A burnt taste is one of the most common vaping problems, and it nearly always has a straightforward fix. Whether you use a pod kit or a device with a separate tank and coil, the cause typically comes down to how your coil interacts with your e-liquid. Below, we cover the five most common reasons your vape tastes burnt and exactly what to do about each one. If your coil is past saving, Vapesoko stocks replacement coils and replacement pods for all major brands, delivered across Kenya.
1. You Did Not Prime Your Coil or Pod
This is the number one reason for a burnt hit on a brand-new coil. Every coil has a cotton wick inside that needs to be fully saturated with e-liquid before you fire the device. If you skip this step, the dry cotton scorches on the first puff, and that charred taste is nearly impossible to get rid of.
How to prime a new coil:
- Apply 3 to 5 drops of e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton ports on the side and top of the coil.
- Install the coil and fill your tank or pod with liquid.
- Let the assembled device sit for 5 to 10 minutes so the wick absorbs fully.
- Take a few gentle draws without pressing the fire button (if your device has one) to pull liquid into the wick.
- Start at a low wattage and gradually increase to your preferred setting.
For pod systems like the UWELL Caliburn A3 or the SMOK Novo 5, fill the pod and let it sit for at least five minutes before your first draw. The coil sealed inside the pod needs time to soak through.
2. Your Wattage Is Too High
Every coil has a recommended wattage range printed on its side or listed in the device manual. Running above that range forces the coil to heat faster than the wick can deliver liquid, creating dry spots that burn.
What to do:
- Check the wattage range printed on your coil. A 0.6 ohm coil might recommend 15 to 25W, for example.
- Start at the lower end of the range and work upward until you find a comfortable draw.
- If your device has a colour screen (like the Caliburn G4 or VOOPOO Drag S2), the current wattage is always displayed. On simpler draw-activated pods, the device manages output automatically, so wattage is not a concern.
3. You Are Chain Vaping
Taking puff after puff without pausing gives your wick no time to re-saturate. The cotton dries out mid-session, and the next hit tastes burnt even though the coil is still relatively new.
What to do:
- Wait 15 to 30 seconds between puffs. This sounds simple, but it makes a real difference in coil life.
- If you tend to vape frequently, consider a device with a mesh coil. Mesh coils heat more evenly and wick faster, making them more forgiving during heavy sessions. The SMOK Nord 5 with its RPM 3 mesh coils handles rapid use well.
4. Your E-Liquid Level Is Too Low
When the liquid in your pod or tank drops below the wick inlet holes, the wick cannot stay saturated. You might get a few normal puffs followed by a harsh, dry hit.
What to do:
- Keep your pod or tank at least a quarter full at all times.
- Refill before the liquid drops to the level of the coil's intake ports. Most pods are translucent or have a window, so a glance is all it takes.
- If you are running low on liquid, order your favourite nicotine salt or freebase e-liquid from Vapesoko and have it delivered in Nairobi within 15 to 90 minutes.
5. Your Coil Is Old and Needs Replacing
Coils are consumable parts. Depending on how often you vape and what liquid you use, a coil typically lasts one to three weeks. Sweet and dark-coloured liquids gunk up coils faster because their sweeteners caramelise on the heating element.
Signs your coil needs replacing:
- Persistent burnt or muted flavour, even after reducing wattage and letting the wick soak.
- Noticeably less vapour production than when the coil was fresh.
- A darker colour to the liquid in your tank, caused by residue leaching back from the coil.
- Gurgling or spitting, which can indicate the coil's cotton has degraded.
When it is time for a new coil, grab one from the replacement coils page at Vapesoko. If your device uses pods with built-in coils (like the Caliburn A3 pods at KSh 2,500 or the Novo 5 pods at KSh 2,000), you replace the entire pod rather than just the coil inside it.
Quick Reference
- New coil or pod: Always prime it. Drop liquid onto the cotton, fill, and wait 5 to 10 minutes.
- Wattage: Stay within the coil's recommended range.
- Chain vaping: Pause 15 to 30 seconds between puffs.
- Low liquid: Refill before the level drops below the wick holes.
- Old coil: Replace every 1 to 3 weeks, sooner with sweet liquids.
If you have tried all five fixes and the burnt taste persists, the coil itself may be faulty. Swap it for a fresh one. Vapesoko carries replacement coils and replacement pods for UWELL, SMOK, VOOPOO, VAPORESSO and other brands. Browse the full range of pod kits if you are considering an upgrade.
How to Order from Vapesoko
Payment is accepted via M-Pesa and cash on delivery. Vapesoko is an online-only retailer. Delivery within Nairobi typically takes 15 to 90 minutes. Major towns including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and Naivasha receive orders by the next business day. The rest of Kenya is covered within 1 to 2 business days. Orders over KSh 2,000 within Nairobi qualify for free delivery.
You must be 18 or older to purchase. Age is verified before dispatch, and our riders may ask for identification upon delivery.
Last updated: September 2026
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