Heidi Norton
Incense has been used since ancient times for spiritual practices, aromatherapy, and pest control. While incense comes in various forms, such as sticks and coils, cone incense is unique in that it burns relatively quickly and produces more smoke, making it ideal for outdoor spaces or well-ventilated areas. Making your own incense cones at home is a rewarding process, allowing you to customise both the scent and appearance. The basic steps involve preparing a dough-like mixture with a base, binder, and aromatic ingredients, shaping the mixture into cones, and drying them before use. The process is simple, but it requires patience and attention to detail to ensure the cones burn properly and safely.
How to roll paper twist incense cones
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Aromatherapy, spiritual practices, address bad odours, deter pests and insects |
| Ingredients | Dried aromatic herbs (e.g. lavender, cinnamon), base (e.g. pine, sandalwood), binder (e.g. guar gum, makko), water |
| Tools | Mixing bowl, old piping cone tip, toothpick, coffee grinder or mortar and pestle |
| Process | Combine ingredients, form into a cone shape, poke a hole in the base, dry for at least 48 hours |
| Drying Methods | Dashboard of a car on a sunny day, airtight container, well-ventilated cool area |
| Safety | Burn in a well-aerated room, on a non-flammable surface, avoid use around pets, children, or those with respiratory issues |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right ingredients
When choosing the ingredients for your incense cones, it's important to select high-quality natural ingredients. The base of your incense mixture should be made from resins, woods, or dried aromatic herbs with a pleasant aroma when burned, such as cedar, lavender, cinnamon, basil, dill, marjoram, peppermint, rosemary, or sage. You can also experiment with different combinations of ingredients to create unique aromas.
In addition to the herbs, you will need a binder to hold the cone together, such as guar gum, xanthan gum, makko, marshmallow root, or honey. Makko, derived from the bark of the tabu-no-ki or Thunberi tree, is a natural combustible material that is also water-soluble. When combined with distilled water or a fragrant hydrosol, makko acts as a binding agent and helps ensure a slow, even burn. The amount of makko added to the mixture will depend on the humidity of your environment and the amount of resins and woods in your blend.
Other ingredients you may need include a small amount of distilled water or a fragrant hydrosol to mix with the makko, and a piping cone tip for shaping the cones. If you plan to burn your incense on charcoal, you will also need mica. You can also add essential oils to enhance the fragrance of your incense cones.
It's important to note that some people may have allergies or sensitivities to certain herbs and ingredients, so it's always a good idea to consult a doctor before making your own incense. Additionally, burning incense emits volatile organic compounds that can irritate the lungs, so it should not be overused and should only be burned in a well-aerated room.
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Mixing the incense base
To mix the incense base, you will need a mixing bowl, a gram scale or measuring cups/spoons, and a mortar and pestle or coffee grinder. You will also need to decide on the type of incense powder you want to use as your base. Floral powders like rose, jasmine, lavender, and chamomile are excellent choices for a soft, floral scent. Herbal powders like mint, rosemary, sage, or lemongrass will create a refreshing twist. Spice powders like cinnamon, clove, or cardamom add a warm, spicy fragrance. Citrus powders like dried orange or lemon peels add a bright and uplifting scent. You can also use wood powders like pine, sandalwood, or cedarwood as your base.
Once you have chosen your base powder, measure out two parts of it and add it to your mixing bowl. Next, you will need to choose a binder to help your cone hold its shape. Natural plant-based binders like guar gum, xanthan gum, makko, marshmallow root, honey, gum arabic, or tragacanth gum can be used. Measure out one part of your chosen binder and add it to the mixing bowl.
Now, you will need to slowly add water to your dry mixture, a little at a time. Add about one tablespoon of water per four to five parts of the dry mixture. Knead the mixture thoroughly after each addition of water to avoid making it too wet. The goal is to create a dough that is firm yet moldable, similar to pliable clay. Continue kneading the dough until it is soft and smooth, but not sticky.
At this point, you can let the dough sit overnight to allow the ingredients to blend and mature in fragrance. However, be careful as the dough can develop mold if left too long in a humid environment. Once your dough is ready, you can start shaping your incense cones.
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Shaping the cones
Firstly, prepare the dough-like mixture for your incense cones. In a mixing bowl, combine your chosen incense base powders, such as sandalwood, pine, clove, or cedarwood, with a binder like guar gum, xanthan gum, makko, or marshmallow root. The ratio of base powder to binder can be adjusted to your preferred texture, but a good starting point is 2 parts base powder to 1 part binder. Slowly add water to this mixture, gradually kneading it to form a dough that is firm yet moldable. The dough should be soft, pliable, and hold its shape.
Next, you can begin shaping the cones. Take a small amount of the incense mix and place it inside a small piping cone. Pack it down so that it is tightly compacted. Then, use a toothpick or a skewer to create a hole in the centre of the cone. This hole is essential for the cone's burning capabilities, as it helps the incense burn more efficiently and creates the mesmerizing backflow effect when lit. Gently twist the toothpick to ensure the hole is smooth and clear of any obstructions.
Now, you will need to remove the shaped cone from the piping cone. Tap the piping cone a few times on a table, and then use a toothpick to help nudge the incense cone out. Alternatively, you can shape the cones by hand. Take a small amount of the dough and roll it into a cone shape, using a ring as a base to build upon. Hand-shaped cones will be smaller, and it may be challenging to create a hole in the base. Repeat this process until you have used up all of your incense mixture.
Finally, allow your cones to dry. Place them in a well-ventilated, cool area, avoiding direct sunlight, for at least 48 hours. This step is crucial to the performance of your incense cones, as improper drying can lead to issues like cracks or uneven burning. Once dried, store your cones in an airtight container until you are ready to burn them.
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Drying the cones
Drying the incense cones is a crucial step in the cone-making process. The drying time can vary from a minimum of 12 hours to a couple of weeks, depending on the climate and humidity. It is important to keep the cones away from direct sunlight and heat during the drying process. Here are some detailed instructions for this stage:
Drying Techniques:
- Place the cones on parchment or wax paper: Lay out a sheet of parchment or wax paper and place your freshly shaped cones on it. This provides a flat, even surface for the cones to dry without sticking or losing their shape.
- Turn the cones halfway through: After a few hours, carefully turn the cones upside down to ensure even drying. This step is important to prevent colour differences between the centre and the outer edges of the cones.
- Use a mesh screen: Another option for drying cones is to use a mesh screen. Place the cones on the screen, which allows for airflow from all sides, preventing curling or cracking. You can purchase incense drying screens specifically designed for this purpose, with spacers to raise the screen and allow for better air circulation.
- Utilise your car: On a sunny day, you can take advantage of the warmth and place your cones on the dashboard of your car. The sun's heat will help speed up the drying process, but be sure to move the cones to an airtight container after a day or two.
Drying Time:
- Minimum drying time: The cones should be left undisturbed for at least 12 hours to allow the ingredients to set and dry partially.
- Extended drying: Depending on the climate and humidity, it is advisable to let the cones dry for a more extended period. This can range from a couple of weeks to as long as you deem necessary. The longer drying time ensures that the cones are completely dry and ready for burning.
Storage and Aging:
- Airtight containers: After the initial drying period, store the cones in airtight containers to maintain their freshness and prevent moisture absorption.
- Aging for enhanced aroma: You can further enhance the aroma and burning qualities of your incense cones by ageing them. Place the cones in a ceramic jar with a lid and store them in a cool, dry place for up to a year. This ageing process allows the fragrances to mature and develop, resulting in more potent and aromatic cones.
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Burning the cones
Once you've made your paper twist incense cones, it's important to know how to burn them effectively and safely.
Firstly, it's important to aerate the room. Burning incense emits volatile organic compounds that can irritate your lungs, so it's important to ensure the area is properly ventilated. Do not burn incense if you have respiratory issues, and do not burn it around pets or small children, as their lungs are more sensitive. Always burn incense on a non-flammable surface, such as a small ceramic plate, and don't leave the room unattended.
If you are burning a backflow incense cone, which creates a waterfall effect with the smoke, you will need to poke a hole in the base of the cone. Use a toothpick, skewer, or another thin, pointed object to do this. The hole should go about halfway up the cone but not all the way through the top. Twist the toothpick to ensure the hole is smooth and clear of any blockages. This will ensure the smoke flows downward, creating the desired effect.
Before burning, it's important to let your cones dry. Place them in a well-ventilated, cool area and let them dry for at least 48 hours. Avoid direct sunlight, as this can cause cracks or uneven drying, which will affect the burn. If you used honey in your formulation, it's best to leave the cones in an airtight container on the dashboard of a car on a sunny day for 1-2 days, then move them to an airtight container.
To burn the cone, light the tip and let it smolder. Observe the smoke flow and the burn. If the smoke doesn't flow properly or the cone burns too quickly or unevenly, you may need to adjust the size of the hole, the thickness of the cone, the dryness, or the amount of base material and binder in your mixture. You can always grind up cones that don't burn properly, adjust the mixture, and form new cones.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need dried aromatic herbs (e.g. cinnamon, lavender), a base (e.g. pine, clove), a binder (e.g. guar gum, makko), distilled water or a fragrant hydrosol, and an old piping cone tip.
Combine your chosen base powder with the binder in a 2:1 ratio. Add water gradually, pouring in small amounts at a time. Knead the mixture thoroughly to form a firm yet moldable dough.
Put the incense mix inside a small piping cone and use a toothpick to make a hole in the centre. Tap the cone on a table a few times, then use the toothpick to push the incense cone out. Repeat until you've used up all the mix.
Place the cones in a cool, well-ventilated area for at least 48 hours. Avoid direct sunlight as this can cause cracks or uneven drying.
Always burn the cones on a non-flammable surface, such as a ceramic plate. Ensure the area is well-aerated and do not leave the room unattended. Do not burn incense around pets or children, as it can irritate sensitive lungs.
