How to Unburn a Vape?

Getting a burnt taste from your vape is one of the most common—and most unpleasant—issues vapers experience. When users search “how to unburn a vape”, they’re usually dealing with harsh, burnt hits, a coil that tastes scorched, or an e-liquid that no longer tastes right. This guide breaks down what “burnt” actually means, how to fix it, and when it’s time to replace your coil or device.

What Does It Mean When a Vape Is Burnt?

A “burnt” vape usually means the cotton wick inside the coil has been scorched due to insufficient e-liquid saturation or excessive heat. Once the cotton is charred, the burnt taste can linger—even after refilling the tank or letting the device sit for a while.

Symptoms include:

• Bitter, smoky, or chemically burnt flavor
• Harsh throat hit
• Darkened or discolored cotton
• Reduced vapor production

Can You Actually Unburn a Vape?

In some cases, yes—you can reduce or eliminate the burnt taste, especially if the wick isn’t fully burnt. But if the cotton is completely scorched, no fix will undo the damage, and the coil will need to be replaced.

Think of this guide as a way to restore a mildly burnt coil or remove leftover burnt flavor, not resurrect a fully destroyed one.

How to Unburn a Vape

1. Let the Coil Soak

If the burnt taste comes from dry hits, saturating the cotton can help.

1. Remove the tank or pod.
2. Fill it with e-liquid.
3. Let the coil sit for 5–10 minutes so the wick fully absorbs the liquid.
4. Take a few primer puffs—inhale without pressing the fire button—to pull e-liquid into the wick.

This works when the coil isn’t burnt but simply under-saturated.

2. Lower the Wattage

Running a device at wattages higher than the coil can handle is a leading cause of burnt hits.

• Reduce wattage to the lower end of the recommended range.
• Gradually increase until you find a comfortable balance.

This helps prevent the wick from overheating again.

3. Clean the Coil to Remove Residual Burnt Taste

If the cotton isn’t completely burnt, flushing the coil may help.

1. Remove the coil.
2. Rinse under warm water.
3. Gently blow through the coil to remove excess water.
4. Let it dry completely (ideally overnight).
5. Re-prime before using.

This won’t repair heavy burn damage, but it can reduce lingering flavor issues.

4. Check Your E-Liquid

Thick, high-VG e-liquids may struggle to saturate smaller coils.

If you keep getting burnt hits:

• Switch to a 50/50 PG/VG liquid for faster wicking.
• Avoid sweetened e-liquids—they caramelize on coils and accelerate burning.

Correcting the e-liquid can save a coil that’s on the edge of burning.

5. Avoid Chain Vaping

Rapid puffs don’t give the wick enough time to re-saturate.

Tips:

• Wait a few seconds between hits.
• Take slower, longer pulls to keep the wick wet.
• If the tank feels warm, let it cool before vaping again.

6. Replace the Coil

If the cotton is dark brown or black, the coil is done.

No cleaning or priming will bring it back.

Signs it’s time to replace:

• Persistent burnt taste
• Visible charring
• Bitter flavor even with new e-liquid
• Coil age over 1–2 weeks (depending on use)

Replacing the coil is the only true “unburn” solution when the wick is scorched.

Why Do Vapes Get Burnt in the First Place?

Common causes include:

• Firing the device before the coil is primed
• Vaping at too high a wattage
• Thick e-liquid that doesn’t wick properly
• Low e-liquid levels
• Chain vaping or long draws
• Old coils at the end of their lifespan

Addressing these habits helps prevent burning issues from happening again.

How to Prevent Your Vape From Burning Again

To avoid burnt hits in the future:

• Prime every new coil thoroughly
• Keep your tank at least 1/3 full
• Use the right wattage range
• Avoid long, rapid-fire puff sessions
• Choose e-liquids that match your coil type
• Replace coils regularly

These simple habits greatly extend coil life and keep flavor clean.

Conclusion

You can sometimes “unburn” a vape if the coil isn’t fully damaged—usually by re-priming, cleaning, lowering wattage, or improving your wicking technique. But if the cotton inside the coil has scorched, replacement is the only reliable fix.

FAQs

1. Can you actually fix a burnt vape?

In most cases, you can only fix a vape that’s slightly burnt. If the wick inside the coil is dry-burnt but not fully scorched, re-priming the coil, cleaning it, or lowering the wattage may help remove the burnt taste. However, if the cotton is already charred, there’s no true way to “unburn” it—replacing the coil is the only solution.

2. Why does my vape taste burnt even with a full tank?

A burnt taste with a full tank usually means the coil wasn’t primed, the wattage is too high, or the e-liquid isn’t wicking quickly enough. Even if the tank is full, the cotton inside the coil may still be dry, which leads to burnt hits. Thick or overly sweetened e-liquids can also clog the coil and cause burning.

3. How long should I let a new coil soak to avoid burning?

Most coils need 5–10 minutes to fully saturate after filling the tank. Thicker e-liquids (70VG and above) may require a bit longer. Taking a few primer puffs—drawing without pressing the fire button—helps speed up saturation and prevents premature burning.

4. Does lowering the wattage help fix a burnt taste?

Yes. If your wattage is set too high, the coil heats faster than the wick can absorb e-liquid, leading to burnt hits. Dropping to the lower end of the recommended wattage range can reduce the burnt flavor and protect the coil from further damage.

5. When should I replace a burnt coil instead of trying to fix it?

If the wick is visibly dark, the burnt taste is strong and persistent, or the coil has been used for over a week or two, it’s time to replace it. A coil that is fully burnt cannot be restored—continuing to use it can make the flavor worse and shorten the lifespan of your device.