Seamus Hammond
Burning resin incense is a popular practice for spiritual and religious purposes, as well as for its therapeutic and aromatic properties. Resin incense is commonly burned on charcoal, but this method can create a lot of smoke and burn the incense too quickly. As such, there are alternative methods to burning resin incense, such as using an oil warmer or an electric incense burner. These methods can provide a more controlled release of fragrance and are suitable for indoor use. When burning resin incense, it is important to prioritise safety by using heat-resistant surfaces and never leaving lit charcoal unattended.
How do I burn resin incense?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items needed | Resin incense, incense burner, charcoal, salt or sand (optional), tongs or another tool |
| Burner preparation | Fill an incense burner with a bit of salt or sand (optional) to help absorb heat |
| Charcoal lighting | Place a charcoal tablet inside the burner and light using a match or lighter |
| Resin placement | Once ash has begun to form on the charcoal, place a small piece of resin in the middle |
| Safety precautions | Never leave lit charcoal unattended or near flammable materials; use a heat-resistant surface; do not touch hot charcoal with bare hands |
| Alternative methods | Use an oil warmer or electric burner to reduce smoke and fumes |
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What You'll Learn
Using charcoal
To dissipate the heat, you can pour a small mound of sand into the bowl and place the charcoal on top. Let the charcoal heat up for around 5 to 7 minutes. You can then place a small piece of resin on top of the charcoal—a tiny piece, about the size of a grain of rice, will create a lot of smoke and scent. You can always burn more resin when it stops smoking. If you want to extract as much of the essential oil from the resin as possible, try flipping the resin over as one side becomes darker.
Charcoal can burn hot and generate a lot of smoke, so be cautious and never leave it unattended. Once the charcoal is burning, it needs time to burn itself out, so make sure you have at least an hour before you need to leave the area. When the charcoal has cooled, you can retrieve any remaining resin, let it air-dry, and use it later.
Self-igniting charcoal contains chemicals harmful to aquatic life, so be mindful of how you dispose of it and opt for plant-based options where possible.
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Using an oil burner
If you opt for a ceramic or glass oil burner, you will need a tea light candle as a heat source. It is recommended to use an unscented tea light, otherwise, the aroma will mix with that of the incense. Light the candle and place it underneath the burner. You can also place the candle inside the burner if it has a bowl. If your burner does not have a bowl, you can make a small bowl out of aluminum foil to place on top of the candle. Place your resin in this small bowl, which will allow the burner to stay clean. You can also use multiple small bowls that can be interchanged if you wish to burn more than one type of resin a day. When the resin heats up, it will release its aroma.
If you are using an electric oil burner, simply plug it in, turn it on, and set it to your desired temperature. Place your resin in a metal dish on top of the burner's hot plate.
It is important to note that some people have found that oil burners do not get hot enough to release the scent of the resin. Additionally, oil burners are limiting to oleoresins, and some resins used as incense are gum resins, such as myrrh, guggul, and opoponax.
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Using an electric burner
Electric burners are a great alternative to charcoal burners, which can create a lot of smoke and sometimes off scents. Electric burners are also known as incense heaters, and they work by heating up to a specified temperature. Once heated, you can place your chosen resin incense or powder in a metal dish on top of the burner's hot plate, and it will produce smoke or vapour, depending on the temperature.
There are a few different types of electric burners available. One type is a simple plug-in model, which you can just set down on a table, plug in, and turn on. Another type is an oil warmer, which is a type of lamp that uses a small tealight candle or an electric heat source to warm a dish of oil and infuse it with fragrance. You can also make your own oil warmer using an old soda can and a tealight candle. To do this, clean out a soda can and cut it in half, then trim any sharp edges with scissors and cover them with masking tape. Cut some V-shaped holes into the side of the top half of the can to allow airflow, and then place a small, unscented tealight candle inside. Fill an old tealight cup halfway with vegetable oil and your chosen resin, and place it on top of the can. The resin will then warm up and diffuse its fragrance into the room.
When using an electric burner, it's important to remember to never leave it unattended. Although it is a relatively safe method, you are still working with a heat source, so caution is advised. Always make sure to use a heat-resistant dish or burner and choose a stable burner with a solid base that won't tip over easily.
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Safety precautions
Burning resin incense is a great way to fill your home with fragrance, but it can be dangerous if not done properly. Here are some safety precautions to follow when burning resin incense:
First, always use a heat-resistant surface to set the burning charcoal and resin on. Never leave the incense unattended while it is burning. It is important to keep an eye on the incense at all times to prevent any accidents or fires. Choose a special type of charcoal tablet designed for burning incense resin. These tablets are made from compressed charcoal and are designed to burn longer and at higher temperatures than regular charcoal. They typically do not contain any toxic additives or chemicals. Be sure to purchase high-quality charcoal discs from a reputable retailer to ensure a safe burn.
When handling the hot charcoal tablet, use tongs or another tool to avoid touching it with your bare hands. Place the lit charcoal on a bed of white ash in a metal incense burner. The burner should be big enough to hold enough ash to prevent overheating. You can also use an incense burner designed for burning resins, filling it with a bit of salt or sand to help absorb the heat. Place the charcoal tablet inside the burner and light it with a match or lighter. Once the charcoal is fully lit and ashed, place a small piece of resin in the middle.
If you prefer to avoid using charcoal, you can burn resin incense using an oil warmer or tea light candle. Use an unfragranced tea light, as a fragranced candle may interfere with the aroma of the incense. Add a small amount of almond oil or vegetable oil to the bowl of an oil warmer, along with a few pieces of resin. Light the tea light underneath or plug in the warmer if it is electric. Once the oil is hot, the resin will release its fragrance. Always make sure to extinguish the candle when you are done and never leave it unattended.
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Benefits of resin incense
Burning resin incense has been a common practice for centuries, with a variety of benefits ranging from spiritual and religious to therapeutic and aromatic. Here are some of the key advantages of burning resin incense:
Spiritual and Religious Benefits
Resin incense has a long history of use in spiritual and religious practices. For example, frankincense is often used in religious ceremonies and is believed to have cleansing properties. Myrrh, another popular type of incense, is valued for its grounding and centring effects, making it ideal for meditation and spiritual enhancement.
Therapeutic Benefits
The practice of burning resin incense is associated with therapeutic advantages. For instance, Boswellia Frereana, a type of resin, is used as a chewing gum for oral care and is considered to have antiseptic and anti-inflammatory properties for the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. Additionally, Maydi, a resin collected from the mountains of Somali Puntland, is incorporated into cosmetic preparations for its potential anti-ageing and rejuvenating effects, such as reducing wrinkles and improving skin elasticity.
Aromatic Benefits
Resin incense offers a diverse range of aromatic experiences. Each type of resin possesses a unique scent, allowing individuals to create a calming and relaxing atmosphere. For instance, amber resin has a warm, musky fragrance that promotes relaxation and stress relief.
Customisation and Variety
There is a wide variety of resin incense types available, each with distinct properties and benefits. This diversity allows users to customise their experience based on their specific needs or preferences. Whether seeking relaxation, spiritual enhancement, or aromatic enjoyment, the range of resin incense options ensures a tailored experience.
Safe and Sustainable Alternatives
While burning resin incense on charcoal is a popular method, it produces a significant amount of smoke, which may cause breathing problems for some individuals. However, alternative methods, such as using aromatherapy oil warmers or electric burners, offer safer and more sustainable ways to enjoy resin incense. These alternatives produce less smoke and provide better control over temperature and burn time, allowing for a longer-lasting aromatic experience.
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Frequently asked questions
The best way to burn resin incense is to use a charcoal tablet designed for this purpose. Fill an incense burner with salt or sand to help absorb heat. Place the charcoal tablet inside the burner and light it using a match or lighter. Once the charcoal is fully lit and ash has begun to form, place a small piece of resin in the middle of the coal.
The ritual of burning resin incense dates back centuries and is great for your spiritual practice. However, burning resin incense on charcoal can create a lot of smoke, burn the incense too quickly, and sometimes produce off scents.
Yes, you can use an oil burner or an electric incense burner. For the former, add almond oil to the bowl of an oil warmer and then add a few pieces of resin. Light the tealight underneath or plug it in if using an electric warmer. For the latter, simply plug it in, turn it on, and place incense resins or powders in a metal dish on top of its hot plate.
