
Incense waterfalls, also known as backflow burners, are ceramic holders that use special incense cones to create a mesmerizing waterfall effect. The smoke from the incense flows downwards instead of rising up, and this reverse flow is achieved through a combination of the cone design and the burner design. The cones are partially drilled from the bottom to just under the tip, and the burner has a small hole at the top for the smoke to escape and cascade downwards. The smoke is denser than the air, creating a thicker and heavier smoke that enhances the visual effect. The cones also have a shorter burn time than regular incense cones due to their hollow design.
How to make my incense waterfall work
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of incense | Backflow incense |
| Type of burner | Backflow burner, also known as a waterfall burner or holder |
| Burner material | Ceramic or porcelain |
| Burner design | Lotus, dragon, Ganesha, Buddha, Crystal Cave, Large Pebble, simple fountain designs, etc. |
| Incense shape | Cone or stick |
| Incense material | Specially molded incense with a small hole at the bottom |
| Incense burn time | Approximately 10-20 minutes |
| Incense lighting process | Light the tip of the cone, blow out the flame, place the cone in the burner, and wait for the backflow effect to start |
| Incense storage | Store cones separately to avoid scent cross-contamination |
| Incense placement | Keep the burner away from drafts and air movement |
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What You'll Learn

Use backflow incense cones with a small hole in the bottom
To make your incense waterfall work, you need to use backflow incense cones with a small hole in the bottom. These are specifically designed to create a captivating and mesmerizing waterfall effect as the smoke flows in the opposite direction of regular incense, cascading downwards.
Firstly, ensure you have the correct type of incense cone. Backflow incense cones are usually in the shape of a cone with a small, hollow tunnel through the centre, ending in a hole at the bottom. They can also be made in the shape of a stick, which is completely hollow in the centre.
When using the backflow incense cone, place it upright on a backflow burner, ensuring it covers the hole at the base. This alignment is essential for the smoke to flow correctly. The burner's special design encourages the pooling and cascading of the incense smoke.
To light the cone, use a match or lighter to ignite the tip. You may need to immerse the incense in the flame for a few seconds until it ignites. Gently blow out any remaining flame, and you should see a small glowing ember with smoke starting to rise from the top of the cone.
Be patient, as it will take a few minutes for the backflow effect to start. The smoke will initially rise from the top like a regular incense cone, but after several minutes, the smoke will start to pour from the bottom of the cone, creating the desired waterfall effect.
It is important to note that backflow incense cones tend to leave more residue than regular incense cones, so regular cleaning of your burner is necessary to maintain its beauty and functionality. Clean your burner after each use with a damp cloth and ensure a deep clean with mild soap and warm water is done at least once a week.
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Ensure the burner is away from drafts and air movement
To make your incense waterfall work, it is important to ensure that the burner is away from drafts and air movement. The incense burner should be positioned in a well-ventilated room, but away from any sources of drafts or air movement, such as open windows, fans, or air conditioning units. Even slight air movements created by walking past the burner or breathing too hard can disrupt the cascading smoke effect. The burner should be placed on a stable surface, away from wind or sudden air movements, to ensure that the smoke flows and falls as intended.
The incense waterfall effect is created by the downward flow of smoke from the incense cone. This reverse flow of smoke is guided through a specially designed channel in the burner, creating a mesmerizing and soothing visual effect. However, air movement can interfere with the smoke's intended path, causing it to disperse or blow in unintended directions. Therefore, it is crucial to maintain a still environment when using an incense waterfall.
When lighting the incense cone, it is recommended to hold it with tweezers and ignite the top with a lighter or match. Once the flame has burned for a moment, gently blow it out to start emitting smoke. Then, place the cone on the burner, ensuring it is stable and covers the hole at the base. This alignment is crucial for the proper flow of smoke.
Additionally, it is important to note that the type of incense cone used can also impact the effectiveness of the incense waterfall. Regular incense cones that are not specifically designed for backflow burners may not produce the desired cascading smoke effect. Therefore, it is advisable to use backflow incense cones or cones with a small hole at the bottom to facilitate the downward flow of smoke.
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Light the pointy end of the cone with a match or lighter
To make your incense waterfall work, you must first light the pointy end of the cone with a match or lighter. This is also known as the tip of the cone. Be sure to hold the match or lighter to the tip of the cone until a small flame appears. Then, remove the match or lighter from the cone.
It is important to ensure that the incense cone is immersed in the flame until it ignites. You should then gently fan or blow out the flame or any remnants of the flame. If you see a small glowing ember and smoke begins to rise, the incense has been correctly lit. The ember may still be at risk of extinguishing itself, so you may need to blow gently to encourage a red or orange glow at the tip of the cone.
If the cone is glowing strongly and the incense smoke is billowing, it's time to put the lid on the incense burner. The lid will allow the smoke to trickle out slowly. However, be aware that some incense cone burners may not provide enough airflow once the lid is on, and you may have to re-ignite the incense cone if it extinguishes. Incense cones require airflow in order to continue burning.
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Burn the cone at least a third down before placing it on the burner
To make your incense waterfall work, you need to ensure you are using the correct type of incense cone. Backflow incense cones are designed with a small hole in the bottom, which allows the smoke to stream down through the cone instead of rising. This is what creates the waterfall effect.
When lighting a backflow cone, it is important to let it burn at least a third of the way down before placing it on the burner. Lighting a backflow incense cone is similar to lighting an incense stick. Hold the cone and light the tip, allowing it to burn for a second or two before blowing out the flame. The cone should then glow red or orange and begin to emit smoke.
If you place the cone on the burner too early, before it has had a chance to burn down sufficiently, the smoke will simply rise and will not enter the chamber to create the waterfall effect. It is also important to ensure that the burner is away from drafts and air movement, as this can disrupt the desired smoke flow.
Additionally, the type of incense cone you use can impact the smoke effect. Different cones will produce heavier or lighter smoke, so you may need to experiment with different varieties to find the ones that work best with your burner.
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Use tongs when handling the cone and burner
To ensure your safety when using an incense waterfall, it is advisable to use a pair of small tongs when handling the cone and burner. This is because you will be working with fire and the cone will be hot when lit. Using tongs will help you avoid burning your fingers.
When lighting the cone, hold it with a pair of small tongs and ignite the pointed end with a match or lighter. Ensure that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites with a small flame. Then, gently fan or blow out the flame or any remnants of it.
Once the flame is extinguished, check the incense tip where the flame was. If you see a small glowing ember and smoke starts coming out of the bottom, the incense has been correctly lit. At this point, you can use the tongs to place the cone into the incense holder, ensuring that the hole at the bottom of the cone aligns with the hole in the top of the ceramic incense waterfall. This is crucial, as it allows the smoke to flow freely. If the holes are not aligned, the smoke will be blocked.
If you need to put out the cone before it is fully burned, use the tongs to place the cone in a bowl of water.
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Frequently asked questions
You need to use backflow incense cones, which are specially designed to work with the incense waterfall burner. Regular incense cones will not produce the desired waterfall effect.
Place the backflow incense cone in the burner. Light the tip of the cone and let it burn until it ignites. Gently blow out the flame and wait for the cone to start glowing and smoking.
The outside of the cone burns, but the smoke is trapped inside where it cools and then falls out of the hole at the bottom of the cone. The smoke then cascades down the burner, creating the waterfall effect.
Check that you are using the correct backflow incense cones and that they have a hole at the bottom. Also, make sure the burner is away from drafts and air movement, as this can disrupt the waterfall effect.











































