Taste is a driving force in any consumable, especially in cannabis, where flavors can range from sweet citrus to an earthy musk. High-quality concentrates are explicitly processed to have a rich terpene profile, making the vaping experience flavorful and fragrant. So why does my “flavorful” cartridge taste burnt?
In this blog, we’ll explain the common causes of burnt-tasting vapes and give you some solutions to stop it from happening.
What Makes A Vape Taste Burnt?
The main reason for a burnt vape taste is poor temperature control. Conductive runaway happens as the power of the vape increases, the conductive heat starts to build up which leads to a loss of control of the temperature within the vape. So, even if you set your vape to a specific temperature, it will continue to rise as the heat collects in the chamber. This increased heat causes the terpenes to boil out, leaving you with less flavor.
Terpenes exiting the cartridge doesn’t just leave you with less flavor. As the terpenes are boiled off, the oil becomes more concentrated, or viscous. The viscosity of a liquid refers to its thickness. Think of how much easier it is to pour water out of a cup than to pour honey. That’s because honey is more viscous than water.
The increased viscosity of the oil makes it harder for the oil to re-saturate the wick because thicker liquids tend to flow more slowly. If the oil doesn’t saturate properly, the wick and the concentrates overheat and become burnt.
How Can You Avoid Terpene Loss on Vape?
Well, much of it has to do with the type of vape you have. In general, store your vape in a cool place to allow it to cool down between uses. If your vape allows you to change the temperature, try a lower setting. If your vape is constantly overheating, it may be time to look for better options.
Undesirable flavor can happen in other ways besides poor temperature control. For example, chain vaping doesn’t allow the oil to saturate the wick in between hits, which burns the wick and makes every hit taste torched. That’s an easy fix – give your vape a little rest between hits.
How Do Vapes Work?
If you want to understand why your vape isn’t working correctly, you first have to learn how it’s supposed to work. Let’s start by breaking down the vape into parts:
- Battery: This is typically a lithium-ion battery, celebrated for its durability and consistent power delivery.
- Atomizer: The atomizer is the heating element, with a coil sitting at the top to conduct the heat.
- Wick: Typically made from materials like cotton, silica, or even ceramic, a good wick soaks up the oil or concentrate
- Oils/Concentrates: This is what you choose to put in your vape – the better the blend, the more exquisite the taste.
Now, let’s break down how high-quality vapes should work. To release the compounds of cannabis, you need heat, right? Vapes act like an oven, heating the concentrate until the compounds release and create vapor, instead of lighting it on fire and producing a cloud of smoke.
First, the battery turns on and activates the atomizer. The atomizer swiftly heats up in a carefully controlled ascent to the right temperature, which as we know, is crucial for achieving that perfect vapor. The wick draws the oils or concentrates, ensuring a consistent and even flow to the atomizer. The oils or concentrate is heated until compounds like cannabinoids, terpenes, and flavonoids are released into a vapor. Then, you inhale the vapor and enjoy the ride.
Choosing the Right Vape Equipment
Choosing the right vape equipment is crucial for a satisfying vaping experience. The quality of your vape device and its components directly impacts not only the flavor and smoothness of your vapor but also the overall functionality and longevity of the device.
Most importantly, the vape you choose should have adequate temperature control. Temperature is just as important in vaping as it is in cooking. You wouldn’t reheat your leftover pizza on your oven’s broil setting, so don’t let your cannabis undergo unnecessary heat.
Zone Vapor: Say Bye-Bye to Burnt Hits with OPTO!
Why do we know so much about burnt vape taste? Because we hate it as much as you do! That’s why we’ve developed the best cannabis vape experience on the planet: OPTO.
Our three easy-to-use modes deliver the perfect hit every time. Are you looking to tap into the flavor of your concentrates? Use the flavor mode. Are you looking for a big, boisterous hit? Try out our vapor mode. If you’re looking for the best of both worlds, we have zone mode for that.
What makes OPTO so different is how it accounts for conductive runaway. All three settings heat up to the optimal temperature but slowly lower the wattage to balance out the heat buildup. If you’re concerned about your oil being too thick, our pre-heat setting ensures it flows properly to prevent the wick from burning.
No complex devices—no burnt taste—no worries! Be sure to check out our online shop to experience the best.
*The contents of this blog are intended for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of a physician or other qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.*