Heidi Norton
Agarbatti, also known as incense sticks, are commonly used in India for religious ceremonies and to fragrance homes. The scent of agarbatti is distinctive and instantly recognisable. The sticks are made from bamboo, charcoal, and wood, which are soaked in a mixture of water and fragrance oil, then rolled in a powder made from the same oil and clay. The fragrance is an important ingredient in agarbatti, used to mask the unpleasant smell of smoke. To make your own agarbatti perfume at home, you can mix essential oils such as cedarwood, lavender, and clove, with precise measurements, to create a unique scent. Alternatively, you can make a perfume that smells like your favourite incense sticks by breaking them into pieces and covering them with alcohol in a jar.
Characteristics and Values of Mixing Perfume in Agarbatti
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Materials | Bamboo, charcoal, and wood |
| Mixture | Water and fragrance oil |
| Powder | Made from the same fragrance oil and a type of clay |
| Drying | Sun or kiln |
| Mixture type | Aromatic liquids or masala incense |
| Mixture content | Essential oils and fragrance oils |
| Purpose | Mask the unpleasant smell of smoke |
| Mogra perfume | Musk Ambrette, Jasmine Powder, Musk Ketone |
| Alcohol-based spray | Soak incense sticks in alcohol |
| Oil-based | For rubbing on the skin or hair |
| Storage | Airtight container, away from sunlight and heat |
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What You'll Learn
- Soak bamboo, charcoal, and wood in a mixture of water and fragrance oil
- Roll the sticks in a powder made from the fragrance oil and clay
- Dry the sticks in the sun or a kiln
- Dip the dried sticks into a mixture of aromatic liquids or masala incense
- Store the mixture in an airtight container, away from sunlight and heat
Soak bamboo, charcoal, and wood in a mixture of water and fragrance oil
To make incense sticks, or agarbatti, you'll need to start with pre-prepared, unscented sticks. These are typically made from a mixture of powdered wood, charcoal, and other ingredients that vary according to the desired fragrance. Ordinary bamboo sticks will not work. Once you have your sticks, you can begin the process of infusing them with your chosen fragrance.
To soak bamboo, charcoal, and wood in a mixture of water and fragrance oil, start by selecting your desired fragrance oil or essential oil. Measure out the appropriate amount of oil into a container; a plastic tub or old Tupperware container will work well. For a batch of 30 sticks, you'll need around 30mls of oil. If you're using longer sticks, you may need to adjust the amount of oil used to ensure that the sticks are fully submerged.
Next, prepare your sticks in batches of around 10. You can trim the plain bamboo end if needed to make them fit. Carefully place the sticks into the container with the oil, ensuring that they are mostly or fully submerged. Cover the container with plastic wrap to prevent evaporation, and set it aside in a cool, dark place, out of direct sunlight, for 24 hours. This will allow the sticks to fully infuse with the fragrance.
After the first batch has soaked for 24 hours, remove them from the oil and place them in a separate container. There will be less oil remaining after each batch, so it's important to ensure that each batch is fully infused. Repeat this process until you have infused all of your sticks. Finally, allow the sticks to dry completely before use or gifting.
Note that this process can also be done using alcohol instead of water as the solvent. Additionally, to minimize black smoke when burning your agarbatti, you can use dipropylene glycol (DPG) in combination with your fragrance oil.
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Roll the sticks in a powder made from the fragrance oil and clay
To make incense sticks, you can use fragrance oil, essential oils, or a combination of both. You can also add dipropylene glycol (DPG) to your mixture to prevent the incense from giving off black smoke and to make the incense burn slower. Pulverized charcoal will also enhance the burning process.
To make the incense sticks, you'll need to create a dough/mixture by combining your fragrance oil with dry ingredients such as makko powder, a natural binder made from the bark of the Thunbergia tree. You can also add other natural aromatic ingredients such as dried herbs, spices, resins, or woods (e.g. sandalwood, frankincense, lavender, cinnamon). Grind these ingredients into a fine powder using a mortar and pestle or a blender. Ensure they are thoroughly dry to avoid clumping.
Once you have your powder, mix it with the makko powder or natural binder in a bowl. You can adjust the consistency of the mixture by adding distilled water if it's too dry, or more makko powder if it's too wet. The ideal consistency should be like play-dough, holding together without being too moist or too dry and crumbly.
Now you can roll your incense sticks. Take a small portion of the dough and roll it into a thin, snake-like shape on a rolling board. Start from around an inch from the bottom of your bamboo stick and carefully wrap the dough around, rolling it until it evenly covers the stick. Leave one end of the stick uncovered by the dough/mixture.
Press and roll the mixture to ensure it sticks to the bamboo stick tightly. You can now place your incense sticks on wax paper or a drying rack, allowing them to air dry for 24-48 hours or up to 5 days until they harden. Once completely dry, your incense sticks are ready to be lit.
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Dry the sticks in the sun or a kiln
Drying your agarbatti is an essential step in the incense stick-making process. If you're making your own agarbatti, you'll want to ensure it is completely dry before use, as any moisture can cause the stick to become soggy. There are several methods you can use to dry your sticks, including air-drying, machine drying, and sun drying.
Air-drying is a simple and cost-effective method that involves allowing your agarbatti to dry naturally at room temperature. This process can be slow, so if you're looking to speed things up, you can use a desiccant, which is a substance that absorbs moisture.
Another option is to use a kiln or a drying machine. Kilns are ovens that are used to dry or fire various materials, and there are specific kilns designed for drying incense sticks. These machines can regulate temperature and humidity, ensuring your sticks dry evenly and efficiently. For instance, you can set the temperature at 45°C and the humidity at 60% for 5-6 hours, and then increase the temperature to about 50°C for 12 hours. This method is particularly useful if you're drying a large batch of sticks or if you live in an area with a lot of rain, as it provides a controlled environment for drying.
If you're looking for a natural and eco-friendly way to dry your sticks, you can try sun drying. This method involves spreading out your agarbatti in direct sunlight, allowing the sun's heat to evaporate any moisture. This technique is simple and free, but it may take longer than other methods, and the results can be inconsistent depending on the weather.
Regardless of the method you choose, ensuring your agarbatti is thoroughly dried is crucial to achieving the best results. A properly dried stick will burn effectively and release its fragrance as intended.
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Dip the dried sticks into a mixture of aromatic liquids or masala incense
To make your own scented incense sticks or agarbatti, you can dip dried sticks into a mixture of aromatic liquids or masala incense. This method involves creating a fragrance by breaking incense sticks into small pieces and covering them with alcohol. The sticks should be left to soak for at least a month or two, allowing the scent to fully develop. The type of alcohol used can vary, with some people using vodka or ethanol. It's important to note that some incense sticks contain dyes that may dissolve and stain the alcohol, so caution is advised when handling light-coloured fabrics.
Another approach is to use coconut oil or other carrier oils instead of alcohol. This method also involves breaking the incense sticks into pieces and combining them with the oil. The recommended ratio is approximately 100 grams of coconut oil for every four incense sticks. To prevent the oil from solidifying, it should be stored in a warm place. The soaking time for oil is typically longer than for alcohol, taking at least two months. Once the desired scent is achieved, the sticks can be filtered out, or left in the oil if preferred.
It's worth mentioning that the exact measurements of incense sticks and liquid are not crucial, as the soaking time plays a more significant role in determining the strength of the fragrance. However, it's always a good idea to experiment with different ratios to find the ideal balance for your preferred scent concentration. Additionally, it's important to be cautious when applying these fragrances directly to the skin, as some people have reported allergic reactions, possibly due to the concentration of the tincture.
When creating your own incense stick fragrances, you can explore different combinations of incense types and liquids. For example, you can use nag champa incense sticks, known for their thick waxy coating and strong scent, and pair them with alcohol or oil to create a unique perfume. By experimenting with various incense sticks and liquids, you can discover new fragrances and develop your own personalised scented agarbatti.
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Store the mixture in an airtight container, away from sunlight and heat
When storing your mixture, it is important to use an airtight container to prevent leakage and oxidation. Glass bottles with applicators have been used for decades to store fragrance oils and can work well. However, some recommend using borosilicate glass bottles, which are highly resistant to thermal shock and chemical degradation.
V-vials, made of type 1 borosilicate glass, are ideal for storing small amounts of oil. They come in various sizes, including 0.1ml, 0.3ml, 1ml, 2ml, 3ml, 5ml, and 10ml. By using multiple vials, you can reduce the volume of headspace above the oil, minimising oxidation. Additionally, filling the vials almost to the brim minimises residual air.
Regardless of the container you choose, it is crucial to store your mixture away from sunlight and heat. Keep it in a cool, dry place, such as a closet or basement, to maintain optimal conditions. Avoid bathrooms due to temperature fluctuations and humidity. If you plan to store your mixture for an extended period, consider using a dehumidifier to reduce moisture in the air.
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Frequently asked questions
The basic steps are to soak the incense stick material (bamboo, charcoal, and wood) in a mixture of water and fragrance oil, then roll the sticks in a powder made from the same fragrance oil and a type of clay.
Some options for perfume fragrances include sandalwood, rose, jasmine, mogra, kewra, chandan, and musk.
To make a sandalwood agarbatti perfume, you will need Geraniol, Cedarwood Oil, Lavender Oil, Sandal Mysore Core Oil, Clove Oil, Terpineol, and Sandila.
To make a mogra, jasmine and rose agarbatti perfume, you will need Musk Ambrette, Jasmine Powder, and Musk Ketone.
Break a few incense sticks into small pieces and place them in a jar. Cover them with alcohol and let the mixture soak for at least a month or two.
