Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt? Fast Fixes & How to Stop It Happening 

There is nothing worse than inhaling a sudden, harsh "dry hit" instead of your favourite flavour. We explain exactly why it happens and how to fix it in seconds.

If you have ever taken a puff on your vape and been met with a hot, charcoal-like taste instead of the smooth Gold Bar Nic Salt flavour you were expecting, you have experienced the notorious "burnt hit." It is the most common frustration for vapers using refillable kits, but the good news is that it is almost always preventable.

In this short guide, we will break down the science of why coils burn, the simple mistakes that cause it, and the golden rules to follow to ensure every puff is perfect. 

Your vape coil consists of a metal heating element surrounded by a cotton wick. When you vape, the cotton soaks up e-liquid, and the metal heats up to turn that liquid into vapour.

A "burnt hit" happens when there is no liquid in the cotton. The hot metal heats dry fabric instead of juice, scorching the material. Once that cotton is singed, the burnt taste will remain forever, no matter how much liquid you add afterwards. 

90% of burnt coils are caused by one of these three simple habits. 

This is the number one mistake made by new vapers. When you install a fresh coil or pod, the cotton inside is bone dry. If you fill the tank and hit the fire button immediately, you will burn the dry cotton instantly. 

The Fix: After filling a new pod, wait 5 to 10 minutes before vaping. This gives the liquid time to fully saturate the wick. 

It sounds obvious, but it happens to the best of us. If you vape your pod until it is completely dry, the wick has nothing to absorb. Even one puff on an empty tank can ruin a coil.

The Fix: Treat the "minimum fill line" on your pod as a strict rule, not a suggestion. Keep your tank topped up. 

"Chain vaping" is taking multiple puffs in very quick succession. If you vape faster than the wick can re-absorb liquid, you will eventually dry it out, leading to a burnt hit even if the tank is full.

The Fix: Pace yourself. Wait 15-30 seconds between heavy puffs to let the bubbles rise and the wick re-saturate. 

If you are priming correctly and keeping your tank full but still getting a burnt taste, check your pod kit’s settings and your supplies. 

The short answer is no.

Once the cotton wick is physically burnt, the structure of the fibre is damaged and the charcoal taste is locked in. You might see advice online about washing coils with water or vinegar, but this rarely works and often ruins the wicking ability of the cotton entirely.

The only true fix is to recycle the old coil (or pod) and install a fresh one, remembering to prime it properly. 

To ensure you never taste that nasty dry heat again, follow this simple checklist:

• Prime: Wait 10 minutes after filling a new pod.
• Top Up: Refill before the liquid drops below the wicking holes.
• Check Power: Stick to the recommended wattage.
• Use Quality Liquid: Stick to premium 50/50 Nic Salts. 

If managing coils, wattage, and priming feels like too much hassle, you might prefer a Prefilled Pod Kit.

Devices like the Gold Bar Apollo 20K or Gold Bar XL remove the margin for error. The pods come pre-filled and pre-primed. The battery is calibrated perfectly for the coil. You simply click the pod in and vape. It offers the same premium Gold Bar flavour, with zero risk of user error causing a dry hit. 

A burnt taste is a sign that your device needs a little attention, but it shouldn't ruin your day. By following the "Prime, Top-Up, and Pace" rules, you can ensure your refillable kit delivers the premium experience you expect from Gold Bar.

For more tips on getting the best performance from your device, check out our Complete Vape Maintenance Guide.