When a new cartridge or coil produces a harsh, scorched flavor, often called a “dry hit,” it is frustrating, especially with a new device. The burnt taste is usually not a sign of a defective product, but rather a direct result of the heating element contacting dry wicking material. Understanding the underlying mechanism and common user errors during initial setup can prevent this issue and ensure a smooth experience.
The Science of the Burnt Taste: Dry Hits and Wicking Failure
The distinctive, harsh flavor you taste is the result of burnt organic material, usually cotton or ceramic, which serves as the wick. Every cartridge contains a heating element, or coil, surrounded by this wicking material. The wick’s function is to continuously draw the liquid from the reservoir to the coil through capillary action.
A “dry hit” occurs when the coil is activated while the wick is not fully saturated with liquid. The coil immediately overheats the dry section of the wick, causing it to scorch and release the burnt flavor into the vapor path. Once the wick is burned, the damage is permanent, and the scorched taste will persist even after the wick becomes saturated again.
Capillary action is the physical force that allows the liquid to travel up the microscopic channels within the wicking material. If the liquid is too thick, or if the channels are not given enough time to fill, the wick closest to the heat source will dry out faster than the liquid can replenish it. This localized drying leads to the coil burning the exposed wick instead of vaporizing the liquid.
Initial Setup Mistakes: The Critical Step of Priming
The most frequent cause of a burnt taste in a new cartridge or coil is the failure to properly “prime” the wick before its first use. Priming is the process of manually saturating the wick with liquid to ensure it is completely soaked before any power is applied. Since new wicks are packaged dry, skipping this step guarantees that the first draw will burn the cotton or ceramic.
To correctly prime a coil, apply a few drops of liquid directly onto the exposed wicking material through the intake holes on the sides of the coil. The goal is to lightly moisten the wick without flooding the central heating element. This manual application jump-starts the saturation process that capillary action would otherwise take several minutes to complete.
After manually dripping liquid onto the wick, assemble the cartridge and fill it. The most important step is allowing a sufficient rest period, often called “soaking time,” before firing the device. For most coils, this rest time should be between five and ten minutes to allow the liquid to fully permeate the entire wick structure.
Thicker liquids, particularly those with a higher concentration of vegetable glycerin (VG), require a longer soaking period because they move slower through the wick channels. Taking a draw too soon will instantly scorch the dry wick material, permanently introducing the unpleasant burnt taste. This deliberate pause ensures the heating element vaporizes only the liquid.
Operational Errors: Overpowering and Overusing the Coil
Even with a perfectly primed coil, the wick can still be scorched if the device is not used correctly. One common error is activating the coil with excessive power, known as overpowering. Most coils are designed to operate within a specific wattage or voltage range, often printed directly on the coil casing or cartridge.
Setting the power level too high causes the coil to heat up rapidly, vaporizing the liquid faster than the wick can draw a fresh supply. This speed differential creates a localized dry spot, resulting in an immediate burnt taste. To prevent this, start at the lowest recommended power setting and gradually increase it until the desired performance is achieved.
Another error is rapid, repeated use, commonly referred to as “chain vaping.” When a user takes consecutive puffs without a pause, the liquid within the wick is depleted quickly. Capillary action needs time—typically a few seconds between draws—to pull liquid from the tank and fully re-saturate the wick.
Taking rapid draws does not allow the wick enough time to replenish the liquid, causing it to run dry near the coil. This pacing issue leads to the coil overheating the partially dry wick. Allowing a short break of five to ten seconds between puffs ensures the wick remains saturated and prevents the burnt flavor.