Anisha Riggs
Incense is used in ancient and modern cultures for worship, purification, and aromatherapy. While burning incense, it's important to be present and attentive to avoid accidents and to ensure the incense stays lit. There are several reasons why incense may not stay lit, including the quality of the incense, the way it is lit, and the holder it is placed in.
How to Get Incense to Stay Lit
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense Type | Stick, Cone, Coil, Powder, Paper |
| Incense Quality | Pure, High-Quality Materials |
| Incense Packing | Tightly Packed, Allowing Air Circulation |
| Incense Holder | Appropriate, Heat-Proof, Fireproof, Stable |
| Incense Placement | Upright, Diagonal, Pointed-Side Up, In a Well-Ventilated Room |
| Incense Lighting | Using a Lighter or Match, Holding Upside Down, Burning for a Few Seconds |
| Incense Burning | Allowing a Strong Flame, Creating Fragrant Smoke |
| Incense Safety | Maintaining Distance from Flammable Materials, Children, and Pets |
| Incense Extinguishing | Using a Designated Snuffer or Tapping onto a Fireproof Surface |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense cones: Place the cone in a heat-proof container and light the tip until it glows orange
- Incense sticks: Stand the stick straight up or diagonally, then light the tip
- Incense coils: These can burn for several hours to several days
- Incense powders: Burn in a special burner or toss into an open flame
- Incense paper: Light and blow out, like incense sticks and cones
Incense cones: Place the cone in a heat-proof container and light the tip until it glows orange
Incense cones are a popular way to enjoy the fragrant smoke of incense without the time commitment of an incense stick or the cleanup of incense resins and herbs. They are usually made of ground powder that is mixed and dried into a cone shape. Incense cones burn very hot, so it is important to use a heat-resistant incense burner and place it on a heat-resistant surface. The best incense burners for incense cones are usually made of metal, stone, or ceramic.
To light an incense cone, start by placing the cone in a heat-proof container. You can use tweezers to hold the cone if you don't want to touch it with your fingers. Hold a lit match or lighter to the tip of the incense cone, just like you would with a candle wick. Ensure that the incense cone is immersed in the flame until it ignites with a small flame. This may take up to 10-15 seconds, but be sure to watch the flame carefully and adjust the timing as needed.
Once the incense cone is ignited, gently fan or blow out the flame. You may need to wait for a short while before blowing out the flame to ensure it properly lights up. Check the tip of the incense cone where the flame was. If you see a small glowing ember and smoke starts to come out, then the incense cone has been correctly lit. The ember may still go out, so blow gently to encourage the red glow at the tip of the cone. You should see and smell plenty of incense smoke at this point.
If your incense cone is not staying lit, there are a few things you can try. First, make sure that the incense cone is placed upright in the burner and that the burner has enough airflow. The flame of the incense cone needs oxygen to continue burning, so ensure that the burner is not blocking the airflow. Additionally, check that the incense cone is made of pure, quality materials and that it is tightly packed to allow for proper airflow.
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Incense sticks: Stand the stick straight up or diagonally, then light the tip
Incense sticks are one of the most common types of incense, alongside cones. They are easy to light and burn, and come in a variety of fragrances. To burn an incense stick, you will need to stand it either straight up or diagonally. This can be done by using an incense burner, which usually has holes to fit the stick.
If you don't have an incense burner, you can fill a small container with sand and stick the incense in stick-side down. The sand will prop up your incense stick and also protect the bottom of your container from ashes. Alternatively, you can clip your lit incense stick, with the incense side down, into a large plastic bottle lined with sand. The smoke will exit the mouth of the bottle, and the ashes will fall onto the sand.
Once you have set up your incense stick, you can light the tip with a match or lighter. Let the tip burn for around five to ten seconds before blowing it out. If the flame doesn't catch, simply light it again. The end should smolder and start to release smoke.
It is important to prioritise safety when burning incense. Always stay present and attentive while the incense burns, and never leave it unattended, especially if there are children or pets around. Keep a safe distance between the burning incense and any flammable materials, such as curtains, paper, or clothing.
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Incense coils: These can burn for several hours to several days
Incense coils are designed for easy setup and often come with holders that make them beginner-friendly. They can burn for several hours to several days, depending on their size.
To ensure your incense coil burns for longer, you should place it in a well-ventilated area. Incense requires oxygen to burn, so if it is too tightly packed or enclosed, it will not stay lit. Make sure there is enough airflow around the coil. If using a charcoal disc, ensure the holes are not blocked.
When lighting the coil, hold it upside down for a few seconds before blowing it out. You want a good 2mm of glowing ember on the top. You can also try burning the coil in a more horizontal position.
The type of incense you use is important. Some incense is made with artificial ingredients that can be hazardous to your health and may not burn as effectively. It is best to use incense made with pure, quality, natural materials.
Finally, make sure you are using an appropriate holder for your incense coil. This will help keep it upright and secure, which is necessary for the incense to burn properly and safely.
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Incense powders: Burn in a special burner or toss into an open flame
Incense powder is a traditional Chinese practice called zhuan xiang or yin xiang, which means creating an incense seal or stamp from the powder. This method involves placing a mould on a bed of firmly pressed ash, which acts as a heat-resistant surface. The loose incense powder is then spooned into the mould, and once removed, the powder retains the shape of the seal. This can then be lit and will burn from one end to the other.
To burn incense powder, you will need a small stove lighter or kitchen torch, as the long snout helps pinpoint the starting point of the trail. You can also use a lit incense stick instead of a lighter. It is important to note that incense powder requires an external heat source, such as charcoal, or a specialised burner or heater.
To light the incense powder, hold the flame to one end of the trail until you see smoke flowing out consistently. You can then fan out the flame as you would with a regular incense stick. Once the trail is fully burnt, you can stir the ash into the rest of the ash with chopsticks.
If you are using a charcoal disc, ensure the holes are not blocked to allow oxygen flow and keep the ember lit. Additionally, make sure your incense powder is not packed too tightly, as this will prevent airflow and cause the flame to extinguish.
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Incense paper: Light and blow out, like incense sticks and cones
Incense paper is lit in a similar way to incense sticks and cones. Here is a step-by-step guide to ensure your incense paper stays lit:
Firstly, ensure you are using incense made from pure, quality materials. Incense that is not good quality will be more difficult to light and keep lit. Then, select an appropriate holder for your incense paper. The holder should be stable, heat-resistant, and designed to collect any ash that falls. It should also allow for proper airflow, as incense needs oxygen to stay lit. If the incense is too tightly packed together, there won't be enough airflow to keep it lit.
Next, light the incense paper with either a match or a lighter. Hold the flame to the tip of the incense until it catches and a small flame appears. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, and then gently blow it out. This will leave a glowing ember, which will slowly burn down the incense paper and release its fragrance.
Finally, place the incense paper in the holder, ensuring it is secure and upright. This will help the incense to burn evenly and avoid any ash scattering. With the correct setup, your incense paper should stay lit and you can enjoy the fragrance.
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Frequently asked questions
If your incense won't stay lit, it could be due to a lack of oxygen. Incense needs oxygen to keep burning, so if it's packed too tightly or the incense holder is blocking airflow, it will go out. Make sure there's enough air circulation around the embers. If you're using a charcoal disc, ensure the holes are not blocked.
Hold a lit match or lighter at the tip of the incense until it catches. If you're lighting a stick, you can let it burn for 5-10 seconds before blowing it out. For cones, you should blow out the flame once the tip is glowing orange.
Choose high-quality incense from a reputable source. If you're using an incense box, try placing the incense on a bed of ash or sand to keep it off any metal surfaces.
