It is extremely unpleasant to have that initial, intense hit of burnt cotton. It is very bitter and tastes like inhaling smoke, and immediately spoils what was previously a tasty vape. Chances are good that you have experienced something similar - perhaps while vaping with a lost mary, geek bar or elf bar.
In my early vaping days, I had many instances of enjoying a cool mint or a sweet strawberry, and suddenly, out of the blue, the taste of burned disaster. It is both frustrating and wasteful, but through analyzing a number of dead disposables and talking to vape shop professionals, I discovered that a vape does not always need to be discarded when it burns.
Why It Burns: The Problem Starts At The Wick.
All disposable vapes are constructed around a basic design; a battery, a tank that holds the e-liquid, and a heating element called a coil that uses a piece of cotton to draw in the liquid and then heat it up to make a vapor.
A burnt vape is created when the coil is heated up without sufficient e-liquid being absorbed into the cotton. You are literally burning the dry cotton wick. This will never be able to be repaired for that particular piece of the wick, but if you recognize it in time, you may still be able to save the remainder of the device.
Chaining Vape: The Number One Cause.
Taking successive puffs, one after another, does not allow the wick enough time to absorb additional liquid from the tank. I learned this the hard way with a Hyde Mega, which has a high-capacity battery and encourages extended vaping sessions. In my case, after taking three 5 second draws in a row, I was taking a gamble with the fourth draw.
Low Juice Levels: The Liquid Is Almost Gone.
Most disposable vapes don't have an exact amount of juice left to tell you when the juice levels are getting low. Once the juice levels reach the point where there is insufficient liquid to provide the wick at the top of the coil to continue drawing in liquid, you will experience a dry burn.
Faulty Battery: The Battery Is Dying.
As the battery drains, it loses voltage and becomes unstable. A final burst of energy can scorch the coil as the battery is nearing the end of its life.
Faulty Device: The Vape Was Made Wrong.
On occasion, you will receive a faulty device that didn't have the wick properly saturated with liquid from the manufacturer.
The Fast Fixes (Methods) (From Most To Least Effective)
These methods have no official support from manufacturers and pose a slight risk to damage the device even further. Please proceed with care and stop if anything looks off.
Method 1: The Tap & Prime (The Quickest Rescue)
This is your first and best course of action to try to recover the remaining usable e-liquid into the dry wick.
What You Do:
- Stop vaping as soon as you taste the burn.
- Tap the device firmly a few times with your palm to loosen the remaining e-liquid and get it flowing again.
- Cover the airflow holes (usually located at the bottom or side) with your finger and pull two to three quick, short pulls, without firing the button or using the auto-draw feature. Pulling with your fingers covers the airflow holes and creates a vacuum to pull the e-liquid into the coil.
- Set the device on its side for five to ten minutes to allow gravity to assist.
I have recovered hundreds of Elf Bar BC5000 devices using this method. I'd have that distinctive burnt hit, I'd perform the tap-and-pull method, and after resting the device, the next hit would be 90 percent back to normal. The tap-and-pull method won't fix a severely damaged coil, but for minor dry hits, it is a savior.
Method 2: The Heat Method (Use With Care)
This method is an advanced technique for when the tap-and-prime method has failed. The idea is to slightly warm the remaining e-liquid, making it thinner and allowing it to penetrate the wick more effectively.
What You Do:
- DON'T USE FIRE OR AN OPEN FLAME. Don't say I didn't warn you.
- Roll the disposable between your hands for thirty to sixty seconds. Friction and your body heat will be enough to generate some warmth.
- Alternatively, you can place the disposable in a warmer area, such as on top of a gaming console or router, for a few minutes.
- After warming, repeat the 'pull without firing' step from Method 1 and set it aside.
Studies show that Propylene Glycol (PG) and Vegetable Glycerin (VG), the primary ingredients in e-liquid, lose significant viscosity as their temperatures increase. A study published in the Journal of Chemical & Engineering Data indicated that VG loses almost fifty percent of its viscosity from twenty degrees Celsius to forty degrees Celsius. Warming the e-liquid slightly really does help it wick faster.
Method 3: The Last Resort (The Air Bubble Trick)
On occasion, a large air bubble can develop in the tank, blocking the wicking ports. This is more common with pod-based disposables, such as the Vaporesso Eco Nano (which is refillable, but often used as a disposable) or the Lost Mary OS5000.
What You Do:
- Do you see a large air bubble in the clear plastic of the device? Gently flick the side of the device with your finger to dislodge the bubble and move it to the top.
- Combine this with the tapping in Method 1.
When to Give Up
If you have attempted all of these methods, and the burnt taste remains, it is time to write off the vape. The cotton wick has been irreversibly damaged by burning. Continuing to use it is not only a miserable experience, but it could potentially be hazardous. A 2018 study in Nicotine & Tobacco Research found that e-liquids exposed to excessive heat can form harmful carbonyl compounds like formaldehyde. Persistent burnt flavors indicate overheating e-liquids.
How to Avoid Burning Your Disposable Next Time
- Take Your Time: This is the Golden Rule. Wait 30 to 60 seconds between puffs. Treat it as a fine liquor, not a hydration drink.
- Proper Storage: Store It Upright. Keep your vape stored with the bottom pointing upwards. Storing it on its side for extended periods allows the liquid to drain away from the wick.
- Listen to the Bubbling: If you hear a bubbling sound, it usually means the coil is flooded. A quick, sharp exhalation through the mouthpiece (with a paper towel covering it) can help clear it and ensure proper wicking for future draws.