A burnt taste can have several causes. Check the fitted coil or pod, saturation, liquid and supported settings before continuing to use the device. Whether you use a pod kit or a device with a separate tank and coil, the cause typically comes down to how your coil interacts with your e-liquid. Below, we cover five possible reasons your vape tastes burnt and exactly what to do about each one. If your coil is past saving, Vapesoko stocks replacement coils and replacement pods for all major brands, delivered across Kenya.
1. You Did Not Prime Your Coil or Pod
A wick that has not saturated can scorch when the device fires and cause a persistent burnt taste. Follow the exact coil, cartridge and device first-fill instructions; this is a possible cause, not a measured ranking of all burnt-taste failures.
How to prime a new coil:
- Apply 3 to 5 drops of e-liquid directly onto the exposed cotton ports on the side and top of the coil.
- Install the coil and fill your tank or pod with liquid.
- Let the filled assembly stand for the first-fill duration specified in the exact coil and device instructions before firing.
- Take a few gentle draws without pressing the fire button (if your device has one) to pull liquid into the wick.
- Start at a low wattage and gradually increase to your preferred setting.
For pod systems like the UWELL Caliburn A3 or the SMOK Novo 5, fill through the correct port and wait for the first-fill duration in the exact supplied instructions before your first draw. The coil sealed inside the pod needs time to soak through.
2. Your Wattage Is Too High
Every coil has a recommended wattage range printed on its side or listed in the device manual. Running above that range forces the coil to heat faster than the wick can deliver liquid, creating dry spots that burn.
What to do:
- Check the wattage range printed on your coil. A 0.6 ohm coil might recommend 15 to 25W, for example.
- Start at the lower end of the range and work upward until you find a comfortable draw.
- If your device has a colour screen (like the Caliburn G4 or VOOPOO Drag S2), check the operating-power display according to its instructions. On simpler draw-activated pods, power may be managed automatically, but the fitted cartridge, liquid compatibility and supported operating limits still matter.
3. You Are Chain Vaping
Taking puff after puff without pausing gives your wick no time to re-saturate. The cotton dries out mid-session, and the next hit tastes burnt even though the coil is still relatively new.
What to do:
- Wait 15 to 30 seconds between puffs. This sounds simple, but it makes a real difference in coil life.
- Keep the wick supplied with compatible liquid and follow the fitted coil’s power and first-fill instructions. Pause between draws as directed. For SMOK Nord 5, choose the exact supported RPM 3 coil.
4. Your E-Liquid Level Is Too Low
When the liquid in your pod or tank drops below the wick inlet holes, the wick cannot stay saturated. You might get a few normal puffs followed by a harsh, dry hit.
What to do:
- Keep your pod or tank at least a quarter full at all times.
- Refill before the liquid drops to the level of the coil's intake ports. Most pods are translucent or have a window, so a glance is all it takes.
- If you are running low on liquid, order your favourite nicotine salt or freebase e-liquid from Vapesoko and have it delivered in Nairobi within 15 to 90 minutes.
5. Your Coil Is Old and Needs Replacing
Coils are consumable parts. Follow the fitted coil’s power, liquid and replacement guidance; neither liquid colour nor a flavour category sets a verified one-to-three-week interval.
Signs your coil needs replacing:
- Persistent burnt or muted flavour, even after reducing wattage and letting the wick soak.
- Noticeably less vapour production than when the coil was fresh.
- A darker colour to the liquid in your tank, caused by residue leaching back from the coil.
- Gurgling or spitting, which can indicate the coil's cotton has degraded.
When it is time for a new coil, grab one from the replacement coils page at Vapesoko. If your device uses pods with built-in coils (like the Caliburn A3 pods or the Novo 5 pods ), you replace the entire pod rather than just the coil inside it.
Quick Reference
- New coil or pod: For a removable coil, prime exposed wicking ports only as instructed. For an integrated-coil pod, fill through its port without trying to expose the sealed wick. Wait for the exact instructed first-fill duration and avoid activation during priming.
- Wattage: Stay within the coil's recommended range.
- Chain vaping: Pause 15 to 30 seconds between puffs.
- Low liquid: Refill before the level drops below the wick holes.
- Old or damaged coil: Check liquid supply, supported settings and component condition. Replace a damaged or persistently burnt coil or integrated pod according to its instructions.
If you have tried all five fixes and the burnt taste persists, the coil itself may be faulty. Swap it for a fresh one. Vapesoko carries replacement coils and replacement pods for UWELL, SMOK, VOOPOO, VAPORESSO and other brands. Browse the full range of pod kits if you are considering an upgrade.
How to Order from Vapesoko
Payment is accepted via M-Pesa and cash on delivery. Vapesoko is an online-only retailer. Delivery within Nairobi typically takes 15 to 90 minutes. Major towns including Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru, Eldoret and Naivasha receive orders by the next business day. The rest of Kenya is covered within 1 to 2 business days. Orders meeting the current Nairobi free-delivery threshold within Nairobi qualify for free delivery.
You must be 18 or older to purchase. Age is verified before dispatch, and our riders may ask for identification upon delivery.
Last updated: October 2026