Katrina Rosales
Burning incense on charcoal discs is a great way to enjoy pure tree resins and herbs that wouldn't ordinarily burn well on their own. Charcoal allows you to avoid unwanted additives and create custom incense blends to suit your preferences. To get started, you'll need a charcoal incense burner and a heatproof container, like a stone bowl filled with sand, to catch any stray sparks. You can then light your charcoal disc using a pair of incense tongs, before adding your chosen incense a pinch at a time.
How to burn incense on charcoal discs
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Charcoal type | Self-lighting or regular |
| Charcoal form | Rolls or boxes of tablets |
| Charcoal burner | A safe, heatproof container such as a stone bowl filled with sand or a metal incense burner |
| Lighting method | Hold charcoal by one edge while applying flame to the other; use incense tongs for safety |
| Incense addition | Add a pinch at a time after the charcoal surface is glowing |
| Burning time | Approximately 15-20 minutes, varying by brand |
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What You'll Learn
Charcoal tablets and burners
Charcoal tablets are a great way to burn incense, especially resins and herbs that wouldn't ignite well on their own. Charcoal allows you to avoid unwanted additives and make custom blends to suit your preferences. Charcoal tablets are available in rolls or boxes and can be purchased from any store that sells resin incense, smoke shops, or Asian markets. There are two main types of charcoal: self-lighting and regular. Self-lighting charcoal is the most popular and beginner-friendly option as it lights up easily and burns cleanly.
When using charcoal tablets, it is important to use a safe, heatproof container to place your charcoal in, as lit charcoal can reach extremely high temperatures. A stone bowl filled with sand is a good option, or a metal incense burner placed on a wood coaster or cloth to protect the surface underneath from scorching. To light the charcoal, hold it by one edge using tongs and apply a flame to the other edge. You may need to blow gently on the charcoal as it ignites. Once the charcoal is glowing red hot and covered with grey-white ash, it is ready for your incense.
Place the charcoal in your heatproof container, ensuring it is on a heatproof surface to avoid damaging your furniture. Fill the container with at least 2 inches of sand or natural ash to insulate your burner. Then, add your incense a pinch at a time, or place the resin incense on top of the burning charcoal in a cone shape to allow for airflow. Each charcoal tablet will burn for around 15-45 minutes, depending on the brand and type of charcoal.
It is important to store your charcoal tablets properly to maintain their freshness and ensure quick lighting and a long burn time. Keep them in a cool, dry place in an airtight package. By following these instructions, you can safely and effectively use charcoal tablets to burn incense and create a pleasant atmosphere.
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![Sunlight® Charcoal Tablets for Incense – Quick Light Coal Tablets – Charcoal Disks – 40 mm Coal Rolls – Coal Briquettes – Slow Burn - Instant Lighting [100]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81jL961OxxL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Charcoal types
There are two main types of charcoal: self-lighting and regular. Self-lighting charcoal is the most popular type and is the easiest for beginners to use. Charcoal also comes in different shapes, such as tablets, discs, cubes, and coal rolls.
Self-lighting charcoal: This type of charcoal does not require an external heat source to ignite. It is designed with a self-contained heat source, which is typically activated by striking or scratching the surface of the charcoal. Self-lighting charcoal is convenient and easy to use, making it a popular choice for those who want to avoid the hassle of lighting charcoal with a separate heat source.
Regular charcoal: This type of charcoal requires an external heat source, such as a lighter, match, or stove, to ignite. It does not have a built-in heat source and must be lit from an outside source. Regular charcoal is typically cheaper than self-lighting charcoal and produces less ash, making it a preferred choice for those who want a more affordable and less messy option.
Charcoal discs: These are thin, round pieces of charcoal that are designed to fit into incense burners or other heat-resistant containers. They are typically sold in packs of multiple discs and are easy to light and use. Charcoal discs provide a consistent burn and are ideal for burning incense, dried herbs, or resin.
Charcoal tablets: Tablets are larger than discs and are typically used for longer burning times. They are often used in resin incense burning and can be placed in a heat-resistant container or incense burner. Charcoal tablets come in rolls or boxes and are widely available at affordable prices.
Charcoal cubes: These are small, cube-shaped pieces of charcoal that are similar in size to discs. They are often made from natural materials such as coconut shell and provide a consistent burn. Charcoal cubes are commonly used for incense burning and can be placed in burners or other heat-resistant holders.
Coal rolls: This type of charcoal is in the form of a long, thin roll that can be cut to the desired length. Coal rolls offer flexibility in terms of burn time and are often used in incense burning, providing a slow and consistent burn. They are typically sold in larger quantities and are a cost-effective option.
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Heatproof containers
When burning incense on charcoal discs, it is important to use a heatproof container to hold the charcoal. Charcoal gets extremely hot, reaching temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, so a safe, heat-resistant container is crucial to prevent accidents and fires. Metal is the best option for your heatproof container, as charcoal touching other metals will not burn. If using a metal incense burner, it is a good idea to place a wooden coaster or cloth underneath to protect the surface underneath from scorching.
Ceramic and stone containers are also suitable for burning incense with charcoal. A stone bowl filled with sand is a recommended option, as the sand provides extra heat insulation. If your burner does not have a screen, placing sand in the bottom of the vessel and then putting the charcoal on top can help prevent the charcoal from touching the metal.
Glass is not a safe option for burning charcoal, as the heat will cause the glass to break. It is also important to avoid touching the vessel holding the charcoal disk once it is lit, as it will be very hot. Always use tongs when handling burning charcoal, and be cautious of stray sparks.
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Lighting charcoal
Charcoal is available in two types: self-lighting and regular. The former is the most popular option and the easiest for beginners to use. To light the charcoal, hold it by one edge and use a flame on the other. For safety, use a pair of incense tongs to hold the charcoal while lighting it. The charcoal will start to crackle and pop as the surface ignites. You can blow on it gently, as if you were lighting a campfire.
When lighting charcoal, it is important to use a safe, heatproof container. Lit charcoal can reach temperatures of up to 1200 degrees Fahrenheit, so your container should be thick enough to prevent heat transfer to the surface below and wide enough to catch any stray sparks. A stone bowl filled with sand is ideal. If you are using a metal incense burner, place a wooden coaster or cloth underneath to protect your table or altar from scorch marks.
To light the charcoal, hold one edge of the tablet while applying a flame to the other. If you are using self-lighting charcoal, you will hear it start to crackle and pop as the surface ignites. You can gently blow on the charcoal to encourage it to light, as you would with a campfire. Once the entire surface of the charcoal is glowing, it is ready to be used.
Add your incense a pinch at a time. Different brands of charcoal will have different burn times, but most tablets will burn for around 15-20 minutes.
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Adding incense
To add incense, use incense tongs to hold the charcoal at one edge, while applying a flame to the other. Be cautious, as lit charcoal can reach 1200 degrees Fahrenheit. Self-lighting charcoal will crackle and pop as the surface ignites. You can gently blow on it, as if lighting a campfire. When the entire surface is glowing, it is ready for the incense. Add a pinch of incense at a time. Different brands have different burn times, but charcoal tablets typically burn for 15-20 minutes. Charcoal allows you to burn incense that doesn't ignite easily on its own, such as pure tree resins and herbs. You can also create custom blends to suit your preferences, avoiding unwanted additives.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need charcoal tablets, a charcoal incense burner, and your chosen incense. Charcoal comes in rolls or boxes of tablets and is available wherever resin incense is sold.
There are two main types of charcoal: self-lighting and regular. Self-lighting charcoal is the most popular and beginner-friendly option.
Place your charcoal tablet in a safe, heatproof container, such as a stone bowl filled with sand. Use incense tongs to hold the charcoal by one edge and apply a flame to the other. You may need to blow gently on the charcoal as you would when lighting a campfire.
When the whole surface of the charcoal is glowing, add your chosen incense a pinch at a time.
Most charcoal tablets will burn for around 15-20 minutes, but burning times may vary depending on the brand.
