Why Does My E-Liquid Feel Harsh? How to Fix a Harsh Vape & Prevent Throat Irritation
Experiencing a harsh vape or throat pain? Find out why and how to fix it.
If you’ve ever taken a hit from your vape only to be met with an overwhelming, scratchy, or burning sensation in your throat, you’re not alone. Many vapers, both beginners and experienced users, encounter this issue at some point. A harsh vape can turn what should be a smooth and enjoyable experience into an uncomfortable struggle, leaving you wondering what went wrong.
The good news is that harshness is not an unavoidable part of vaping—it’s a common but solvable problem. Whether you’re dealing with a burning throat hit, excessive coughing, or an overall unpleasant sensation, there are clear reasons behind it and practical adjustments you can make to improve your vaping experience.
This guide will help you identify the exact cause of the harshness, from nicotine strength and PG/VG ratio to device settings and coil maintenance. We’ll also walk you through step-by-step solutions to fine-tune your setup for a smoother, more enjoyable vape.
Vaping should be satisfying and comfortable, not harsh or irritating. Let’s explore how you can troubleshoot and fix this issue, ensuring every inhale feels right.
Understanding Why E-Liquid Feels Harsh
E-liquid harshness can stem from multiple factors, including:
Nicotine strength – Higher nicotine levels can create an intense throat hit.
PG/VG ratio – Higher PG (propylene glycol) levels result in a stronger throat hit.
Device settings – Wattage and coil resistance affect vapour heat and intensity.
Vaping style – Different inhalation techniques impact throat sensation.
Airflow control – A tighter draw increases throat hit, while open airflow smoothens it.
Coil condition – Burnt or old coils contribute to a harsh taste.
E-liquid additives – Certain flavours and sweeteners can intensify harshness.
Addressing these factors can significantly reduce discomfort and improve your vaping experience.
Step 1: Identifying the Most Common Causes of Harshness
A harsh vape can quickly turn an enjoyable experience into an uncomfortable one. If every inhale burns your throat, makes you cough, or feels too sharp, don’t worry—it’s fixable. Before making drastic changes, identify the most common culprits behind e-liquid harshness. Below are the key factors that could be causing the problem and the best ways to resolve them.
1. Nicotine Strength is Too High
How Nicotine Affects Harshness:
Nicotine is one of the most significant contributors to throat hits. While some vapers enjoy a noticeable throat hit, high nicotine levels—especially freebase nicotine—can feel overly sharp or even painful. If you’re vaping at high nicotine strengths in the wrong device, this could be the main reason for your discomfort.
Symptoms of Too-High Nicotine:
A scratchy or burning sensation in your throat after inhaling.
Frequent coughing, especially on the exhale.
A peppery, almost chemical taste in your vape.
Feeling lightheaded or nauseous due to excessive nicotine intake.
Common Mistakes:
Using 12mg+ nicotine strength in a sub-ohm device (which produces large clouds, intensifying the hit).
Using freebase nicotine instead of nicotine salts is much smoother at higher strengths.
Solution:
If you’re using a sub-ohm or DTL setup, lower your nicotine strength (e.g., from 12mg → 6mg or 6mg → 3mg).
If you need high nicotine (e.g., 20mg for cravings), switch to nicotine salts, which provide a smooth inhale even at high strengths.
Consider using an MTL (mouth-to-lung) device if you require higher nicotine but want to avoid harshness.
2. PG/VG Ratio is Too High in PG
How PG Affects Harshness:
Propylene Glycol (PG) carries flavour and delivers a stronger throat hit, making it a popular choice in MTL e-liquids. However, high PG (50% or more) can be too sharp for some vapers, especially if they are sensitive to throat hits or use the wrong device for their e-liquid mix.
Symptoms of Too Much PG:
A harsh, dry sensation on the throat.
Coughing or throat irritation, especially after repeated inhales.
Feeling like the vapour is “too thin” or lacking smoothness.
Common Mistakes:
Using 50/50 or 70/30 PG/VG blends in a high-powered device designed for thick, high-VG e-liquids.
Assuming that a stronger throat hit = a better experience when it’s about personal preference and device compatibility.
Solution:
Switch to a higher VG e-liquid (70% VG / 30% PG) for a smoother inhale, especially in sub-ohm tanks.
If you prefer MTL vaping, try a 50/50 VG/PG blend instead of a higher PG mix.
Avoid high-PG e-liquids in sub-ohm devices, as they vaporise quickly and can feel too sharp.
3. Device & Coil Producing Too Much Heat
How Heat Affects Harshness:
Vaping at high wattages or using low-ohm coils produces more vapour, but it also intensifies throat hit and nicotine delivery. If your vape feels harsh, your coil resistance or wattage settings could be the problem.
Symptoms of Too Much Heat:
A hot, sharp inhale that feels overpowering.
Excessive throat hit even with lower nicotine.
E-liquid tasting “burnt” too quickly after refilling.
Common Mistakes:
Using low-ohm coils (0.3Ω or lower) at high wattages with strong nicotine e-liquids.
Cranking up wattage beyond the recommended range for your coil.
Not priming the coil properly leads to dry hits and a burnt taste.
Solution:
Reduce your wattage to the lower end of your coil’s recommended range. If your coil suggests 40W-60W, start at 40W and increase slowly.
If using a low-resistance coil (0.3Ω or lower), stick to 3mg nicotine or less.
Always prime new coils by letting e-liquid soak in 10-15 minutes before first use.
4. Inhalation Style Doesn’t Match the Device
Why Inhalation Style Matters:
Vaping is different from smoking, and your inhale technique plays a huge role in how your throat perceives the vapour. Using the wrong inhale style can lead to harshness, coughing, or an overwhelming throat hit.
Symptoms of Incorrect Inhalation Style:
Harshness and discomfort, especially on the inhale.
Coughing more than usual, particularly if switching from smoking.
Feeling like the vapour is too dense or too airy.
Common Mistakes:
Mouth-to-lung (MTL) vaping with a high-powered, low-ohm device results in overwhelming vapour production.
Direct-to-lung (DTL) vaping with high nicotine leads to a very harsh experience.
Solution:
If you use high nicotine (12mg+), always use an MTL device such as a pod system or a lower-powered vape pen.
If you’re using a DTL device, switch to a low-nicotine, high-VG e-liquid (3mg or lower) to reduce harshness.
Take slower, more controlled puffs instead of fast, hard inhales.
5. Airflow is Too Tight
How Airflow Affects Harshness:
A tight airflow setting restricts vapour movement, causing hotter vapour and a more intense throat hit. This is great for MTL users who want a cigarette-like experience but can feel too harsh for those seeking a smooth inhale.
Symptoms of Restricted Airflow:
Vapour feels hotter and more concentrated.
Harsh throat hit, even with lower nicotine.
Difficulty pulling air through the device.
Common Mistakes:
Using tight airflow on a high-powered device creates a hot, dense vapour.
Closing airflow too much on sub-ohm tanks leads to excess heat buildup.
Solution:
Increase airflow on your device to cool down the vapour and reduce throat hit.
If using MTL pod systems, experiment with different airflow settings to find a balance.
Ensure airflow matches your coil type—tight airflow suits MTL coils, while open airflow works best for DTL vaping.
Step 2: Advanced Fixes for Persistent
Harshness
Here are additional solutions if you’ve ruled out the common causes but are still experiencing a harsh vape.
6. Coil or Wick Issues
How Coils & Wicking Affect Harshness:
Your coil and wick are crucial for vaporising e-liquid smoothly. Burnt coils produce an acrid, unpleasant taste, while improper wicking can lead to dry hits, making the vapour feel excessively sharp.
Symptoms of Coil or Wick Problems:
A burnt or metallic taste in your vapour.
Harshness that starts after a few puffs.
Coil lifespan is very short before tasting burnt.
Solution:
Replace coils every 1-2 weeks or sooner if the taste deteriorates.
Prime your coils before first use by soaking them in e-liquid and letting them sit for 10-15 minutes to avoid dry hits.
7. Check E-Liquid Ingredients
How E-Liquid Additives Affect Harshness:
Not all e-liquids are created equal. Some contain flavour enhancers, sweeteners, or additives that can irritate. Additionally, certain flavours naturally have a stronger throat hit.
Flavours That May Feel Harsh:
Tobacco, citrus, menthol, and sour flavours are sharper on the throat.
E-liquids with artificial sweeteners may increase harshness over time.
Solution:
Choose natural, additive-free e-liquids for a smoother experience.
Switch to creamy, dessert, or fruity flavours, which feel softer on the throat.
8. Hydration & Throat Sensitivity
Why Hydration Matters:
Vaping can dehydrate your throat, leading to irritation and discomfort. If your throat is dry, any vapour will feel harsher than usual.
Solution:
Drink plenty of water throughout the day to keep your throat hydrated.
Try menthol-based e-liquids to create a cooling effect that soothes irritation.
By identifying these advanced factors and making simple adjustments, you can eliminate harshness and enjoy a smoother vape. If you’re still struggling, consider experimenting with different devices, e-liquids, and vaping techniques to find what works best for you.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. My e-liquid was fine before, but now it feels harsh. Why?
Your coil may be burnt, or your wattage settings may be changed. Try lowering the wattage or replacing the coil.
2. Can I dilute my e-liquid to make it smoother?
Yes. Adding a small amount of pure VG (vegetable glycerin) can reduce harshness.
3. I want a strong throat hit but not harshness. What should I do?
Try nicotine salts – they provide a strong hit without excessive roughness.
4. Why does my vape burn my throat on the first puff?
Your coil might be dry or not primed correctly. Ensure the wick is fully saturated before vaping.
5. Could dehydration make my vape feel harsher?
Yes. Vaping can dry out your throat, so staying hydrated can help reduce irritation.
6. Do some e-liquid flavours cause more harshness than others?
Yes. Tobacco, citrus, menthol, and sour flavours often produce a stronger throat hit.
7. Can using the wrong coil affect the harshness of my vape?
Yes. High-resistance MTL coils work best with high-nicotine e-liquids, while low-resistance sub-ohm coils require lower nicotine to avoid harshness.
8. Should I change my airflow settings to reduce harshness?
Yes. Opening your airflow allows for a cooler, smoother vape, reducing throat hit intensity.
9. Does chain vaping make harshness worse?
Yes. Frequent puffs don’t allow your coil to re-saturate correctly, leading to dry hits and harshness.
10. Are there e-liquids specifically designed to be smoother?
Yes. Higher VG e-liquids and those free from artificial additives are generally much smoother.
Achieving a Smooth & Enjoyable Vape
Experiencing a harsh vape can be frustrating, but you don’t have to tolerate discomfort. Every vaper deserves a smooth, satisfying experience, and resolving harshness is often just a matter of understanding your setup and making a few adjustments.
By identifying the root cause—whether it’s nicotine strength, PG/VG ratio, wattage settings, coil condition, or airflow control—you can tailor your vape to suit your preferences. Small changes, such as switching to nicotine salts, adjusting your airflow, or replacing your coil, can make a significant difference.
Vaping should be enjoyable, not painful. Take the time to troubleshoot your setup and experiment with different combinations to find what works best. With the proper adjustments, you’ll enjoy a smoother, more comfortable vape every time.