How to Fix a Burnt Coil in Vapes

After using a vape for a while, you may notice that it starts to taste burnt. This typically means you have a burnt coil, which can often occur towards the end of their lifespan. Regardless of when the coil of your vape burns, it’s important to resolve this issue as soon as you notice it. This is because a burnt coil may affect the vape’s flavour, and potentially impact the overall vaping experience.

A burnt vape coil can be a common issue most adult users will experience. However, if you’ve only just transitioned to vapes over continuing to smoke, it’s natural to be confused when you get a burnt vape taste.

For those wondering how to tell if a coil is burnt, what do coils look like, how to fix a burnt vape coil, and why you’re experiencing burnt coil vape parts in the first place, read on. This article addresses all these topics and more.

What Does a Coil Look Like?

Understanding what a regular, unburnt coil looks like could help you better identify when something’s gone wrong. So what does the coil look like before it becomes a burnt vape coil? A vape coil is a conductor - the part of the vape that heats the e-liquid – and much like vape batteries, they typically don’t last forever. However, when new, a coil could appear to have a clean, white wick, with no e-liquid residue built up around this component.

What Does a Burnt Coil Look Like?

A burnt coil isn’t always obvious at first sight. However, if you’re wondering how to tell if a coil is burnt, there are a couple of signs to look out for that could help you determine this. For many users, the tell-tale signs come from the burnt taste you get when using your device. 

In addition to this, a burnt coil might show a gunky build-up of browned e-liquid. It isn’t always easy to determine whether you have a burnt coil simply by looking at this component in the vape. Although it may be easier to get a visual clue for burnt coils if you use a rebuildable coil, as these could be taken apart for a clear view of each part. With replaceable coils, you may be able to spot the same darkened burnt vape e-liquid around the holes of the coil.

If you’re wondering how to fix a burnt coil without replacing it, you might be able to do this by cleaning the burnt coil.

How to Clean a Vape Coil That’s Burnt

A burnt coil could be soaked in vinegar to try to soften built-up and congealed e-liquid. The method of cleaning may differ depending on the specific coil you’re using, as well as whether you’re using a replaceable or rebuildable coil. The below list details one possible way you could clean a burnt replaceable coil.

1. Remove the burnt coil from your vape
2. Soak it in vinegar for several hours
3. Rinse with water
4. Leave to air dry

This process could take some time, as the vinegar may need to soak into the wick and break down any build-up. Once it’s finished soaking, you may need to make sure the wick is rinsed thoroughly with clean running water and is completely dry before reassembling your device.

If you’re using a rebuildable atomizer, (RDAs or RTAs) then you may be more likely to be able to remove and replace the wick. Once you remove the atomizer from your vape, you could then place the coil under running water, and lightly brush any residue off before rinsing again. You may then need to ensure your coil is completely dry and the water has completely evaporated before installing a new wick and reassembling your device.

While the above tactics are all possibly effective methods, exactly how to clean a vape coil that’s burnt will depend on the product in question. It’s always best to follow your vape manufacturer’s guidance on this. Learn more on how you could clean other components of your vape via our article ‘How to Clean Your Vape’.

Regular cleaning and maintenance could extend the lifespan of your coil. That said, coils themselves are not intended to last forever. While cleaning may help remove build-up and allow the coil to be used again in the short term, replacing the burnt coil completely is typically the best solution.

Replacing a Burnt Vape Coil

In a case where the burnt coil in the vape can be replaced, adult vapers could use the following steps to do so:

1. Remove the burnt coil as per the manufacturer’s instructions, disassembling the device where safe and necessary.
2. If possible, insert a new coil. Make sure this new component is compatible with the device.
3. Some new coils can be primed by saturating the wick with e-liquid before use. You might be able to do this by filling the vape tank with e-liquid once the new coil is fitted and letting it rest for a while before using.
4. Test the device to ensure it is working correctly.

While the above steps could be an effective way to replace a burnt vape coil, they likely aren’t applicable to every device. You should always follow manufacturer guidance (according to the product you are using) when replacing any part of your vape.

It’s also worth noting that coil replacements are not applicable to every type of vape. If you’re wondering how to fix a burnt coil in a disposable vape, the answer is - you typically can’t, as disposable vapes generally don’t require coil replacements. Find out what to do when you get a burnt vape taste with your disposable vape through our article Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt.

What Causes a Burnt Coil?

There could be several causes for a burnt vape coil, including the following:

• Insufficient liquid in the tank
• Not priming coils before use
• General wear and tear

It’s not unusual for coils and wicks to start burning out towards the end of their lifespan. This is because most wicks are made of cotton and, after repeated use, may naturally begin to degrade. Over time, the e-liquid could build up on the coil, and as this residue continues to be heated by the coil, it will eventually burn out. This can be especially true for high VG e-liquids, which are more viscous and can clog the coil, limiting the wick’s ability to absorb the e-liquid. Conversely, high PG juices are generally thinner, absorb faster, and can over-saturate the wick, causing vape crackling and spit back.

However, if you find yourself wondering things like ‘why is my coil burning after 1 day?’ or ‘why does my vape taste burnt with a new coil?’ you can usually cross ‘general wear and tear’ off of the list of possible suspects.

Another possible cause of burnt coils is not filling the tank with enough e-liquid, which could prevent the wick from becoming sufficiently saturated. Without enough liquid to absorb heat, the coil may heat itself and any residue, which could cause burn out.

Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt With a New Coil?

If you get a burnt vape taste on a new coil, it may be best to replace this with a new one (if possible). Common reasons why your new coil tastes burnt could include the following:

• The new coil hasn't been primed. Learn more on priming through our guide, How to Prime a Vape Coil.
• You’ve used an incompatible e-liquid. E-liquids are typically compatible with specific types of vapes. If you use an e-liquid that is not suitable for your device, it could lead to a burnt coil. 
• Insufficient e-liquid. Sometimes, when there isn’t enough e-liquid in the vape tank, this may lead to a burnt coil. 
• An unsuitable wattage has been used with the coil. Coils will often have a wattage range they can be used at, and some vapes might allow adult users to adjust the wattage at which they vape. Take note that if you vape outside the coil’s wattage range, you could encounter a burnt vape coil.

Figuring out what has caused a new coil to burn may help to prevent this issue from happening again. Device care and maintenance are important parts of a vape’s upkeep. It can go a long way to help preserve the vaping experience and reduce the frequency of burnt vape coils.

How to Prevent Burnt Coils

There are a number of different ways to potentially prevent coils from burning out prematurely. Here are just some ways you could keep your coil in good condition, and avoid a burnt vape coil for longer. If necessary, make sure your coil is primed before use.

• Keep your vape tank topped up with e-liquid, so that there is always enough for the wick.
• Opt for e-liquids that are compatible with your coil and vape.
• It might also be useful to have back-ups ready to use once the coil reaches the end of its lifespan.

Learning how to fix a burnt vape coil can be handy, but not all vapes may require coil replacements. For example, our pod based vape VEEV ONE operates a closed pod system. This means it only has two main components, the device body - containing the battery - and replaceable pods. With VEEV ONE, there is no need to replace wick and coil. VEEV ONE is designed to prevent burnt taste, and contains a low liquid detection system. Simply slot one of its compatible pods into the body of the device and draw to start vaping. Discover more about VEEV ONE.

How Long Does a Vape Coil Last?

Vape coils typically last between 1-4 weeks. Knowing how to clean a burnt coil can be useful for general maintenance, but it’s not a long-term solution for a coil that needs to be replaced. When wondering how to fix a burnt vape coil, the best solution is typically to replace it with a new one, and then to follow the tips above to guard against future coil burn-out.

Disclaimer: This article explores what a vape coil, and burnt vape coils, are generally understood to be and how you may be able to resolve this issue. However, details around vape coils, and how to resolve burnt vape coil issues, will depend on the product in question and should be substantiated on a product-by-product basis.

Smoke-free products are not risk-free and provide nicotine, which is addictive. The best decision any adult smoker can make is to quit tobacco and nicotine use altogether. Smoke-free products are not alternatives to quitting and are not designed as cessation aids. 

This article is for general information and educational purposes. Some of the information in this article is based on external, third-party sources and we make no representations or warranties of any kind regarding the accuracy, validity or completeness of such information.