Just like myself and many vapers out there I’m sure we have all experienced a dry hit whilst vaping or even having the nasty experience of tasting burning flavour. Is this because coils burn out too fast? Many using vape coils of all types such as replacement coils and mesh coils face this but there’s no need to worry any longer as this post will save you from the dry hits. Well, if you have then you have come to the right place to find out how to avoid this sickly feeling.
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Are burnt coils bad for you?
The short answer is yes. Burnt coils are bad for your health as they release toxic chemicals into the vapour, which can cause serious harm to your body. As such, it is imperative that you understand why your coil has burned and take measures to prevent this from happening again.
How to find out if I have a burnt vape coil?
There are a few ways you can tell if you have a burnt vape coil. By simply drawing on your vape device, you may notice that the flavour taste very dry or burnt. You might detect a faint burnt flavour and sense that something is off if your coil is just slightly burned. You should probably still change it because burned coils can release dangerous chemicals, as we all know. Sometimes after replacing a burnt-out coil, you’ll also notice a burnt taste. In some cases, this will go away after a few puffs, but in other cases, the e-liquid may need to be changed.
Why does my coil taste burnt?
Understanding why vape coils burn in the first place is crucial if you want to prevent burnt coils. In this post I will be covering the most important aspects of how to avoid burning your coil, whether that’s sub ohm coils, replacement vape coils or even high resistance coils.
Firstly, consider times when you are vaping but do not feel the burnt taste. Your coil heats up when you press the fire button because electricity is flowing through it. The e-liquid, which is soaked into the wick and exposed to the coil’s heat, absorbs the heat and transforms it into vapour. The temperature of the coil doesn’t get too high because there is juice there to absorb part of the heat energy released by the coil.
Secondly, the wick starts to get a little drier once the juice inside has been vaporised. The e-liquid in the wick is continually being replaced by the e-juice in the tank that surrounds the coil, though. Because of this, everything continues to function as it should by the time you take another drag.
What transpires, though, if there is either too little or no juice in the wick? There isn’t much there to absorb the extra heat generated when you press the fire button and the coil warms up. The coil’s temperature rises as a result.
This results in two (equally undesirable) outcomes:
- The remaining juice in the wick becomes “overcooked,” heating up excessively and resulting in the PG decomposing into formaldehyde. Just for clarification, this taste is not pleasing and will leaving you gagging.
- The wick is exposed to the glowing hot coil with nothing to shield it from the heat. The wick burns because it is presumably comprised of cotton. The wick would really burst into flames if it were fully dry. And indeed, cotton that has been burned tastes awful.
How can I stop my coils from burning?
As you have read the above, the most important thing we must make sure of when vaping is that there is always e-liquid on the wick. A well hydrated wick will go a long way towards a satisfying vape!
As a result, you shouldn’t “dry burn” your coils, as the majority of wicks are composed of cotton and will quickly deteriorate in the absence of liquid. Dry burning is acceptable for ceramic wicks, and short bursts are acceptable for silica but not for cotton. When your wick contains liquid, the risk is reduced, but you must still take precautions to safeguard your coil. You need to make sure that your devices are configured such that the flow of fresh vape juice can keep up with the rate at which you’re vaporising it because when you press the fire button, the liquid in the wick is drained.
Top tips on how to avoid a coil from burning
- Prime your coil – You risk burning your coil before you’ve even used it if you don’t prime it before you start vaping. The wicking material must transition from being absolutely dry to entirely moist when you initially insert a fresh coil. You often have to wait around five minutes between filling up your tank and taking your first puff because this takes time.
- Avoid chain vaping – A burnt wick can also result by continuously vaping until you can no longer see your vape device through the clouds. This is due to the balancing that was previously explained; you must make sure that your wick can re-saturate with liquid before you press the fire button once more.
- Reducing your power setting – With each puff, you vaporise more e-liquid when you vape at a higher wattage. Although it can affect your coils, this is perfect if you want large clouds. Your wick occasionally has trouble soaking up the e-liquid rapidly enough to keep up as you vape e-juice at a faster rate.
- Keep your vape tank filled up – If your tank has little e-liquid, your wick might not be able to absorb it as efficiently. To even reach the wicking ports on many coil heads, the e-liquid must be at a certain level. E-Liquid doesn’t absorb as quickly when the wick comes into touch with less of it. This can easily lead to issues if your juice level is extremely low.
- Use e-liquid with a high PG ratio – Because PG is thinner than VG, it absorbs into wicks more quickly. This has significant ramifications for the delicate balance between wicking speed and vaporisation speed that you must achieve. You’re more prone to encounter dry puffs and perhaps burn your wicks if your juice doesn’t soak into the wick as soon.
- Temperature Control Mode – The issues with burning wicks are more directly addressed by temperature control vaping. TC devices, like the Geekvape Aegis Max Zeus, let you set a maximum temperature for your coil by monitoring the perceptible changes in resistance that take place when particular coil materials are heated up.
- E-Liquid which contain less sweetener – Your coils may become blocked if an e-liquid has a lot of sweetener. If you’re talking about a dessert flavour for example, the caramelisation of the sugars in the e-liquid is delectable, but it’s also a certain way to ruin your coils. Vaping results in the same kind of issues that have been covered throughout this blog because the wick with the gunk can’t absorb fresh juice as properly.
- Fake Coils – You’ll be shocked by the number of fraudulent vape items out there. Customers frequently complain about the coils they bought on websites like Amazon or eBay. Always be cautious when buying from unidentified merchants, and check the reviews. Even though the low price could be alluring, there is a good risk that they are fake. We obtain every one of our goods from dependable wholesalers in the UK, assuring that they are all genuine and in compliance with the law.
Time for some frequently asked questions!
What is a coil?
A coil is a small piece of metal that vapourises e-liquid when electricity from your battery passes through it. It’s usually composed of either kanthal, nickel, or titanium wire and cotton as the wick. This allows the e-liquid to be heated up rapidly, resulting in vapour. You may also find ceramic coils on some devices.
What is a wick?
The wick is the fabric or cotton inside of your vape coil which soaks up e-liquid from your tank. This liquid is then vaporised, producing an inhalable vapour. The kind of wicking material used varies depending on the device and type of coil in use; some devices have ceramic materials that you can use as a substitute for traditional wicking materials. The wick must be adequately saturated with e-liquid to avoid burning – otherwise, you could end up with a dry hit.
What is a vape tank?
A vape tank is the container that holds your e-liquid and coil in your device. It’s usually made of Pyrex glass, which does not corrode or break down when exposed to various types of e-liquid. The tank also has a metal base where the wicking material is placed and the airflow slots are located. Vape tanks are available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and styles – you can find something to fit your vaping style.
What is PG & VG?
PG and VG are the two main ingredients used in e-liquids. PG stands for Propylene Glycol and VG stands for Vegetable Glycerin. The ratio of these two substances in a particular e-liquid will determine its thickness, flavour, throat hit, and cloud production. E-liquids with higher ratios of PG are thinner and produce less vapour, while e-liquids with higher ratios of VG are thicker and produce more vapour.
What is a mesh coil?
A mesh coil is a type of vape coil that has a large surface area. This increases the amount of heat applied to the e-liquid, resulting in bigger clouds and intense flavour. They typically last longer than regular coils due to their increased surface area. Mesh coils are popular among sub-ohm vapers who enjoy producing large amounts of vapour.
Do all vape kits need coils?
Yes, all vape kits require coils. They are the key component in your device that allow it to vaporise e-liquid, which creates vapour that you can inhale. Coils come in a variety of materials and designs, so be sure to choose one that is compatible with your device for the best results.
Do coils have different strengths?
Yes, coils have different strengths and resistance levels that can affect the type of vapour produced. Higher resistance coils produce less vapour but are better for flavour, while lower resistance coils produce more vapour but can lead to a burning sensation or dry hits. Selecting the right coil for your device is essential for an enjoyable vaping experience.
Do disposable vapes contain coils?
Yes, disposable vapes contain a coil as well. The coils in these devices are usually made of stainless steel and are designed to be disposed of after use. This makes them convenient for those who don’t want to deal with the hassle of replacing or cleaning their vape coils.
Are you ready to prevent your coil from burning out too fast?
To wrap up this blog post on why coils burn out too fast, it’s essential to remember that there are many possible causes when it comes to coil burning. By taking into account the factors mentioned above and doing your due diligence when purchasing coils, you can help ensure that your vaping experience is as enjoyable as possible. Thanks for reading!
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Happy vaping!
BA @ VapeBud.co.uk