Antonio Mcgowan
Oman's traditions and culture remain unwesternised, and the country is known for its frankincense. In fact, the three wise men are said to have brought frankincense from Oman to Bethlehem over 2000 years ago. Frankincense is a prominent fragrance in the Middle East and is used in churches, temples, and mosques. It is also used to make perfumes and cosmetics. To burn frankincense, a burner, coal, and frankincense are required. Good coals light easily and should be allowed to burn for a minute or two before adding the frankincense. Alternatively, a temperature-controlled electric heater can be used to slowly warm resins and release a richer scent for a longer period of time.
How to Burn Oman Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burner | Preferably made of clay, wood burners are also popular |
| Charcoal | Should be good quality and burn easily; light with a match |
| Incense | Pure frankincense resin is ground into a fine powder and saturated with fragrant oil to make a dough |
| Temperature | Experiment with different temperatures for different types of incense; start below 30 |
| Smoke | Smoke means the end of the release of essential oils; use a temperature-controlled electric heater to reduce smoke |
| Other uses | Used to perfume and fumigate clothing; also used for cosmetic purposes such as tattoos and eye makeup |
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What You'll Learn
Using a burner, coal and frankincense
To burn Omani frankincense using a burner, coal, and frankincense, you will need to follow a few simple steps. Firstly, prepare your burner and coal. If you are using a charcoal disc, light it with a match or lighter, using tongs to hold it and protect your fingers. If you are using a burner that requires a gas stove, turn the heat up high and place your burner on it. You can also use a tea light candle to light the coal. If your coal is not lighting well, it may be due to moisture, so you may need to replace it with a new one.
Once your coal is lit, place it in your burner. If you are using a charcoal disc, wait until it is coated with white ash before placing it in your burner. You can also add a small mound of sand to the burner bowl to dissipate the heat. If you are using a gas burner, add your coals now and heat until they are red or turning grey. Shisha coals are a good option, as they burn well and will stay alight for at least an hour.
Now, you are ready to add your frankincense. Place a small piece, about the size of a grain of rice, on top of the coal. You can also use a piece of foil between the coal and frankincense to let the resin burn more slowly. You can always add more frankincense when it stops smoking. Be sure to keep your burner away from children and pets, as it will get very hot.
Finally, enjoy the scent and the calming properties of the burning frankincense. Burning frankincense is a great way to keep flies and mosquitoes away, and it can also promote relaxation and enhance meditation. Remember to always burn incense in a well-ventilated area and to follow fire safety precautions.
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Lighting the coal
Once the coal is lit, it should burn for a few minutes. If it dies out quickly, it may not be good quality coal. Try to find coal that is specifically designed for incense burning, such as "Swift Lite". These coals can be lit with a match and allowed to burn for a few minutes until they are glowing red.
If you are using a charcoal burner, make sure the charcoal is burning well before adding the frankincense. This will ensure that the incense burns properly and releases its fragrance. The charcoal should be placed in a burner that is specifically designed for incense burning, such as a clay burner from the region of Mussandam or a wooden burner from Yemen or India.
It is also possible to use a temperature-controlled electric heater to burn Oman incense. This method allows you to control the temperature and prevent the incense from smoking too quickly. Experiment with different temperatures to find the optimal setting for your incense. Always preheat the heater and start with a temperature below 30 degrees Celsius.
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Using a gas burner
To burn Omani incense, you will need a burner, coal, and the incense itself. Burners can be made of clay, wood, or hard pewter, and are available in a variety of shapes and sizes.
If you are using a gas burner, follow these steps:
Firstly, turn on your gas burner and let it get hot. You can use a regular gas burner, such as one used for cooking. It is important that the burner gets hot enough to ignite the coals.
Next, place your coals on the burner. Good-quality coals should light easily and burn well. You may need to keep them on the fire for a minute or two to ensure they ignite. The coals used for shisha pipes are a good option, as they burn well and will stay alight for at least an hour.
Once your coals are burning, add your Omani incense. The incense will start to smoke and release its fragrance. You can adjust the amount of incense you add depending on how strong you want the fragrance to be.
It is worth noting that some people dislike the smell of burnt coal. If this is a concern, you can try using an electric burner, which doesn't require coal, or a heating plate with an aluminium foil barrier to separate the incense from the coal.
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Using a temperature-controlled electric heater
To burn Oman incense using a temperature-controlled electric heater, you can use a device such as the Golden Lotus Electric Incense Heater or the Porcelain Ceramic Electric Incense Stove from ZYFA. These devices allow you to control the temperature and time settings, preventing scorching or flaming.
When using a temperature-controlled electric heater, it is recommended to experiment with different temperatures for various types of incense. Start with a setting below 30 and adjust as needed. If your incense begins to smoke too quickly, turn down the temperature or turn it off completely.
The ideal temperature setting will depend on the type of material being burned and your personal preference. For most incense, a setting between 220-240 degrees Celsius is recommended. However, you may need to adjust the temperature up or down for different materials. For example, when burning Agarwood, it is advised to use a lower temperature.
To use the Golden Lotus Electric Incense Heater, place a foil cup directly on the heater surface and add incense with a small spoon. Set the timer to your desired duration, and the heater will automatically turn off when the time is up. The heater provides a gentle heat that cycles, ensuring your incense does not overheat or scorch.
Temperature-controlled electric heaters offer several advantages over traditional charcoal burning methods. They allow you to control the heat level, providing greater benefit, scent, and subtle aroma from natural ingredients with minimal smoke. This type of heater gently warms up the incense, releasing its scent without burning it, allowing you to enjoy the layers and aromatic notes of each ingredient.
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Burning incense inside
Burning Omani incense inside is a great way to fragrance your home. Incense has been used in Oman for thousands of years, both in a domestic and religious context. It is considered a status symbol and is often burned to welcome guests.
To burn Omani incense inside, you will need a censer or fireproof dish. You can purchase these, or make your own using clay, or a bowl and something grainy like rice, salt, or sand. If you are using a charcoal burner, you will need to get the charcoal burning well before adding the incense. You can use a gas burner to light the charcoal, or a match, but be aware that some charcoal may not burn well and may need to be replaced. If you are using a heater, you can slowly warm the resins to release a richer scent over a longer period of time.
When using a heater, experiment with different temperatures for different types of incense, always preheat, and start with a setting below 30. If your incense begins to smoke too quickly, turn it down or off. If you are using charcoal, you can add sand or white ash to the censer to absorb heat and improve airflow. You can also use a steel mesh holder to reduce the heat transmitted to the censer and to allow the charcoal to breathe.
Once your charcoal is burning well, or your heater is preheated, you can add your Omani incense. If you are using incense sticks, light the end of the stick with a lighter or match, then let it burn for about 10 seconds before gently blowing out the flame. The end of the stick should be glowing red and smoking. If it isn't, try relighting and letting it burn a little longer. Then, place the non-burning end into your holder and let the incense burn until it extinguishes.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a burner, coal or charcoal, and the frankincense. Get your coal or charcoal burning well before you add the frankincense. You can use a match to light it, but be aware that good coals light easily. If your coals are not igniting, they may be moist.
If you want to get the most out of your incense, use a temperature-controlled electric heater. This will allow you to slowly warm the resins and exude a richer scent for longer.
Burning incense produces smoke, which can set off smoke alarms. The smoke is also a mosquito deterrent.
Charcoal that is wrapped in silver-coloured foil is not recommended as it does not burn well. You should be able to find good charcoal at a shop that sells incense.
