The vape coil is a small assembly responsible for turning e-liquid into inhalable vapor. It consists of a heating element, usually a metal wire or mesh, wrapped around a wicking material, typically cotton. When activated, the battery powers the heating element, which rapidly heats the saturated wick, causing the e-liquid to vaporize. Coil damage, often called a “burnt coil,” occurs when the wicking material gets scorched instead of the e-liquid.
Visual Confirmation of Coil Damage
Inspecting a damaged coil reveals distinct physical changes, primarily centered on the cotton wick. A fresh wick is typically white or a light beige color. When a coil burns, the cotton changes color, turning dark brown, black, or appearing visibly charred at the edges.
The heating element will also show signs of thermal damage and residue buildup, commonly called “gunking.” This appears as a thick, dark crust that cakes onto the metal wire or mesh, often caused by the caramelization of e-liquid sweeteners. In severe cases, the cotton may look shriveled, brittle, or partially disintegrated.
The Sensory Indicators of a Burnt Coil
The most immediate sign of a burnt coil is the taste experienced during inhalation. This is commonly known as a “burnt hit” or “dry hit,” which is an unpleasant, acrid flavor often described as tasting like burnt cotton.
A dry hit produces a harsh feeling in the throat, which can lead to coughing due to irritation. Before a full burnt hit occurs, the e-liquid’s intended flavor may become muted, or a slight smoky undertone may be present. Another indicator is a significant reduction in vapor production, as the damaged wick and gunked coil cannot vaporize liquid efficiently.
Primary Reasons for Coil Failure
Coil failure is frequently caused by a lack of sufficient e-liquid saturation on the wick when the device is activated. One common cause is insufficient priming, which means firing a new coil before the dry cotton has fully soaked up the e-liquid. This immediately scorches the cotton, permanently damaging the coil’s ability to wick.
Another major culprit is chain vaping, which involves taking rapid, consecutive puffs without pause. The wick cannot re-saturate quickly enough between draws, causing the cotton to dry out and resulting in a burnt taste. Furthermore, setting the device’s wattage too high, exceeding the manufacturer’s recommended range, vaporizes the e-liquid faster than the wick can resupply it, leading to the same dry-wick scenario.
Steps to Extend Coil Lifespan
The lifespan of a coil can be significantly lengthened by implementing a few simple, proactive maintenance steps. Proper priming is the first step when installing a new coil, which involves dripping e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton ports before filling the tank. After filling, let the device sit for five to ten minutes to ensure the wick is completely saturated before firing the coil.
Users should always operate the device within the wattage range printed on the coil, which provides the optimal power for vaporizing e-liquid without overheating the wick. Starting a new coil at the lower end of this recommended range and slowly increasing the power helps gently break in the cotton. To prevent the wick from drying out, avoid chain vaping and monitor the e-liquid level, ensuring the wick’s intake holes are always submerged.