Dry Burning – What is it in Vaping?

Definition

Dry burning is the practice of heating a vapecoil without e-liquid to burn off residue and extend coil life. This cleaning technique involves pulsing the coil at low wattage until it glows orange, causing built-up gunk to carbonise and flake away. Unlike a dry hit (the unpleasant taste from vaping an empty tank), dry burning is intentional and done before re-wicking or replacing cotton. Australian vapers use this method to refresh dual coil builds, clear clogged drip tip channels, and save money on replacement coils. When performed correctly, dry burning restores flavour and vapour production without damaging the coil, making it a staple maintenance routine for rebuildable atomiser users.

Technical Details

Dry burning works by applying 12–20W to a stainless-steel, kanthal, or nichrome coil for 2–3-second pulses until the wire reaches 300–400°C. The heat pyrolyses sugars and sweeteners, turning them into ash that can be brushed off with a ceramic tweezers. Temperature control mods can automate this process by setting a 315°C (600°F) cap, preventing overheating that degrades wire. Mesh strips require lower wattage (10–15W) to avoid hot spots, while clapton coils need brief cooling intervals to prevent inner core collapse. Never dry-burn titanium or nickel coils; they release toxic oxides. After glowing, the coil should cool, then be “strummed” or lightly pinched to even out glow patterns before re-wicking.

Usage & Tips

• Beginners: Remove cotton, rinse coil under warm water, then pulse 3–4 times at 15W. Blow away ash between pulses.
• Safety: Work over a ceramic plate; glowing metal can melt disposable vape plastic parts. Keep windows open—fumes are irritating.
• Problem solver: Uneven glow? Use ceramic tweezers to squeeze the sluggish section while firing for 1s.
• Frequency: Dessert vapers dry-burn every 2–3 days; menthol users weekly. Over-burning thins wire and shortens lifespan.
• Post-burn: After the final pulse, quench the coil with a damp Q-tip to shock off stubborn carbon, then dry-fire once more to confirm even heat.

History & Context

Dry burning emerged in 2012 when Aussie cloud-chasers began rebuilding DTL Protank coils to counter high $5 replacement prices. As rebuildables spread, the technique evolved from “red-hot rinse” YouTube tutorials to today’s low-wattage, temperature-controlled precision—helping vapers stretch premium dual coil builds for months amid Australia’s strict nicotine import laws.