Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been used for centuries for a variety of reasons, from creating a relaxing atmosphere to religious purposes. However, it is important to know how to properly extinguish an incense stick to avoid any potential fire hazards. The most common way to extinguish an incense stick is to dip the tip in water or place it in a glass of water, which will immediately extinguish the flame. Another method is to use a small wire coil or aluminium foil around the stick to prevent combustion. If you have Japanese incense, you can simply snap the stick in half.
How to Extinguish a Large Stick of Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning time | 20-40 minutes depending on thickness, length, and quality |
| How to extinguish | Running the lit end under water |
| Breaking the lit tip off on a fire-proof surface | |
| Dipping the tip in water | |
| Pressing it against a heat-resistant surface | |
| Covering the lit end with aluminium foil | |
| Snapping the stick in half (Japanese incense) |
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What You'll Learn
Dipping the tip in water
Dipping the tip of a lit incense stick in water is an effective way to extinguish it. However, it is important to note that water can affect the quality of the incense and prevent it from burning properly the next time. If you still prefer to use water, make sure to dip only the tip of the incense stick into the water and hold it there until the ember is completely extinguished. This usually takes around 3-4 seconds.
Using water to extinguish an incense stick is a simple and quick method that does not require any additional materials or setup. It is also a safe option, as it does not involve handling the incense stick directly or risking sparks, as can happen when blowing out the flame.
However, one of the main disadvantages of using water to extinguish an incense stick is that it can affect the burning quality of the incense in the future. The incense stick may not burn as effectively or evenly the next time it is lit, resulting in an uneven or incomplete burn. This can impact the fragrance and overall experience of using the incense stick.
Additionally, if you are using a decorative or ornate incense holder, regularly dipping the incense sticks into water can result in water damage or discolouration of the holder. This is something to consider if you prioritise the aesthetic of your incense setup.
Overall, while dipping the tip of an incense stick in water is a valid method of extinguishment, it is important to weigh the convenience of this method against the potential impact on the incense's future burning quality and the possible damage to your incense holder.
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Snapping the stick in half
Incense sticks are made of highly flammable materials and forgetting to extinguish them can be a fire hazard. A simple way to extinguish a large stick of incense is to snap the stick in half. This method works for Japanese incense, such as Shoyeido or Baieido, which do not have a core.
To snap the incense stick, use your hands to bend the stick until it breaks in half. This will immediately extinguish the flame and prevent the incense from burning further. Make sure to do this over a bowl or another heat-resistant surface to catch any falling embers.
Another way to extinguish an incense stick is to create a "collar" by sliding a foil tube over the stick. When the ember reaches the foil, it will be unable to burn further. Alternatively, you can use a candle snuffer, which is like a cup on a stick that is placed over the flame to extinguish it.
If you want to save the remaining half of the incense stick for later use, simply place the snapped end into a bowl of sand or rice to prevent it from burning further. This will allow you to relight the incense stick at a later time.
Remember to always practice proper fire safety when burning incense. Keep the incense holder on a heat-resistant surface, away from flammable materials, and out of reach of children and pets.
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Using a candle snuffer
To extinguish a large stick of incense using a candle snuffer, follow these steps:
Firstly, ensure you have a candle snuffer to hand. A candle snuffer is a small, metal tool designed to extinguish candles and incense sticks. It typically resembles a cup attached to a long stick, allowing you to safely smother the flame.
Once you have your candle snuffer, slowly lower it down the length of the incense stick, covering the burning end. The lack of oxygen will cause the flame to be extinguished, and the incense will no longer burn.
If you do not have a traditional candle snuffer, you can create a makeshift one by forming a small tube out of aluminium foil. Place this tube over the incense stick, and when the ember reaches it, it will be unable to burn further. This method acts as a miniature candle snuffer.
Alternatively, if you need to quickly extinguish the incense and do not have a candle snuffer or foil, you can dip the tip of the incense stick in water or press it against a heat-resistant surface. However, using a candle snuffer or foil tube is preferable as it avoids the potential for water or ash mess.
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Blowing out the flame
If you are looking to preserve the fragrance and prevent ash from scattering, it is recommended to gently sway the incense stick back and forth to naturally extinguish the flame. This method ensures that you do not overpower the delicate scent of the incense.
However, if you are still inclined to blow out the flame, it is important to follow the correct steps. First, light the incense stick with a match or lighter, ensuring that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites and a small flame is visible. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds—approximately 10 seconds—before gently blowing out the flame.
When blowing out the flame, be careful not to blow too hard, as this may cause the flame to burn stronger. Instead, gently blow on the flame until it passes the torch to the stick and then expires. You will know the incense is lit correctly when you see a glowing ember on the tip of the stick and a tendril of smoke.
If you are using a cored incense stick, which consists of a thin wooden stick (usually bamboo) covered in incense material, be sure to place the wooden end into the holder after blowing out the flame.
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Placing it in an incense holder
To use an incense holder, light the incense stick with a match or lighter, ensuring the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites and a small flame is visible. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then gently fan or blow it out. If you see a small glowing ember and a small amount of smoke, the incense has been lit correctly. If not, you may need to relight it.
After lighting the incense, place the non-burning end into the holder and let it burn until it extinguishes. If you need to extinguish the incense early, you can dip the tip in water or press it against a heat-resistant surface. However, if there is still a fair amount of incense left, you may want to use another method so you can relight it later.
One alternative method is to create a small "collar" or "hat" out of aluminium foil and place it over the incense stick. This will prevent the incense from burning further, as the foil will remove oxygen and absorb heat from the ember. Another option is to place a small wire coil around the stick at the point you want it to stop burning. This will dissipate heat and lower the temperature, preventing further combustion.
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Frequently asked questions
There are several ways to extinguish a large stick of incense. One of the simplest and most effective methods is to run the lit end under water in a sink. This will immediately extinguish the flame and eliminate any fire risks. If you want to light the incense again later, you can try another method, such as breaking off the lit tip on a fireproof surface or moulding a piece of aluminium foil over the glowing end to snuff out the oxidation and absorb heat from the ember.
A large incense stick will generally take 20-40 minutes to burn completely, depending on its thickness, length, and quality.
Yes, you can extinguish and relight incense sticks. However, if you are using a low-quality incense stick with synthetic ingredients, it may be more difficult to relight and may burn for only a minute or two.
