Heidi Norton
Incense has been used for centuries for various purposes, including relaxation, repelling insects, and creating a pleasant aroma in a room. While buying incense from stores can be expensive, making your own incense at home is easy and allows you to customize your ingredients and cut costs. This text will introduce you to the topic of making strong homemade incense warmers, including the ingredients and tools you will need, the step-by-step process, and important safety precautions to keep in mind. By the end of this guide, you should be able to create your own fragrant and long-lasting incense warmers at home.
How to make strong homemade incense warmers
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Citrus peels, dried herbs, charcoal, makko powder, gum binders, wood binders, essential oils, resins, white ash, water |
| Tools | Mortar and pestle, small conical mold, heat-resistant bowl, incense dish, charcoal briquette |
| Storage | Store in a cool, dry, dark place, away from children and pets. Use within 1 year. |
| Safety | Keep away from flammable objects and children. Do not leave lit incense unattended. Consult a doctor if you have asthma or respiratory issues. |
| Batches | For strong-smelling incense, create in batches of 20-30. |
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What You'll Learn
Using dried herbs and charcoal
The ritual of burning incense has been around for centuries and has been used by many religions and groups. You can make your own incense at home using dried herbs and charcoal. Here is a guide on how to do it:
Ingredients and Equipment:
First, gather your ingredients and equipment. You will need dried herbs of your choice, such as sage, rosemary, thyme, lavender, or eucalyptus. You can also add resins like frankincense or myrrh, and a binder such as honey, water, or dried fruit soaked in wine. Additionally, you will need a charcoal briquette or disk, a heat-proof dish or bowl, a mixing bowl, a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle, and a gram scale or measuring utensils.
Mixing and Grinding:
Start by mixing your dry ingredients (herbs and resins) together. If you are using fresh herbs, make sure to dry them first. You can do this by spreading them out on a cloth or cardboard and letting them air-dry for several days. Once dry, grind your ingredients into a fine powder using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle. This step is crucial for making incense that burns properly.
Forming the Incense:
Next, you can form your incense mixture into pea-sized balls or cones. If you choose to make balls, roll them in powdered herbs to prevent sticking and place them on a plate or parchment paper to dry. They will need to dry for at least several days, or up to a couple of weeks, depending on the humidity. Turn them every day or two to ensure even drying. If you prefer cones, you will need to use an extruder to form them properly.
Burning the Incense:
When you are ready to burn your incense, prepare your charcoal. Place some sand in your heat-proof dish and put a charcoal briquette or disk on top. Light the charcoal and let it burn for about 30 seconds until it is evenly hot. You can then place your dried herbs or incense balls on top of the charcoal and enjoy the fragrance.
Remember, you can customize your incense by using different herbs and resins to create unique fragrances and intentions for your space.
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Choosing a base material
There are two main types of base materials: those with very little scent and those with a strong scent that complements the rest of your blend. If you opt for a base with little scent, consider using red sandalwood (which is not actually sandalwood), alder, or charcoal. These materials will allow the scents of your other ingredients to shine through without competing for dominance.
On the other hand, you may prefer to use a base material that contributes to the overall fragrance of your incense. Sandalwood, cedar, and pine are excellent choices in this regard, adding a very strong scent to your blend. However, keep in mind that these materials have very prominent scents of their own, so you'll need to plan your blend accordingly.
In addition to the type of base material, the amount you use is also important. Wood binders, such as joss powder (jiggit) and tabu no ki (sometimes mislabeled as makko), are commonly used. However, they typically make up a large portion of the recipe—around 75%—which can be a significant drawback. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are much stronger, requiring only a small amount—about 1/8 teaspoon per 2 tablespoons of material. They also have the advantage of being scentless, so they won't interfere with your desired fragrance.
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Making powdered incense
To make powdered incense, you can use just one ingredient: citrus peel. Whether it is lemon, lime, orange, pomelo, or grapefruit, their peels can be used to make powdered incense. Wash and dry the citrus of your choice, then use a mortar and pestle to grind the peels into a fine powder. You can also add other ingredients such as dried and ground herbs, resins, and woods to create different fragrances. For example, using sandalwood as a base for an incense that has aromatics like frankincense or patchouli can provide amazing results. When choosing your aromatics, consider using complementary scents to create a well-rounded fragrance.
To form the incense, you will need to add a binder to hold the powder together. Common wood binders include joss powder (also called jiggit or makko) and tabu no ki. Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are more powerful but can be difficult to work with as they require very small amounts. A typical incense recipe will use just 1/8 teaspoon of binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. You can also use marshmallow root powder as a natural binder. Once you have added your binder, slowly add water to the mix, using the back of a spoon to mash the powder and water together. You are looking for a fairly dry dough that holds together without being crumbly or runny.
Once your mixture is ready, form it into cones, which burn the best when tall and skinny. Place the cones on a flat surface and allow them to dry for about 5 to 7 days. To burn your incense, light the tip with a flame. You can also place some sand into your incense dish, then put a charcoal briquette on top and light it. Allow it to burn for about 30 seconds, then place your incense on top.
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Using a binder
When making your own incense, you can choose to use a binder to help your incense blend burn better. Binders are not necessary, but they can be useful, especially for beginners. Common wood binders include joss powder (also called jiggit) and tabu no ki (sometimes incorrectly labelled as makko). These wood binders are easy to work with and often double up as a base material. However, they are not as strong as gum binders and you will need to use a lot more of them—a typical recipe will use 75% wood binder.
Gum binders, such as guar gum or xanthan gum, are much stronger than wood binders and only require a tiny amount per batch. For example, a typical recipe will only use about 1/8 of a teaspoon of gum binder for every 2 tablespoons of material. Be careful not to add too much gum binder to your recipe, as this can cause your incense to bind too strongly and prevent it from burning.
Makko powder is another popular binder derived from the bark of the Thunberi tree. It is naturally combustible, which helps your incense burn slowly and evenly. To use makko powder, mix it with water at a ratio of 1:3 (e.g. one teaspoon of powder for every three teaspoons of pulverized herbs).
If you are using a binder, you must add water to your blend to "activate" it. While you do need to use a water-based liquid, it doesn't have to be plain water. Any liquid that is mostly water will work, including tea, coffee, milk, fruit juices, and other liquids. However, keep in mind that essential oils are not water-based and cannot be used in place of water.
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Storage and safety
Storage:
- Containers: Store your incense in airtight containers made from non-reactive materials such as glass, ceramic, or metal. Avoid plastic containers, as they can emit odors that alter the fragrance of your incense. Japanese Paulownia wood boxes are an excellent choice due to their ability to swell with humidity, creating a tighter seal.
- Temperature and Humidity Control: Maintain a stable environment for your incense by storing it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. Excessive heat or cold can cause the natural oils in the incense to degrade, resulting in a weaker fragrance. Consider using a small packet of silica gel inside the container to absorb excess moisture, especially in humid climates.
- Separation and Isolation: Keep different types of incense sticks separated to preserve their distinct aromas. Strong fragrances can mingle and compromise the unique scent of each variety. Use zip lock bags to isolate different incenses stored in the same location, but be aware that potent aromas may still permeate through.
- Original Packaging: It is advisable to leave the incense in its original packaging, such as a stiff plastic bag, wax paper-lined cardboard box, or cellophane wrapper. This helps maintain the fragrance and protects against external influences.
- Avoid Certain Materials: Do not store incense near materials like mothballs, cedar blocks, sachet bags, or strongly scented woods, as these can alter the incense's fragrance over time.
- Stock Rotation: To ensure the freshest experience, rotate your stock by using older incense cones or sticks first. Label containers with purchase dates to manage this rotation effectively and prevent fragrance degradation.
- Avoid Overcrowding: Allow air to circulate around the incense by not overcrowding your storage containers. This helps prevent the growth of mold and mildew, preserving the quality of your incense.
Safety:
- Flammable Materials: Keep incense burners away from flammable materials to prevent accidents.
- Proper Holder or Burner: Always use a proper incense holder or burner to catch the ash and prevent fire hazards.
- Supervision: Never leave burning incense unattended. Ensure it is fully extinguished after use.
- Placement: Position your incense burner correctly for optimal fragrance distribution. Place it in a well-ventilated area or near an air source. Using an incense holder or heat-resistant tray at an elevated position can enhance the diffusion of the scent.
- Children: Store incense in a dark place, out of the reach of children, and never let them light incense.
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Frequently asked questions
You can make incense with dried herbs such as basil, dill, lavender, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, sage, cedar, and sweetgrass. You can also use citrus peels, such as lemon, lime, orange, pomelo, or grapefruit. Other ingredients include makko powder, charcoal, gum binders, and essential oils.
Crush your chosen herbs into a powder using a mortar and pestle. Mix in makko powder, charcoal, and/or a gum binder, along with any liquid scents you wish to add. Mold the mixture into cones and let them dry for at least 12 hours.
Store your incense cones in an airtight container in a cool, dry place away from heat, sunlight, and moisture. Incense can remain usable for years if stored in the right conditions.
Place a charcoal briquette on a bed of sand or salt in a heat-resistant bowl. Light the briquette and let it burn for about 30 seconds. Place your incense cone on top and enjoy! Always burn incense in a well-ventilated area and keep it away from flammable objects and children or pets.
