Why Do Vapes Sometimes Taste Burnt After a Few Uses?

One of the most unpleasant surprises for vapers—new or experienced—is taking a puff and suddenly tasting something bitter, dry, and unmistakably burnt. It can ruin your vaping experience in an instant. Even more frustrating is when it happens not after weeks of use, but just a few sessions in. So what gives?

If your vape tastes burnt after just a few uses, there’s a reason behind it—and thankfully, ways to prevent it. In this blog, we’ll explore the common causes of burnt hits, how to recognize early warning signs, and what steps you can take to ensure every puff is smooth, flavorful, and satisfying.

1. The Role of the Coil and Wick

To understand the burnt taste, you first need to understand how a vape works.

Inside your vape is a coil (a small metal heating element) and a wick (usually made of cotton). The wick absorbs e-liquid, and the coil heats it to produce vapor. If the coil heats up when the wick is dry or not fully saturated, the cotton burns instead of vaporizing the liquid—leading to that harsh, burnt flavor.

This is often referred to as a dry hit or burnt hit, and it’s a sign that something isn’t working as it should.

2. Not Priming the Coil Properly

One of the most common causes of a burnt taste shortly after setup is failing to prime the coil. Priming means allowing the wick to soak up e-liquid before you start vaping.

Why it matters:

• A new coil is completely dry out of the box.

• If you fire your device too soon, the dry cotton burns before it’s had a chance to absorb liquid.

How to fix it:

• Manually add a few drops of e-liquid to the cotton through the coil’s openings.

• After installing the coil and filling the tank, let the vape sit upright for 5–10 minutes.

• Take a few dry puffs (without pressing the fire button) to help draw liquid into the coil.

• Start vaping at a lower wattage for the first few hits to break in the coil gently.

3. Chain Vaping Without Pause

Chain vaping—taking puff after puff without giving your device a break—is another major cause of early burnt hits.

What happens:

• The wick doesn’t have enough time to re-saturate with e-liquid between puffs.

• Over time, you’re vaping on increasingly drier cotton, until it burns.

How to avoid:

• Take breaks between puffs (at least 15–30 seconds).

• Avoid long, deep drags one after another.

• Use e-liquids with the right viscosity for your device (more on that below).

4. High VG E-Liquids in the Wrong Device

E-liquids come in different PG/VG (propylene glycol/vegetable glycerin) ratios. VG is thicker, while PG is thinner and more fluid. Some devices—especially small pod systems and older coils—struggle to wick high VG juices properly.

Why this matters:

• If the liquid is too thick, it won’t saturate the wick quickly enough.

• This leads to dry spots and, eventually, a burnt hit.

What to do:

• Use 50/50 PG/VG blends or high-PG juices for low-wattage or pod devices.

• Save 70VG/30PG juices for sub-ohm tanks and more powerful coils that can handle thick liquids.

5. Incorrect Wattage Settings

Every coil has a recommended wattage range, and vaping above that range can overheat the coil and burn the wick prematurely.

Signs you’re overdoing it:

• Your vapor is excessively hot.

• The flavor is muted, or tastes scorched.

• Your coil only lasts a couple of uses.

How to prevent this:

• Check the recommended wattage range printed on the coil.

• Start vaping at the low end of the range and increase slowly.

• If you use a variable wattage device, avoid cranking it up too high just for bigger clouds.

6. Low E-Liquid Levels in the Tank

Running your tank or pod too dry can cause the top part of the wick to be exposed to air instead of e-liquid. If you continue vaping, you’ll scorch that dry portion.

Signs of this issue:

• You notice a burnt taste near the end of the tank.

• There’s still some juice in the tank, but not enough to cover the coil’s wick holes.

Tips:

• Refill your tank before it gets below the coil’s intake holes.

• Tilt your device to help the last bit of juice soak the wick more evenly.

7. Old or Gunked-Up Coils

Even if everything is set up correctly, coils don’t last forever. Over time, the cotton degrades, and residue from sweet or dark e-liquids builds up on the coil and wick. This gunk can block the juice flow and cause the wick to burn.

How to know it’s time to change your coil:

• The flavor is dull or tastes burnt.

• You see dark buildup on the coil.

• Vapor production is reduced.

• The burnt taste persists even with a full tank.

Solution:

• Change the coil regularly—every 1 to 2 weeks depending on use.

• Use less sweet, clearer e-liquids to extend coil life.

• Avoid overheating the coil by keeping wattage within the safe range.

8. Improper Storage and Environmental Factors

If your device sits unused for days in a hot car, near a window, or somewhere with low humidity, the wick can dry out—even when the tank has liquid in it.

What to watch out for:

• Burnt taste after not vaping for a few days.

• Dry cotton despite a full tank.

What to do:

• Re-prime the coil before vaping again.

• Store your device in a cool, dry place, upright when possible.

• Don’t leave your vape in direct sunlight or hot environments.

9. Using Sweet or Complex Flavors

Dessert, candy, and bakery-flavored vape juices often contain sweeteners like sucralose, which caramelize at high temperatures. This leads to faster coil buildup and premature burning.

Tips to minimize impact:

• Rotate with cleaner flavors like menthol, fruit, or tobacco to give your coil a break.

• Clean your tank regularly.

• Use coils designed to handle sweet juices—mesh coils tend to last longer with sugary liquids.

10. Burnt Taste Isn’t Inevitable

A burnt vape taste can be discouraging, especially when it happens early on. But once you understand the causes and warning signs, you can avoid the frustration and enjoy consistent flavor from your device.

To recap, here’s how to prevent burnt hits:

• Always prime new coils before vaping.

• Let the wick re-saturate between puffs.

• Use the right VG/PG ratio for your device.

• Stay within recommended wattage ranges.

• Keep your tank topped up.

• Replace your coil regularly.

• Store your device properly and avoid extreme conditions.

With a bit of care and attention, your vape can deliver rich, smooth, and flavorful vapor session after session—no burnt hits required.