How to Avoid Dry Hits and Burnt Tastes
If you’re a vaper, you’ve likely experienced the harsh, unpleasant sensation known as a dry hit. It tastes burnt, ruins the flavor of your e-liquid, and can even damage your coil. Preventing dry hits is essential for a smooth and enjoyable vaping experience. Fortunately, with a bit of knowledge and some simple habits, you can avoid this problem entirely.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the causes of dry hits and burnt tastes, how to fix them, and most importantly, how to prevent them. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned vaper, these insights will help you protect your device, extend coil life, and improve your overall vaping satisfaction.
What Is a Dry Hit?
A dry hit occurs when the cotton or wick inside your vape coil isn’t properly saturated with e-liquid. When you fire the device in this state, the coil heats dry material, producing a burnt flavor and harsh vapor. Unlike a smooth hit full of flavor, a dry hit can make you cough and may linger on your tongue.
It’s different from a burnt coil — although the two often go hand-in-hand. If you continue vaping after a dry hit, the wick may become scorched permanently, resulting in a burnt taste even with full e-liquid levels.
Why Preventing Dry Hits Matters
Dry hits don’t just affect flavor. Repeated dry hits can damage coils and even your device. Worse, they may create harmful byproducts when cotton burns. Preventing dry hits not only ensures a better experience but also keeps your gear in good shape and protects your health.
Common Causes of Dry Hits
Not Priming a New Coil
When installing a new coil, many forget to prime it by soaking the wick. Vaping too soon can cause the cotton to burn before it’s fully saturated.
Chain Vaping
Taking too many puffs in a short time doesn’t give the wick time to reabsorb e-liquid. As a result, your coil runs dry quickly, leading to dry hits.
High Wattage Settings
Using wattage that’s too high for your coil’s resistance can vaporize the liquid faster than it’s absorbed. This burns the wick and leads to a burnt taste.
Thick or Incompatible E-liquid
Some e-liquids, especially those with high VG content, are too thick for certain coils. If your wick can’t absorb the liquid fast enough, dry hits will follow.
Old or Worn-Out Coils
Over time, gunk builds up on coils, and wicks lose their ability to absorb e-liquid. This makes dry hits more likely, especially if you don’t change coils regularly.
Proven Tips for Preventing Dry Hits
Always Prime New Coils
Before you install a new coil, apply a few drops of e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton. Then fill your tank and let it sit for at least 5–10 minutes. This gives the wick time to absorb liquid fully before you fire it.
Use the Correct Wattage
Every coil has a recommended wattage range. Stay within it. Start on the low end and gradually increase. Running coils too hot is a fast way to burn the wick.
Don’t Chain Vape
Pause between puffs to allow your coil to resaturate. Taking hits back-to-back deprives your wick of enough time to soak, which increases dry hit risk.
Monitor Your E-liquid Levels
Never let your tank run dry. Refill before the juice level drops below the coil’s intake holes. Even a partially dry wick can result in burnt hits.
Choose the Right E-liquid
Make sure your e-liquid matches your coil. Sub-ohm coils handle thicker, high-VG liquids well, but MTL (mouth-to-lung) coils often work better with higher PG ratios. The wrong mix can cause wicking issues.
Avoid Vaping in the Cold
Cold temperatures make e-liquid thicker, making it harder for the wick to soak properly. Store your device in a warm place and avoid vaping outdoors in freezing conditions.
Keep Your Coils Clean
Even if your coil isn’t burnt, residue buildup can clog the wick. Clean reusable coils with warm water or replace disposable ones regularly to avoid performance issues.
Tilt and Inhale Smartly
Holding your vape horizontally helps e-liquid flow to the wick, especially when the tank is low. A gentle, longer inhale also gives the coil more time to wick than short, harsh puffs.
Fixing a Dry Hit Before It’s Too Late
If you accidentally take a dry hit, stop vaping immediately. Take a few unpowered puffs to pull e-liquid into the wick. Then let your device sit for a few minutes. Lower your wattage, and resume vaping slowly. If the burnt taste lingers, your wick may already be scorched — in that case, replace the coil.
When the Burnt Taste Won’t Go Away
Sometimes, dry hits cause permanent damage. If the cotton inside your coil is blackened or crispy, no amount of soaking or adjusting settings will fix the burnt taste. Dispose of the coil and start fresh with proper priming to avoid repeating the issue.
Long-Term Habits for Flavorful, Burn-Free Vaping
Preventing dry hits is mostly about consistency. Once you build the habit of monitoring juice levels, priming coils, and vaping with care, dry hits become rare. The result? Better flavor, longer-lasting coils, and more satisfying sessions.
Paying attention to how your device behaves — whether it’s heating too quickly, producing less vapor, or tasting slightly off — can help you catch potential issues before they lead to a dry hit. Think of vaping as a balance of science and care. A little attention goes a long way.
FAQs
Why does my vape taste burnt even with juice?
If your coil is already scorched from a dry hit, the burnt taste will persist even if you refill the tank. You likely need to replace the coil.
How do I know if I burned my coil?
A burnt coil often smells charred, produces harsh vapor, and delivers little to no flavor. Visually, you may see blackened cotton or residue.
How long should I let a new coil soak?
Let your new coil soak for 5 to 10 minutes after filling the tank. Priming it with a few drops directly on the cotton speeds up the process.
Can I fix a burnt coil?
Once cotton is burnt, it can’t be fully restored. Some users clean coils to extend life, but with burnt wicks, replacement is usually the only solution.
Is it okay to vape when juice is low?
No. Low juice levels can expose the wick to air instead of e-liquid, causing dry hits. Always keep your tank filled above the intake holes.
