Heidi Norton
Lighting incense is a ritual that has been practised for centuries across various cultures to enhance the ambience and create a calming atmosphere. The most common form of incense used today is the incense stick. Incense sticks come in two forms: one type has a core in the centre, and the other does not. To light an incense stick, you can either hold one end of the stick or place it in an incense burner. Light the other end of the stick with a match or lighter, ensuring that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites and a small flame is visible. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then gently fan or blow it out. If you see a small glowing ember and a small amount of smoke coming out of the tip, the incense has been correctly lit.
How to Light Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense Type | Stick, Cone, Rod, Paper |
| Incense Form | Bamboo sticks, Japanese rods, Classic bamboo sticks, Ethically foraged cones, French papers |
| Incense Holder | Brass cubes, Wooden incense holder, Glass or jar, Soil of a potted plant, Incense burner |
| Lighting Method | Lighter, Matches, Potassium powder, Ice cube/wet object, Hot surface igniter |
| Lighting Technique | Hold uncoated end, light coated end, blow out flame, check for ember and smoke |
| Burning Time | 10-40 minutes depending on length and thickness |
| Ventilation | Open window or door, avoid drafts |
| Safety | Do not sleep with incense burning, extinguish before leaving unattended |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right incense
The scent of the incense is an important consideration, as each fragrance carries with it a unique story, landscape, or mood. Whether you're seeking to evoke a sense of nature's untouched beauty or create a calming atmosphere for yoga or meditation, aligning your choice of incense with your intentions is key.
In addition to scent, the format of the incense can also impact your experience. Traditional stick incense, for example, offers a wide variety of high-quality options and can burn for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on its thickness, length, and quality. Japanese incense sticks, for instance, tend to be shorter and thicker and may take 20 to 30 minutes to burn. On the other hand, cone incense is ideal for smaller spaces, as it packs a fragrant punch without leaving messy ash trails.
When choosing incense, it's also important to consider the practical aspects, such as the size and shape of the incense burner or holder you plan to use. The burner or holder should be stable, heat-resistant, and designed to collect any falling ash, ensuring a safe and enjoyable experience.
Lastly, always purchase incense from reputable sources to ensure the quality and safety of the product.
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Lighting with a flame
Lighting incense is a ritualized way to bring good smells into your space. The most common form of incense is the stick incense or incense sticks. These come in two forms, one type has a core in the centre, and the other does not.
To light an incense stick with a flame, you can either hold one end of the stick or place it on an incense burner to keep it steady and angled upwards. Light the other end of the stick with a match or lighter, as you would a candle wick. Ensure that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites and a small flame is visible. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then gently fan or blow it out. Check the incense tip where the flame was. If you see a small glowing ember and a small amount of smoke coming out of the tip, the incense has been correctly lit. If you do not see a glowing ember, and there is no smell or ash, you have accidentally extinguished the incense and will need to repeat the steps above. If you were using your hand to hold the stick, you can now place it into the incense holder.
It is important to ensure proper ventilation in the room where you're burning incense. Opening a window or door can improve air circulation and prevent the buildup of smoke in the room. However, avoid exposing the incense to strong drafts, as this may cause the incense to burn unevenly or too quickly. It is not recommended to sleep with incense burning, as it may pose a fire hazard. Always extinguish any incense before going to bed or leaving a room unattended.
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Lighting without a flame
One way to light incense without a flame is to light the incense before the desired time and then place it inside a closed container. The container should be large enough for the incense to have access to oxygen. When you are ready for the scent to be released, open the container. This method avoids the use of a flame during the desired time of incense burning.
Another method is to use a hot surface igniter, which is used for some older boiler systems. This can be rigged up with a series of fragrant oils to heat and release the scent.
A similar method is to use an oil diffuser, which heats up and releases scented oils into the air without the use of a flame.
If you are performing a magic trick in a dark room, you can create a scent effect by placing potpourri inside a hollowed-out book. Open the book in the dark to release the scent and close it when you are done.
Alternatively, you can create a chemical reaction using potassium powder. Placing the powder on the incense and then brushing an ice cube or wet object against it will cause a reaction and the incense will burst into flame.
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How to extinguish
When you're done enjoying your incense, it's important to extinguish it properly to avoid any fire hazards. Here are some ways to safely put out your incense:
Using Sand or Water
One simple method is to place the burning end of the incense stick into a bowl of sand or water. The embers will be extinguished, and you can then dispose of the incense in the trash once it's fully extinguished. Remember to check that there are no remaining hot embers to avoid starting a fire.
Bending and Snapping
You can also extinguish incense sticks by bending them until they snap in half. This method is useful if you want to save the remainder for another session, as it doesn't involve water, which can affect the quality of the incense.
Aluminium Foil Collar
Another creative way to extinguish incense is by making a small tube out of aluminium foil and placing it over the incense stick. This works similarly to a candle snuffer, preventing the incense from burning further once the ember reaches the foil.
Blowing It Out
While blowing out the incense like a candle is a quick option, it's important to note that incense produces more embers than candles, so blowing them out can disperse burning embers. If you choose this method, be cautious and ensure no hot embers remain.
Remember, even after extinguishing your incense, always dispose of it carefully. Check that there are no remaining hot embers in the holder or on the incense itself before tossing it into the trash. Enjoy your incense, but always practice safety and good ventilation to avoid any respiratory issues or fire hazards.
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Incense holders
When choosing an incense holder, it is important to consider the type of incense you will be using. Some holders are designed to accommodate specific styles of incense, such as Japanese and Chinese incense without a bamboo core. If you plan to use longer or thicker incense sticks, you may need a holder that stands the incense up and can catch the falling ash.
There is a wide variety of incense holders available in different materials, colours, and designs to suit your preferences and home decor. For example, Wild Berry Incense offers wooden incense burners, ceramic burners, poly-resin burners, and polystone burners in various shapes and sizes. Nippon Kodo offers a collection of incense holders that combine tradition with modern elegance, including the Yukari Incense Holder in classic porcelain white. Baltic Club also offers stylish and functional incense holders, such as their Duotone Acrylic Incense Holders in various designs.
When using an incense holder, it is important to ensure that the tip of the incense is within the boundary of the holder to catch any ash. This will help keep your space clean and tidy while enjoying the fragrance of your burning incense.
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Frequently asked questions
Lighting incense is a simple process. First, hold the incense stick by its uncoated end and use a lighter or matches to ignite the coated end. Ensure that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites and a small flame is visible. Then, gently blow out the flame and allow the incense stick to smoulder and release its fragrant smoke. Place the incense stick into an incense holder to collect any ash.
The burn time of incense depends on its length and thickness. A standard 21cm-long incense stick with a thickness of 1.5-2mm will take approximately 40 minutes to burn. Japanese incense sticks are typically shorter (10-15cm) and thicker, and will probably take 20-30 minutes to burn.
Always ensure proper ventilation in the room by opening a window or door to prevent the buildup of smoke and reduce any potential respiratory irritation. Avoid exposing the incense to strong drafts, as this may cause it to burn unevenly or too quickly. Do not sleep with incense burning as it may pose a fire hazard.
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