A coil that lasts a week is not necessarily faulty. One that tastes burnt after a single day, however, is usually telling you something.
There is no honest one-number answer for coil life. A replacement coil should normally last at least a few days and can keep working considerably longer. The result depends on your liquid, power setting, puff pattern, and whether the wick was saturated before the first use.
Judge the coil by performance
Replace a coil when the flavor becomes persistently burnt or unpleasant, not because it has reached an arbitrary age. Faded flavor, weaker vapor with a charged battery, or dark residue around the wick can also indicate that the heating surface is spent.
One weak puff does not automatically mean the coil is dead. Check the battery, liquid level, airflow, and pod connection before opening another pack.
Sweet liquid leaves residue
Very sweet liquids tend to be hard on coils. Some sweeteners leave residue on the heating surface instead of vaporizing cleanly. As that layer builds, the liquid can taste muddy, caramelized, or burnt even though the wick remains wet.
If every coil fails after a couple of days, try a less sweet liquid before blaming the device. This is especially useful when the cotton turns dark quickly.
Heat and puff timing matter
Higher wattage vaporizes liquid faster. If the wick cannot replace that liquid before the next puff, part of the cotton dries and overheats. Long pulls and several puffs in quick succession create the same problem.
Use the range printed on the coil as a boundary. Start near the lower end and increase gradually. If the vape suddenly feels hotter or drier, stop and let the wick recover.
Priming prevents early damage
Fresh cotton needs time to absorb liquid. Fill the tank or pod, wait at least five to ten minutes, and begin below your normal power. A burnt first puff can permanently alter the wick.
The same risk appears when the tank is nearly empty. Refill before the wick openings are exposed, especially if you tilt the device while using it.
Make the next coil last longer
- Prime it fully before the first puff.
- Stay inside the printed wattage range.
- Pause briefly between pulls.
- Keep liquid above the wick openings.
- Try a less sweet blend if residue builds quickly.
- Match the liquid thickness to the pod or tank.
Do not dry-burn a cotton-filled stock coil. Once the flavor remains scorched after the device has cooled and the tank is full, replacement is the sensible answer.
Read next: How to prime a vape coil and why coils burn out too fast.