If you’ve ever taken a puff and been hit with a burnt taste from your vape, you know how unpleasant it can be. This is one of the most common problems vapers face, whether you’re using a prefilled pod kit like the Hayati Pro Ultra or Lost Mary Nera 30k, or a refillable vape with replaceable coils.
The truth is simple: once the cotton wick inside the coil is scorched, there’s no way to fully “fix” it—you’ll need to replace the coil or pod. But not every burnt hit means your vape is ruined. Sometimes it’s just a dry hit (when the wick isn’t fully soaked), and that can be prevented or resolved with a few quick fixes.
In this guide, we’ll explain:
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Why vapes taste burnt and the difference between dry hits and burnt hits.
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The most common causes of burnt coils or pods.
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Quick fixes you can try if it’s only a temporary issue.
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The permanent solution when your pod or coil is truly burnt.
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Proven prevention tips to make your pods and coils last longer.
By the end, you’ll know exactly what to do the next time your vape tastes burnt—and more importantly, how to stop it from happening in the first place.
Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt?
A burnt taste happens when the cotton wick inside your coil isn’t properly saturated with e-liquid. Instead of vaporising the juice, the coil burns the dry cotton, leaving behind that harsh, acrid flavour.
To understand this better, let’s quickly break it down:
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Inside every vape coil or pod, there’s a metal heating element (coil or mesh) wrapped around an absorbent cotton wick.
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The wick soaks up e-liquid and holds it in place.
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When you inhale, the coil heats up and turns that liquid into vapour.
If there’s not enough liquid in the wick, the cotton overheats and scorches, which creates the burnt taste.
Dry Hit vs Burnt Hit (Know the Difference)
It’s important to tell the difference between these two:
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Dry Hit → happens when the wick is temporarily too dry. You’ll get weak flavour, little vapour, or a scratchy inhale. This is usually caused by chain vaping, low e-liquid, or not priming a new coil. A dry hit can often be fixed by letting the coil rest or topping up your pod/tank.
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Burnt Hit → happens when the wick is permanently scorched. The flavour is harsh, bitter, and won’t go away, even if you refill. Once the wick is burnt, the only solution is to replace the coil (refillable kits) or replace the pod (prefilled kits like Hayati Pro Ultra 25000 or HQD air glow 70k).
Common Causes of Burnt Hits
A burnt vape hit doesn’t just happen randomly—there are specific reasons your coil or pod ends up tasting harsh. By knowing these causes, you can spot the problem early and prevent your device from burning out too quickly.
1. Chain Vaping (Too Many Puffs in a Row)
When you take back-to-back puffs, the wick doesn’t have enough time to re-soak e-liquid. This leaves dry spots in the cotton, which burn when the coil heats up.
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Signs: harsh, scratchy puffs after rapid use.
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Fix: slow down—wait 15–20 seconds between puffs.
2. Not Priming New Coils (Refillable Kits)
For refillable vapes, a brand-new coil has dry cotton. If you fire it too soon, the coil burns before the wick has absorbed enough liquid.
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Fix: Always prime your coil—add a few drops of e-liquid directly to the wick and let it sit for 5–10 minutes before vaping.
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For prefilled pods, this step isn’t needed since pods come pre-soaked.
3. Running Low on E-Liquid
If your tank or pod gets too empty, the wick won’t stay fully saturated. The exposed cotton burns easily, causing a burnt hit.
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Fix: Keep your pod/tank at least one-third full.
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For prefilled pod kits, swap out the pod once the liquid window shows empty.
4. Vaping at Too High Wattage
Every coil has a recommended wattage range. Going above it overheats the coil, vaporises liquid too quickly, and leaves the cotton dry.
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Fix: Stay within the coil’s printed wattage range.
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On devices with Normal Mode/Turbo Mode, stick to Normal Mode for daily use.
5. Sweet or Dark E-Liquids (Coil Gunk)
Dessert, candy, and chocolate flavours contain more sweeteners. These caramelise on the coil and create coil gunk, which clogs the wick and causes burnt taste faster.
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Fix: Rotate with lighter fruit or menthol flavours to extend coil life.
6. Blocked or Poor Airflow
Airflow helps cool the coil. If the vents are blocked by your fingers or set too tight, the coil overheats.
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Fix: Check airflow holes, adjust settings, and make sure they aren’t covered while vaping.
Most burnt taste issues come from chain vaping, high wattage, low e-liquid, or coil gunk. Fixing these habits will instantly improve coil lifespan and prevent burnt hits.
Quick Fixes (If It’s Just a Dry Hit)
Not every harsh puff means your coil or pod is ruined. Sometimes you’re only dealing with a dry hit—when the wick hasn’t soaked enough e-liquid. If caught early, these problems can be solved with a few simple adjustments.
1. Let the Device Rest
If you’ve been chain vaping, give your vape a break. Let it sit for a few minutes so the wick can reabsorb e-liquid. Often, this alone clears up the burnt taste if it hasn’t scorched the cotton.
2. Top Up Your E-Liquid
For refillable vapes, make sure your tank or pod is at least one-third full. For prefilled pod kits like the Hayati Pro 6000 or Angel 20k, check the transparent window—if it looks nearly empty, replace the pod.
3. Lower Your Wattage or Switch Modes
If you’re vaping at a higher wattage than recommended, the coil burns through liquid too quickly. Drop your wattage to the mid-range setting.
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On advanced pod kits with modes, switch from Turbo Mode (high power, more flavour) to Normal Mode (gentler, preserves coil life).
4. Adjust Airflow
Blocked airflow means less cooling and more stress on your coil. If your device has adjustable airflow, open it slightly to allow smoother airflow and reduce overheating.
5. Take Slower, Longer Puffs
Instead of sharp, quick drags, try slow and steady inhales. This gives the wick more time to keep up with vaporisation and reduces the chance of dry spots.
If these quick fixes restore the flavour, you were dealing with a dry hit—not a fully burnt coil. But if the burnt taste persists no matter what, the wick is already scorched, and it’s time to replace your pod or coil.
Permanent Fix — Replace Coil or Pod
If you’ve tried the quick fixes and your vape still tastes burnt, it means the cotton wick is permanently scorched. Unfortunately, there’s no way to reverse this. Once cotton burns, the flavour won’t return. The only real solution is to replace the pod or coil.
For Prefilled Pod Kits (Hayati Pro Ultra 25000, Lost Mary BM6000, Nera 30k, Elf Bar)
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These devices use sealed pods with built-in coils.
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When the pod runs out of e-liquid or tastes burnt, the coil inside is finished.
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Since pods aren’t refillable or repairable, you must replace the entire pod with a fresh one.
Example: If your Hayati Pro Ultra 25k pod tastes burnt, swap it for a new pod pack. If your Lost Mary Nera 30k pod loses flavour, remove it and insert a fresh prefilled pod + refill container.
For Refillable Pod & Tank Systems
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In refillable vapes, the coil is separate and designed to be swapped out.
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Coils typically last 7–14 days, depending on your vaping habits and e-liquid choice.
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When the coil is burnt:
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Remove the tank or pod.
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Unscrew and discard the old coil.
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Insert a new coil, prime it with e-liquid, and let it soak for 5–10 minutes before use.
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This ensures you start fresh with clean cotton and avoid another immediate burnt hit.
The Bottom Line
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Prefilled pods: Replace the whole pod when flavour is burnt or vapour drops.
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Refillable systems: Replace the coil regularly (every 1–2 weeks).
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Once burnt, a coil or pod cannot be revived—continuing to vape will only taste worse and may irritate your throat.
Prevention Tips (How to Avoid Burnt Taste in Future)
The best way to deal with a burnt vape is to stop it from happening in the first place. By adopting a few simple habits, you can extend the life of your pods and coils, enjoy smoother flavour, and save money on replacements.
1. Prime New Coils (For Refillable Systems)
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Always prime your coil before first use. Add a few drops of e-liquid to the cotton, fill your tank or pod, and let it sit for 5–10 minutes.
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This ensures the wick is fully saturated and prevents instant burning.
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Prefilled pods come ready-primed, so no action is needed.
2. Don’t Chain Vape
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Give your coil or pod time to re-soak between hits.
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Leave 15–20 seconds between puffs for optimal performance.
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Quick, constant hits are one of the fastest ways to cause dry hits and eventually burnt taste.
3. Stay Within Recommended Wattage
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Every coil has a wattage range (printed on the coil or listed by the manufacturer).
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Exceeding it overheats the wick and burns it out faster.
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For pod kits with Normal Mode/Turbo Mode (like the Lost Mary Nera 30k), stick to Normal Mode for daily use and save Turbo Mode for short bursts.
4. Keep Pods & Tanks Topped Up
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Never let your e-liquid run too low.
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For refillable systems, refill when the tank is one-third full.
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For prefilled pods, keep an eye on the transparent e-liquid window—once empty, replace the pod.
5. Choose Cleaner E-Liquids (For Refillables)
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Dark, sweet, dessert-style e-liquids create coil gunk and shorten coil life.
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Rotate with fruit, menthol, or clear e-liquids to keep coils fresher for longer.
6. Store Your Device Correctly
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Keep pods upright to prevent leaks.
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Avoid leaving your vape in extreme heat or cold, as this can thin or thicken e-liquid, affecting wick saturation.
By following these prevention tips—priming coils, pacing your puffs, keeping pods topped up, and using the right mode—you’ll drastically reduce burnt hits and make both pods and coils last much longer.
FAQs About Fixing a Burnt Vape
Can you actually fix a burnt vape coil?
No. Once the cotton wick inside the coil is scorched, the burnt taste is permanent. At best, you can prevent it happening too soon by priming coils, topping up e-liquid, and avoiding chain vaping. The only true fix is to replace the coil (refillable kits) or swap the pod (prefilled kits like HQD air Glow 70k or Fumot T9000).
Why does my Hayati Pro Ultra taste burnt?
The Hayati Pro Ultra 25000 uses prefilled pods with built-in coils. If it tastes burnt:
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The pod may be empty.
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The coil inside may have reached the end of its life.
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Or you may have chain vaped too quickly, drying out the wick.
Solution: replace the pod with a fresh one—these cannot be refilled.
What’s the difference between a dry hit and a burnt hit?
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Dry Hit → weak flavour, scratchy inhale, usually caused by vaping too quickly or low e-liquid. Can often be fixed by resting or refilling.
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Burnt Hit → harsh, acrid flavour that doesn’t go away. This means the cotton is scorched and the coil/pod must be replaced.
Is it safe to vape with a burnt coil or pod?
No. Vaping with a burnt coil or pod is unpleasant and may irritate your throat. It won’t cause major harm, but it’s not safe or enjoyable. Replace the coil/pod immediately for a clean, smooth experience.
