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A burnt taste means the coil is heating dry wick. There is not enough e-liquid reaching the coil to be vapourised so the cotton itself burns. Common causes: old coil, low tank, wattage too high, fresh coil not primed, chain vaping, or thick high-VG liquid in a coil that cannot wick it fast enough.
Inside your coil, cotton wick draws e-liquid from the tank toward the heating element. When you fire the device, the heating element vapourises the liquid soaked into the wick. If the wick is dry (no liquid soaked in) the heating element burns the cotton itself. That gives you the unmistakable acrid, harsh, slightly chemical taste that vapers call a dry hit or burnt taste.
Once cotton has been scorched, it stays scorched. Soaking it again will not restore the flavour. You will taste burnt cotton in every puff until you replace the coil. This is the single most common reason vapers replace coils.
01
Old coil
Coils last 1-2 weeks of regular use. Once cotton starts to char or e-liquid residue builds up, it cannot wick effectively. The most common cause by far.
02
Tank running low
If liquid sits below the coil's side wicking holes, the wick cannot draw it up. The first few pulls work fine, then it goes dry.
03
Wattage too high
Vapourising faster than the wick can re-saturate. The first puff is fine but the second or third hits dry cotton.
04
Fresh coil not primed
A brand new coil with bone-dry cotton. Even if e-liquid is in the tank, it takes time to soak the wick fully. First puff will be a dry hit unless you prime first.
05
Chain vaping
Multiple back-to-back pulls without pause. The wick cannot re-saturate between pulls. Coil eventually runs out of liquid even though the tank is full.
06
High-VG liquid in a coil that cannot wick it
Thick liquid (80VG/20PG or higher) needs larger coil wicking holes. In a small MTL coil, the liquid simply cannot flow fast enough. Dry hits result.
07
Sweetened or coloured e-liquid
Heavy sweetener and dark colourants accelerate coil build-up (called “coil gunk”). Reduces wick performance much faster than cleaner liquids.
The fix depends on whether the coil is fresh, mid-life or worn out. Work through these steps in order.
Stop using the device immediately
A burnt taste means cotton is heating dry. Continuing to fire scorches more cotton and ruins the coil permanently. Stop now.
Check the e-liquid level
Is the tank running low? Top it up. Some tanks need liquid above the side wicking holes to function.
Wait 5-10 minutes
Give the wick time to re-saturate. Place the device upright (not on its side). Newer or refilled coils need longer.
Lower your wattage
Check the wattage range on the coil. Set your device to the middle of that range, or slightly below.
Take a gentle test puff
Slow, smooth, 2-second pull. Does it taste normal? If yes, problem solved. If still burnt, the cotton is scorched and the coil needs replacing.
Replace the coil
If scorched cotton is the issue (and it usually is), a new coil is the only fix. Prime it properly before use.
A fresh coil with dry cotton will give you a burnt taste on first use unless you prime it first. Priming is just saturating the wick before you fire the device. It takes 30 seconds.
Apply liquid directly to the wick holes
Drop 4-6 drops of e-liquid onto each cotton wicking hole on the side of the coil. You should see the cotton change from white to translucent.
Install the coil and fill the tank
Screw the coil into the tank. Fill normally.
Let it sit for 5-10 minutes
This step is the most important. The wick needs time to fully saturate via capillary action.
Take 2-3 gentle puffs without firing
Just inhaling, no firing. This draws liquid further into the coil.
First firing pulls at low wattage
Set the device to the lowest recommended wattage. Take 3-4 short gentle pulls. Gradually work up to your normal wattage over the next minute.
See our full guide on how to prime a vape coil for more detail.
Coil life varies from a few days to a few weeks depending on how you use the device and what you vape. Here is how to extend it.
Habits that extend coil life
Habits that kill coils
Sometimes the taste is harsh but not fully burnt. Is the coil just struggling, or is it actually done?
Burnt taste = dry wick
The cotton is heating without enough liquid to vapourise. Once scorched, the cotton cannot recover.
Prime new coils properly
Apply liquid to the wicking holes, install, wait 5-10 minutes, take dry pulls, start firing low and work up. Skipping this is the second most common cause of burnt coils.
Replace dead coils immediately
Continuing to use a burnt coil ruins your flavour and can damage other parts of your tank. Coils cost a few pounds. Replace.
Part of our guide
Plain-English guides to vape kit, e-liquid and common problems for UK vapers.
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