Antonio Mcgowan
Burning resin incense is a great way to fill your home with fragrance. The most popular way to burn resin incense is with charcoal, however, this method produces a lot of smoke, which can cause breathing problems for some people. Fortunately, there are alternative methods to burn resin incense without charcoal that are safe and easy, and produce little to no smoke. This article will cover the different ways to burn resin incense properly.
How to properly burn resin incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense burner | Metal, ceramic, or glass |
| Charcoal | Self-igniting charcoal disks or tablets |
| Base layer | Sand, small rocks, or salt |
| Lighting | Candle and tongs |
| Oil | Vegetable, almond, avocado, or paraffin wax |
| Tea light | Plain, unfragranced |
| Safety | Never leave unattended, keep away from flammable materials, use a heat-resistant surface |
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What You'll Learn
Using charcoal
To burn resin incense using charcoal, start by lighting a charcoal disc with a match or lighter. Charcoal discs are moulded pieces of charcoal designed to hold incense or resin. Hold the disc with a pair of tongs to avoid burning your fingers, and ignite it over a heat-safe surface, such as a stovetop. You will see some sparks, and pieces may crumble, so be sure to do this over a safe surface. Most discs will ignite within 10-15 seconds; hold the flame to the charcoal and slowly rotate it until it turns grey and begins to smoke.
Once the charcoal disc is lit, place it in an incense burner. You can use a metal incense bowl, also known as a censer, or any heat-proof metal container. If you are using a bowl, you can pour a small mound of sand into it first, then place the charcoal on top to dissipate the heat. Place the bowl on a heat-proof pad to protect your table.
Let the charcoal heat up for about 5-7 minutes. Then, place a small piece of resin on top of the charcoal. A tiny piece, about the size of a grain of rice, will create a lot of smoke and scent, so you can always add more when it stops smoking.
After the resin has burned, you can retrieve what is left of it and let it air-dry for later use.
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Using an oil warmer
Burning resin incense using an oil warmer is a great way to fill your home with fragrance without the smoke that comes with burning charcoal. There are two types of oil warmers: ceramic and glass. The ceramic variety is typically one piece, while the glass variety is usually a glass dish set on a metal or ceramic stand. You can buy these in most stores that sell candles and candle stands.
To use an oil warmer, start by adding a small amount of oil to the dish. You can use almond oil or vegetable oil, but avoid essential oils. Next, add a few pieces of your chosen resin incense. Then, light a tea light candle and place it underneath the dish (or plug in the warmer if it's electric). The oil will gradually heat up, infusing with the fragrance of the resin and filling the room with scent.
It's important to note that the oil warmer will become very hot, so use caution and never leave it unattended. The length of time it takes for the oil to heat up will depend on the size of the warmer, the material it's made from, and the amount of oil used. Typically, this will only take a few minutes. You'll know the oil is hot enough when you can smell the resin.
Once you're done, extinguish the candle or unplug the warmer. You can reuse the same incense and oil for up to three to four days before needing to replace them.
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Using an incense stove/burner
An incense stove/burner gently heats the incense without burning it, allowing for a slower release of fragrances. This method is preferred for carefully examining the many subtle aromas within each ingredient. It is also a good option if you want to avoid smoke, as the incense stove puts distance between the heat source and the incense, reducing the heat.
To use an incense stove/burner, you will need a tea light candle and a burner. You can use an old soda can as a burner by cutting it in half, covering any sharp edges with masking tape, and poking holes in the sides and top for airflow. Place the candle underneath the burner and light it. If you are using a store-bought burner, ensure that it is on a heat-resistant surface and has a solid base that will not tip over easily.
Once the candle is lit, you can add a small amount of vegetable oil, almond oil, or avocado oil to the burner. Then, add a few small pieces of resin incense to the burner. The resin will slowly heat up and release its fragrance. You can adjust the heat by moving the burner closer or farther from the flame, or by using an electric burner with a heat intensity dial.
Always keep an eye on the incense stove while it is in use and never leave it unattended. When you are finished, you can let the candle burn out naturally or extinguish it with water. Be sure to follow all safety precautions and use proper ventilation when burning incense.
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Using a tea light candle
To burn resin incense with a tea light candle, you can either use an oil warmer or a brass burner.
If you are using an oil warmer, start by placing a tea light candle in the warmer. It is recommended to use an unfragranced tea light, as you want the aroma of the incense to be the predominant fragrance. If you are using matches or a regular lighter, light the tea light first and then place it in the warmer. If you are using a candle lighter, you can place the tea light in the warmer and then light it.
Once the tea light is in the warmer and lit, add a small amount of oil to the bowl of the warmer. You can use cooking oils, such as vegetable oil, but avoid using essential oils. Then, add a few pieces of your chosen resin to the oil. The resin will infuse the oil with its fragrance as it heats up, and the warmer will fill the room with scent.
If you are using a brass burner, place a small piece of resin incense in the burner's cup. You can use a little foil in the cup to make cleaning up easier. Then, light a tea light candle and place it beneath the burner. The heat from the candle will slowly warm the resin, releasing its aroma.
You can adjust the height of the screen in a brass burner to control the rate at which the resin burns. Similarly, with an oil warmer, you can adjust the distance between the tea light and the resin by placing foil between them. If the resin is too close to the flame, it will burn too much and smell charred. If it is too far away, you will barely smell it.
Remember to never leave the burner unattended, as you are working with an open flame. Extinguish the candle when you are done, or let it burn out by itself. Most tea lights will burn for around four hours.
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Using an aromatherapy oil warmer
To use an oil warmer, start by pouring a small amount of vegetable oil or almond oil into the dish. Then, add a few pieces of your chosen resin incense. Next, light a tea light and place it into the oil warmer. If you're using matches or a regular lighter, light the tea light first and then carefully place it into the warmer. It's important to use an unfragranced tea light, so the aroma of the incense isn't altered.
Let the oil heat up—this can take a few minutes, depending on the size of the warmer, the material it's made from, and the amount of oil used. You'll know the oil is hot enough when you start to smell the resin. Be cautious, as the oil warmer can become very hot, and never leave it unattended.
Once you're done, you can either extinguish the candle or let it burn out on its own. Most tea lights will burn for about four hours, but you can also get longer-lasting ones that burn for up to six hours. If you use the incense daily, you'll need to replace the incense and oil every three to four days. Always blow out the candle and let the oil warmer cool completely before cleaning it.
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Frequently asked questions
First, fill an incense burner designed for burning resins with a bit of salt or sand to help absorb heat. Then, place a charcoal tablet inside the burner and light it using a match, lighter, or candle and tongs. Once the charcoal is fully lit and there is a layer of ash on the tablet, place a small piece of resin in the middle of the coal. The resin will then begin to bubble and melt, releasing its fragrance.
Get an aromatherapy oil warmer made from ceramic or glass. Pour a small amount of vegetable oil, almond oil, or another oil with a high smoke point into the dish. Light a plain, unscented tea light candle underneath the dish. Once the oil is hot, carefully place the resin in the oil. The resin will infuse the oil with its fragrance and fill the room with scent.
Never leave lit charcoal or an open flame unattended. Make sure your incense burner is on a heat-resistant surface, as the bottom of the burner may get very hot and damage your surface.
