Lance Carson
Burning incense is a great way to fill your home with fragrance. The most popular way to burn incense is to use a charcoal disc, placed in an incense burner. However, this method produces a lot of smoke, which can be undesirable and cause breathing problems for some. Fortunately, there are alternative methods to burn incense without charcoal, such as using an oil warmer or making your own incense burner with an old soda can and a tea light candle.
How to Burn Incense with Charcoal and Resin
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items needed | Resin incense, incense burner, charcoal, salt or sand (optional), lighter or matchstick, tongs |
| Incense burner preparation | Fill the burner with salt or sand to absorb heat (optional). Place a charcoal tablet inside the burner. |
| Lighting the charcoal | Light the charcoal using a match or lighter. Hold the charcoal with a pair of tongs over a heat-safe surface. |
| Heating the charcoal | Allow the charcoal to heat up for 5-7 minutes until it is fully lit and a layer of ash has formed. |
| Adding the resin | Place a small piece of resin in the middle of the charcoal. Add more resin as desired or blend different resins to create a custom scent. |
| Safety precautions | Do not touch or move the charcoal tablet or burner once lit. Do not leave burning charcoal or incense unattended. Ensure proper ventilation. Keep out of reach of children and pets. |
| Alternative method | Use an electric incense burner and plug it into the wall. Place a pea-sized piece of resin into the burner and turn it on. |
| Without charcoal | Use an oil warmer or aromatherapy lamp with almond oil or vegetable oil. Add a few pieces of resin and light the tealight underneath or plug in the electric warmer. |
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What You'll Learn
Using an oil warmer
Burning resin incense on charcoal is the most popular way to burn incense. However, this method produces a lot of smoke, which some people find undesirable. An alternative way to burn resin incense is by using an oil warmer.
There are two different types of oil warmers: ceramic and glass. The ceramic oil warmers are typically one piece, while the glass ones are usually a glass dish set on top of a metal or ceramic stand. You can purchase these in most stores that sell candles and candle stands.
To use an oil warmer, start by adding a small amount of oil to the dish. You can use almond oil or vegetable oil. Then, add a few pieces of your chosen resin incense to the oil. Next, light a tea light and place it underneath the warmer, or plug in the warmer if it is electric. Allow the resin to infuse the oil with its fragrance. The oil will take a few minutes to heat up, and you will know it is hot enough when you can smell the resin.
It is important to note that the oil warmer can become very hot, so use caution and never leave it unattended while in use. You should also ensure that the surface you place the warmer on is heat-resistant, such as a ceramic plate, and not a wooden table or tablecloth.
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Using an electric burner
Electric burners are a great way to burn resin incense without the smoke and fuss of charcoal. They are essentially heaters that can be placed on a table, plugged in, and turned on to heat up to your desired temperature.
There are many different types of electric burners available. The Mermade Lotus heater is a popular option, but it does have a gap between the heating element and the wires, which means resin can fall into it. A good alternative is the Heyoka Frankincense blue ceramic heater from Etsy, which has no gap and comes with a built-in timer. These heaters typically cost around $60 USD. If you're looking for something more decorative, you can find ornate heaters for $110+ from sellers such as Apothecary's Garden on Etsy, who provide international plugs for customers outside the US.
When using an electric burner, it's important to get the temperature just right to vaporize the volatile aromatic oils and release the purest, truest aroma. This can take some experimentation, as the ideal temperature is different for different types of resins. You can also use an electric burner to learn what individual aromatics smell like, which can increase your enjoyment and understanding of blended incense.
To avoid a mess, it's recommended to line the hot plate of your electric burner with tin foil, especially as resins liquefy. You can also place a small piece of foil on the burner when using resins like frankincense, which can be difficult to clean once melted.
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Burning without charcoal
While burning resin incense with charcoal is the most popular way, it produces a lot of smoke, which can be undesirable and cause breathing problems for some. Here are some alternative methods to burn resin incense without using charcoal:
Electric or Oil Warmer
Use an electric incense burner or an oil warmer (also known as an aroma lamp or oil burner). Place a pea-sized chunk of resin into the cup of the burner or a few pieces of your chosen resin into the bowl of the oil warmer. If using an oil warmer, add a small amount of almond or vegetable oil to the bowl first. Then, light a tealight underneath or plug in the electric burner. The resin will begin to soften and melt, infusing the oil with fragrance and filling the room with scent.
Tea Light Candle and Soda Can
Start by cleaning out an old soda can and cutting it in half carefully. Trim any sharp edges with scissors and cover them with masking tape. Take the top half and cut 3-4 V-shaped holes into the side for airflow. For additional airflow, poke some holes into the top with a hammer and nail. When you're ready to burn your resin, light an unscented tea light candle and place it underneath the can. Take another old tea light candle, clear out any excess wax, and fill it halfway with vegetable oil and resin. Place this on top of the can, and it will warm and diffuse into the room.
Salt or Sand
Fill an incense burner designed for burning resins with salt or sand to help absorb heat (optional). Place a charcoal tablet inside the burner and light it with a match or lighter. Once charcoal is fully lit and ash has begun to form, place a small piece of resin in the middle. As the resin melts, its smoke and fragrance will be released.
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Preparing the charcoal
Choosing the Right Charcoal
Select a charcoal disc or tablet designed specifically for burning incense. These are typically made from natural materials like charcoal and wood and are designed to burn slowly and evenly. The amount of charcoal you use depends on the size of your burner, but a teaspoon is usually a good starting point.
Preparing Your Work Area
Before lighting the charcoal, ensure your work area is well-ventilated, as burning incense can produce a lot of smoke. Place your incense burner on a heat-resistant surface, away from any flammable materials. Have a bowl of water nearby as a precaution, and never leave the burning charcoal unattended.
Lighting the Charcoal
There are a few ways to light the charcoal. You can hold it with tongs and ignite it over a flame before placing it in the burner, or you can place the unlit charcoal in the burner and use a long barbecue lighter to ignite it. If using a self-lighting charcoal disc, you can simply light it with a match or lighter.
Adding the Incense
Once the charcoal is lit, it will start to crackle, spark, and produce ash. Allow it to develop a decent layer of ash before adding your incense. This will help regulate the heat and prevent the incense from burning too quickly. You can also place a heat diffuser, like tinfoil or a sheet of mica, between the charcoal and the incense to further reduce the heat.
Burning the Incense
Place a small piece of resin incense in the middle of the charcoal. The resin will begin to bubble, melt, and release its fragrance. You can add additional pieces of resin as needed and even blend different resins to create custom scents. Remember to keep an eye on the burning incense and adjust the heat as necessary to prevent unpleasant burning smells.
Burning incense on charcoal is a traditional method that creates a strong, long-lasting fragrance. By following these steps for preparing the charcoal, you can safely enjoy the aromatic experience of burning incense with charcoal.
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Safety precautions
To burn incense with charcoal and resin safely, it is important to follow these safety precautions:
First and foremost, ensure that you have the correct materials. You will need a charcoal disc or tablet, specifically designed for burning incense. These are usually made from compressed charcoal and are different from regular charcoal as they burn longer and at higher temperatures. They also do not contain any toxic additives or chemicals. It is important to choose a high-quality charcoal disc from a reputable retailer to ensure a safe burn. You will also need an incense burner designed to accommodate the charcoal and resin. This burner should be placed on a heat-resistant surface, such as a ceramic coaster or tile, to avoid damaging your furniture.
Next, prepare the charcoal disc. Using tongs, hold the charcoal disc and light it with a match or lighter. Do not use your hands as you may burn yourself. Hold the lit charcoal disc over a heat-safe surface, like a stovetop, to avoid any accidents. You will know the charcoal is ready when it turns grey or white and has a layer of ash. Place the lit charcoal disc in your burner, ensuring the indent is facing upwards.
Now, you can add the resin. Take a small piece of resin and place it in the middle of the charcoal. As it melts, the smoke and fragrance will be released. You can add more resin as desired and even blend different resins to create a custom scent. However, be mindful that too much resin at once can create a lot of smoke, which may cause breathing problems for some people.
Finally, some general safety tips to keep in mind: Always ensure the room is well-ventilated by opening windows or using a fan. Never leave the burning incense unattended and keep it away from children and pets. Dispose of the charcoal responsibly, opting for plant-based charcoal to avoid harming aquatic life.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a charcoal disc, tongs, a heat-proof incense burner, and resin.
Light the charcoal disc with a match or lighter, then place it in the incense burner. After it has heated up for 5-7 minutes, place a small piece of resin on the charcoal disc.
Burning incense with charcoal and resin is a centuries-old ritual that is great for spiritual practice. However, it can create a lot of smoke, which some people find undesirable.
