Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used for centuries in religious ceremonies and to create intentional spaces. While you can buy incense, it is easy to make your own at home with a few simple ingredients and a censer, or burner. A censer is a vessel with a minimum diameter of 3 inches and a depth of 2 inches, which can be made from a variety of materials, including ceramic, concrete, glass, or metal. To make your own incense, you can use dried herbs such as cedar, lavender, sage, and sweetgrass, crush them into a powder, and mix with a binding agent. The incense can then be moulded into cones and burned in a censer with charcoal, salt, or sand.
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What You'll Learn
- Choose a censer made from a non-flammable material, such as ceramic, concrete, glass, or metal
- Use ash, preferably Japanese rice ash or white ash, instead of salt or sand for a better burn
- Forage for ingredients, including dried and ground herbs, roots, and resins
- Crush herbs into a powder using a mortar and pestle
- Add makko powder, a binding agent derived from the Thunberi tree, to your mixture
Choose a censer made from a non-flammable material, such as ceramic, concrete, glass, or metal
When choosing a censer, it is important to select one made from a non-flammable material. Censers are containers used for burning incense and can be made from a variety of materials such as ceramic, concrete, glass, or metal. These materials are ideal as they are non-flammable and can safely contain the burning incense. Antique censers can also be found, made from materials such as pottery, porcelain, bronze, or iron.
The censer should be at least 3 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep to allow for proper airflow and combustion. It is also important to consider what you will fill the censer with. Some people use sand or salt, but finely sifted ash is preferable as it allows oxygen to flow freely around the incense, enabling it to burn more effectively. Japanese rice ash, also known as "white ash", is a popular choice.
By choosing a non-flammable censer and using the appropriate filling, you can ensure the safe burning of incense. This is especially important as incense burners can become very hot and cause damage or injury if not properly insulated and placed on heat-resistant surfaces. Always take the necessary precautions when burning incense, such as keeping it away from flammable objects and well-ventilated areas, and never leaving it unattended.
Additionally, consider the type of incense you will be using. Censers are versatile and can be used with sticks, cones, or loose aromatics with charcoal. The censer will catch all the ash, ensuring a mess-free and safe burning experience. Whether you choose a new or antique censer, made from ceramic, concrete, glass, or metal, you can safely and effectively enjoy your incense.
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Use ash, preferably Japanese rice ash or white ash, instead of salt or sand for a better burn
To make a homemade incense burner, you'll need to gather dried herbs such as cedar, lavender, sage, or sweetgrass, crush them into a powder, and mix in makko powder derived from the bark of the Thunberi tree. This powder serves as a binding agent and helps ensure a slow, even burn. After moulding and drying your incense, you can light it up. Typically, a small, heat-resistant bowl is filled with salt or sand, and the incense cone is placed on top. However, you may want to consider using ash instead of salt or sand for a better burn.
Some incense enthusiasts recommend using ash, specifically Japanese rice ash or white ash, instead of salt or sand. Ash can act as a thermal barrier for charcoals, cones, or resins, and it is said to be fluffier, allowing for better airflow and ventilation. This is especially important if you are using charcoal, as ash can help to hold the amount of air needed to keep the charcoal burning. Salt, on the other hand, can draw out the heat from the charcoal and cause it to extinguish prematurely. Coarser rock salt may even pop or explode due to its natural water content.
Japanese rice ash is a popular choice for charcoal incense as it is finer and less likely to smother the charcoal. It is important to note that not all ash is the same; for example, ash from a stove may glow and produce a strong odour when used with self-lighting charcoal. It is also crucial to use natural sand if you choose to go that route, as some sands, like bird sand, contain chemicals that can be toxic when heated.
When using ash, it is essential to ensure that it is well-compressed to hold up incense sticks. You can mix the ash with salt and herbs to create black salt, a staple in magical practices, which can be used for protection or negative purposes, depending on the added ingredients. Overall, using ash instead of salt or sand can provide a better burn and more control over the incense's performance.
Whether you choose to use ash, salt, or sand, always take the necessary precautions when burning incense. Place your burner on a heat-resistant surface, keep it away from flammable objects, and never leave it unattended. Ensure proper ventilation and be cautious when handling the incense to avoid burns or damage to clothing. Always consult a physician if you have any respiratory issues or medical conditions before burning incense.
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Forage for ingredients, including dried and ground herbs, roots, and resins
Foraging for your own incense ingredients is a fun and creative process. You can use dried and ground herbs, roots, and resins to make your own unique blend. Start by deciding on your herb mixture – a combination of bitter and sweet herbs can add balance to your blend. Popular herbs include cedar, lavender, sage, and sweetgrass. You can also add flowers like roses, thyme, rosemary, or eucalyptus. If you have a garden, you can use fresh herbs, or you can buy dried herbs. Grind your chosen herbs into a powder using a mortar and pestle. Some herbs may take longer to crush than others, and it's okay to have a few small lumps remaining.
Next, you'll want to add resins to your mixture. It's easier to work with pre-powdered resins, but if you're grinding your own, be sure to freeze them first to make them brittle and easier to crush. Common resins used in incense include frankincense and myrrh, but you can experiment with different types to find your preferred scent. Once you have your herbs and resins powdered, mix them together with a binder. You only need a small amount of binder to create a stiff dough – it should be crumbly but stick together when squeezed. You can use honey, water, or dried fruit soaked in wine as a natural binder.
At this point, you can also add a few drops of your favorite essential oil, being careful not to overpower the other scents in your blend. Roll the mixture into pea-sized balls and coat them with powdered herbs to prevent sticking. Place the balls on a ceramic plate or parchment paper and let them dry for several days to a couple of weeks, turning them regularly to ensure even drying. Once your incense balls are dry, you can burn them by placing a ball on a charcoal briquette in an incense dish.
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Crush herbs into a powder using a mortar and pestle
To make a homemade censor for incense, you'll need to crush dried herbs into a powder using a mortar and pestle. The mortar is a bowl that holds the ingredients, while the pestle is used to crush and grind the herbs into a fine powder.
Before using a new mortar and pestle, it's important to season or cure it to make the surface smoother and prevent staining. To do this, cover the bottom of the mortar with rice and grind it with the pestle until it turns into a fine powder. You can also add a tablespoon of water to the rice to form a paste and work this paste around the inner surfaces of the mortar.
Now, let's get to crushing those herbs! Gather your chosen dried herbs, such as cedar, lavender, sage, or sweetgrass. Place the herbs in the mortar and use the pestle to pulverize them until they have a powdery consistency. You can use a bashing or muddling technique. For the bashing method, hold the mortar steady and bash the pestle against the herbs using large motions. Make sure to cover the bowl to prevent the herbs from escaping. The muddling technique involves holding the pestle firmly and twisting it against the herbs, grinding them against the bottom and sides of the mortar. This method is suitable for processing garlic and other ingredients that you want to crush without fully breaking them down.
Keep in mind that some herbs may take longer to crush than others, so be patient and work in small batches if needed. Once you have a fine powder, you can mix it with makko powder, a natural binding agent that helps ensure a slow, even burn when the incense is lit. Use a 1:3 ratio of makko powder to herb powder. For example, mix one teaspoon of makko powder with three teaspoons of herb powder.
Finally, remember to clean your mortar and pestle after each use. If you've only used dry ingredients, a quick wipe may suffice. However, if a deeper clean is needed, wash the utensils with warm water or put them in the dishwasher if suitable. Avoid using washing-up liquid, as it can leave a residue and affect the taste of your next batch of incense.
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Add makko powder, a binding agent derived from the Thunberi tree, to your mixture
Makko powder is an essential ingredient in making homemade incense. It is derived from the bark of the Thunberi tree, also known as the tabu-no-ki tree, which is native to Asia. The powder is naturally combustible, with a woody and smoky scent that disappears when mixed with other ingredients. It acts as a binding agent, allowing you to shape your incense into various forms, including cones, backflow cones, joss sticks, masala sticks, coils, and more.
When adding makko powder to your incense mixture, you will need to include a small amount of liquid, such as water. The amount of makko powder required will depend on the humidity in your area and the quantity of resins and woods in your recipe. Makko powder is known for its excellent water-soluble binding properties, allowing you to create a dough-like consistency that can be easily shaped.
The versatility of makko powder lies in its ability to mix well with almost any ingredient. You can combine it with herbs, resins, spices, or essential oils to create your unique incense blends. Makko powder is neutral-scented, adding little to no scent to your incense mixture. This makes it an ideal base for showcasing the fragrances of your chosen ingredients.
Additionally, makko powder is economical and safe. It is a more cost-effective option than charcoal burning, and its natural combustibility eliminates the need for harmful materials like saltpeter, which is commonly found in commercial charcoal brands. Makko powder burns evenly and smoothly, ensuring a consistent and enjoyable incense experience.
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Frequently asked questions
A homemade censor, also known as a censer, is a container used for burning incense. Censers are usually made from materials that won't burn, such as ceramic, concrete, glass, or metal.
To make a homemade censor, you will need a non-flammable vessel, such as a bowl or plate, made from materials like ceramic, concrete, glass, or metal. You will also need ash, salt, or sand to place in the vessel.
Fill your non-flammable vessel with ash, salt, or sand. If using incense cones or sticks, place them directly into the censor. If using loose incense or non-combustible incense, place a charcoal briquette on top of the ash, salt, or sand, light it, and then place your incense on top. Always ensure your censor is placed on a heat-resistant surface and keep it away from flammable objects.
Using a homemade censor for incense is a safe and low-risk way to burn incense. Censers allow for proper airflow, enabling the incense to burn completely, and they also catch all the messy ash.
