Seamus Hammond
Incense paper is a delightful variation of combustible incense. It is a fun way to make incense at home. The process involves using tinctures and paper as the primary ingredients. The end product is a richly scented paper that can be smoldered with minimal effort. The process of making incense paper is like a science experiment, where the goal is to mask the smell of burning paper with heavy fragrances. This article will provide a step-by-step guide on how to make incense paper, including the ingredients and methods involved.
How to Make Incense Paper
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Paper Type | Thin, absorbent, white blotter paper |
| Paper Size | Six-inch strips, one inch wide |
| Potassium Nitrate | 1 1/2 teaspoons |
| Water | 1/2 cup, very warm |
| Soaking | Soak paper strips in the solution until thoroughly wet |
| Drying | Hang strips up to dry |
| Tincture | A few drops, coat one side of the paper |
| Storage | Labelled, airtight containers |
| Fragrance | Heavy fragrances to overcome the smell of burning paper |
| Alcohol | 90% or 95% |
| Additional Ingredients | Frankincense, styrax, gum benzoin, balsam of Peru, balsam of Tolu, orris, myrrh, artificial musk |
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What You'll Learn
Soak the paper in a solution of potassium nitrate
To soak paper in a solution of potassium nitrate, you will need to follow these steps:
Firstly, cut your chosen paper into strips. The type of paper you use is important and will depend on what you are using the incense paper for. For example, if you are making incense paper to be burned, you will need to use absorbent paper, such as thin, white blotter paper. Cut the paper into six-inch strips that are about an inch wide. If you are making paper cartridges, you will need to use a stiffer paper, such as cotton base paper, and print a pattern onto it.
Next, prepare the potassium nitrate solution. Boil a cup of water and add a tablespoon of potassium nitrate, stirring until it is completely dissolved. You can buy potassium nitrate from most drug stores, or from hardware stores, where it is often sold as stump remover.
Now, soak the paper strips in the solution. Fully submerge the paper in the solution until it is thoroughly wet. If you are making paper cartridges, you may choose to simply soak the tip of the paper in the solution, rather than the whole strip.
Finally, hang the strips up to dry. The strips will dry almost instantly and can then be stored in airtight containers until you are ready to use them.
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Make an alcoholic tincture
To make an alcoholic tincture for incense paper, you will need to soak dried plants in alcohol. The type of alcohol used is important, as some types of alcohol have a high water content and are therefore less effective. Perfumers' alcohol is a good option, and some people also recommend using high-proof alcohol. The higher the alcohol content, the better the tincture will be able to extract the desired scent or flavour.
There are two main methods for making tinctures: hot and cold extraction. The hot extraction method involves heating the desired plant material in an oven at a low temperature for 30-40 minutes. This method is generally used for cannabis tinctures to ensure the final product contains high amounts of THC and/or CBD. The cold extraction method involves soaking the plant material in alcohol for a few weeks. This method is more commonly used for dried flowers, such as jasmine, rose, honeysuckle, chamomile, and hibiscus, as well as for spices such as Ceylon cinnamon, oakmoss, and sandalwood powder.
Once the tincture is ready, it needs to be strained through a cheesecloth and decanted into dropper bottles. The tincture can then be used to create incense paper by coating strips of blotting paper with a few drops of the tincture, smearing it over the paper, and adding more drops until it is completely coated on one side. The strip can then be hung up to dry and stored in labelled, airtight containers until needed.
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Use a vanilla fragrance
To make incense paper with a vanilla fragrance, you can follow the general process for making incense paper and simply choose a vanilla scent.
First, cut a piece of white blotting paper into six-inch strips about an inch wide. You can also use bamboo paper or rice paper, which is more traditional. Next, add one and a half teaspoons of potassium nitrate to half a cup of very warm water. Stir the mixture until the potassium nitrate is completely dissolved. Soak the paper strips in the solution until they are thoroughly wet, then hang them up to dry.
Now that you have paper versions of charcoal blocks used to burn incense, you can add your vanilla fragrance. You can make a tincture by soaking dried plants in alcohol, but this will need to steep for a few weeks. A quicker option is to simply purchase a vanilla-scented essential oil. Add a few drops of your vanilla fragrance at a time to the paper and smear it over one side of the paper, then hang it to dry. When it is completely dry, store your vanilla-scented incense paper in an airtight container until you are ready to use it.
If you are looking for a warmer vanilla incense, you can try a fragrance that plays up the spicy facets of benzoin with cinnamon and amber. You can also experiment with creating your own unique fragrance blends by mixing different essential oils.
Once your incense paper is dry and nicely scented, you can cut it up into small pieces to make scented confetti or place cards for a dinner party or wedding. You can also fold your incense paper into various shapes or leave it as-is and then burn it to release its scent.
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Cut the paper into strips
To make incense paper, you'll need to cut the paper into strips. The recommended type of paper is white blotter paper, which should be cut into six-inch strips about an inch wide. This will make it easier to handle and use the incense paper once it's ready.
You can also cut the paper into strips of other sizes, depending on your preference and the size of your paper. For example, you could cut the paper into longer, thinner strips for a more subtle scent or shorter, wider strips for a stronger scent.
If you're using a recipe that calls for soaking the paper in a solution, such as an alcoholic solution or a mixture of tincture and water, cutting the paper into strips before soaking will make the process easier and ensure that the paper is thoroughly coated in the solution.
Once the paper is cut into strips, you can proceed with the next steps of your chosen recipe, such as soaking the paper in a solution, drying it, and adding fragrance through essential oils, tinctures, or other methods.
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Dry and store
Once your paper strips are thoroughly wet, it's time to dry and store them. Hang the strips up to dry – this should be done in a well-ventilated area to avoid any potential health risks. Once the strips are completely dry, store them in labelled, airtight containers until you're ready to use them.
It's important to keep your incense paper strips dry before use, as damp paper will not burn well and could produce a lot of smoke. Store the containers out of direct sunlight and in a cool, dry place.
If you're planning to transport your incense paper strips, consider using a hard-sided container to avoid any accidental damage or breakage. You can also store the strips in a box with a lid, or even a resealable plastic bag, as long as it is labelled and kept away from moisture.
To use your incense paper, simply light one end and allow it to burn for a few seconds before blowing out the flame. The paper should smoulder and release its fragrance. You can also tear the paper into smaller pieces and place them on a heat-safe surface, such as a metal or clay dish, before lighting. Always exercise caution when burning incense paper, and ensure proper ventilation in the room.
Frequently asked questions
Incense paper is a delightful variation of combustible incense. When finished, you will have produced several strips of richly scented paper that can be smoldered with a minimum of fuss.
You will need white blotter paper, potassium nitrate, water, and essential oils, resins, or dried plants.
First, cut the blotter paper into six-inch strips about an inch wide. Next, add one and a half teaspoons of potassium nitrate to half a cup of warm water and stir until dissolved. Soak the paper strips in the solution, then hang them up to dry. Once dry, add fragrance by coating one side of each strip with essential oils or sprinkling with dried plants. Hang the strips up to dry again and store in labelled, airtight containers until needed.
Heavy fragrances are recommended to overcome the smell of burning paper. You can create your own fragrance by making an alcoholic solution from frankincense, styrax, gum benzoin, balsam of Peru, balsam of Tolu, and 90% alcohol. Alternatively, you can use essential oils, concretes, and absolutes, or dried plants soaked in alcohol to create a tincture.
