Lance Carson
Incense has been used for centuries as part of spiritual practices, to address bad odours, and more recently, in aromatherapy to address issues like anxiety. If you're making your own incense cones, you'll need to let them dry before you light them. The best way to dry them is to place them on parchment or wax paper and leave them for a minimum of 12 hours, turning them over halfway through. You can also place them on the dashboard of a car on a sunny day and leave them for 1-2 days before moving them to an airtight container.
How to Dry Incense Cones
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Dried aromatic herbs (e.g. lavender, cinnamon), base (e.g. pine, sandalwood), binder (e.g. guar gum, honey), distilled water |
| Tools | Mortar & pestle, old coffee grinder, piping cone tip, toothpick, parchment/wax paper, airtight container |
| Process | Mix dry ingredients, add water to form dough, shape into cones, dry on parchment/wax paper for 12 hours, turning halfway |
| Alternative Method | Place cones on car dashboard on a sunny day for 1-2 days, then transfer to an airtight container |
| Safety | Keep away from children and pets, ensure proper aeration, do not leave lit incense unattended, allow to cool before discarding |
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What You'll Learn
Place on parchment or wax paper for 12 hours
Once you've shaped your DIY incense cones, it's time to dry them. The best way to dry them is to place them on parchment or wax paper and let them sit for a minimum of 12 hours. This process ensures that your cones will be ready for use, with the moisture evaporating from the mixture, leaving you with a solid cone that can be burned safely.
It is crucial to be patient during this drying period and not rush it. The drying time can vary depending on the climate and humidity, so 12 hours is the minimum. In some cases, it can take up to 2-4 weeks for the incense to dry completely. The key is to ensure that the cones are turned over halfway through the drying process to expose all sides to the air and allow for even drying.
While parchment or wax paper is a commonly recommended option, you can also be creative with other materials you may have on hand. Cardboard, a wooden board, or even a cotton cloth can serve as suitable alternatives to place your cones on during the drying process. Just make sure to keep them away from direct sunlight and heat, as these elements can impact the drying time and the quality of your cones.
During the drying process, the moisture will gradually evaporate from the cones, causing them to harden. This transformation is essential to ensure that your incense cones burn effectively and safely. The drying time will depend on various factors, including the ingredients used, the humidity, and the ambient temperature. Therefore, it's important to monitor the cones and adjust the drying time as needed.
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Turn halfway through to dry the bottoms
When drying your incense cones, it's important to turn them over halfway through so that the bottoms can dry out as well. This ensures that the cones dry evenly and helps prevent any moisture buildup that could affect their burning properties.
To do this, simply wait for the specified amount of time indicated in your chosen drying method, which is usually around half a day to a full day, before turning them over. For example, if you are drying your cones on the dashboard of your car, wait for a day before turning them over. If you are air-drying them, wait for at least 12 hours before turning them.
Turning them over allows the air to circulate around the cones evenly, ensuring that all sides dry uniformly. This step is crucial in the drying process as it helps prevent the cones from becoming too moist or humid, which could affect their burning properties and overall quality.
By turning your incense cones halfway through the drying process, you are not only ensuring even drying but also maintaining the integrity of the cones' shape and structure. This simple step goes a long way in ensuring your incense cones turn out just right!
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Use a car dashboard on a sunny day
To dry incense cones using your car dashboard on a sunny day, you can follow these steps:
Firstly, place your freshly made incense cones on a tray or inside an open container. Make sure the tray or container is secure and won't tip over or slide around while in the car. Place this setup on your dashboard, preferably on the passenger side, away from the driver's view for safety. Park your car in a sunny spot, ensuring the dashboard will be hit by direct sunlight for an extended period.
The heat generated inside the car, combined with the sunlight, will create a warm and dry environment, ideal for drying the incense cones. Leave the incense cones in the car for a day or two, checking on them occasionally to monitor the progress. The time taken to fully dry the cones will depend on various factors, such as the temperature, humidity, and the initial moisture content of the cones.
It's important to note that you should not attempt to light or burn the incense cones in the car. Incense burning produces smoke and hazardous chemicals, which can be dangerous in an enclosed space like a car. Always follow safety guidelines when handling and burning incense.
Once the incense cones appear dry to the touch and have a consistent texture, they are likely ready for storage. However, it's recommended to test one cone to ensure they burn properly before storing the rest. Place the dried cones in an airtight container or sealed plastic bag to preserve their scent and quality. Store them in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight and any flammable materials.
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Store in an airtight container
After drying your incense cones, it is important to store them in an airtight container. This is especially crucial if your incense cones contain honey, as it is a humectant and will attract water if left in an open container. This will affect the quality of your incense cones, making them less likely to burn.
To dry your incense cones, place them on the dashboard of your car on a sunny day. Leave them there for a day or two, and then transfer them to an airtight container. You can also dry them on parchment or wax paper for a minimum of 12 hours, turning them over halfway through the process to ensure that the bottoms dry out as well.
If you are making incense pellets, you can also place them in a ceramic jar with a lid and let them age for up to a year. In Japan, it is common to bury the jar in the ground for this duration.
Regardless of the drying method you choose, it is important to keep your incense cones away from sunlight and heat. This will ensure that they dry properly and maintain their quality.
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Dry for 2-4 weeks
After you've shaped your incense cones, it's time to let them dry. Place your cones on parchment or wax paper and leave them undisturbed for a minimum of 12 hours. Then, transfer them to an airtight container and let them dry for a further 2-4 weeks. This extended drying period is crucial, especially if your incense mixture contains honey, as honey is a humectant and will attract water if left exposed, hindering the burning process.
During these 2-4 weeks, it's essential to keep the cones in a dry, cool place, away from direct sunlight and heat sources. The climate and humidity of your environment will influence the drying time, so maintain a watchful eye. Turn the cones daily to ensure even drying throughout. This process allows the aromatics in your incense mixture to permeate and mature, resulting in a more cohesive and fragrant burn.
If you're seeking an even more profound fragrance, consider extending the drying period to up to a year. This method is traditional in Japan, where incense mixtures are placed in ceramic jars and sometimes even buried underground for a year. This extended aging process allows the fragrances to meld and intensify, resulting in a more complex and nuanced aroma when burned.
After your incense cones have undergone their drying period, it's time to test your creation. Light one of the cones and observe how it burns and smells. If the cone doesn't burn steadily, adjust your recipe by increasing the amount of makko in the mixture. Conversely, if the cone burns too quickly, reduce the makko content. You can repurpose any cones that don't meet your expectations by grinding them up and adjusting the makko content or adding more incense mixture.
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Frequently asked questions
The drying time for incense cones can vary from 12 hours to 2-4 weeks. The longer drying time is more common for incense pellets, which are usually left to dry for a couple of weeks.
Incense cones should be placed in a dry, cool location, away from sunlight and heat. A well-ventilated area is ideal.
The best way to dry incense cones is to place them on the dashboard of a car on a sunny day. After 1-2 days, move the cones to an airtight container.
You can tell if your incense cones are dry by turning them upside down and looking for any colour difference between the centre of the bottom and the outer edges. The bottom should be drier and therefore a different colour.
If your incense cones are not completely dry after the recommended time, you can continue to let them air-dry in a cool, dry place. You can also try placing them in an oven on a low, warm setting for a short period of time.
