Katrina Rosales
Burning incense is a popular way to add fragrance to your home, and it's important to do so safely. Incense ash is the powdery residue that remains after incense materials are burned, and it can be used for several purposes, such as lighting and slightly burying charcoal to manage heat distribution for resin or wood. It can also be used as a natural insect repellent or fertilizer, or even as a base for your incense coil or stick. When lighting incense, it's best to use a small stove lighter or kitchen torch, and it's important to take safety precautions, such as never leaving burning incense unattended and keeping it away from flammable objects.
How to Light Ash Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting device | Small stove lighter, kitchen torch, or long-snouted lighting device |
| Incense type | Stick, powder, or coil |
| Incense holder | Heat-resistant, stable, and able to catch falling ash |
| Incense placement | Vertical with the lit end up, or laid flat on a bed of ash |
| Stirring | Required to incorporate oxygen and break up clumps; performed with metal "fire chopsticks" in a clockwise motion |
| Ventilation | Well-ventilated area with good airflow to prevent the buildup of smoke |
| Safety | Keep away from flammable objects, flammable surfaces, and children and pets |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right incense
The first thing to consider when choosing incense is the form it comes in. The form of incense you select will dictate the type of burner you need. Cone and stick incense are the easiest to burn. For cone incense, you will need a stone or ceramic disc to catch the falling ash. For stick incense, you can buy a holder in the style you like, and some incenses even come with a small ceramic holder. If you want to avoid buying equipment, these are the best options for you. You can also fill a bowl or cup with rice, sand, or ash and stick the incense inside.
If you don't mind purchasing equipment, or if you already have a censer and charcoal, you might want to try resin incense. Resin incense is highly customisable, as you can purchase a variety of different resins and mix them to create the exact scent you want. However, it requires a lot of supervision and is much more time-consuming to burn than stick incense.
When it comes to scent, choosing the right one is about more than just what smells nice. Each scent taps into a different vibe. For example, sandalwood is great for meditation and peaceful vibes, aloeswood is deeply meditative, patchouli is earthy and sensual, and lavender relieves headaches and busts stress.
Finally, it is important to avoid synthetic types of incense, such as those labelled "hand dipped" or "double dipped".
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Preparing a suitable incense holder
Firstly, choose a heat-resistant incense holder or burner that is specifically designed for incense burning. This is crucial for safety reasons, as it can prevent accidents and surface damage from the heat. Look for a holder made from materials such as metal, ceramic, or wood. Ensure that your chosen holder is stable and can catch falling ash, protecting your surfaces from any potential damage.
Next, prepare the incense holder by adding ash to it. The amount of ash you add will depend on the size and shape of your holder. As a general guideline, fill the holder to no more than 80% capacity or to a depth of approximately two inches. Using a flat implement, gently level the ash by tapping the bottom and sides of the holder. This will help create a uniform surface for your incense. If you're using a Kōro, a traditional Japanese incense burner, you can stir the ash with "fire chopsticks" in a clockwise motion to incorporate oxygen and break up any clumps.
If your incense holder has a lid, remember to remove it before burning incense. The lid is intended to cover the ash between uses, keeping the area neat and emphasising the beauty of the holder. Once the lid is removed, stir the ash gently to aerate it, especially if it has been sitting for a while and may have absorbed moisture.
When preparing your incense holder, always opt for high-quality, natural incense products. Avoid cheaper alternatives that may contain synthetic fragrances, harmful chemicals, or charcoal, as these can produce harmful smoke when burned. Natural incense sticks made from wood, bamboo, or spices are less likely to create hazardous fumes.
Finally, always prioritise safety when lighting incense. Ensure that the area around you is clear of any flammable objects, such as curtains, towels, or aerosol cans. Never leave burning incense unattended, and keep it away from children and pets. Always dispose of the incense ash properly once it has completely cooled, using a fireproof container or ashtray.
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Lighting the incense
Lighting incense is a simple process, but it's important to follow safety guidelines. Firstly, choose a high-quality, natural incense stick, dhoop stick, or cone that is environmentally friendly and free from synthetic fragrances, harmful chemicals, and charcoal.
Next, prepare a suitable incense holder. This should be a heat-resistant burner that provides stability and catches falling ash. Place your chosen incense on the holder, ensuring it is secure and positioned upright to allow the smoke to rise freely. It is important to place the incense burner in a well-ventilated area to prevent the buildup of smoke. If possible, create a cross-ventilation effect by opening a window or door, which will also help to disperse the fragrance throughout the room.
Now you are ready to light the incense. Using a small stove lighter, kitchen torch, or any lighting device with a long snout for the flames, ignite the top end of the incense stick or cone. Alternatively, you can use a match. Let the flame burn for a few seconds, then gently blow it out, leaving a glowing ember. Fan out the flame as you usually would when lighting incense. You will know the incense is lit when you see smoke consistently flowing out.
It is important to stay present and attentive while the incense burns, and never leave it unattended. Keep it away from any flammable objects, and avoid burning incense around alcohol, hairspray, aerosols, or anything with a high alcohol or petroleum content.
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Extinguishing the incense
Incense ash can be highly useful for various purposes, such as repelling insects, masking odours, and even as a natural fertilizer. However, it is important to extinguish the incense properly to avoid any safety hazards.
Firstly, always ensure that the incense is extinguished before leaving the room or going to sleep. The incense ash can remain hot for a prolonged period, so be cautious of where you place the incense to prevent damage to surfaces. Avoid placing it on wood, carpets, or other flammable materials.
To extinguish the incense, simply dip the burning end into a bowl of sand or water. This will smother the embers, causing them to go out quickly and safely. Blowing on the incense like a candle is not recommended, as this may disperse burning embers and create a fire risk.
Once the incense is fully extinguished, collect the ash in a fireproof container or ashtray. Keep it away from children and pets to prevent accidental ingestion, which can be harmful. Additionally, be mindful of individuals with respiratory issues or allergies, as the incense smoke may cause discomfort.
Finally, properly dispose of the incense ash and any remaining fragments. Do not discard the ash while it is still hot, as it may reignite, especially if there is combustible material nearby. Always allow the ash to cool completely before disposal to ensure a safe and worry-free experience.
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Using the incense ash
Incense ash can be used in a variety of ways, from enhancing the fragrance of subsequent burns to creating a thermal barrier for charcoals and resins or cones. Here are some specific ways to use incense ash:
- Optimal burning environment: Using ash with a Japanese incense burner, such as a kōro, provides an optimal environment for fully appreciating the rare and fragrant ingredients used in Japanese incense. The ash helps to regulate the burn, ensuring the incense stick or powder burns completely and safely.
- Stirring the ash: After adding ash to your incense burner, it is important to stir the ash gently before each use to incorporate oxygen and break up any clumps that have absorbed moisture. This can be done with metal "fire chopsticks" in a clockwise motion or with any other suitable implement.
- Supporting incense sticks: Incense ash can be used as a simple support for incense sticks. Place the lit incense stick vertically in the centre of the ash with the lit end up, ensuring that any falling ash is contained. The depth of the stick in the ash will depend on its length, with longer sticks requiring more depth for support.
- Creating an ash bed: Incense ash can be used to create an ash bed for burning powder incense. The powder is carefully shaped on the ash bed before burning. The ash from previous burns can be used, as it enhances the fragrance of subsequent burns and imparts a faint fragrance to the burner.
- Managing heat distribution: Incense ash can be used to manage heat distribution for resins, woods, or charcoals. Slightly bury the charcoal in the ash to control the temperature.
- Base for incense coils: Incense ash can be compacted and used as a base for incense coils or sticks. This provides stability and ensures the incense burns completely.
- Ritual and devotional practices: Incense ash can be used in various ritual and devotional practices. For example, in witchcraft, the ashes can be collected and offered to deities or mixed with other ingredients to create "black salt" for specific purposes.
- Aromatic enhancement: Incense ash can be used to enhance the aroma of your burn. Transfer your incense stick to a bed of ash, especially towards the end of its burn, to improve its ability to burn aromatically.
- Skin treatments: In ancient times, incense ash was used to treat minor skin conditions such as cuts and bites. However, this practice should be approached with caution and proper guidance.
- Aesthetic purposes: Incense ash can be used to create decorative patterns or designs, such as in the Japanese art of Kōdō, where the ash is pressed and flattened to create a neat and uniform surface.
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Frequently asked questions
Using a small stove lighter or kitchen torch is best as the long snout helps with pinpointing the starting point of the trail. Light one end of the incense, fan out the flame, and leave a glowing ember. When you see smoke consistently flowing out, the incense is lit.
Each Koro requires a different amount of ash depending on its size and shape. A practical guideline is to fill the Koro to no more than 80% full or to a depth of approximately two inches of ash. If the surface of the ash is uneven, gently tap the bottom and sides of the Koro to allow the ash to settle.
It is not unusual for the burning to stop a few times, especially for incense with multiple bends. Come back the next day and light the rest to enjoy.
Incense ash can be used for a variety of purposes, including insect repellent, natural scrubs, and fertilizer. However, it is important to note that incense ash can cause damage to surfaces such as wood, furniture, or floors, and it should be kept away from children and pets.
Always use high-quality, natural incense sticks in a well-ventilated area. Keep the incense away from any flammable objects and never leave it unattended. Make sure to properly extinguish the incense and dispose of the ash in a fireproof container or ashtray.
