There’s nothing worse than having your perfect vape flavor ruined by a burnt hit as a result of compromised coils.
Fortunately, there are ways to remedy the situation and get you back to enjoying your vape in no time.
It’s important to start by understanding how a vape coil works to avoid things like dry hits and getting an unpleasant taste coming from your device.
The two main types of vape atomizer coils are high resistance and low resistance coils.
They function based on wattage settings so one of the best ways to prevent burnt coils is to adjust your wattage based on the recommendations for your device.
Some vape coils work best at lower wattages (30 watts, for example), while others work well with 200 watts or more.
Contents
How Long Can You Vape With a Burnt Coil?
If your coil produces some burnt hits and the flavor isn’t too bad, you can temporarily use a burnt coil. It may not taste as good as a new coil, but you still can get some use out of it.
A burnt coil may not produce an extreme burnt taste until it’s used for an extended period of time.
Five Easy Ways To Prevent a Burnt Coil
Two primary indicators signal that you need to replace your coil. The first is when your e-liquid begins to taste burnt or unpleasant.
The second indicator is when vapor production plummets.
If the vapor from the device tastes burnt, this means there is a lack of resistance in the coil. The issue is usually caused by two things: improper priming or dry burns.
There are several ways to avoid a burnt coil. Here are the five most popular methods:
- Change the coil immediately
- Switch to the recommended wattage for your device
- Use a lower strength e-liquid and avoid vegetable glycerin
- Switch e-liquid flavor
- Add extra wick and clean wicking holes regularly
What Type of E- Juice is Best for Vaping with a Burnt Coil?
The best e-juice for vaping with bad coils are those with higher vegetable glycerine (VG) content or it may become too runny.
Secondly, it’s best to avoid an e-juice with a high nicotine strength because you’ll experience less flavor and vapor production when vaping with compromised coils.
How and When to Change Your Vaporizer Coil
Cleaning a vape device extends the life of the coils. Regular priming of the tank and tank cleaning helps coils last longer too.
There are three commonly used cleaning methods:
- Water method
Use warm water to remove build-ups.
2. Rubbing alcohol/ vodka method
Soak the burnt cotton of the device in neutral grain alcohol such as vodka.
3. Ultrasonic cleaner
Commonly used for jewelry cleaning, an ultrasonic cleaner is a good device for cleaning vape equipment.
Most coils are designed to last between one week to a month depending on one’s vaping routine. The time period for changing them also depends on how you clean and maintain the device.
A slightly off-tasting vapor or reduced vaper production often signals the need to change a coil.
Coils may be replaced as often as once a week if used frequently, or monthly for devices with light use.
Is Vaping on a Burnt Coil Dangerous to Your Health?
Vaping with a worn coil does not heighten the health risks associated with vaping.
When the coil resistance drops, it doesn’t increase exposure to harmful chemicals like propylene glycol.
As long as you’re careful with how much e-liquid you drip in the vape tank and only use a recommended wattage or a lower VG juice, then you’re still vaping safely.
Unless one is traveling, has no access to a vape store, or waiting for a new pack of vape coils, vaping with burnt coils is not recommended.
Though vaping with a burnt coil won’t cause lasting harm, it may cause you to choke or vomit immediately after vaping.
You may experience an allergic reaction such as the oxidation of nickel coils. This is of significant concern but only to nickel allergic vapers who use this coil material.
Burnt or dry hits contain high levels of toxic chemicals. In addition, scientific tests report vaping may cause slight respiratory problems if inhaled in considerable amounts.
One study by the Roswell Park Cancer Institute (RPCI) found vape juice contains harmful chemicals which are released into the air when it’s exhaled. The toxicity level varies according to the type of flavors used and the different flavors of vape juice.
This problem is induced by particles that stick on the vapor and are ingested. Vapers would have to use burnt coils for a very long time to affect their health.
Kanthal coils contain chromium. Chromium is highly toxic when inhaled. Research shows that one would need to inhale a considerable amount of chromium to affect their health.
Doctors have conducted studies on the safety of coils when they burn out. According to Professor David Thickett, vaping is 95 percent safer than smoking cigarettes.
There is minimal risk when your coil burns out because it doesn’t create more toxic chemicals in a dry hit.
After the coil burns out, you’re not going to get sick from a dry hit unless your tank is cracked and leaking toxic e juice.
Coil material is also a minor safety concern. According to a study conducted by Professor Igor Burstyn in 2014, vaping does not release any amount of lead, nickel, or chromium with at least five times more sensitivity than smoking.
Boron is the riskiest material in terms of potential harm, but that’s only if you’re vaping at extremely high temperatures for extended periods.
Vape oil contains traces of metals, but that’s something you can’t avoid – even if you’re vaping a PG-based liquid.
The amount of metals is only 0.001 parts per million, which is well under the USP limit of 1 ppm for pharmaceuticals.
Conclusion
Vaping with worn-out or burnt coils is never recommended. The result is a bad taste and leaking of e-liquid in some circumstances.
You can temporarily vape with a bad coil by using e-juice with a high VG content and low nicotine level.