Seamus Hammond
Incense has been used for centuries to cleanse spaces, enhance meditation, and promote relaxation. While traditional incense sticks can be messy, backflow incense burners release fragrance and create a mesmerizing display of smoke flowing in the opposite direction, that is, downwards instead of upwards. This effect is achieved through a process called convection, where the incense cone is heated by a flame, causing the air inside the cone to rise and pull in cooler air from outside, creating a dense mixture that sinks back down towards the burner. To use a cone incense, light the pointy end with a match or lighter until a small flame appears, then gently blow it out and place the cone in a heat-proof burner with the point facing up.
How do cone incenses work?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Cone with a small, hollow tunnel through the centre, ending in a hole at the bottom centre |
| Smoke | Heavier and stronger than incense sticks or coils |
| Burning time | 20 to 40 minutes |
| Burning process | The bottom of the cone is lit with a flame, and as it burns, it releases smoke |
| Air movement | Airflow in the room, breath, and physical movement can affect the movement of smoke |
| Temperature | Requires the smoke stream to be denser than the surrounding air to function properly |
| Lighting process | Light the pointy end of the cone with a match or lighter until a small flame appears, then gently blow out the flame |
| Heat absorption | Cones often come with a metal disk to absorb heat, but a heat-proof incense burner, ashtray, or ceramic bowl can also be used |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag |
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What You'll Learn
Lighting incense cones
Lighting an incense cone is a simple process, but it requires care and attention. Incense has been used for centuries to cleanse spaces, enhance meditation, and promote relaxation. Here is a step-by-step guide to lighting an incense cone:
Firstly, ensure you have the correct equipment. You will need a heat-proof incense burner, which often comes with a metal disk to absorb the heat. Alternatively, you can use an ashtray, a ceramic bowl, or a special heat-proof incense box or tray to contain the heat safely. Place the container away from flammable objects such as curtains, lampshades, or paper. It is also important to store your incense cones correctly; keep them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight, and store them in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag to preserve their scent and burn quality.
Next, prepare your burner. Place a layer of sand, salt, white ash, or rice in the burner to distribute the heat and help the incense burn better. This layer should be approximately 1 cm thick.
Now you can place the incense cone in the burner with the point facing upwards. If you are using an incense box, there will be a small circular slot designed for the cone. Light the pointy end of the incense cone with a match or lighter, as you would a candle wick. Ensure the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites, which may take up to 15 seconds. Handmade cones may take longer to light than machine-made cones. If you are using a backflow incense cone, light the bottom of the cone.
Once the cone is lit, gently fan or blow out any remaining flame. For some incense, you may need to wait up to 30 seconds before blowing out the flame to ensure it lights up properly. Check the tip of the cone; if you see a small glowing ember and smoke starts to rise, the incense is lit correctly. If not, leave it for a minute and check again. If there is no glowing ember, you may need to repeat the previous steps.
Finally, you can enjoy your incense cone! Allow it to burn from the tip to the bottom, and if your incense container has a top, lightly cover it to let the smoke trickle out slowly. Incense cones typically burn for 20 to 40 minutes. Be mindful of the smoke, and consider opening a nearby window, but ensure the cone is not directly in front of it so that it doesn't go out.
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Using backflow incense burners
Backflow incense burners are an innovative and beautiful way to enjoy incense. They are a great alternative to traditional incense sticks, offering various benefits, including sensory and decorative advantages. The burners come in a variety of shapes, sizes, designs, and scents, with ceramic and resin being popular materials due to their high-temperature resistance and ease of cleaning.
To use a backflow incense burner, you will need a backflow incense cone, which is specifically designed with a hollow centre to produce a lot of smoke and achieve the reverse flow effect. Light the pointy end of the cone with a match or lighter, ensuring the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites. Gently blow out any remaining flame, and if necessary, wait for a short while before blowing out the flame to ensure it is properly lit. Check the tip of the cone for a small glowing ember, and if smoke is coming out of the bottom, the incense is ready. If not, leave it for a minute and check again.
Place the cone on the top piece of the burner, which has a hollow opening for the cone. As the cone burns, smoke moves towards the bottom of the burner through a hole in the centre of the top piece. The base of the burner has a hollow, slightly curved section that directs the smoke downwards, creating the mesmerising waterfall effect. This curved design also ensures the smoke stays inside the burner.
It is important to note that once a backflow incense cone is lit, it cannot be reused. Allow the cone to cool down before disposing of it, and clean your burner after every 2-3 cones. Check that the plate holding the cone is clean and free of debris, and ensure the hole is unobstructed for the proper downward flow of smoke.
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How to extinguish cone incense
To extinguish a cone incense, you must first understand how it works. Cone incense is crafted from a mixture of powder and essential oils, giving it a rich texture and scent. When burned, it produces a fragrant scent and a lot of smoke. The smoke released by the cone incense is denser than normal air at room temperature because it contains tiny particles. However, when the incense is lit, the smoke flows upwards because the effect of the heat offsets the weight of the particles, as hot air is lighter than room-temperature air.
Now, to extinguish a cone incense, you can simply turn it upside down and rub it in the ash or grain at the bottom of the burner. This will put out the flame and allow you to use the rest of the cone later. It is important to note that once the cone is lit, it can be challenging to put it out and preserve it for later use. Additionally, always wait for at least 30 minutes after the cone has burned out before emptying the burner to avoid burning yourself.
Another method to extinguish the cone incense is to use your hands or a piece of paper to fan the cone gently, or use your breath to blow softly on the top of the cone. This will help extinguish the flame, and you should see a steady, consistent stream of smoke indicating that the flame is gone and the incense is burning safely.
It is important to follow safety precautions when burning and extinguishing cone incense. Always use a heat-proof incense burner or container to catch the ash and avoid burning your hands. Never leave burning incense unattended, as it could pose a fire hazard. Keep flammable materials away from the burner, and avoid placing it near curtains or household objects that may be damaged or discoloured by the smoke.
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How to store cone incense
To store cone incense correctly, you must first let the cone burn down completely and cool before storing it. This is important for safety reasons and to ensure the incense is extinguished. Place the cone on a heat-resistant surface, such as a metal or ceramic incense burner, to cool. You can also use a piece of foil.
Once the cone is cool, it's important to clean the burner to avoid a build-up of residue. Incense cones leave behind ash and a sticky, oily residue. The residue can be difficult to remove and has an unpleasant, burnt odour, which can impact the fragrance quality of future burns. Therefore, it is important to clean the burner between each use.
To store cone incense, keep them in an airtight container. A glass jar with a tight-fitting lid is ideal. This will help to preserve the fragrance of the cones and prevent them from drying out. You can also store cones in a sealed plastic bag, but ensure they are completely cool first.
Store your cone incense in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight or heat sources. Incense is sensitive to heat, so it's important to keep them in a stable environment. A cupboard or drawer is ideal. Additionally, ensure the storage area is well-ventilated to prevent the build-up of any odours or moisture.
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How cone incense differs from incense sticks
Incense cones and incense sticks are two of the most popular types of incense due to their ease of use. They are used for the same purpose, but there are some differences in terms of ingredients, scent, burning time, and aesthetics.
Incense sticks, as the name suggests, come in a stick form with upward-travelling smoke. They are made of aromatic ingredients bound to a bamboo core, although traditional Japanese incense sticks do not contain a bamboo core and consist of pure aromatic ingredients. Incense sticks are ideal for meditation due to their slow, steady burn and less intense scent. They require a unique incense stick holder with holes to catch the ash.
On the other hand, incense cones are tightly wrapped incense balls, which are conical or oval in shape. They do not have a bamboo core, resulting in a purer scent and less excess smoke. However, the scent of cones is more intense compared to sticks. Cones tend to burn quicker and produce an intense aroma in a shorter burst, making them suitable for quickly fragrancing a room. They do not require special holders and can be placed on old bowls or plates. Special burners are only needed for backflow cones, which produce smoke that flows downwards instead of upwards.
In terms of lighting, you light the pointy end of the incense cone with a match or lighter, similar to lighting a candle wick. For handmade cones, you may need to keep the tip immersed in the flame for longer, up to 10-15 seconds. Incense sticks, on the other hand, may be more difficult to light and may require you to blow on the ember to keep the flame lit.
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Frequently asked questions
Light the pointy end of the cone with a match or lighter until a small flame appears. You may need to keep the flame lit for up to 15 seconds. Then, gently blow out the flame.
If the tip looks dark or burnt, try to relight it until the tip is orange. If it doesn't light, you may need to leave it for a minute and then try again.
Allow the remaining ash to cool down completely before disposing of it in the trash.
Backflow cone incenses are designed to have smoke flow downwards instead of upwards. The incense cone is heated by the flame, which causes the air inside the cone to become hot and rise upwards. As the hot air rises, it creates a low-pressure area at the bottom of the cone, pulling in cooler air from outside the cone. This cool air and smoke mixture is denser than the hot air, so it sinks back down towards the burner, creating the reverse flow effect.
