Seamus Hammond
Burning incense is a popular way to create a calming atmosphere and fill your space with a beautiful scent. However, incense can be tricky to use, as it often struggles to stay lit. This guide will provide you with tips and tricks to keep your incense burning for longer, as well as methods to control the smoke and scent. Whether you're a seasoned pro or a beginner, these tips will help you get the most out of your incense-burning experience.
How to Keep Incense Burning
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting the incense | Light one end of the incense stick with a match or lighter, ensuring the flame is visible. |
| Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then fan or blow it out. | |
| Correctly lit incense | A small glowing ember and a small amount of smoke should be visible. |
| Preventing the spread of smoke | Seal the room and use a wet towel to block the door slit. |
| Keep the room ventilated by opening a window. | |
| Preventing incense from extinguishing | Place incense on a bed of ash, salt, or sand to prevent direct contact with metal surfaces. |
| Extinguishing incense | Press the lit tip of the incense stick against a heat-resistant surface until the ember breaks off. |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense burning 101: light the stick with a match or lighter
- How to keep it lit: place on a bed of ash or sand, not metal?
- Extinguishing: press the lit tip against a heat-resistant surface
- Containing smoke: seal the room, and use a wet towel to block door slits
- Safety: ventilate the room, and cover electronics to avoid gunking
Incense burning 101: light the stick with a match or lighter
Lighting an incense stick is similar to lighting a candle wick. You can use a match or a lighter for this process. If you're using a match, light it first and then proceed to the next steps. If you're using a lighter, skip to step two.
Hold one end of the incense stick, or place it on an incense burner to keep it steady and angled upwards. Lighting the incense can be tricky, so having it in a holder can help.
Now, light the other end of the incense stick with your match or lighter. Ensure 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, and then gently fan or blow it out. If you see a small glowing ember and a wisp of smoke, the incense has been correctly lit. If not, repeat the previous steps.
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How to keep it lit: place on a bed of ash or sand, not metal
To keep your incense lit, it's important to note that it should not be lying on a metal surface. Instead, place your incense on a bed of ash or sand. This is a common practice, especially for new members of incense-burning communities, who are often provided with a bit of incense ash or sand in a sandwich bag as part of an "altar starter kit".
If you don't have any ash, you can create your own by burning incense in a box or container until you have enough ash to form a bed for your incense sticks. You can also use salt or sand as an alternative to keep the incense stick off the metal surface.
When lighting your incense, hold one end of the stick or place it in an incense burner angled upwards. Light the other end 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. Check the tip of the incense for a small glowing ember and a slight smoke, indicating it has been correctly lit.
If you only want to burn your incense for a short period, such as during a meditation session or reading, you can put it out halfway through and preserve the remainder for your next session. Avoid using water to extinguish the incense, as it can affect its quality and future burns. Instead, press the lit tip of the incense against a heat-resistant surface until the ember breaks off.
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Extinguishing: press the lit tip against a heat-resistant surface
When you're ready to extinguish your incense, it's important to do so safely and effectively. One way to put out a stick of incense that is halfway through burning is to press the lit tip against a heat-resistant surface. This method ensures that the incense is extinguished without affecting its quality, so it's ready for the next burn.
To use this method, simply hold the lit end of the incense stick against a heat-resistant surface with some force. You can use a special incense burner or a heat-resistant base, such as a ceramic or metal plate. Applying pressure will cause the lit piece to break off, separating it from the unburnt portion. This technique is straightforward and allows you to preserve the remaining incense for future use.
It's worth noting that this method is suitable for incense without a core. If your incense has a core, you might need to explore other techniques, such as using a layer of salt or sand to protect the stick from direct contact with metal surfaces. Additionally, some people recommend using a bed of ash to keep the incense burning steadily.
Remember, when extinguishing incense, it's crucial to prioritise safety. Always ensure that you're using heat-resistant materials and surfaces that can withstand the high temperatures without causing damage or posing a fire hazard. By following these steps, you can safely extinguish your incense and preserve it for future enjoyment.
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Containing smoke: seal the room, and use a wet towel to block door slits
If you want to contain the smoke from your incense in one room, it's important to seal the room as much as possible. This means closing the doors and ensuring any windows are shut. Even a small crack in a window can allow the scent to escape and potentially reach other areas of the house, so it's best to keep them closed during your incense session.
However, sealing the room alone may not be sufficient to contain the smoke and prevent its spread. To further block the spread of smoke and scent, you can use a wet towel. Place the wet towel on the floor, blocking the slit or gap below the door. This will help to prevent the smoke from escaping through the gap and into the rest of the house.
It's worth noting that a wet towel is more effective than a dry one, as it creates a tighter seal and blocks the slit more effectively. However, some people advise against using a wet towel, as the moisture can potentially lead to the growth of mould. If you're concerned about this, you may want to consider using a dry towel or another method to contain the smoke.
Additionally, be aware that incense smoke and scent can linger on carpets, furniture, and other fabrics. This means that even after your session, the smell may still be noticeable in the room. If you're sensitive to scents or concerned about the lingering smell, it's recommended to start with a small amount of incense and burn it for a shorter duration to see how it affects the space.
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Safety: ventilate the room, and cover electronics to avoid gunking
When burning incense, it is important to prioritise your safety and that of others in the household. Incense smoke can be bothersome to some people, so it is best to keep the room ventilated. Open a window, even if it is just slightly cracked, to allow the smoke to escape and fresh air to enter. This is especially important if you are burning incense indoors, as the scent can linger in your carpet and furniture.
Additionally, if there are any electronics in the room, such as a laptop, it is a good idea to cover them. This will prevent the buildup of gunk from the incense smoke, which could potentially cause damage over time. If you are concerned about the incense smell escaping into other rooms, you can try placing a towel underneath the door to block the slit and prevent the smoke from escaping. However, be cautious as this could lead to mould growth.
It is also worth noting that incense smoke may still escape through vents or cracks, and the scent may drift to other areas when you open windows after your session. Therefore, it is advisable to be considerate of others' preferences and burn incense in a well-ventilated area.
By following these safety precautions, you can ensure that your incense burning experience is enjoyable and does not cause any harm to yourself, others, or your belongings.
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Frequently asked questions
Light one end of the incense stick with a match or lighter. Ensure 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, then fan or blow it out. If you see a small glowing ember and a small amount of smoke, the incense has been correctly lit.
If your incense won't stay lit, try placing it on a bed of ash or salt/sand instead of a metal surface. You can also try breaking a stick into shorter lengths, setting them cross-wise, and then placing longer sticks across the top. The shorter sticks won't burn much, but they should keep the longer ones lit.
To keep incense smoke from seeping into other rooms, close the doors and place a towel at the bottom of the door to block the slit. Be aware that the smell may still drift to other rooms or linger in your carpet and furniture. Keep the room ventilated by cracking a window a few inches at the top.
If you don't want to burn an entire stick of incense, you can put it out halfway through and save the rest for later. Instead of using water, which can affect the quality of the incense, try pressing the lit tip of the stick against a heat-resistant surface until the ember breaks off.
The smell of incense can last long after the burning is done. Incense cones, for example, produce smoke for about 20 minutes, but the scent can linger for hours. Charcoal cones produce less intense smoke, allowing more delicate scent notes to come through.
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