Vape Tastes Burnt! Few things ruin a vape session faster than a burnt hit. You’re looking forward to that delicious puff of your favorite e-liquid—only to be greeted by an unpleasant, scorched taste that often means your coil is done for.
The good news? Burnt and dry hits are totally preventable. This guide breaks down why burnt hits happen and offers practical steps to help you avoid them.
We have previously shared Why Is My Vape Lighting Up but Not Hitting? 7 Causes & Quick Fixes for No Vapor
What Exactly Is a Burnt Hit?
A burnt hit occurs when you inhale from your vape and get a harsh, burnt flavor instead of smooth vapor. This usually happens because the heating coil inside your atomizer is burning the wick rather than vaporizing e-liquid. The wick (often made from cotton) must always be saturated with e-liquid. When it’s dry—because your tank is empty, or there’s a blockage—the coil overheats the wick and produces that nasty burnt taste.
This is a common issue, especially for newer vapers who are still learning how to use their devices.
Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
Every vape has an atomizer with a coil and a wick. The wick draws e-liquid from the tank and holds it against the coil. When you fire your device, the coil heats up and vaporizes any e-liquid in contact with it, creating the vapor you inhale.
If you try to vape with a dry wick, the coil has nothing to vaporize—so it burns the wick instead. That’s what gives you a burnt hit.
Can Vape Juice Catch Fire?
No—vape juice itself doesn’t burn or ignite in your e-cigarette. But some e-liquids are more likely to give you a burnt hit:
High-VG e-liquids are thicker and slower to absorb into the wick, increasing the chance of dry hits—especially if you vape rapidly.
Sweeter e-liquids can caramelize and form “gunk” on your coil, reducing its ability to absorb and vaporize liquid, which again makes burnt hits more likely.
Dry Hit vs. Burnt Hit: What’s the Difference?
A dry hit is usually your first warning sign—smaller clouds, muted flavor, and an overall lackluster vape. This means your wick isn’t properly saturated. If you keep vaping through dry hits, you risk burning the wick itself, leading to that unmistakable burnt taste. Once your coil is burnt, it’s generally ruined and needs to be replaced.
How to Prevent Dry and Burnt Hits
How to know When Your Disposable Vape Is Nearly Empty
Want to keep your coils tasting fresh? These tips will help:
1. Prime Your Coils
Always make sure new coils are thoroughly soaked in e-liquid before you start vaping. For most tanks, you can drip a few drops directly onto the coil to speed up absorption.
2. Give It Time
After filling your tank, let your vape sit for a few minutes. This gives the e-liquid time to saturate the wick completely.
3. Lower Your Wattage
If your device allows you to adjust power or temperature, consider turning it down a bit. Lower settings mean less e-liquid is vaporized at once, keeping your wick moist and your coil happy.
4. Pause Between Puffs
Take breaks between hits to allow more e-liquid to soak into the wick, especially with high-VG or sweet e-liquids.
Will Dry or Burnt Hits Damage My Coil?
Occasional dry hits aren’t the end of the world, but repeated dry hits—or a single burnt hit—can permanently ruin your coil’s wick. The coil’s metal itself is usually fine, but once the wick is scorched, the burnt taste will linger and the coil should be replaced. Some advanced users replace only the wick in rebuildable tanks, but most simply swap out the entire coil.
Are Burnt Hits Dangerous?
Inhaling burnt cotton isn’t healthy, but most vapers immediately notice the foul taste and stop before inhaling too much. While some worry about rare health risks like byssinosis (a lung condition from inhaling raw cotton dust), there’s no evidence that vaping burnt wicks leads to this disease.
As for chemical exposure, studies show that overheated e-cigarettes can release aldehydes (a class of chemicals), but the taste is so unpleasant that you’re unlikely to inhale significant amounts.
Key Takeaways
Burnt hits are unpleasant but preventable—keep your wick saturated, prime new coils, and pause between puffs.
Dry hits warn you that your wick isn’t fully soaked. Refill or wait before continuing.
If you get a burnt hit, it’s best to change your coil.
Vaping burnt cotton is unhealthy, but the taste usually stops you from inhaling much.
By following these tips, you can enjoy flavorful, satisfying vaping—and avoid the dreaded burnt hit!
