Seamus Hammond
German incense burners, also known as Räuchermänner or Rauchermen, are meticulously crafted from wood and make perfect gifts for Christmas or other occasions. The process of making one involves hollowing out a wooden figurine, usually in the shape of a German working man, to place an incense cone inside. The smoke escapes through various holes, creating a unique dissipation effect. To make your own German incense burner, you'll need to carefully drill holes for the smoke to escape, sand and shape the wood, and use specific types of wood and paint to achieve the desired finish.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | German incense smokers were first made from dough and paper mache. In the late 1600s, they were carved from a single piece of wood and made into figurines resembling German villagers. |
| Use | Place an incense cone in the base of the smoker. Light the incense and place the top part of the figurine over the cone. The smoke will come out of various holes in the figurine. |
| Materials | German incense smokers are typically made from wood. |
| Design | The figurines are designed to represent the working man, including builders, carpenters, farmers, and miners. |
| Tools | Chisels, drills, sandpaper, and glue are used to create the figurines. |
| Finish | A coat of satin lacquer is applied to the finished figurine. |
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What You'll Learn
German incense smokers are typically made from two pieces of wood
German incense smokers, or "Rauchermen", are typically crafted from two pieces of wood. The first German smokers were made from dough and paper mache, before being crafted from a single piece of wood in the 1600s. In the mid-1800s, German smokers evolved to be made from two pieces of wood, with the incense placed inside.
The first piece of wood forms the base, where an incense cone is placed. The incense cone comes in a variety of scents, from traditional Christmas smells like cinnamon and spices to woodsy scents like fir and pine. The second piece of wood is the lid, which is placed over the base. This lid is hollowed so that smoke rises through it, exiting through various holes depending on the shape of the figurine. For example, a German smoker in the shape of a house would force smoke through the chimney.
German incense smokers are typically carved to resemble a traditional German working man, such as a miner, shepherd, farmer, or carpenter. The wood used is often lime (Tilia vulgaris) due to its plain grain and ability to be painted well. However, some leave sections of the timber unpainted, opting for beech wood (Fagus sylvatica) to showcase its nice woody fleck.
To create a German incense burner, you will need to sand a flat on the arms to position them onto the body. You can alter the angles to suit the gesture you want your smoker to stand at. For the head, a simple ball shape turned between two centres will do. After shaping the head, you will need to drill a 6mm hole in it, using a sharp lip and spur bit to avoid breakout. The main hole in the body should be 10mm and at a downward angle. To ensure the holes line up, position the head over the body and eyeball with the drill in position before drilling.
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Carve a hollow in the figurine to place the incense cone inside
Carving out a hollow in your German incense smoker figurine is a crucial step in ensuring the incense cone fits securely inside. Here's a detailed guide to help you through the process:
First, it's important to understand the basic structure of a German incense smoker. Traditionally, these figurines are crafted from two pieces of wood. The first piece is the base, where the incense cone is placed. The second piece is the lid, which fits over the base and has a hollowed interior. This hollowed lid is essential for creating a unique dissipation effect as the smoke rises through it.
When carving the hollow in the base, you'll need to ensure it's deep enough to accommodate the incense cone. Use a skew chisel or a similar tool to carefully hollow out the space. Take your time with this step, as you want to create a snug fit for the incense cone. Remember to sand the base as needed to smooth out any rough surfaces.
Additionally, you'll want to drill a main hole in the body of the figurine, angled slightly downward. This hole will serve as the passage for the smoke to travel from the incense cone up through the figurine. Depending on the design of your figurine, you may also need to drill a smaller hole in the head to enhance the smoke dissipation effect. For example, if your figurine resembles a house, you'll want to ensure the smoke exits through the chimney.
Before securing the two pieces together, test the fit by placing the lid over the base and ensuring the holes line up correctly. If needed, make adjustments by sanding or drilling to achieve the perfect alignment.
Once you're happy with the fit, you can glue the two pieces together, creating a seamless German incense smoker figurine. Remember to allow adequate drying time for the glue before proceeding to the next steps of the project.
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Drill holes to allow smoke to escape through the mouth
To make a German incense smoker, you will need to drill holes to allow the smoke to escape through the mouth of the figurine. This is a crucial step in the process, as it will determine the overall look and function of your smoker. Here is a detailed guide to help you through this step:
Firstly, it is important to understand the basic structure of a German incense smoker. Traditionally, these smokers consist of two main pieces: the base and the lid. The base is where the incense cone is placed, and the lid is hollowed to allow smoke to rise through and escape. This two-piece design was introduced in the mid-1800s with the invention of incense cones, replacing the earlier design where incense was burned beside the figurine.
Now, for the drilling process:
- You will need to drill two holes: one in the body and one in the head. The main hole in the body should be approximately 10mm in diameter and drilled at a downward angle. This hole will serve as the entry point for the smoke from the incense cone.
- The second hole, drilled into the head, should be smaller, approximately 6mm in diameter. This hole needs to be made with a sharp lip and spur bit to avoid breakout. The size and placement of this hole are important, as it will determine the dissipation effect of the smoke as it rises through the head and escapes through the mouth.
- To ensure that the holes line up perfectly, position the head over the body and carefully eyeball the drill placement before drilling. This step is crucial to ensure the smoke flows smoothly from the body to the head.
- Before gluing the pieces together, double-check that the holes are aligned correctly. You may also want to sand the edges of the holes to ensure they are smooth and free of any debris.
Remember, the placement of the holes can be adjusted to suit the design of your figurine and the desired dissipation effect. For example, if creating a German smoker in the shape of a house, you would want to ensure the smoke escapes through the chimney.
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Use wood from the beech tree for unpainted areas
German incense burners, otherwise known as Rauchermen, are wonderful little characters that send out plumes of incense. The first German incense smokers were made around the early 1800s, along with many other crafts from the Erzgebirge region in Germany.
To make a German incense burner, you will need to rough down the main body piece to a cylinder. You can do this by holding it in a set of dovetail jaws and then hollowing out the body, leaving a 12mm ridge for the body to sit over the incense holder. You can use a 6mm bowl gouge for this, cutting from the centre outward.
When it comes to the unpainted areas of the incense burner, woodworkers recommend using wood from the beech tree (Fagus sylvatica). This is because beech has a nice, woody fleck to it. Beech is also considered a rather bland wood to look at, and when exposed to steam or heat, it takes on a golden hue.
For the unpainted timber, you can use beech wood for the arms of the incense burner. To create the arms, you will need a set of internal step jaws to hold a piece of 20mm dowel. Start by turning the ball of the hand, then turn down the wrist section before creating a 6mm tenon that will slot into the hole in the arm.
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Paint other areas with lime for a plain grain and good coverage
When making a German incense smoker, it is important to consider the type of wood you will use to create your figurine. The wood used for German incense burners varies, with some crafted from a single piece of wood while others are made from two pieces of wood. The wood type is also important to consider when painting your figurine.
To achieve a plain grain and good coverage, paint the areas that are not beech timber with lime (Tilia vulgaris). Lime is ideal for this purpose because it has a plain grain and covers well. This will ensure that your German incense smoker has a consistent and attractive appearance.
Before painting, you will need to decide on the design of your German incense burner. Traditionally, these figurines are crafted in the form of a German working man, such as a miner, shepherd, farmer, or carpenter, each with unique accents and colours. You can also opt for other designs, such as a house, a mushroom, or a log cabin.
After selecting your design, you can begin the painting process. Apply a couple of coats of paint to the desired areas, allowing each coat to dry thoroughly before adding the next. This will ensure that the paint adheres properly and provides a smooth finish.
Remember to leave the beech timber unpainted, as beechwood has a nice woody fleck that adds a natural touch to your figurine. You can also consider using other types of wood, such as high-quality timber, to create your incense burner, depending on your personal preference and the desired look of your final product.
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Frequently asked questions
German incense smokers are traditionally made from wood, specifically beech and lime wood. You will also need a drill, skew chisel, glue, and satin lacquer.
German incense smokers are typically made of two pieces of wood. The first piece is the base, where an incense cone is placed. The second piece is the lid, which is placed over the base. The lid is hollowed so that smoke rises through it. You will need to drill holes in the body and head of the figure to allow the smoke to come through.
Remove the body of the figure from the base. Place an incense cone in the base and light it. Replace the top part of the figurine over the incense cone and secure it to the base. Smoke will come out from various holes in the figurine.
