Dry burn - annealing and cleaning coils correctly

A dry burn refers to the brief heating of an unmoistened coil to burn off deposits on the heating wire. The coil is fired at low power without cotton or e-liquid until the wire glows a faint orange. Residues of sugar, flavouring and glycerine char and can then be brushed off.

Important: A dry burn only works with rebuildable atomisers (RTA, RDA, RDTA) using Kanthal, Nichrome or SS316 wire in power mode. Pre-built coils, pod cartridges or mesh coils with cotton inside are not suitable for this – the cotton is firmly fixed in place and would burn. You should also not dry burn pure temperature control wires such as nickel (Ni200) or titanium, as their resistance behaviour can change permanently.

The term ‘coil annealing’ is often used synonymously and refers to the same process: briefly heating the coil without e-liquid to clean the winding.

Before you start, unscrew the atomiser from the tank and remove the old cotton wool completely. Here’s how to do it properly:

Preparation

Unscrew the top cap and pull the cotton out of the coil using tweezers. Rinse the coil under warm water to remove any coarse liquid residue, then pat it dry. Place the atomiser onto your mod and set the power to 15–25 watts – depending on the wire resistance.

Burn-in and brushing

Press the fire button in short bursts of 1–2 seconds. The wire should glow a dark orange colour evenly from the inside out. If only one spot glows, you have a hotspot. Between bursts, tap the coil with a ceramic or brass brush until the wire shines silver again. Repeat the process two or three times.

Rinse and re-wadding

Allow the coil to cool, rinse it briefly again and blow-dry or heat it dry. Then pull fresh organic cotton through the coil, trim the ends and fill the tank as usual.

A properly executed dry burn restores the flavour – a botched one will kill your coil or damage the battery. The following points are crucial:

• Check the wire material: Only Kanthal A1, Nichrome (Ni80) and SS316L are safe. Never anneal nickel or titanium.
• Keep the power low: 15–25 watts is sufficient. Too high a wattage makes the wire brittle and drastically shortens its lifespan.
• Eliminate hotspots: If the coil heats unevenly, gently press the coils together with ceramic tweezers until the wire turns an even orange colour.
• Do not repeat too often: Two to three dry burns per coil is realistic. After that, the wire is worn out, the coils become deformed and the resistance drifts.
• Keep an eye on the battery: A permanently installed or weak battery should not be used for repeated dry burns. Use a regulated mod with charged 18650 or 21700 cells.
• Ensure proper ventilation: Never perform a dry burn with the top cap on – the heat builds up and can damage the O-rings.

If the wire remains dark after cleaning, appears porous or the windings are falling apart, the coil has reached the end of its life. In that case, it’s better to make a new coil than to clean it again.

How often can I dry burn a coil?

Usually two to three times, depending on the wire quality and e-liquid type. Sweet dessert e-liquids shorten the interval, whilst clear fruit flavours often allow for more cycles. As soon as the flavour doesn’t return after cleaning, replace the coil.

Can I dry burn pre-built coils?

No. Pre-built coils have the cotton firmly integrated into the housing and are designed for single use. A dry burn would burn the cotton and ruin the coil. The only option here is to replace it.

Why does my vapour taste metallic after a dry burn?

Usually, the wire has been heated too hot or for too long. This causes the surface to oxidise, resulting in a metallic aftertaste. Reduce the wattage, heat in shorter bursts and rinse the coil thoroughly before refilling it with cotton.

Do I need any special tools?

A pair of ceramic tweezers and a coil brush made of brass or nylon are sufficient. Steel tools conduct electricity – never touch the glowing wire with them whilst the mod is connected.

Dry burning is a simple maintenance routine that saves you money and keeps the flavour of your build fresh. Make sure you use the right wire material, moderate wattages and a clean working technique – then every coil will last significantly longer. If you need new spools of wire, cotton or replacement coils, you’ll find the right materials in our selection of coils and winding accessories. Take your time to compare the different wire types and find out which setup suits your vaping style.