Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt? Common Causes and Fixes
We've all been there, when you take a puff of your vape expecting a smooth, flavorful hit.
Instead, you cough through a harsh and scorched flavor. Now that's not the vibe you were going for, right?
So, if you are wondering, “Why does my vape taste burnt?”, you need not worry, as we are going to tell you the common causes of why your vape cart tastes like it's been through a bonfire.
We will also tell you how to fix it to get back to smooth sailing.
Whether you are using a disposable vape, a rechargeable pen, or an oil cart, the same problems tend to pop up, but the good news is that we've got solutions for all of them.
What Does Burnt Actually Mean?
When people say that their vape tastes burnt, they usually mean one of these things:
A dry, charred flavor, something like burnt toast or rubber
A bitter chemical off taste that is mostly associated with degraded oil and bad carts
Both of them are equally unpleasant.
Some of the reasons for this burnt flavor include a dry wick, worn-out coil, high wattage, incompatible e-liquids, or unprimed coils, which force you to take longer, hotter draws.
5 Common Causes and Fixes
The following are some of the common causes that your vape tastes burnt:
Dry Wick
Nothing ruins a vape like a dry wick.
Wick is the part responsible for pulling the oil or e-liquid towards the coil, which then heats and vaporizes it.
In instances where the wick isn't dipped in the oil properly, you'll taste a burnt, scorched flavor.
What happens is that instead of vaporizing the oil, the coil starts to burn the wick, and you will inhale the overheated cotton or ceramic, causing a harsh, acrid taste. Not fun, right?
Chain vaping, hitting back to back, and not giving the wick time to resoak can also result in dry, burnt hits.
So, next time you wonder, “Why does my rechargeable vape taste burnt?”, this might be it.
How to fix it?
For starters, ensure that your vape tank is filled with e-liquid. Monitor the liquid levels in your device regularly and top it up before it runs dry.
For vapes with glass containers, you can easily see when the liquid is running low and refill it.
On the other hand, determining when you are running out of liquid in pods becomes rather difficult. Therefore, it is advisable to periodically check your pod for any refills and top it off with e-liquid regularly.
Moreover, for refillable cartridges, you should gently prime the coil too for better performance.
Worn-Out Coil
Like all other things, vape coils also tend to wear out or get old. As coils age, their cotton wicks start to char and degrade.
That's why sometimes you'll ask, “Why does my cart taste burnt when it's full?” The oil's fine, but the coil itself is done.
How to fix it?
Fixing this issue is simple: Replace your old coil with a new one.
An average vaper should consider replacing their coil every 1-2 weeks to ensure that their vape works at its best. On the contrary, if you do not vape regularly, your vape coil will last for about a month.
Want better results? Prime your coil by saturating the wick completely with e-liquid before use.
Wondering “Do carts smell when the coil's burnt or the wick's dry?” Well, they can. A burnt cart gives off a weird, harsh odor. That's another sign that you need a replacement.
High Wattage
Most vapes on the market come with adjustable power settings. This feature allows users to adjust the device to suit their needs.
Now, high wattage vaporizes oil faster than a coil can handle. It will result in overheating and create a harsher, burnt taste.
How to fix it?
Start with a low power setting or wattage on your device. Then you can gradually increase it until you reach the optimal setting. The one that works best for you.
A rule of thumb is that if your coil's resistance is above 1.0Ω, you'll want to keep the wattage somewhere around 10W to 16W. If it's below 1.0Ω, you can push it a bit higher; usually, 18W to 50W works best.
That said, this isn't set in stone. Always double-check what the manufacturer recommends, or just test it out yourself to find that perfect sweet spot for smooth hits.
Unprimed Coils
Got a new vape? Fresh coil? Now that's the key time to prime properly.
If you don't give the coil enough time to soak in the e-liquid before you fire, expect nothing but a burnt taste and a fit of coughing.
How to fix it?
The fix is rather straightforward: when you get a new device or refill your old one, drop a few droplets of e-liquid onto your wick. Now wait a few minutes to let the wick soak it completely.
It is worth mentioning that a burnt THC vape still gets you high. However, the cannabinoids have already been degraded, so you won't get the desired flavor and effects.
Wrong Type of e-Liquid
Not all vapes are made the same. Each has its own specific type of e-liquid. Using a tank designed for thinner e-liquids with thick cannabis oil is a big “No”.
It can sometimes lead to coil gunk, resulting in a clogged cart and a burnt taste.
So decide accordingly whether your device is best compatible with high VG, high PG, or 50/50 e-liquid.
High VG
VG or Vegetable Glycerin is the ingredient that is present in every type of e-liquid in varying quantities. It's usually mixed with PG, nicotine, or both. It's a thick substance that produces large vapor clouds.
High VG liquids are best suited for sub-ohm vaping or larger devices.
High PG
Propylene glycol is the flavor carrier. It has a thinner consistency, producing less vapor.
So, if you smoke high PG e-liquids, you won't get as much vapour, but the flavor? It will be heavenly.
50/50
These e-liquids have a balanced VG and PG profile for creating a balanced vaping experience.
How to fix it?
Choose the e-liquids based on your device:
High-VG e-liquids, such as 70/30, are best suited for sub-ohm tanks and box mods.
High-PG e-liquids are best for pod systems, vape pens, and low-wattage devices.
50/50 VG/PG is a versatile option compatible with most devices.
Came across a cart with cloudy-looking crystallized oil? Ever thought, “Why do carts turn white when hardened?”.
It means that your oil has cooled or thickened. But don't worry. Just warm it up gently, and you are good to go.
Conclusion
So, the next time you ask yourself, “Why does my vape taste burnt?” instead of panicking, troubleshoot your vape using this guide and resolve the issue.
Fill your tank completely, swap the old coil, lower the wattage/power setting, prime like a boss, and use the right type of e-liquid.
And hey, if you are ready to ditch your burnt cart and upgrade, check out options like a CBD vape cartridge for relaxation or an Indica-dominant vape cartridge for sleep, if you are looking to unwind after a tiring day.
Good news?
You can get these high-quality vape options at Smokeland. So, rush to the website, add your favorites to your cart, and enjoy the same-day vape delivery near me in Northern California.
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