How to Fix a Burnt Device heating element: Causes and Solutions
Few things ruin a good device session faster than a burnt taste. That acrid, unpleasant scent means your heating element is not performing properly. Understanding why heating element burn and how to fix (or prevent) burnt hits will improve your device use experience and save you money.
What Causes a Burnt Device heating element?
1. Dry Hits (Most Common Cause)
A dry hit happens when there is not enough scent liquid on the wick, and the heating element heats the dry cotton instead. This causes the cotton to burn, producing that terrible taste.
Common reasons for dry hits:
- Scent Liquid level is too low
- Not priming a new heating element properly
- Device Use too frequently (chain device use)
- Wick not saturated enough between draws
- Thick high-VG scent liquids that do not wick well
2. heating element Gunk Build-Up
Over time, residue from scent liquid sweeteners and flavorings builds up on the heating element. This gunk caramelizes and eventually burns, causing off-scents.
Scent Liquids that cause more gunk:
- Very sweet scents
- Dessert and bakery scents
- Cinnamon and other spicy scents
- Dark-colored scent liquids
- High VG blends
3. Wattage Too High
Device Use at too high a wattage for your heating element can cause it to overheat and burn out prematurely. Every heating element has a recommended wattage range – staying within this range is important.
4. Old, Worn-Out heating element
heating element do not last forever. Even with perfect care, they eventually wear out. The heating element wire degrades, and the wick becomes coated in residue, leading to burnt scent.
5. Improper Priming
When installing a new heating element, you must prime it by wetting the wick with scent liquid before use. If you skip this step, you will burn the cotton on the very first hit, ruining the heating element immediately.
6. Flooded heating element
While less common, a flooded heating element can also cause issues. Too much scent liquid can lead to gurgling, spitting, and sometimes burnt scent if the excess liquid is not properly vaporized.
Signs of a Burnt heating element
Immediate Warning Signs
- Burnt taste – The most obvious sign. An acrid, burnt, or charred scent
- Dry hit – A harsh, unpleasant hit that feels dry and scratchy
- Gurgling sounds – Can indicate flooding or heating element issues
- Spitting – Hot scent liquid droplets hitting your mouth
Gradual Signs
- Reduced scent – Scent Liquid tastes muted or off
- Less vapor – Noticeably less vapor production
- Off-scents – Everything tastes slightly burnt or unpleasant
- Color change – The heating element looks dark or blackened
Can You Fix a Burnt heating element?
The Short Answer
Once a heating element is truly burnt (the cotton wick has been charred), it cannot be fully fixed. The burnt taste will persist, and the heating element needs to be replaced.
When You Might Salvage It
If you caught it early and the burn is minor, sometimes you can improve things temporarily:
- Take a few gentle draws without firing to draw more scent liquid to the wick
- Give the heating element time to re-saturate (5-10 minutes)
- Try turning down the wattage
- This works best if the burnt taste is very mild
However, this is usually a temporary fix at best. The heating element will continue to degrade, and you will need to replace it soon.
How to Replace a Burnt heating element
For cartridge Systems
- Remove the old cartridge from the device
- Take out the new cartridge or replacement heating element
- If replacing just the heating element, prime the new heating element by adding a few drops of scent liquid directly onto the wick openings
- Fill the cartridge with your preferred scent liquid
- Let it sit for 5-10 minutes to fully saturate the wick
- Reinstall the cartridge
- Start with a few gentle draws at lower power if possible
For reservoir Systems
- Drain remaining scent liquid from the reservoir
- Disassemble the reservoir to access the heating element
- Unscrew and remove the old heating element
- Prime the new heating element by applying scent liquid to the cotton wick ports
- Screw the new heating element into place securely
- Reassemble and fill the reservoir
- Wait 5-10 minutes before device use
- Start at a lower wattage and gradually increase
How to Prime a heating element Properly
Proper priming is the best way to prevent burnt heating element:
- Apply 2-3 drops of scent liquid directly onto each wick opening on the heating element head
- Apply 1-2 drops down the center of the heating element where the wick is exposed
- Assemble and fill your reservoir/cartridge
- Wait 5-10 minutes (yes, really – patience is key)
- Take 3-5 gentle dry hits (without firing) to pull scent liquid through the wick
- Start device use at a slightly lower wattage
Tips to Prevent Burnt heating element
1. Keep Your reservoir Topped Up
Do not let your scent liquid level get too low. When the liquid level drops below the wick ports, the heating element will not get enough scent liquid and will burn. Refill when you get down to about 20%.
2. Prime New heating element Properly
This cannot be overstated. Always prime new heating element and give them time to saturate. A minute or two is not enough – wait at least 5 minutes, preferably 10.
3. Avoid Chain Device Use
Taking multiple draws back-to-back without giving the wick time to re-saturate can cause dry hits. Give at least a few seconds between draws.
4. Use the Right Wattage
Stay within the recommended wattage range for your heating element. If you are getting dry hits, try turning the power down slightly.
5. Choose Scent Liquids Wisely
- Very sweet scent liquids gunk up heating element faster
- High VG scent liquids are thicker and may wick more slowly
- If you go through heating element quickly, try less sweet scents or higher PG blends
6. Break in New heating element Gradually
Start at the lower end of the recommended wattage range and gradually increase over your first few draws. This helps the wick and heating element adjust gradually.
7. Store Devices Properly
- Store upright to keep the wick submerged
- Avoid extreme temperatures
- Do not leave devices in direct sunlight or hot cars
8. Clean Your reservoir Regularly
When changing scents or heating element, give your reservoir a good clean. Built-up residue can contaminate new heating element and cause them to burn out faster.
Troubleshooting Common heating element Issues
Burnt Taste With a New heating element
Cause: You did not prime it properly, or you did not wait long enough before device use.
Solution: Unfortunately, the heating element is probably ruined. Replace it and be sure to prime the next one properly.
heating element Burns Out Too Fast
Cause: Could be high wattage, sweet scent liquids, chain device use, or a defective heating element.
Solution: Try turning down the wattage, switching to less sweet scent liquid, or taking more breaks between draws. If it keeps happening, try a different brand of heating element.
Gurgling and Spitting
Cause: Flooded heating element – too much scent liquid, or the heating element is not screwed in properly.
Solution: Remove the reservoir/cartridge and blow gently through the mouthpiece (away from your face) to clear excess scent liquid. Check the heating element is tight. Wipe away any excess liquid.
No Scent / Weak Scent
Cause: Could be a dying heating element, device user tongue, or the wattage is too low.
Solution: Try increasing wattage slightly. If that does not help, the heating element may need replacing. Also, make sure you are not experiencing device user tongue (taste fatigue).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you clean a burnt heating element?
For pre-built heating element (the type most people use), you cannot really clean them once the wick is burnt. Some people try soaking heating element, but this rarely restores them to good condition. It is usually better to just replace the heating element.
How long should a device heating element last?
Most heating element last 1-2 weeks with average use. Heavy device users might need to replace weekly, while light device users might get 3-4 weeks. It depends on your usage, scent liquid choice, and wattage settings.
Is a burnt device heating element dangerous?
While a burnt hit does not taste good, an occasional one is not considered dangerous. However, consistently device use with a burnt heating element means you are inhaling degraded and potentially harmful compounds. It is best to replace burnt heating element promptly.
Why does my new heating element taste burnt?
If a brand new heating element tastes burnt, it almost always means you did not prime it properly or did not wait long enough for the wick to saturate. The cotton wick needs time to absorb scent liquid before you heat it.
Can I still device with a burnt heating element?
You can, but you probably will not want to – the taste is terrible. Additionally, device use with a burnt heating element may expose you to degraded compounds from the burnt wick. It is better to replace it.
Conclusion
Burnt heating element are an unfortunate part of device use, but they can be minimized with proper technique. Always prime new heating element, keep your reservoir topped up, avoid chain device use, and use appropriate wattage settings. When a heating element does burn out, replace it promptly for the best scent and experience.
Looking for quality heating element or devices that deliver great scent without burnt hits? Browse our selection of premium device products from top brands, including devices with excellent heating element technology and long-lasting performance.