How to Clean a Burnt Coil

Desserts, Fruits, Sweets, Drinks, Ice, Menthol, Tobacco – with so many different flavour profiles to choose from, finding your go-to can be a difficult and time-consuming process. And when you find your perfect flavour, the last thing you want is to spoil your hit with the foul taste of a burnt coil.  

If your usual vape is tainted by the acrid taste of smoke, it’s likely that the wicking material inside your coil has been singed. Often made of cotton, the wick draws your e-liquids towards the heating element where your liquid is vaporised. When there is not enough liquid left for the coil to vaporise, your coil will continue working without the necessary fluids. This causes the wick to dry burn, causing an acrid burning taste that spoils the flavourings of your e-juice.

HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY COIL IS BURNT?

Due to the acrid, unpleasant taste of a burnt coil, you will be under no doubt that your coil is burnt. You may also notice some visible signs that your coil is burnt.

What does a burnt coil look like? 

At first glance, a burnt coil may not necessarily look any different to a normal coil. The inside wick, however, will show obvious signs of damage with singed and burnt edges.

Can you fix a burnt coil?

Though burnt coils are best to be replaced as soon as possible, the good news is that you can get a little extra life from them whilst you wait for your new coils to arrive.

STEP ONE: SOAK YOUR COILS

First thing’s first, remove your coils from your e-cig and let them soak in a bowl of hot water to loosen any residue.

STEP TWO: CLEANSE YOUR COILS (optional)

If the residue does not loosen when soaked, try adding a little lemon juice or vinegar to your bowl of hot water. Follow with an additional soak in hot water to remove any trace of lemon or vinegar that could alter the flavour of your vape juice.

STEP THREE: LEAVE TO AIR DRY

Remove your coils from the water bowl and place on a flat surface or towel where the coils can airdry.

STEP FOUR: PRIME THE COILS

Priming your coils is the best way to avoid dry hits. By soaking your coils with a small amount of your e-liquid, your wick will soak up the fluid to prevent it from burning.

STEP FIVE: REPLACE

Last but not least, put the coils back in your e-cigarette and vape as normal.

THE FINAL VERDICT

Cleaning your coils is great way to give your coils some extra life when you cannot immediately replace them with new ones. This is not a hard and fast rule, however, as, in some cases, your coils may be beyond repair. The best course of action is to keep a spare coil on hand for emergencies to make sure you are not caught without your vape.

And don’t forget, the best way to avoid the unpleasant taste is to make sure you prime your coils and always have enough liquid in your tank.