Constant Burnt Taste?

[HexDemon666]

I've searched all over Google and this forum for the answer, though I can't guarantee I've read everything, so I apologize if this has been answered before.

I constantly get a burnt taste from vaping and little flavor. I've read all about dead taste buds and whatnot, and I've tried the fixes. Not only has none of it seemed to really work, but my taste buds don't seem "dead" so much as they seem burnt. I've tried multiple tanks (Kanger ProTank, Kanger Evod, Vivi Nova (mini and now the regular)), multiple wicks (or whatever the proper term it is for them; my current is a BRAND NEW wick in my new Vivi Nova tank), even multiple batteries, some standard 3.7, and an adjustable one at varying levels of voltage, and multiple flavors and brands of E Liquid. Nothing I've done has seemed to fix this problem. Chocolate, more water, brushing my teeth, using mouth wash, smoking analogs, etc.

I've been vaping for a couple months now and it only recently started happening about 2-3 weeks ago. I can taste menthol fine, but it's still accompanied by a very foul burnt/metallic taste and a sharp aftertaste (as with every other flavor), but other flavors taste very weak, especially in the presence of the burnt taste. I usually stick to sweetier, fruitier flavors (I get sick of the dessert type flavors and haven't used those in a long time), so no cinnamon or any of that which apparently can lead to this problem.

I just got my new setup in the mail, thinking that might do the trick. I have a Vivi Nova tank, with a BOLT battery mod (not the anodized version and with no extension; just the standard 18500 battery), and I'm not sure on the wick (it came with the tank, but I believe I read it was 1.8 ohms). I got a whole plethora of e liquids from a company called Tasty Vapors, all 30/70 VG/PG ratio and sweetened. I have a handful of them that have steeped long enough, but to be safe, I still went for the flavor that requires 1 day of steeping (it's been 4 days since it was originally made). I even let the wicks soak up for a few minutes, tipped and turned the tank around, and when that didn't work, tried heating the atomizer up a bit without taking any drags just to make sure it was hot enough. It smells delicious, so it should taste delicious, right?

Well, after all that--testing all kinds of variations and even buying a whole new setup (don't get me wrong, I needed a new one; it wasn't just for this)--everything STILL tastes burnt and bitter with almost no flavor. There's just enough flavor for me to get an idea of what it should taste like--that's it. I'm hoping I've just been searching the wrong terms and that this is common enough for there to be an answer for me. I can't stand the smell or taste that comes with analogs anymore and I want to get away from them, but I enjoy the feeling of smoking (or vaping), so this is a perfect way to get the satisfaction of smoking without kicking cigarettes or nicotine in general.

Hopefully someone can give me some clues as to why everything tastes not just bland, but burnt, metallic, and overall disgusting. Thanks!

 

[HoracePinker]

I wish i had an answer for you.. but the only advice that i can give is if you have a vape shop anywhere close to you, stop by and taste everything you can.. Personally.. i go to as many as i can..

Taste is subjective. I have found that i can't vape certain vendors juices while one of my buddies absolutely loves that same juice that i cant stomach.. to answer your question about smell Vs. taste... I have some juices here that their smell makes me want to drink them.. soo soo good.. but the vape is horrendous.. lol.

I guess all i am trying to say is that I too went through a period that all that i could taste was menthol.. so that is what i did..

 

[Fred Garvin]

It can be easy to burn a new wick/coil. Once it's burnt, it's ruined.

I went down the mod path for a while.....VV/VW and different ohm coils....using the charts to get a certain watts, going to the hot side trying to get more vapor...all that....many different settings and combos.

For me, I've found from 15 months of vaping 100%....I prefer a standard 900mah battery regulated to 3.5.....and a 2.4 ohm coil. The 1.8's burn too easy, 2.2's not as bad....but the 2.4's you can stay on the button pretty good an not burn.

When I start a new coil....I let it soak for at least 10 minutes. Just put it aside and sit....battery isn't even turned on for accidental firings. After 10 minutes, I 5 click and turn on, then the first time I hit the button for maybe 1/2 second and get a quick burn and light drag. Let it sit a few minutes and do it again. Gradually increase the burn time and in about 30 minutes I'm up to full use for the week I keep the coil. This puts a light burn on, let's it re-soak well, then another light burn and good soak.....over and over so the burn won't exceed the capillary action of the wick and cause a dry burn.....get a dry burn and it's ruined.

That's what works for me.....everyone has their own techniques....and I've burned/ruined my fair share of coils before I figured out that routine. Also, when you get off the button, keep on pulling to clear out the coil/tube....don't leave any vape behind to settle on the mechanism.

 

[Ladiekali]

Try soaking e erything in vodka over night, let it air dry and start vaping again. It worked for me. I almost gave up vaping entirely. I cant swear to anything but it was like there must have been a coating in my tongue or something i dont know. Coulda been a fluke. Bit i reccomended that to another person who was getting that taste too and it worked for them. It got rid of that nasty taste.

I ecen had burnt taste on new tanks! So i dont know worth trying.

 

[DetraMental]

I wish I knew the right terminology but here goes: the atty head sometimes gets pushed down on the wicks and pinches them which doesn't allow proper wicking. This in turn causes dry/burnt hits. Solution: I take them off, trim the rubber slightly, and put it back on. I had a whole batch of clearomizers do this and had to trim all of them, it worked like a charm. Also, if the coiled wire inside the atty (atomizer) is touching the sides of the inner metal you will get the burnt taste. If this is the case gently move it away from the inner side. Good Luck!

 

[z00te]

i noticed one thing about vaping is that if you get a burnt taste it comes from the wick. if you you fire up your MOD and the wick is dry and the voltage or wattage is set wrong you will burn a wick.

 

[Katya]

Hi Hex and welcome to the forum.

A. If you're using clearos and getting a burnt taste it means that not enough juice is getting to the coil and you're basically vaping dry, hot air or inhaling smoke from the gunk that's burning off of your coil. Not a good thing.

B. You can't burn the wicks that come with your coil--they are silica rope and pretty much flameproof, at least at the temperatures our coils generate. If you don't believe me, watch this video:



C. There are a few things you need to remember when using a T3 or an eVod or a ProTank--in addition to keeping your coils clean and free of gunk that accumulates on them.

1) Make sure that the atomizer coil is screwed into the base tightly--every time you refill; they often come not fully tightened from the manufacturer, or may have gotten loose through repeated refills.

2) Look at all the inner seals and gaskets to make sure they haven't become dislodged.

3) Make sure that you screw the tank into its base tightly. If it's not tight, it will leak.

4) When you screw your clearomizer into your battery, do not overtighten--screw it in only until it makes contact--no farther, or you may push the center post in too deep and cause all kinds of problems, including leaking. When the draw becomes tight or the taste and vapor production begin to diminish, replace the coil. This will happen sooner (even as soon as one day of heavy use) if you're using dark, viscous, or very sweet juices. The old coil can be cleaned and dry burned.

5) Make sure you're not getting any juice in the center tube when you're filling--this will cause your eVod to leak like a sieve. If some juice gets into the tube, close the top cap, place a tissue under your tank and blow gently through the clearomizer to get rid of any excess eliquid. Also, extra condensation inside the tank may, on some occasions, drip back into the center tube. Wipe your mouthpiece dry with a q-tip or a tissue when you refill (or more often when/if needed).

6) Take an occasional "primer puff" (a slow draw without activating the battery) when you vape. It helps move the juice into the coil chamber and removes any air bubbles that sometimes form in the tank and may cause gurgling or impede proper wicking.

7) Take slow long draws rather than sharp and quick ones like we used to do while smoking cigarettes.

and last but not least

8) Do not remove any flavor wicks if you're experiencing any leaking or flooding. Those wicks are there for a reason. If you feel that you have to remove a wick because your eliquid is particularly thick, do it carefully--one strand at a time.

Good luck and happy vaping!

 

[Rickajho]

Ok, a few general things come to mind from your post:

Any of these setups: if you do a "user error" and trash the wick/coil that pretty much does it. Until you clean that particular coil nothing will taste right after that. I don't like using the word "burn" in this case because you really cannot burn the wick. But if you run the setup with a wick that goes dry you burn crud from your liquid into the wick. From that point on you anything you taste is vapor + that crud being burned when the coil heats up.

Vivi Novas have their own quirks. If they aren't assembled properly you can have a hot spot on the coil causing a problem. If parts aren't in their correct places you can get a burned rubber taste. Some of the Vivi Nova users will need to help out on this one.

With the Kanger BCC stuff the worst thing you can do is start them at too high a voltage. They don't need it, especially with a new coil and double especially with a 1.8 ohm coil. Even 3.7 volts can be too much for a 1.8 ohm Kanger and make things go harsh. You want to start 1.8 ohm Kangers at 3.2 volts and only increase if needed. I won't even use 1.8 ohm Kangers, preferring the 2.2 ohm to allow for room to adjust the voltage around the resistance of the coil.

In general, if it's tasting harsh or burned and you are pushing the voltage up trying to fix it - you are heading in the wrong direction.

 

[StarsAndBars]

A lot of juices taste burnt to me, even juice that many people keep raving about. In fact most juice either taste burnt or has a strange chemical taste. There are only a few vendors I can order juice from because of this. I know this may not help with your issue but you are not the only one. This is why I tend to stick to the same vendor once I've found a juice that doesn't taste the way I described. God luck to you man.

 

[Katya]

Ok, a few general things come to mind from your post:

Any of these setups: if you do a "user error" and trash the wick/coil that pretty much does it. Until you clean that particular coil nothing will taste right after that. I don't like using the word "burn" in this case because you really cannot burn the wick. But if you run the setup with a wick that goes dry you burn crud from your liquid into the wick. From that point on you anything you taste is vapor + that crud being burned when the coil heats up.

Vivi Novas have their own quirks. If they aren't assembled properly you can have a hot spot on the coil causing a problem. If parts aren't in their correct places you can get a burned rubber taste. Some of the Vivi Nova users will need to help out on this one.

With the Kanger BCC stuff the worst thing you can do is start them at too high a voltage. They don't need it, especially with a new coil and double especially with a 1.8 ohm coil. Even 3.7 volts can be too much for a 1.8 ohm Kanger and make things go harsh. You want to start 1.8 ohm Kangers at 3.2 volts and only increase if needed. I won't even use 1.8 ohm Kangers, preferring the 2.2 ohm to allow for room to adjust the voltage around the resistance of the coil.

In general, if it's tasting harsh or burned and you are pushing the voltage up trying to fix it - you are heading in the wrong direction.

Yup! What he said! All those clearos with their small wicks and small coils can't handle high wattages very well--they just can't deliver enough juice to the hot coil fast enough! I agree that they perform best at 5-6.5 watts or so, which just happens to be my sweet spot.

Thanks Rickajho!

[Note to self--add wattage to the master list. ]

 

[Rickajho]

A lot of juices taste burnt to me, even juice that many people keep raving about. In fact most juice either taste burnt or has a strange chemical taste. There are only a few vendors I can order juice from because of this. I know this may not help with your issue but you are not the only one. This is why I tend to stick to the same vendor once I've found a juice that doesn't taste the way I described. God luck to you man.

That is another point that seems to be in the OP's post if I'm reading into it right. They have a pile 'o liquids - all from the same place. This could also be a matter of just a few days of "tongue recovery", losing that coating that comes from smoking, and what liquids started out as great or at least ok are now tasting... not so much. If there is something in the nic or base liquid that the OP is now picking up on that wasn't so evident when they first started using them, nothing can fix that if all the liquids are from the same vendor. It's time, at the very least, to get one liquid from some other place and compare.

 

[StarsAndBars]

That is another point that seems to be in the OP's post if I'm reading into it right. They have a pile 'o liquids - all from the same place. This could also be a matter of just a few days of "tongue recovery", losing that coating that comes from smoking, and what liquids started out as great or at least ok are now tasting... not so much. If there is something in the nic or base liquid that the OP is now picking up on that wasn't so evident when they first started using them, nothing can fix that if all the liquids are from the same vendor. It's time, at the very least, to get one liquid from some other place and compare.

My tongue has taken three years to recover? Lol

 

[Katya]

I
I just got my new setup in the mail, thinking that might do the trick. I have a Vivi Nova tank, with a BOLT battery mod (not the anodized version and with no extension; just the standard 18500 battery), and I'm not sure on the wick (it came with the tank, but I believe I read it was 1.8 ohms). I got a whole plethora of e liquids from a company called Tasty Vapors, all 30/70 VG/PG ratio and sweetened. I have a handful of them that have steeped long enough, but to be safe, I still went for the flavor that requires 1 day of steeping (it's been 4 days since it was originally made). I even let the wicks soak up for a few minutes, tipped and turned the tank around, and when that didn't work, tried heating the atomizer up a bit without taking any drags just to make sure it was hot enough. It smells delicious, so it should taste delicious, right?

I see another potential problem here. ViVi Nova is a top coil model and those have all kinds of wicking issues due to the position of the coil--they need to be constantly tilted or turned upside down in order to facilitate wicking. And Tasty Vapor's juices tend to be very heavy, sweet, and generally not coil-friendly.

 

[HexDemon666]

That is another point that seems to be in the OP's post if I'm reading into it right. They have a pile 'o liquids - all from the same place. This could also be a matter of just a few days of "tongue recovery", losing that coating that comes from smoking, and what liquids started out as great or at least ok are now tasting... not so much. If there is something in the nic or base liquid that the OP is now picking up on that wasn't so evident when they first started using them, nothing can fix that if all the liquids are from the same vendor. It's time, at the very least, to get one liquid from some other place and compare.

Not quite. I used to use pretty much exclusively Two Peas in a Pod brand (it was the most abundant brand at a local vape shop, and had the best flavors). After initially running into this problem, I took the advice I had read and decided to start with a new company and ordered an assortment of flavors so I could regularly switch as needed. Unfortunately, the very first flavor I tried gave me the same burnt taste I was getting from the previous brand. Of course, it could be what others have mentioned and that most brands might have a bad taste and I need to find that special one (or few) that don't cause problems. I guess I'll have to check out all the other suggestions before searching for another e liquid brand.

Also, thanks to everyone for all the great suggestions. It's quite possible I did burn out this coil right away and I've read before about possibly trimming some of them, so I'll definitely be looking into doing that. I also know that the varying resistances of the coils can change flavor, so I ordered an assortment (1.5, 1.8. 2.0, and 2.4), so we'll see if one of those doesn't give me a better taste.

 

[HexDemon666]

I see another potential problem here. ViVi Nova is a top coil model and those have all kinds of wicking issues due to the position of the coil--they need to be constantly tilted or turned upside down in order to facilitate wicking. And Tasty Vapor's juices tend to be very heavy, sweet, and generally not coil-friendly.

Possibly, but I never had this issue with my old Vivi Nova mini. Of course, it could've been just because I was newer to vaping, and of course I was using a different brand, but it wasn't until after I switched to the Kanger tank that I started getting this (though it wasn't right away; was fine for a couple weeks). Obviously I don't know what the cause it yet, but the Kanger is a bottom coil and if I had the problem there, I'd assume that's not the issue. But I thought maybe it was an issue with the bottom coil setup which is why I opted to return to the Vivi Nova--with no luck.

 

[Katya]

Possibly, but I never had this issue with my old Vivi Nova mini. Of course, it could've been just because I was newer to vaping, and of course I was using a different brand, but it wasn't until after I switched to the Kanger tank that I started getting this (though it wasn't right away; was fine for a couple weeks). Obviously I don't know what the cause it yet, but the Kanger is a bottom coil and if I had the problem there, I'd assume that's not the issue. But I thought maybe it was an issue with the bottom coil setup which is why I opted to return to the Vivi Nova--with no luck.

How often do you clean or replace the coils in your Kangers?

 

[HexDemon666]

How often do you clean or replace the coils in your Kangers?

When the flavor initially started going bad, it was about a day or so after getting my Kanger. I figured it was due to using a slightly higher voltage (4) on my new VV battery, so I thought nothing of it. I cleaned it and kept using it for another day. Problem returned, swapped it out for a new one, it lasted about a day and a half. I got to my third coil when I started mixing it up with analogs and I found the flavor was returning from time to time (so I figured just dead taste buds). But eventually it just consistently tasted like crap and, after dropping my e cig and managing to break my battery (somehow; it stopped working completely), I decided to get a new battery and try the Vivi Nova again. Been smoking analogs for about a week, my new stuff finally showed up in the mail, and it tasted like garbage from the first draw.

In other words, I don't think it's due to a dirty coil. I mean, it could be that I burnt some of that gunk onto it right away, but prior to all this, I always maintained my coils. Would clean them every time the flavor started to deaden/burn, or just after I'd finish a tank (because why not).

 

[fabricator4]

Possibly, but I never had this issue with my old Vivi Nova mini. Of course, it could've been just because I was newer to vaping, and of course I was using a different brand, but it wasn't until after I switched to the Kanger tank that I started getting this (though it wasn't right away; was fine for a couple weeks). Obviously I don't know what the cause it yet, but the Kanger is a bottom coil and if I had the problem there, I'd assume that's not the issue. But I thought maybe it was an issue with the bottom coil setup which is why I opted to return to the Vivi Nova--with no luck.

There can be many reasons, and since you're using a range of clearomisers you're probably running into most of them. I've put all the CE5s and Vivis away and now exclusively use bottom coil devices like the protanks. The most common complaint with these is a burnt taste, and the most common reason is that there's a tendency to turn them up too high. I second the suggestion to use 2.2 ohm coils in BCC devices, and recommend you stay at 6.5 watts as the maximum. Here's a blog I wrote recently, and it has a chart of recommended voltages for different resistance coils for both 6 watts and 6.5 watts. It should give you some good ideas:

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/blogs/fabricator4/5045-bottom-coil-clearomizers.html

You'll probably need to replace any burn heads that you have and give the devices a good clean.

 

[Katya]

I'm really stumped. You seem to be doing everything right...

And I'm sorry, Hex--I happen to love my Kanger BCCs. And I just saw this thread--obviously I'm not the only one.

http://www.e-cigarette-forum.com/forum/ego-type-models/470120-top-5-tops.html#post10736382

 

[Ryedan]

I constantly get a burnt taste from vaping and little flavor. I've read all about dead taste buds and whatnot, and I've tried the fixes. Not only has none of it seemed to really work, but my taste buds don't seem "dead" so much as they seem burnt. I've tried multiple tanks (Kanger ProTank, Kanger Evod, Vivi Nova (mini and now the regular)), multiple wicks (or whatever the proper term it is for them; my current is a BRAND NEW wick in my new Vivi Nova tank), even multiple batteries, some standard 3.7, and an adjustable one at varying levels of voltage, and multiple flavors and brands of E Liquid. Nothing I've done has seemed to fix this problem. Chocolate, more water, brushing my teeth, using mouth wash, smoking analogs, etc.

I've been vaping for a couple months now and it only recently started happening about 2-3 weeks ago.

HexDemon, you are doing everything right and have covered all the bases as far as I can tell. I think it's not the hardware, the juices or your technique. After ruling those things out, what is left for me are your taste buds. I would try vaping non-flavored juice. It would be interesting to see if that tasted burnt to you. If not, I would vape it for a few days and then try flavored again. I'm reaching here, but it's all I can think of.