Anisha Riggs
Incense burners are a great way to create a calming, aromatic atmosphere during meditation, relaxation, or spiritual practices. Charcoal-based incense burners are a traditional way to enjoy a wide range of natural incense types, including resins, herbs, and powders. They provide a strong, long-lasting fragrance. The high heat from the charcoal ensures a complete release of the incense's aroma. When using a charcoal-based incense burner, always place it on a heat-resistant surface, keep it away from flammable materials, and ensure proper ventilation as it produces a lot of smoke. You can light the charcoal by holding it with tongs over a flame, or by placing it unlit in the burner and using a barbecue lighter. Once the charcoal is lit and ashy, you can add your incense.
How to use a charcoal incense burner
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What you need | Charcoal incense burner, charcoal tablet, incense, bowl or cauldron, sand or salt, ice tongs, candle, lighter or blowtorch |
| Lighting the charcoal | Hold the charcoal tablet with tongs and light it using a candle, lighter or blowtorch. Alternatively, place the charcoal tablet on the gas stove top to burn it. |
| Placing the charcoal | Once the charcoal is burnt from the edges, place it on the incense burner. |
| Adding incense | When the charcoal is lit and ashy, add the incense. |
| Burning time | Charcoal discs typically burn for about 30-45 minutes. |
| Safety | Never touch burning charcoal with your fingers. Always place the burner on a heat-resistant surface and keep it away from flammable materials. Ensure proper ventilation and never leave it unattended. |
| Cleaning | Allow the charcoal to cool completely, then break up the ash and discard it. Wipe the burner with a damp cloth and for tougher residue, use a brush or a mild soap solution. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right incense burner
Material
Incense burners come in various materials such as metal, clay, stone, and brass. Metal burners, like brass burners, can get very hot from the lit charcoal, so always use a heat-proof trivet or tile underneath. Stone burners, such as those made from soapstone, are a good option as they come with a wooden tripod stand to prevent direct contact with hot surfaces. Clay burners, like the handcrafted ones from Nepal, are also a great choice for their airflow design, providing a smooth and consistent burn.
Size and Design
Consider the size of your charcoal tablets or discs and the amount of incense you plan to use. The burner should be large enough to accommodate the charcoal and incense safely. Some burners have a screen top or removable lid for easy cleaning, while others have a simple bowl design. If you plan to burn incense sticks, ensure the burner can accommodate their size.
Heat Resistance and Safety
Always choose a heat-resistant burner to avoid scorching or damaging your surfaces. Place the burner on a heat-proof surface, and keep it away from flammable materials. Charcoal burners produce intense smoke, so ensure proper ventilation in the room. Never leave the burner unattended, and be cautious when handling hot charcoal—use tongs instead of your fingers.
Ease of Cleaning
Look for incense burners that are easy to clean. Removable or lift-off lids make cleaning more accessible, as you can simply empty the ashes and wipe down the burner with a damp cloth. For tougher residue, you may need to use a brush or a mild soap solution. Ensure the burner is completely dry before storing it away.
Versatility
Some incense burners are designed for specific types of incense, such as resin incense or dhoop cones. If you plan to use various incense types, look for a versatile burner that can accommodate different forms, such as sticks, cones, or loose incense.
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Preparing the burner
Firstly, ensure you have the right equipment. You will need a charcoal incense burner, charcoal tablets or discs, incense, and a heat source such as a candle, lighter, or blowtorch. It is also recommended to have a heat-resistant surface, such as a metal trivet or tile, to place the burner on. You may also want to use tongs to hold the charcoal safely, and some sand or salt to fill the burner.
Next, prepare your burner by filling it with sand or salt. This will help diffuse the heat and protect the burner from getting too hot. If your burner has a built-in pedestal, you can place it on a wooden coaster for added safety.
Now, you can light your charcoal. Using your tongs, hold the charcoal over the flame of your chosen heat source. It may take a few moments for the charcoal to ignite, and you will see some sparking, which is normal. Once the charcoal is lit around the edges, carefully place it on the bed of sand or salt inside the burner. You can also try lighting the charcoal directly in the burner with a barbecue lighter if you prefer.
At this point, you can encourage the charcoal to light more quickly by blowing gently on it. However, be cautious not to blow too hard, as you do not want to deplete the oxygen supply and cause the charcoal to cool down.
Once the charcoal is burning, it is important to give it time to burn itself out. Charcoal discs typically burn for 30 to 45 minutes, so ensure you have at least an hour before you need to leave the area or extinguish the burner.
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Lighting the charcoal
It is normal for the charcoal to spark when lit, and once the edges are burnt, you can place the charcoal on the burner. You can speed up the process by blowing air at the charcoal, but only if you think it is safe to do so. The charcoal will be ready for incense burning when you see white or grey ash forming on the top.
It is recommended that you place the lit charcoal on a bed of sand or salt in a heat-proof container, such as a bowl or cauldron, to diffuse the heat and prevent the container from getting too hot. You can also use a metal incense burner with a built-in pedestal that sits on a wooden coaster. Always place your burner on a heat-resistant surface and keep it away from flammable materials.
Charcoal discs typically burn for 30-45 minutes, and you should allow the charcoal to burn out completely. You can then stir the remaining charcoal and ash, or break up the ash and discard it.
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Adding incense
When adding incense to a charcoal burner, there are a few methods you can use. Firstly, it is important to note that you should always use tongs to handle the charcoal, as it can get extremely hot, and never touch it with your fingers. You should also ensure your burner is on a heat-resistant surface and keep it away from flammable materials.
One method is to light the charcoal tablet by holding it with tongs over a flame, such as a candle, until it sparks, then place it on the burner. You can also use a lighter or blowtorch, or put the tablet on a gas stove top. Once the charcoal is lit and has a white or grey ash covering it, you can add your incense. You can place the incense directly on top of the charcoal, or beside it, which will produce less smoke. You can also place the incense on a layer of ash on top of the charcoal, or on a bed of ash beside the charcoal. If you are using resin incense, it is recommended to flip the resin as one side becomes darker, to help extract as much of the essential oils as possible.
Another method is to place the unlit charcoal in the burner and then ignite it with a barbecue lighter. You can also try lighting the charcoal for a minute or two, then placing it in the burner and blowing on it to increase the flame, but only if you think it is safe to do so.
The type of incense you are using will also determine how you add it to the burner. Dry incense can be placed directly on the burner tray and the residue can be thrown away after use. Other types of incense, such as Frankincense, leave a melted residue that may need to be scrubbed off with a stainless-steel scrubber. If you are using resin incense, it is recommended to use small pieces, as large pieces may carbonize before the essential oils are released, resulting in a bitter smell.
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Cleaning the burner
To clean a charcoal incense burner, you must first let it cool completely. Incense burners get very hot, and you risk burning yourself if you try to handle it before it has cooled down. Once it is cool, use a small brush, like a paintbrush, to gently sweep away any remaining ash. Be careful not to breathe in the ash while cleaning, as it may be harmful to your respiratory system. Use a dust mask if you have one available. If there are any stuck-on pieces of residue, use a soft cloth to gently wipe them away. Do not use any harsh chemicals or abrasive cleaning tools, as these can damage the burner.
If your burner has developed a thick layer of residue that is difficult to remove, you can try using a natural, non-toxic cleaner. One option is to make a paste from baking soda and water and gently apply it to the affected areas with a soft cloth. Leave the paste on for a few minutes, then wipe it away with a damp cloth. You can also try using a mild soap, like dish soap, and water to gently clean the burner. Be sure to rinse it thoroughly with warm water and dry it completely before using it again.
For more stubborn stains or buildup, you can try using a mixture of vinegar and water. Soak a cloth in the mixture and wring it out so it is damp, not wet. Place the cloth over the affected area and leave it for a few minutes to soften the buildup. Then, use a soft brush or cloth to gently wipe away the residue. Again, be sure to rinse the burner thoroughly with warm water and dry it completely before use.
Finally, you can use a soft cloth to polish the burner to restore its shine. This is especially useful for metal burners, which can develop a patina over time. You can use a specialised polish or simply a soft cloth to gently buff the surface. This will help to remove any remaining fingerprints or smudges and give your burner a like-new appearance.
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Frequently asked questions
You can light the charcoal using a candle, lighter, or blowtorch. Hold the charcoal with tongs and light the other end. You can also place the charcoal tablet on a gas stove top to burn it.
Charcoal incense burners can get very hot, so always place the burner on a heat-resistant surface, such as a heatproof trivet or tile.
Charcoal incense burners are ideal for resins like frankincense or myrrh, which release deep, aromatic scents when heated. You can also use powdered or loose incense, or natural tree resins.
Allow the burner to cool completely, then empty the ashes and wipe it down with a damp cloth. For tougher residue, use a brush or a mild soap solution, and make sure it's dry before storing.
