Lance Carson
Backflow incense burners are a beautiful way to enjoy the scent of your favourite incense while creating a mesmerizing display. Unlike standard incense burners, backflow burners force the smoke downward into an internal chamber, creating the appearance of flowing water. With their meditative and relaxing qualities, it's no surprise that backflow incense burners have become popular. In this guide, we'll explore how to make a backflow incense burner using a bottle, so you can create your own unique and environmentally-friendly design.
Characteristics and Values Table for a DIY Backflow Incense Burner with a Bottle:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Empty bottle, wood, tin snips/heavy-duty scissors/utility knife, sandpaper/file, glue, aluminium strips, small drill bit |
| Design | Incorporate waves, water, rocks, ships, or a lighthouse for a unique look. Ensure the bottle is cut and shaped to allow smoke to flow downward like a waterfall |
| Functionality | The bottle should have a stand for the incense to sit, with a hollow cavern for smoke to travel through and an opening for smoke release. The base collects the ash |
| Safety | Wear protective gloves and eye protection when cutting and handling sharp objects. Smooth sharp edges with sandpaper or a file |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing a bottle
First, consider the size of the bottle. You'll want to make sure that it is proportional to the size of the incense cones or sticks you plan to use. A bottle that is too small may not accommodate the smoke and cause it to waft away, while a bottle that is too large may not look aesthetically pleasing.
Next, think about the shape of the bottle. You'll want to choose a bottle with a relatively wide mouth, as this will allow for better airflow and smoke release. A narrower neck can help direct the smoke downwards, creating the desired backflow effect. Consider the overall shape of the bottle and how it will look once converted into a burner. Choose a shape that appeals to you and fits with your aesthetic preferences.
The colour and transparency of the bottle are also factors to consider. Transparent or translucent bottles can create a beautiful visual effect as you can see the smoke travelling through the bottle. However, opaque or coloured bottles can also be striking and create a mysterious ambiance.
Finally, choose a bottle that is made of a material that is safe and easy to work with. Glass bottles are a popular choice as they are heat-resistant and easy to cut and manipulate. Plastic bottles, on the other hand, may release toxic fumes when heated, so they are not recommended for this project.
Take your time to source a bottle that ticks all these boxes and you'll be well on your way to creating a functional and aesthetically pleasing backflow incense burner.
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Cutting the bottle
To make a backflow incense burner with a bottle, you'll first need to prepare your workspace with a stable surface and good lighting. You'll be cutting the bottle, so safety precautions are important. Wear protective gloves and ensure you have a first-aid kit nearby in case of injury.
Now, carefully cut off the top portion of the bottle, including the mouth and the area just below the curve. This step is crucial as it forms the base of your incense burner. Use tin snips or heavy-duty scissors for a clean cut; regular scissors might cause uneven edges. Cut slowly and steadily, following the bottle's contour. It's generally best to cut just below the curved edge as this thicker area provides more stability for the structure.
After removing the top, smooth any jagged edges with a file or sandpaper. This step not only makes the bottle safer to handle but also gives your incense burner a polished look. Once you're done, you'll have the two main parts of your burner: the base and the lid. The base is where the incense will sit and the ash will collect, while the lid helps control airflow and smoke release.
With the bottle now divided into two parts, you can use the leftover scraps to create legs for your burner. Cut out three thin strips of aluminium, each about 1 cm in width and long enough to provide adequate height and stability. It's important to be precise in your cutting to ensure the legs are of equal size, allowing the burner to stand evenly. Once you have your strips, gently roll or fold one end of each to create a small loop or curve that will form the base of the legs. If the aluminium is too stiff to bend by hand, you can use pliers to shape it more easily.
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$9.67
Smoothing the edges
Sandpaper Smoothing:
- Prepare your work area: Ensure your work surface is hard and durable. Cover your work area with a piece of wet sandpaper. You can use emery cloth if wet sandpaper is unavailable.
- Secure the bottle: Hold the bottle securely with your non-dominant hand, wearing heavy-duty work gloves for protection. If the bottle is too small to hold safely, consider using a clamp.
- Sand the edges: Place the sharp edge of the bottle down onto the wet sandpaper. Move the bottle in a circular motion for about 5 minutes, applying gentle downward pressure. Rotate the bottle every 2-3 circles to ensure uniform sanding.
- Sand the corners: After sanding the outer edge, focus on the inner and outer corners. Dip the sandpaper into water again to dampen it and sand these areas by hand, being careful not to cut yourself.
- Polish the surface: Use a wet paper towel to wipe off any glass dust and residual water. Progress through the polishing stages, using increasingly finer grit sandpaper (e.g., 150, 220, 320, and 400 grit) until you achieve your desired level of smoothness.
Alternative Methods:
- Silicon Carbide Powder: This method involves using an abrasive powder to achieve finer, even sanding. Sprinkle silicon carbide powder on a metal surface and move the glass bottle in a figure-eight motion, applying gentle pressure. Wipe off the residue with a wet towel and use sandpaper for final touch-ups if needed.
- Flame Polishing: This advanced technique uses heat to soften and smooth the edges of the glass. It requires specialised tools and safety precautions, so it is recommended to seek professional guidance if you are interested in this method.
- Glass Shop Services: If you prefer, you can take your bottle to a glass shop, where they have the equipment to smooth the edges for you. Some shops may even offer this service for free.
Remember to always wear protective gear, such as gloves, eye protection, and a dust mask, when working with glass to avoid injuries and inhalation of glass dust.
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Creating the internal fixture
The internal fixture is the heart of the backflow incense burner. To create it, you will need a short piece of 1/4" diameter wood dowel, a 4.25" x 0.75" x 0.18" thick piece of wood, and a few tongue depressors.
On the 4.25" long piece of wood, use a pencil to mark three 45-degree angles. Using a hand saw, cut grooves along the pencil marks. The grooves should be wide enough to fit the edge of the tongue depressors. Cut the tongue depressors to about an inch in length and insert them into the grooves, securing them with hot glue.
Next, hot glue the 1/4" dowel rod to the bottom of the wood piece. This rod will secure the fixture to the wood base. Finally, glue a 3/4" length of a tongue depressor to the top of the wood stick at a 30-degree angle. This will create a landing platform for the smoke to hit and direct it to the vanes.
The funnel, which can be made from a plastic tube, helps shape and direct the incense smoke to the internal fixture. It can be painted black and incorporated into the design.
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Adding the finishing touches
Now that you've made your backflow incense burner using a bottle or a beer can, it's time to add some final touches to make it truly yours. Here are some ideas to consider:
Decorate the Exterior
You can decorate the outside of your burner to match your style or the theme of the room where it will be placed. Consider painting it with colours or patterns that speak to you. Perhaps you want to create a serene landscape, an abstract design, or a whimsical fantasy scene. You could also use stickers, glitter, or other decorative elements to add some flair.
Embellish with Natural Elements
If you're going for a natural or rustic look, consider adding natural elements like dried flowers, leaves, or twigs to your design. You could attach them using hot glue or a strong adhesive. For instance, you could glue a dried flower around the rim of the bottle or can, creating a unique and organic accent.
Add a Personal Touch
Make your burner one-of-a-kind by adding a personal touch. Consider engraving your initials or a meaningful symbol on the burner. You could also add a favourite quote or a meaningful date. This will make your creation truly special and give it a story to tell.
Experiment with Light
Consider adding some lighting elements to your burner to create a cosy or enchanting atmosphere. You could wrap fairy lights around the bottle or place a small LED light inside to illuminate the smoke as it cascades downward. Just ensure that any lighting additions are safe and don't interfere with the functionality of the burner.
Create a Themed Display
Curate a themed display around your backflow incense burner. This could mean placing it on a decorative tray with complementary items, such as crystals, candles, or other objects that enhance the burner's visual appeal and create a cohesive aesthetic. Perhaps you could create a mini zen garden or a magical forest scene, letting your creativity run wild.
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Frequently asked questions
Backflow incense burners are incense holders that force the smoke downward into an internal chamber, where the falling smoke resembles flowing water.
You will need an empty beer bottle, tin snips or heavy-duty scissors, a file or sandpaper, a pair of pliers, and protective gloves.
First, cut off the top portion of the beer bottle with tin snips or heavy-duty scissors. Smooth out any sharp edges with a file or sandpaper. Then, cut the bottle in half horizontally to create the base and lid of the burner. Use the leftover scraps to cut out three thin strips of aluminium to create the legs of the burner. Finally, assemble the pieces together to form your backflow incense burner.
You can use either cone-shaped or stick-shaped incense for backflow burners. Ensure that the incense has a small, hollow tunnel through the centre, ending in a hole at the bottom centre.
Place the incense cone or stick on the burner, ensuring that the hole at the bottom of the incense aligns with the hole on the burner. Light the pointy end of the incense with a match or lighter until it ignites, then gently blow out the flame. The incense is correctly lit when you see a small glowing ember and smoke starts coming out of the bottom.
