Antonio Mcgowan
Handmade incense is a fun, easy, and natural way to fill your home with a wonderful fragrance. With a history spanning hundreds of years, the art of making incense has spread from China to Japan and beyond. The process is meditative, and the end product is a clean and natural burn with aromatic properties. You can use natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resin, and essential oils to create your own unique scent. The process is simple: prepare your workspace, measure out your ingredients, dip or treat your incense sticks, and let them dry. You can also make incense cones with the leftover dough. So, get ready to create your own signature scent and fill your space with a delightful aroma!
How to Make Your Own Hand-Dipped Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | Incense-making is an ancient art with records dating back more than 500 years, originating in China and spreading to Japan and beyond. |
| Ingredients | Natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resin, essential oils, and charcoal. |
| Tools | A workspace, towel or newspaper, measuring spoon or pipette, dipropylene glycol, fragrance or essential oils, a small container, and a rectangular box or dish for drying. |
| Process | Measure and mix ingredients, dip or treat sticks, allow to dry for 24 hours, then light and enjoy. |
| Benefits | A fun and easy process that results in a natural, clean-burning product with aromatic properties and therapeutic benefits. |
| Storage | Incense should be stored in an airtight container to preserve fragrance and can be stored in a sealed bag for long-term use. |
| Variations | Chinese incense sticks are typically 21cm or 8.25" long, while Japanese sticks are shorter, ranging from 7cm to 15cm. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing your ingredients
When choosing your ingredients for hand-dipped incense, there are a few key things to keep in mind. Firstly, decide on the type of fragrance you want to create. This could be based on your favourite scents or a particular therapeutic benefit you're looking for. Essential oils are a great option for this, as they offer a range of benefits beyond their fragrance. For example, lavender is known for its calming properties, while citrus oils are invigorating and sandalwood is grounding. You can also use fragrance oils, which come in a variety of scents.
Once you've chosen your fragrance, you'll need to select a base for your incense. The most common options are natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, resin, and charcoal. These can be blended together to create a unique scent profile. You can also add in natural powders, such as joss powder, which is often used in handmade incense cones. If you want to add colour to your incense, you can experiment with different powders or natural dyes.
Another important ingredient to consider is dipropylene glycol (DPG). This chemical helps your incense burn properly, reduces black smoke, and allows your fragrance to diffuse effectively. While it is possible to omit DPG, it may result in a less desirable burning experience and increased smoke. When measuring your ingredients, it's recommended to use equal parts DPG to fragrance or essential oil.
Finally, you'll need to decide on the type of stick you want to use. Typically, incense sticks are made with a bamboo core, but you can also find unscented, natural sticks specifically designed for making incense. These can be found online or in stores that sell aromatherapy or Wiccan supplies.
Remember to always work in a clean and well-prepared space to avoid cross-contamination of scents and to protect your work area from spills or drips.
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Preparing your workspace
To prepare your workspace, start by laying down a towel or newspaper on the surface to catch any spills or drips. This will create a clean and controlled environment for your project. Next, carefully measure out the dipropylene glycol using a measuring spoon or pipette. The amount of DPG you need will depend on the number of incense sticks you plan to make. As a general guideline, use an equal amount of DPG to fragrance or essential oil. For example, if you plan to use 10 drops of fragrance oil, measure out 10 drops of DPG.
Once you have measured the DPG, you can select your fragrance or essential oil. The choice of scent is entirely up to your preference. Popular options include calming lavender, invigorating citrus, or grounding sandalwood. You can also create your own unique blends by combining different oils. Add your chosen oil to the DPG in the small container, being careful to use a clean and dry measuring spoon or pipette to avoid cross-contamination of scents.
After combining the DPG and fragrance or essential oil, stir the mixture gently. Be cautious to let any excess oil drip back into the box or dish to avoid wasting your precious materials. At this stage, your workspace should be fully prepared, and you can move on to the next step of dipping your incense sticks. Remember to always follow safety precautions when working with oils and chemicals, and enjoy the process of creating your own handcrafted incense!
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Mixing your ingredients
Firstly, gather your chosen ingredients. You can use natural ingredients like wood, herbs, flowers, and resin, along with essential oils and fragrances. If you're using powdered ingredients, ensure you have measured out the required amounts into a bowl. The amount of powder will depend on the length and number of incense sticks you plan to make. It is recommended to use approximately 28g/1oz of powder for 40 full-length sticks, with some leftover for cones.
Next, add your liquid ingredients. You can use fragrance oils, essential oils, or a combination of both. If you're using dipropylene glycol (DPG), a chemical that helps reduce black smoke and improves burning, measure out an equal amount to your chosen fragrance or essential oil. For instance, if you use 20 ml of DPG, add 20 ml of your chosen oil. Always use a clean and dry measuring spoon or pipette to avoid any cross-contamination of scents.
Now, carefully add your chosen oils to the powder or DPG in a small container. If you're using a blend of essential oils, this is where you can get creative and experiment with different combinations to create a signature scent. Stir the mixture well, being careful to capture any drips and allow them to drip back into the container.
Once your ingredients are thoroughly mixed, you're ready to move on to the next step of dipping or treating your incense sticks or cones. Remember to label your custom scent for future reference and store your homemade incense in an airtight container to preserve its fragrance.
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Dipping your incense sticks
Now, measure out 20ml (4 tsp) of dipropylene glycol (DPG) into your chosen container. DPG is a chemical that helps your incense burn properly and reduces black smoke. Next, add your chosen fragrance or essential oil blend. For a stronger scent, use 10ml (2 tsp) of oil, or for a more subtle fragrance, a few drops will be enough. Carefully stir the mixture, being careful to let any oil on the spoon drip back into the container.
Once your mixture is ready, you can start dipping your incense sticks. Ensure you are using pre-prepared, unscented incense sticks, as ordinary bamboo sticks will not work. Dip each stick into the mixture, fully submerging it, and then place it on a cooling rack or a clean, dry surface to air dry. Repeat this process until you have dipped all your sticks. Allow them to dry for a full 24 hours before lighting.
Your homemade incense is now ready to enjoy! Experiment with different essential oil combinations to create unique fragrances, and store your incense in an airtight container to preserve the scent.
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Drying your incense sticks
Firstly, it is important to note that incense sticks should never have any liquid on or near them as this can affect their ability to burn properly and may alter their scent. Therefore, ensure your incense sticks are completely dry before attempting to burn them.
The drying process itself can be done in a few ways. One method is to use a rectangular box, cooling rack, or any similar item that can be used to lay out the incense sticks and allow them to air-dry. Make sure the sticks are placed in a dry and well-ventilated area, away from any moisture. The length of time it takes for the sticks to dry will depend on various factors such as humidity and the thickness of the coating.
Another option is to use a dehydrator, which can speed up the drying process. However, as one incense enthusiast noted, using a dehydrator designed for food might affect the aroma of the incense sticks. So, if you choose to use a dehydrator, consider using one dedicated to your incense-making hobby, especially if you plan on experimenting with different fragrances.
Finally, once your incense sticks are dry, it is important to store them properly to maintain their quality and longevity. Store them in a sealed bag, in a dark place, and out of the reach of children. Incense sticks can last for years if stored in the right conditions.
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