Seamus Hammond
Incense has been used for centuries to cleanse spaces, meditate, and promote relaxation. However, traditional incense can be messy, leaving behind ash and smoke. Backflow incense burners are an innovative solution to this problem, offering an enchanting display of smoke flowing in the opposite direction to traditional incense, i.e. downwards. This is achieved through a process called convection, where the incense cone is heated by a flame, causing the air inside to become hot and rise, creating a low-pressure area at the bottom of the cone. Cooler, denser air from outside the cone is then pulled in, mixing with the smoke, which then flows downwards through a small hole in the cone. The mesmerising waterfall effect has led to backflow incense burners being referred to as incense fountains or waterfalls.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Shape | Cone or stick |
| Tunnel | Small and hollow |
| Tunnel ends | In a hole at the bottom |
| Smoke | Dense |
| Heat | Offset by weight of particles |
| Hot air | Rises |
| Cool air | Sinks |
| Mixture of cool air and smoke | Denser than hot air |
| Burner | Top piece and base |
| Burner top piece | Has a hollow opening |
| Burner base | Has a hollow section with a slight curvature |
| Waterfall effect | Smoke cascades down the burner |
| Cleaning | After every 2-3 cones burnt |
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What You'll Learn
Backflow incense burners and holders
To use a backflow incense burner, it is important to follow the proper steps. First, light the incense cone and ensure that there is a glowing ember at the tip with smoke visibly flowing through the bottom hole. Then, place the cone in the incense holder, making sure that the bottom hole of the cone aligns with the seat hole of the holder. Keep the burner on a stable surface away from wind or sudden air movements, as these can affect the smoke flow or accidentally put out the incense. After 3-5 minutes, you should see the smoke flowing and gently cascading downwards, creating a mesmerizing display.
It is recommended to clean your backflow incense burner regularly, especially after every 2-3 cones burnt. Resin from the incense can build up and obstruct the holes, impacting the smoke flow. Additionally, always use a heat-resistant and non-flammable surface for your burner and ensure that no flammable items are nearby. Never leave the incense unattended, and keep it out of the reach of children and pets.
Backflow incense burners come in various designs, from traditional styles like the dragon incense waterfall to modern and minimalist interpretations. They are often crafted from materials like concrete and glass, making them stunning home accent pieces for coffee tables or shelves. You can find backflow incense burners and holders at various retailers, including Amazon, Walmart, and specialty stores like Kin Objects.
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![Backflow Incense Cones for Waterfall - [Improved] (10 Variants,100 Cones) Dragons Blood Incense, Lavender Incense Cone, Nag Champa Palo Santo Cones | Creates Meditative Waterfall Fountain](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/91eRHxZoCHL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
The science behind the magic
Incense has been used for centuries to cleanse spaces, enhance meditation, and promote relaxation. The burning of incense sticks, however, can often result in messy ash and smoke. Backflow incense burners are innovative burners that not only release fragrance but also create a captivating display of smoke flowing in the opposite direction of traditional incense – downwards.
Backflow incense cones are specifically designed to produce this reverse flow effect. The cone has a small, hollow tunnel through its centre, ending in a hole at the bottom. When lit, the smoke is trapped inside the tunnel, where it cools as it moves downwards. This is due to the process of convection, which is the movement of air or gas molecules from a hot area to a cooler area. As the outside of the cone burns, the smoke inside cools and becomes denser, eventually flowing gently downwards out of the hole in a mesmerising waterfall effect.
The burner itself also plays a role in creating this effect. The burner consists of a top piece and a base. The top piece has a hollow opening where the incense cone is inserted and lit. The smoke then 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 and ensures it remains inside the burner.
To ensure the backflow effect works as intended, it is important to follow a few key steps. Firstly, ensure the bottom hole of the incense cone is aligned with the seat hole of the burner. If not, the smoke may become blocked. Secondly, be mindful of wind flow near the incense as this can affect the smoke flow. Lastly, always place the burner on a heat-resistant, non-flammable surface and keep it out of reach of children and pets.
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How to burn incense
Burning incense is a great way to fill your space with fragrance, but it's important to follow some safety precautions. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to burn incense safely and effectively:
Choosing the Right Incense:
Incense comes in various forms, including sticks, cones, and coils. The most common type is stick incense, which can have a core in the centre or be coreless. Japanese incense sticks are usually shorter and thicker, while Indian incense sticks are popular for their strong fragrance. If you want to create a mesmerizing display with downward-flowing smoke, opt for backflow incense cones or sticks. These have a small, hollow tunnel that directs smoke downwards instead of upwards.
Preparing the Space:
Always burn incense in a well-ventilated area. Open a window or door slightly to allow fresh air to circulate. Ensure that flammable items such as curtains, books, or synthetic fabrics are not nearby, as falling ashes could ignite them. Place the incense on a heat-resistant surface to catch any hot ashes. Keep it out of the reach of children and pets, and never leave it unattended.
Lighting the Incense:
Hold one end of the incense stick or cone and light the other end with a match or lighter. Immerse the incense in the flame until it ignites and a small flame is visible. Gently blow out the flame after a few seconds and look for a glowing ember and smoke at the tip. If there is no ember or smoke, relight the incense. You can also light the incense after placing it in an incense holder or burner, keeping it angled upwards.
Using an Incense Holder:
For backflow incense, ensure the bottom hole of the cone or stick aligns with the seat hole of the incense holder. The smoke will transfer from the incense to the holder, creating the downward flow. If you're using a standard incense stick, place it in the holder after lighting. Regularly clean your incense holder, especially after burning backflow incense, as resin can build up and block the smoke flow.
Enjoying the Fragrance:
A typical incense stick will burn for 20 to 40 minutes, depending on its thickness, length, and quality. Japanese incense sticks, due to their shorter length, usually burn for 20 to 30 minutes. Allow the incense to fill your space with fragrance, but be mindful of the smoke level, especially if you have pets. Extinguish the incense by immersing it in water or snuffing it out if needed. Always let the incense and burner cool down before handling them.
Remember to follow safety guidelines when burning incense, and enjoy the aromatic experience!
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Why incense smoke doesn't flow down sometimes
Incense smoke doesn't flow downwards sometimes due to a variety of reasons. Firstly, it is important to note that not all types of incense are designed to produce smoke that flows downwards. Backflow incense, which is typically cone-shaped with a small, hollow tunnel through the centre, is designed to emit smoke downwards. If you are using a regular incense cone or stick, the smoke will not flow downwards. Therefore, it is important to ensure that you are using the correct type of incense specifically designed for downward smoke flow.
Secondly, the airflow in the room can significantly impact the direction of incense smoke. If there is a draft or high airflow in the area, such as near a fan or an open window, the smoke may be blown away, preventing it from flowing downwards. To address this issue, it is recommended to burn the incense in a still room with minimal air movement. Closing windows and doors, turning off fans or air conditioning units, and minimising arm movements can help create a more suitable environment for downward smoke flow.
Another factor that can affect the direction of incense smoke is the placement of the incense cone on the burner. If the cone is not placed correctly, with the bottom hole aligned with the seat hole of the burner, the smoke may escape upwards instead of flowing downwards. It is crucial to ensure that the cone is sitting level on the burner before lighting it. Additionally, it is important to check that the burner is clean and free of any obstructions, as residue from previous cones can accumulate and block the smoke flow.
Furthermore, the density of the air inside your home can also influence the direction of incense smoke. Heated and cooled homes tend to have denser air due to reduced air circulation. As a result, the indoor air becomes heavier and less buoyant than the outdoor air, affecting the upward or downward flow of the smoke. To rectify this issue, you can open a window or door to allow fresh air to enter and disperse the dense indoor air.
Lastly, it is important to ensure that the incense cone is properly lit. If there is no glowing ember or visible smoke, the cone might have accidentally blown out, requiring you to relight it. Once lit, the smoke may take a minute or two to start flowing downwards. Additionally, it is worth noting that backflow incense cones typically require burning about one-third to one-half of the cone before the smoke begins to backflow.
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The different shapes of incense
Incense has been used for thousands of years in religious ceremonies and rituals, with a variety of shapes and fragrances available. Here is a guide to the different shapes of incense and how they work:
Stick Incense
One of the most popular shapes, incense sticks are made from bamboo and infused with essential oils, sawdust, or charcoal dust. They are wound into a tightly twisted helix shape, releasing their scent as they burn downwards. The spiral design increases the heat as the smoke reaches all sides of the stick, enhancing the aroma. Stick incense has a uniform thickness, resulting in a gradual and even release of fragrance. Burning times can be adjusted by cutting the sticks, and their long burning time makes them suitable for scenting large rooms or spaces.
Coil Incense
Coil incense, or "koh" in traditional Japanese, typically burns for approximately two hours, making it ideal for family rooms or large areas such as hotel lobbies. The fragrance from the coils lingers even after they have stopped burning, filling the space with a pleasant aroma. To use, light the tip of the coil and blow out the flame before placing it in an incense stand on a ceramic plate to catch the ashes.
Cone Incense
Cone incense is simple to use and does not require a burning apparatus. Light the tip of the cone, blow out the flame, and place it in a safe location. The fragrance from cone incense strengthens as the lit portion descends into the wider part of the cone, making it suitable for quickly scenting a room.
Backflow Incense
Backflow incense is a unique variation of cone or stick incense, featuring a small, hollow tunnel through the centre that ends in a hole at the bottom. This design allows the smoke to flow downwards instead of upwards, creating mesmerizing scenery as the plumes of smoke gently cascade over the incense. When using backflow incense, ensure that the bottom hole aligns with the seat hole of the incense holder to avoid blocking the smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
To make the smoke flow downwards, you need to use backflow incense cones. These are cone-shaped incenses that emit smoke in the opposite direction of standard cones, i.e. in a downward direction. The smoke flows downwards due to the small and hollow tunnel that runs through the middle of the cone and ends in a hole at the bottom. Place the cone in your burner and allow about two minutes for the backflow effect to commence.
If you don't see smoke flowing downwards, there could be a few reasons. First, check that your incense cone is lit by ensuring there is a glowing ember at the tip and smoke is visibly flowing down the bottom hole when you hold the cone in your hand. Second, check that your incense holder is clean and the hole is unobstructed. Third, check that there is no wind near your incense as this could affect the smoke flow.
The reverse flow of smoke is achieved through a process called convection. Convection is the movement of air or gas molecules from a hot area to a cooler area. 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 that mixes with the smoke. 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.
