Why is a dry hit more harmful?
A dry hit is harmful because it marks the transition from controlled vaporization to the thermal combustion of the cotton wick and liquid residue. When your wick is no longer saturated, the coil temperature skyrockets, breaking down propylene glycol and vegetable glycerin molecules into toxic compounds such as acrolein or formaldehyde.
That foul burnt taste is actually a chemical alarm signal letting you know you are inhaling decomposition smoke rather than clean vapor. Fortunately, your throat immediately detects this irritation, triggering a rejection reflex that naturally limits exposure to these unwanted substances. Keeping your tank full and adhering to recommended wattage settings remains the best insurance against turning your atomizer into a tiny, toxic campfire.