Antonio Mcgowan
Incense sticks are a great way to add fragrance to your living space, and they can be easily made at home. You can use essential oils to scent blank incense sticks, although it's important to note that most blank incense sticks have a combustible powder coating that may be toxic, and the sticks themselves may be made from toxic woods and glues. To make your own incense sticks, you can use a graduated cylinder to measure out your essential oils, or you can do it drop by drop. For a single stick, you'll need about 20 drops of essential oil. After applying the oil, let the sticks dry overnight before burning them.
How to make oil incense sticks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Incense sticks, essential oils, olive dish, graduated cylinder, aluminium foil, mug, dipropylene glycol (DPG) |
| Oil quantity | 20 drops of essential oil per incense stick |
| Oil application | Drip essential oils onto the incense stick, then press the stick into the oil in the dish |
| Drying time | 10-15 hours |
| Soaking time | 1-3 days |
| Drying method | Place sticks in a mug or on a drying rack overnight |
| DPG application | Dip sticks in DPG, then air-dry |
| Storage | Store in a zip lock plastic bag in a dark place out of the reach of children |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right dish
Size and Shape:
Select a dish that is long and narrow, similar to an olive dish or tray. This shape ensures that the essential oils are contained and allows for easy placement of the incense sticks. The dish should be shallow, providing a wide surface area for the oil to cover. If you are making a large batch of incense sticks, consider using a larger container to accommodate more sticks at once.
Material:
Opt for a dish made of a non-absorbent material such as glass, ceramic, or metal. Avoid porous materials like wood, as they may absorb the essential oils and reduce the effectiveness of the incense sticks.
Ease of Cleaning:
Choose a dish that is easy to clean and maintain. Since you will be working with essential oils, it is important to select a dish that can be thoroughly cleaned to prevent residue build-up or contamination between batches.
Stability:
Select a dish with a stable base to prevent accidental spills or tipping. This is especially important when handling flammable essential oils to ensure a safe working environment.
Quantity of Incense Sticks:
Consider the number of incense sticks you plan to make in each batch. If you are making a small batch of 1-5 sticks, a standard-sized dish should suffice. However, for larger batches, you may need a bigger dish or multiple dishes to accommodate all the sticks.
Dish with a Lid:
Opt for a dish that has a lid or covering. This will help contain the essential oils and prevent dust or contaminants from settling on the sticks while they are soaking.
Dedicated Incense-Making Dish:
Consider designating a specific dish solely for incense-making. This way, you won't have to worry about cross-contamination with other foods or substances, and you can easily store your dish with your incense-making supplies.
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Measuring essential oils
There are a few different methods you can use to measure your essential oils accurately. One method is to use a graduated cylinder. Add the desired amount of essential oil to the graduated cylinder and then dip your incense sticks into the cylinder to coat them evenly. This method ensures that you are using the correct amount of oil and makes it easy to measure larger quantities.
Another method is to measure your essential oils drop by drop. This can be done directly onto the incense stick or into a small dish. If you choose to measure drop by drop directly onto the stick, simply count out the desired number of drops as you apply them. If you prefer to use a dish, first count out the total number of drops you need for one incense stick (typically 20 drops) into the dish, and then gently press the stick into the dish so it absorbs completely.
It is important to note that if you are using multiple essential oils to create a custom blend, you should mix them together before applying them to the incense sticks. This will ensure a consistent fragrance across all of your incense sticks. Additionally, when creating your own blend, be mindful of the number of different oils you use. Using too many oils may result in not having enough drops of each oil to distribute evenly over the length of the stick.
Finally, when measuring essential oils, it is recommended to use an unscented incense stick made with joss or makko powder to avoid any unwanted toxic coatings or glues that may be present on some blank incense sticks.
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Absorbing the oil
When making oil incense sticks, it is important to ensure that the sticks absorb the oil properly. This can be done in several ways, depending on the number of sticks being made and the tools available.
If you are making a single incense stick, you can place it in a long, narrow dish, such as an olive dish or tray, and drip the oil directly onto the thicker, absorbent portion of the stick. You can use a graduated cylinder to measure out the oil, or simply do it drop by drop. Each stick will take about 20 drops of essential oil, and you can choose up to three different oils to create a fragrant blend. After dripping the oil, gently press the stick into the oil that falls into the dish, so it absorbs it all.
For making multiple incense sticks, the process is similar. First, measure out the required amount of essential oil in a graduated cylinder. If you don't have a graduated cylinder, you can mix the oils directly in the dish. Then, place the blank sticks into the dish and press gently so they absorb the oil. If you are making a large batch, you can place the sticks in a larger container or transfer the oil to a sheet of aluminum foil partially folded into a "V" shape to ensure none of it leaks out.
Once the sticks have absorbed the oil, they need to be dried. Place the sticks in a mug and let them dry overnight (between 10 and 15 hours) before burning them. You can also let the sticks soak for a full day before burning them to ensure they are fully saturated. The drying process can be enhanced by placing the sticks on a drying rack or a cooling rack for a few hours before wrapping them in plastic wrap. It is important to note that the sticks should be stored in a safe, dry place out of the sun and kept out of the reach of children and pets.
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Drying the sticks
After coating the incense sticks with essential oils, the next step is to dry them. This is a crucial step in the incense stick-making process, as it ensures that the oils are fully absorbed and the sticks are ready for burning. Here are some detailed instructions for drying your homemade incense sticks:
Firstly, it is important to place your incense sticks in a suitable container for drying. A commonly recommended option is to use a mug, which can effectively hold the sticks in place. However, you can also opt for a shallow dish or a V-shaped aluminium foil container, ensuring that the ends are folded up to prevent any oil spillage.
The drying process itself can vary depending on your preferences and environmental conditions. One option is to air-dry the incense sticks. This method can be enhanced by placing the sticks in front of a fan, which improves airflow and helps the sticks dry straight. If you choose to air-dry, it is recommended to leave the sticks undisturbed for about 10 to 15 hours.
Another option for drying incense sticks is to use an oven. This method involves placing the sticks on a screen and putting them in the oven with only the oven light on and the door closed. This low heat in an enclosed space may help prevent curling and cracking issues.
To prevent curling, it is recommended to dry the sticks flat and side by side, with no spaces between them. Additionally, using a mesh screen during the drying process can further help eliminate curling and cracking issues. If you are drying multiple batches, you can use spacers to stack the screens and save space.
It is worth noting that the drying time may vary depending on the thickness of the sticks. Thinner sticks tend to dry faster and more easily, so you may want to consider this when preparing your incense sticks.
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Burning the incense
Once your incense sticks are dry, they are ready to be burned. It is important to note that you should never let children light incense sticks themselves and they should be kept out of their reach.
To burn the incense, place the incense stick in a burner with the bamboo end of the stick in the end groove of the tray. This will allow the ash to collect for easy disposal. Then, light the tip of the incense with a match or butane lighter. As soon as the incense stick catches, blow it out and allow the ember to burn down the stick, vaporizing the essential oils into a scented smoke. Depending on the length of the stick, it could burn for up to 2 hours. If you are burning the incense indoors, ensure that the room is well-ventilated. You can do this by opening a window and placing a fan at the other end of the room, pointing towards the window.
If you need to extinguish the incense stick before it has finished burning, you can do so by dipping the tip of the burning end in a small bowl of ash or sand.
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Frequently asked questions
A long, narrow dish is best for making oil incense sticks. An olive dish is a good option, but you can also use aluminium foil folded into a "V" shape.
Each incense stick takes about 20 drops of essential oil. If you are making five incense sticks, you will need 100 drops or 4ml of essential oil.
Place a blank incense stick in your dish and drop your essential oils onto it. Gently press the stick into the oil that falls into the dish, so it absorbs it all.
Leave the oil incense sticks to dry overnight, for between 10 and 15 hours, before burning them.
Essential oils have been used for centuries for their mood-altering and boosting properties. They can increase calm and focus, reduce stress and anxiety, aid sleep, and stimulate creativity.
