why does my vape taste burnt with new coil
Share
Why Does My Vape Taste Burnt With a New Coil?
A new coil tastes burnt when it has not been primed. Add e liquid to the wick, fit it, fill up and let it soak for a few minutes before gentle first puffs.
It is frustrating when a brand new coil tastes burnt straight away, but there is almost always a simple reason: the coil was not primed, or not given time to soak, before you vaped it. This guide focuses on the new coil case, alongside our guide on how to prime a coil properly.
Quick answer
A new coil usually tastes burnt because it was not primed, the dry wick was scorched before it could soak up e liquid. To avoid it, add a few drops of e liquid directly onto the new coils wick, fit it, fill the pod or tank, and leave it to stand for a few minutes before vaping. Taking gentle first puffs and not running too high a power also help.
Why a new coil burns
A new coil arrives with a dry wick. If you fit it and vape straight away, the coil heats a dry wick and scorches it, giving an instant burnt taste, and once burnt, that coil is usually ruined. The fix is priming: making sure the wick is fully soaked with e liquid before the coil ever fires. Vaping too hard on the first puffs, or running too high a power, can also burn a fresh coil.
New coil burnt: causes and fixes
| Cause | Fix |
|---|---|
| Coil not primed | Add e liquid to the wick before use |
| Not left to soak | Wait a few minutes after fitting |
| Hard first puffs | Take gentle first puffs |
| Power too high | Start at a lower power |
| Thick e liquid struggling to wick | Use e liquid suited to the coil |
How to prime a new coil
Priming is quick and saves coils. Add a few drops of e liquid directly onto the exposed wick holes of the new coil, fit it into the device, then fill the pod or tank and leave it to stand for a few minutes so the wick soaks fully. Take a few gentle puffs to start, and if your device has adjustable power, begin lower and build up. Done this way, a new coil should taste clean, not burnt.
A new coil tastes burnt when it has not been primed. Add e liquid to the wick, fit it, fill up and let it soak for a few minutes before taking gentle first puffs.
Priming a new coil
- Add a few drops of e liquid onto the wick holes
- Fit the coil and fill the pod or tank
- Let it stand for a few minutes to soak fully
- Take a few gentle first puffs
- Start at a lower power and build up if adjustable
Myths and facts
| Myth | The reality |
|---|---|
| New coils never need priming | New coils should always be primed and left to soak, or they burn. |
| A burnt new coil can be saved | Once scorched, a coil is usually ruined; prevention by priming is key. |
| You can vape a new coil straight away | Vaping immediately on a dry wick is the main cause of a burnt new coil. |
| Power setting does not matter at first | Too high a power on a fresh coil can burn it; start lower. |
Frequently asked questions
Why does my vape taste burnt with a new coil?
Almost always because the coil was not primed, the dry wick scorched before it could soak up e liquid.
How do I prime a new coil?
Add a few drops of e liquid to the wick, fit it, fill the pod or tank, and let it soak for a few minutes before vaping.
Can I save a burnt new coil?
Usually not, once the wick is scorched the coil is ruined; the answer is to prime the next one properly.
How long should I let it soak?
A few minutes is usually enough for the wick to fully saturate before you take the first puffs.
Should I lower the power on a new coil?
Yes, starting at a lower power and taking gentle first puffs helps avoid burning a fresh coil.
The bottom line
A new coil tastes burnt almost entirely because it was not primed, fitted and vaped while the wick was still dry, so the coil scorched it instantly, and once burnt a coil is usually ruined. The fix is to prime every new coil: add a few drops of e liquid directly onto the wick, fit it, fill the pod or tank, and leave it to stand for a few minutes so the wick soaks fully before you vape. Taking gentle first puffs and starting at a lower power also help a fresh coil taste clean.
More help and related reading
If this guide raised other questions, the Help and Guidance library has plain English answers to many more. The closely related pages below are worth a look, and you can always return to the main hub to browse every topic we cover. If you are unsure about your device or situation, our team is always happy to help.
- How to prime a vape coil properly
- Why does my vape taste burnt?
- How to unburn a vape
- Browse the full Help and Guidance library
Key things to remember
- A new coil burns when it is not primed
- Prime the wick with e liquid before use
- Let it soak for a few minutes after fitting
- Take gentle first puffs at lower power
- A scorched coil is usually ruined
Why priming matters so much
Priming matters because a coils wick must be saturated before it is heated. Dry cotton scorches almost instantly when the coil fires, and that burnt taste does not go away, the coil is spoiled. Priming simply ensures e liquid has soaked through the wick first, so the coil heats liquid rather than dry material.
It only takes a minute or two of patience after fitting a new coil, but it is the single most effective way to avoid wasting coils. Once you make priming a habit, burnt new coils become a thing of the past.
Priming at a glance
| Step | Why |
|---|---|
| Drops on the wick | Soaks the cotton directly |
| Fit and fill | Liquid feeds the wick |
| Wait a few minutes | Full saturation |
| Gentle first puffs | Eases the coil in |
| Lower power to start | Avoids scorching |
A few more questions
How many drops of e liquid should I use to prime?
Just enough to dampen the exposed wick holes, usually a few drops; then fill the pod or tank and let it soak.
Do and don’t
Do
- Prime every new coil before use
- Let it soak for a few minutes after fitting
- Take gentle first puffs
- Start at a lower power if adjustable
Try not to
- Vape a new coil straight away
- Skip the soaking time
- Take hard first pulls
- Run high power on a fresh coil
A simple routine for new coils
Make fitting a new coil a small, deliberate routine and you will rarely burn one. Drip a few drops of e liquid onto the visible wick holes, screw or click the coil in, fill the pod or tank, then put it down for a few minutes while the wick saturates. That short wait is the whole secret.
When you do start, take a couple of gentle priming puffs without firing, if your device allows, or very soft first draws, and build up. If your device has wattage control, begin at the lower end of the coils range. Done this way, a fresh coil tastes clean from the first puff.
New coil routine
| Step | Detail |
|---|---|
| Drip on the wick | A few drops on the holes |
| Fit and fill | Let liquid feed the wick |
| Wait | A few minutes to soak |
| Gentle first puffs | Ease the coil in |
| Lower power | Within the coil range |
More questions answered
Do all coils need the same soaking time?
Most need a few minutes; larger or higher VG setups may need a little longer, so check your coils guidance.
Can priming stop working over time?
Priming is for new coils; once a coil wears out, no amount of priming helps, and it simply needs replacing.
A quick word on safety and the law
Vaping and nicotine products are intended for adult smokers and existing vapers as a less harmful alternative to cigarettes. They contain nicotine unless stated otherwise, which is addictive, and they are not suitable for non smokers, pregnant women or anyone under 18. By law you must be 18 or over to buy vaping products in the UK, and we age verify every order. If you want to stop using nicotine altogether, your local stop smoking service offers free, tailored support.
UK public health bodies advise that vaping is substantially less harmful than smoking, but it is not risk free, and if you do not smoke the advice is not to start.
Always follow the instructions and safety guidance supplied with your specific device, as details can vary by model and version.
Need a hand?
Browse our range of replacement coils and pods, or get in touch if you need help.