
That acrid, awful taste. The coughing fit that follows. The sheer disappointment when you realize your vape is burnt. It’s happened to the best of us. But don't toss it just yet! Before you resign yourself to a flavorless experience, let's explore how to diagnose and potentially fix a burnt vape, saving you money and frustration.
Understanding Why Your Vape Tastes Burnt
Before diving into the solutions, it's crucial to understand why that dreaded burnt taste occurs. It's essentially a mini-combustion event happening within your atomizer. The wick, usually made of cotton, is designed to soak up e-liquid and deliver it to the heating coil. When the coil gets too hot without sufficient e-liquid to vaporize, the wick itself starts to burn. Think of it like trying to cook food in a dry pan – things are bound to get burnt and nasty.
Common Causes of Burnt Vape Hits:
- Running the Tank Dry: This is the most common culprit. Always ensure your tank has enough e-liquid to saturate the wick properly.
- Chain Vaping: Taking too many puffs in quick succession doesn't give the wick enough time to re-saturate. The coil overheats and burns the dry wick.
- High Wattage Settings: If your wattage is set too high for your coil, it will vaporize the e-liquid too quickly, leading to a dry hit and potential burning.
- Improper Priming: New coils need to be properly primed before use. This involves saturating the wick with e-liquid to prevent it from burning on the first few puffs.
- Old or Damaged Coils: Over time, coils degrade and become less efficient at vaporizing e-liquid. They can also become clogged with residue, leading to a burnt taste.
- Using the Wrong Type of E-Liquid: Certain e-liquids, especially those with a high VG content, can be too thick for some coils and atomizers. This can lead to wicking issues and burnt hits.
How To Fix A Burnt Vape: A Step-by-Step Guide
Alright, let's get down to business. Here's a comprehensive guide on how to troubleshoot and potentially fix a burnt-tasting vape. Keep in mind that sometimes, a burnt coil is beyond saving and will need replacing.
Step 1: Identify the Problem
The first step is to figure out what’s causing the burnt taste. Consider the following:
- Is your tank empty or low on e-liquid? This is the easiest fix.
- Are you chain vaping? Give your vape a break between puffs.
- Have you recently replaced the coil? If so, did you prime it properly?
- Have you adjusted your wattage recently? If so, try lowering it.
- How old is your coil? If it's been a while, it might be time for a new one.
Step 2: Addressing Common Issues
Based on your findings in Step 1, try these solutions:
a) Refill Your Tank
This sounds obvious, but it's often the most overlooked solution. Ensure your tank is adequately filled with e-liquid. A dry wick is a burnt wick waiting to happen.
b) Let Your Wick Saturate
If you've been chain vaping, give your vape a few minutes to rest and allow the wick to re-saturate. This is especially important after refilling the tank.
c) Lower Your Wattage
If your wattage is set too high, it can quickly burn through the e-liquid and scorch the wick. Gradually lower the wattage until you find a sweet spot where you get good vapor production without the burnt taste. Start with the manufacturer's recommended wattage range for your coil.
d) Prime Your New Coil Properly
Priming a new coil is essential for preventing burnt hits. Here's how to do it:
- Drip a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton wicking of the coil.
- Look for the juice to be absorbed and for the cotton to look saturated
- Install the coil into your tank and fill the tank with e-liquid.
- Let the tank sit for at least 5-10 minutes to allow the wick to become fully saturated.
- Take a few "primer puffs" (without firing the device) to further draw e-liquid into the wick.
- Start vaping at a low wattage and gradually increase it until you reach your desired setting.
e) Clean Your Tank and Coil (Potentially, not always effective)
Sometimes, a buildup of residue can contribute to a burnt taste. Cleaning your tank and coilmighthelp, but it's not always effective for a truly burnt coil. Here’s how to try:
- Disassemble the tank: Carefully take apart your vape tank, removing the coil.
- Rinse with warm water: Thoroughly rinse all the tank components with warm water. Avoid using soap, as it can be difficult to completely remove.
- Dry thoroughly: Allow all the parts to air dry completely before reassembling.
- For the coil: Gently rinse the coil under warm water.Do not soak the coil for extended periods. Gently blow air through the coil to remove excess water. Note:This is more of a surface clean and may not completely remove the burnt taste if the wick is severely damaged.
Important Note: Cleaning a coil is generally a short-term solution. If the coil is significantly burnt, cleaning will likely not restore its original performance, and you'll still need to replace it.
f) Consider Using a Different E-Liquid
E-liquids with a high VG (vegetable glycerin) content are thicker than those with a high PG (propylene glycol) content. If your coil isn't designed to wick thicker liquids efficiently, it can lead to dry hits and burnt tastes. Try switching to an e-liquid with a higher PG content, especially if you're using a pod system or a device with smaller wicking ports. For instance, coils with smaller wick ports may perform better with 50/50 VG/PG blends or higher PG ratios. Sub-ohm tanks with larger wicking ports can typically handle higher VG blends like 70/30 or 80/20.
Step 3: When to Replace Your Coil
Unfortunately, sometimes a burnt coil is simply beyond repair. Here are some telltale signs that it's time for a replacement:
- Persistent burnt taste: If the burnt taste persists even after trying the above solutions, the wick is likely damaged beyond recovery.
- Reduced vapor production: If you're not getting as much vapor as you used to, it could indicate that the coil is worn out.
- Gurgling or leaking: These issues can sometimes be related to a damaged or deteriorated coil.
- The coil is visibly damaged: Inspect the coil for any signs of burning, discoloration, or physical damage.
As a general rule, most coils last between one and four weeks, depending on usage, e-liquid type, and wattage settings. Keep track of when you installed your coil and replace it regularly to maintain optimal flavor and performance.
Preventing Burnt Vape Hits in the Future
Prevention is always better than cure. Here are some tips to help you avoid burnt vape hits in the future:
- Always keep your tank filled with e-liquid.
- Avoid chain vaping. Give your wick time to re-saturate between puffs.
- Use the correct wattage settings for your coil.
- Prime new coils properly.
- Use the appropriate e-liquid for your device.
- Replace your coils regularly.
- Store your vape properly: Avoid exposing your vape to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight, as this can degrade the e-liquid and damage the coil.
By understanding the causes of burnt vape hits and following these tips, you can significantly reduce your chances of experiencing that unpleasant taste and enjoy a smoother, more flavorful vaping experience. Happy vaping!