordingly, only increasing power gradually if desired. This prevents burning while maintaining flavour and vapour production.
3. OLD OR OVERUSED COILS
Repeated heating and exposure to e-liquid means coils naturally degrade over time. Using a worn coil doesn’t just equal a burnt taste, it also affects vapour quality and reduces airflow efficiency.
Solution: Replace your coil regularly. On average you can use a coil for 1-2 weeks but this will vary according to how little or often you vape. Heavy vapers may need to change coils more often. Keep track of when you last changed your coil to ensure it doesn’t become overused.
4. LOW-QUALITY E-LIQUID
Not all vape juice is created equal. Cheap or low-quality e-liquids, especially thick or overly sweetened ones, can leave residue on coils and wick material. This residue builds up over time, with the coil becoming more prone to burning
Solution: Use reputable e-liquids from trusted brands like Riot. Choose those with high quality ingredients and clean your tank regularly to build up. You’ll extend the life of your coil and flavours will taste better.
Might we suggest:
1. NOT ENOUGH E-LIQUID
When there isn’t enough e-liquid in the tank, the cotton wick is exposed and can dry out. Dry wicks heat too quickly, leading to that burnt and bitter taste.
Solution: Keep your tank at least half full at all times. This ensures the wick remains saturated and reduces the risk of dry hits. Don’t be tempted to let it run down, thinking you’re getting more for your money - you’re actually just damaging your vape kit.
2. CHAIN VAPING
Chain vaping is when you take lots of puffs in fast succession. Continuous firing caused by chain vaping doesn’t give the wick time to reabsorb enough e-liquid, causing the coil to overheat and burn the cotton.
Solution: Always take a pause between puffs to allow the wick to fully absorb e-liquid. Giving the vape a few seconds to cool down prevents overheating and means each puff tastes clean and smooth.
TIME FOR A NEW VAPE? NO-FUSS VAPING FROM RIOT
If you’ve tried all of the above and keep having issues, it could be time for a new vape. At Riot we design simple, portable and affordable vape kits - from the ease of our Connex pod sysyem to the slim line appeal of the Oxva Nexlim. We’ve created the Aspire range with long-lasting batteries and leak-resistant pods in a choice of styles. The Cyber G slim pod kit fits right in your pocket and the Gotex X3 vape kit comes with adjustable air flow and fast charging battery. Our goal is to give you vape devices you want to use, and that make vaping hassle free.
