Free Next Day Delivery Over £20 | Same Day Dispatch

Uncover the reasons behind that unpleasant burnt disposable vape taste and learn how to prevent it with our handy guide! In this article, we'll delve into the causes of that nasty burnt taste to help you figure out why your disposable vape tastes burnt.
A disposable vape is a compact, all-in-one device, typically pre-filled with E-Liquid and ready to use straight out of the box. These vape pens are designed for convenience and ease, containing an E-Liquid tank and a vape coil with a wick which heats up the juice inside to create that delicious vapour.
However, sometimes users encounter an unpleasant burnt taste or dry hit while vaping, which can spoil the experience. This burnt taste is usually a symptom of an underlying problem.
So, let's delve into some reasons for that gross burnt hit and get you back to enjoying your favourite disposable vape kit.
Experiencing a burnt taste in your disposable can be quite off-putting, but it's usually avoidable. Chain vaping is the most common culprit, while low E-Liquid levels, faulty devices, or even counterfeit products can also be a factor.
If you're a chain vaper, we're sorry to say this—but that burning taste is most likely a result of your vaping style. Taking too many puffs in quick succession is a sure-fire way to kill your trusty disposable vape pen. It's easily the most common cause of that burnt flavour that vapers have come to loathe.
Chain vaping is taking long, frequent puffs without significant pauses, similar to chain smoking. But instead of lighting up cigarette after deadly cigarette, you may sit with your disposable puff bar clutched in your hand at all times, taking endless puffs without much thought. If you tend to go through more than one disposable per day, this might be your issue.
We all love a good vape sesh. And we're all guilty of vaping a bit too much too fast from time to time. But if you're already thinking of the next puff before you've exhaled your last, read on.
When you chain vape, the cotton wicking material inside the coil doesn't get enough time to soak up fresh E-Liquid between puffs, which means that the dry cotton is being subjected to the heating element of the atomizer coil inside the vape tank.
Consider the difference between holding a damp sponge over heat versus a completely dry sponge: one will steam, while the other will singe. Yikes. This is essentially what happens when you chain vape.

This results in a burnt cotton wick, which subsequently leads to that unpleasant burnt flavour. Once the wick inside your vape coil is burnt, it is permanently damaged and cannot be restored. The only remedy is a new coil, which is unfortunately impossible in the case of closed pod systems. We've all been there.
To avoid chain vaping, consider using disposable vape devices with higher nicotine strengths, like those with 20mg (2%) nic salt, which delivers a higher dose of nicotine per puff and should require fewer puffs for you to feel satisfied. Alternatively, you can deliberately try to take short puffs—though even taking slower puffs should help prevent a dry hit.
You could also consciously place your vape down between puffs to give the wick time to soak up fresh E-Liquid. Of course, this is easier said than done—but if the above tips don't help, you may need to practise some restraint when you start vaping disposable devices.
Most UK disposable vapes are designed with a built-in safety mechanism; their battery life is shorter than the amount of E-Liquid they contain, ensuring that the device runs out of power before it runs out of E-Liquid. This ensures there's always enough juice left to prevent dry hits.
However, in some cases, such as with rechargeable 0mg disposables or vapes sold outside of the UK, you may run out of E-Liquid before the battery dies, which would be the reason why your vape tastes burnt. This generally means that it's time to say goodbye and replace it with a new disposable vape pen.
If your device is tasting burnt right out of the box, this could be a manufacturing issue. While incredibly rare, faulty vapes can happen, sometimes due to manufacturing errors. These faults can cause the device to function improperly, leading to a burnt taste or a dry hit.
If you suspect your device is faulty, it's best to replace it with a new one. Check out our comprehensive range of quality-tested disposables to find a reliable replacement.
Counterfeit disposable vapes are a concerning issue. These unregulated products may contain harmful chemicals and can often deliver a burnt taste. Because they haven't been evaluated for safety and quality by the UK's regulatory bodies (TPD & MHRA), you cannot be certain of their quality, nor can you be sure what's in them.
To spot a counterfeit, check for inconsistencies in packaging, labelling, and the quality of the vapour produced. Our fake Elf Bar & Lost Mary blog post and authenticity checklist provide more details on how to differentiate a genuine product from a counterfeit one.
Identifying a burnt disposable vape is crucial to ensure a safe and enjoyable vaping experience.
Here are the key signs that your disposable vape might be burnt:
Yes. In addition to a foul taste, hitting a burnt vape could also be problematic for your health. Hitting a burnt coil can release harmful chemicals such as formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and acrolein.
Vaping a burnt disposable could lead to:
Its absolutely vital to throw your disposable vape away once it starts to taste burnt, and always make sure you're buying your e-cigarettes from a reputable company.
Understanding why your vaping device tastes burnt is the first step to preventing it, but what can you do about burnt hits? Let's explore.
Chain vaping not only quickly depletes your E-Liquid supply—it also risks dry wicks and overheating coils. Therefore, taking breaks between puffs is crucial. This downtime allows the wick to fully saturate with juice and get enough E-Liquid, reducing the risk of dry hits and burnt taste.
Keeping an eye on your consumption of E-Liquids can help prevent a burnt taste, because if there's not enough E-Liquid, there's nothing for the coil and wick to vaporise, which could be the reason your vape is tasting burnt.

Once the E-Liquid runs out, the device starts to taste burnt, signalling that it's time to replace it with a new one. Because you can't add more juice to a closed pod system, this means you'll simply have to replace it.
Most puff bar manufacturers have an verification page on their website, which allows you to input a code from the packaging to see whether the device is real. If you bought your device elsewhere, you should always check to ensure you're vaping a genuine product.
All of the products we stock are 100% genuine, sourced either from the manufacturer directly or from a trusted UK distributor. But if you're ever in any doubt, we encourage you to check the authenticity of your product via the manufacturer's official website.

So, why does your vape taste burnt?
Your disposable vape could taste burnt because:
It's important to stop vaping immediately once you get a burnt taste, as burnt hits can potentially expose you to harmful chemicals. This video demonstrates why it's imperative to avoid vaping on a burnt coil.
Remember to not chain vape, be mindful of your E-Liquids, and ensure you're using a genuine, high-quality disposable vape like the ones we stock in our shop.
By taking these precautions, you can enjoy a consistently flavourful vaping experience.

Jen Sadler is a 29-year-old vaping veteran. Thanks to a GeekVape setup, she quit smoking seven years ago and has been collecting various kits and pods ever since. With a passion for clouds and a love of Red Bull, she brings tons of knowledge and energy to her articles. On the weekends, you’ll find Jen teaching dance classes or working out at the local gym.