How to Unburn a Vape

How to Unburn a Vape

That burnt taste when you inhale your vape is one of the most unpleasant experiences for any user. It’s usually a sign that the coil is scorched, the wick has dried out, or the pod has overheated. The good news is that you may be able to fix it—at least temporarily—depending on the cause and how early you catch it. Knowing how to “unburn” a vape comes down to identifying whether the damage is reversible or if you need to replace the coil, pod, or device entirely.

Burnt hits are often caused by dry coils, chain vaping, high power settings, or not priming the coil properly. Here's how to deal with it when it happens—and prevent it from happening again.

Identifying the Cause of the Burnt Taste

Before you can fix a burnt vape, you need to understand what’s caused the issue. Most of the time, it’s a burnt coil, which occurs when the cotton inside the coil heats up without enough e-liquid to keep it saturated. This results in a harsh, acrid taste that sticks around—even after the tank is refilled.

In some cases, you may be able to revive a lightly burnt coil if the cotton hasn’t been completely singed. If the burnt taste is intense and doesn’t fade after a few puffs, the coil is likely damaged beyond repair and will need to be replaced. Disposable vapes with a burnt taste generally can’t be fixed, but refillable pods and tanks give you a bit more flexibility.

How to Save a Lightly Burnt Coil or Pod

If the coil isn’t fully damaged, you might be able to soften the burnt taste with a few steps. First, stop using the vape immediately to prevent further burning. Let it rest for a few minutes to allow the e-liquid to soak into the wick. You can also try manually priming the coil by taking a few puffs without pressing the fire button—this helps pull liquid through the cotton and re-saturates it.

If you’re using a refillable tank or pod, remove the coil and check for signs of burning. If it looks dry but not blackened, soak it in e-liquid, or try adding a few drops directly to the cotton holes. Once the coil is reinstalled, take slow, short puffs and lower the power setting if possible. If the burnt taste fades after a few pulls, you’ve likely caught the problem early enough to fix it temporarily.

When to Replace the Coil or Pod

Unfortunately, once the cotton in your coil is fully scorched, there’s no real way to “unburn” it. The burnt taste comes from carbonised cotton, and no amount of soaking or cleaning will reverse that damage. If the flavour stays burnt after you refill or reprime the device, it’s time to change the coil or pod.

In disposable vapes, a burnt taste usually means the e-liquid has run out or the coil has overheated. These devices are sealed, so you can’t replace the coil. When this happens, the only solution is to dispose of the device safely and replace it with a new one.

How to Prevent Your Vape from Burning Again

The best way to avoid burnt hits in the future is through proper coil care and usage habits. Always prime new coils before using them by letting the tank sit for a few minutes after filling. Avoid chain vaping, which can dry out the wick between puffs, and make sure your power setting matches the coil’s recommended range.

Using thicker e-liquids in low-powered devices or vaping with an empty tank are common causes of dry hits. Stay on top of liquid levels, and if your vape starts to taste off or the vapour feels hotter than usual, give it a rest before damage sets in.

Understanding the Burnt Taste: What’s Actually Happening

When you get a burnt hit, it's not just a dry coil—the cotton wick inside has started to char, leaving behind a layer of burnt material. This residue doesn’t just taste bad—it continues to affect the vapour every time you take a puff, even if you refill the tank. The burnt taste comes from carbon deposits that cling to the coil and release a scorched, bitter flavour when heated again.

Even soaking or rinsing the coil won’t remove that residue entirely. Once the fibres are chemically altered by heat, they don’t return to their original state. This is why, in most cases, the best solution is replacement rather than repair.

Common Mistakes That Burn Coils

The majority of burnt coils are caused by user error, not faulty equipment. One of the most common causes is vaping at too high a wattage for your coil. Every coil has a recommended power range, and exceeding it dries out the wick faster than it can reabsorb e-liquid, especially during chain vaping.

Another mistake is not priming the coil properly. If you install a new coil and vape immediately, the dry cotton burns before the e-liquid can soak in. Even a few seconds of dry firing can ruin a brand-new coil.

Using the wrong VG/PG ratio can also contribute. High-VG liquids are thicker and don’t wick as easily in small coils. If you’re using a pod or low-power device, a thinner 50/50 e-liquid is better suited to prevent dry spots and burning.

Why Some “Fixes” Don’t Work

You’ll find DIY tips online that claim to fix a burnt coil—like soaking it in vodka, running it under hot water, or blowing air through it. These might mask the burnt taste for a few puffs, but they rarely fix the problem. Once the wick is damaged, you’re only delaying the inevitable. In fact, using a damaged coil can increase the risk of inhaling degraded cotton or metal particles, which is unpleasant and potentially harmful.

A better use of time is learning how to spot the early signs of a dry hit—such as a sudden drop in flavour or a slightly burnt edge to the vapour—so you can act before permanent damage occurs.

When It’s Not the Coil: Other Causes of Burnt Taste

Sometimes what seems like a burnt coil is actually a hot spot on the coil, a faulty connection, or even contaminated e-liquid. If you've replaced the coil and still get burnt flavour, it’s worth checking the tank for leftover residue, cleaning the mouthpiece, or even testing a new liquid to rule out flavour degradation.

Also, if your vape’s airflow is restricted by condensation or debris, it can cause the coil to overheat even if there’s enough liquid in the tank. Regular cleaning helps prevent this and keeps your coil running cooler and more efficiently.

Final Word

A burnt vape can sometimes be fixed, but only if you catch the problem early and the coil hasn’t been completely scorched. Lightly burnt pods or coils may recover with priming, soaking, and short puffs, but once the cotton is fully charred, replacement is your only real option. By understanding what causes burning—and how to prevent it—you can enjoy smoother, longer-lasting vaping with fewer unpleasant surprises.