Antonio Mcgowan
Resin incense is a popular way to fill your home with fragrance, and it's easy to do so safely. Resin incense is made from the dried sap of certain plants and has been used for centuries in spiritual and religious practices. Frankincense, for example, is said to have cleansing properties and can help relieve stress and anxiety. The most popular way to burn resin incense is using charcoal, but this produces a lot of smoke. Fortunately, there are alternatives with less smoke, such as using an oil warmer or a brass resin burner. Here's a guide on how to properly light resin incense to fill your space with a pleasant aroma.
How to Properly Light Resin Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense burner | A burner specifically made for burning resins is best, but any heat-safe vessel can work. |
| Charcoal | Place a charcoal disc in between a set of tongs and light it up. Charcoal designed for incense burning is available to buy. |
| Resin | Place one piece or a few smaller pieces of resin incense on top of the charcoal. |
| Safety | Be careful with the heat of the burner and never leave it unattended. |
| No charcoal method | Use an oil warmer with a tealight underneath. Fill the bowl with a small amount of almond or vegetable oil and a few pieces of resin. |
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What You'll Learn
Using an oil warmer
To use an oil warmer, start by adding a small amount of almond or vegetable oil to the bowl of the warmer. Then, add a few pieces of your chosen resin incense. If using a tea light warmer, light the tea light underneath the bowl. If using an electric warmer, simply plug it in. After a few minutes, the resin will begin to soften, infusing the oil with fragrance.
It is important to note that oil warmers can become very hot, so use caution and never leave them unattended while in use. When you are finished, blow out the candle and allow the oil warmer to cool completely before cleaning it. If you are using the incense daily, be sure to replace the incense and oil every three to four days.
Oil warmers are a great option for those who want to enjoy the aromatic and therapeutic benefits of resin incense without the smoke. With this method, you can also use the resin and oil combination multiple times before it loses its scent.
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Using a brass resin burner
To use a brass resin burner, start by placing it on a heat-resistant surface, such as a clay or terracotta plant saucer, to ensure the burner doesn't damage the surface underneath. Brass burners get extremely hot, so take care not to touch the burner while in use and never leave it unattended.
For best results, start with the burner basket at the highest setting. Then, add a couple of small pieces of resin to the upper basket or screen. Avoid using soft resins as they may clog the screen or drip. Next, light a tealight candle and place it underneath the burner. Do not use a votive or other types of candles. The resin will begin to soften, infusing the air with fragrance. You can adjust the amount of resin as desired—adding more for a stronger scent, and less for a subtler fragrance.
When you are done, extinguish the tealight candle and allow the burner to cool completely before handling it. You can use the wooden knob to adjust the upper basket up and down as needed.
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Burning on charcoal
Resin incense is most commonly burned using charcoal designed for this purpose. However, it's important to note that this method can create a lot of smoke, which some people find undesirable and can even cause breathing problems. Therefore, it's crucial to ensure proper ventilation in the room when burning resin incense on charcoal.
- Place at least 2 inches of sand and/or ash at the bottom of a heat-safe dish. This step is important to properly insulate the charcoal tablet.
- Use tongs to hold the charcoal tablet. If you are experienced, you may use your fingers, but this is not recommended for beginners.
- Ignite one side of the charcoal tablet with a lighter, then work the flame towards the middle. You can also hold the tablet above a candle flame until it is lit. This may take several moments, so be patient.
- Place the lit charcoal onto the bed of sand or ash inside your charcoal burner. Some burners have a mesh screen that can be flipped to create a bowl-like shape to hold the charcoal.
- Allow the charcoal to heat up. This usually takes 5-15 minutes, and you'll know it's ready when a layer of ash forms on the tablet, turning it from black to grey.
- Using a metal spoon or tongs, place a small amount of resin incense on top of the hot charcoal. Avoid using too much resin at once, as it can smother the heat and affect the burn.
- You can add more resin as it burns away to maintain the fragrance. Use tongs to push away any burnt pieces if you want to start burning a new blend.
- Never touch the charcoal tablet with your bare hands, and do not attempt to move the burner while it is lit, as they will be extremely hot.
- Once the resin and charcoal have burned out, allow them to cool completely before discarding. You can stir the remaining ash or separate it if you plan to burn different resins and want to keep the scents pure.
Some additional tips for burning resin incense on charcoal include:
- Using a smaller piece of charcoal for a shorter burning session, typically lasting 20 to 40 minutes.
- Lighting only a portion of the charcoal for a slower burn, which is ideal for small spaces or meditation.
- Ensuring even heating of the charcoal by rotating the burner or gently blowing on it.
- Spacing out the resin incense on the charcoal to allow for proper air circulation and prevent excessive smoke.
- Always practising fire safety and never leaving burning charcoal unattended.
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Burning without charcoal
Burning resin incense without charcoal is a great way to fill your home with fragrance without creating a lot of smoke. Here are some alternative methods to burning resin incense without using charcoal:
Aromatherapy Oil Warmer
Get an aromatherapy oil warmer made of ceramic or glass. Pour a small amount of vegetable oil or almond oil into the dish. Light a tea light and place it into the oil warmer. You can also light the tea light first and then carefully place it into the warmer using a candle lighter. Let the oil heat up. You'll know when the oil is hot enough when you start to smell the resin.
Electric Incense Burner
An electric incense burner is an excellent option for burning resins without charcoal. It is a safer alternative to open flames and can be used indoors.
Brass Resin Burner
A brass resin burner is another option that produces less smoke than charcoal and a stronger fragrance than the oil method. Simply add a few small pieces of resin to the upper basket and light a tea light underneath. The resin will melt and bubble, releasing its scent.
Traditional Method
Before the invention of charcoal disks, our ancestors burned incense using a container full of ash and glowing embers. The incense mixture would be placed directly onto the ash. Temperature control was achieved by pushing more ash under the mixture to decrease the heat or exposing the embers to increase it.
Other Tips
- When using tea lights, opt for plain, unscented ones to avoid altering the aroma of the incense.
- Always be cautious when using open flames and hot objects. Never leave them unattended.
- Replace the incense and oil every 3 to 4 days if used daily.
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Safety considerations
When lighting resin incense, there are several safety considerations to keep in mind to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. Here are some detailed instructions to follow:
First and foremost, always ensure proper ventilation when burning resin incense, especially indoors. Open a window or turn on a fan to allow fresh air to circulate and avoid inhaling excessive smoke. Burning incense produces smoke, which can cause breathing problems for some individuals. Proper ventilation helps to mitigate this risk. Additionally, avoid burning incense in confined spaces, such as a closet or small bathroom, as this can lead to smoke inhalation and potentially dangerous situations.
Always use a heat-resistant surface to place your burning charcoal and resin on. An incense burner specifically designed for burning resins is ideal, but any heat-safe vessel can be used. If you're using a heat-safe dish or bowl, place a layer of black sand on it to protect the dish from the charcoal. Never place the charcoal or resin directly on a wooden table or a tablecloth, as it can cause scorching or fire.
When handling the hot charcoal disc, use tongs or another appropriate tool. Do not touch the charcoal with your bare hands to avoid burns. Always exercise caution and never leave burning incense unattended. Ensure someone is monitoring the incense while it's burning to prevent accidents.
If you're using an oil warmer, use caution as it can become very hot. Never leave it unattended while in use, and always allow it to cool completely before cleaning. Use a heat-safe oil, such as vegetable oil, and avoid using essential oils, as they may not be suitable for heat application.
It is important to note that recent research has indicated potential health risks associated with burning incense. Studies have shown that incense smoke contains various irritants and toxic compounds, which have been linked to respiratory allergies, asthma, and increased cancer risk. Therefore, it is advisable to be mindful of the potential health implications and take the necessary precautions, such as ensuring proper ventilation and avoiding prolonged exposure to incense smoke.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need resin incense, charcoal, a heat-safe surface such as a ceramic plate, and a charcoal burner.
Using tongs, hold the charcoal over a candle flame until it starts to crackle. Place the hot charcoal on a bed of sand or small pebbles inside your charcoal burner. Allow 5-15 minutes for the charcoal to come to temperature.
Using a metal spoon, add a small amount of resin on top of the hot charcoal. The resin will start to smoke and release its fragrance.
Use natural charcoal to avoid the smell of low-quality charcoal. You can also try using an aromatherapy oil warmer and burning the resin incense without charcoal.
