Heidi Norton
Burning incense is a centuries-old ritual used to cleanse the air, soothe the mind, and create a calming atmosphere. It is often used for meditation, yoga, or simply to relax and unwind after a long day. The most common form of incense used today is stick incense, which comes in two varieties: cored and solid. To set up incense, you will need an incense holder, a match or lighter, and, optionally, a heat-resistant tray and a bowl of rice, salt, or sand. Light the incense stick and blow out the flame when you see a small ember. Place the incense stick in the holder, ensuring that any ash will fall into the holder or tray and not onto your table or floor. The incense should burn for 20 to 45 minutes, filling your space with its unique scent.
How to Set Up Incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Use a match or lighter, holding the flame to the incense stick until a small flame is visible. |
| Incense Holders | Purchase a shaped censer or burner, often made from ceramic, or make your own from clay or a bowl and something grainy. |
| Angle | Hold the incense stick upright or at a slight angle, ensuring the ash does not scatter. |
| Surface | Place the incense holder on a heat-resistant surface, such as ceramic, glass, or metal, avoiding flammable surfaces such as wood, fabric, plastic, or cardboard. |
| Fire Safety | Do not leave burning incense unattended. Extinguish by dipping the tip in water or pressing it against a heat-resistant surface. |
| Duration | Incense sticks typically burn for 20-45 minutes, depending on various factors such as fragrance, dryness, and air drafts. |
| Purpose | Incense is used for relaxation, religious purposes, or simply enjoying the scent, creating a calming atmosphere. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right incense for the occasion
The type of incense you choose will depend on the purpose you want it to serve and the mood you want to create. Incense has been used for thousands of years to cleanse the air, soothe the mind, and set the stage for moments of peace. It can be an important part of a ritual or simply enjoyed for its fragrance.
If you are burning incense to relax, consider lavender, jasmine, or cinnamon. These scents are believed to have calming properties and can help with sleep. Frankincense is also a famous choice for meditation, thought to be one of the most calming incenses. It is widely available as incense sticks, essential oils, and resin incense, and its scent promotes relaxation and peace while relieving stress and anxiety. Japanese incense is another mild, calming, and meditative option that will not overpower your space.
If you are looking to cleanse your space, sage is a good option. For thousands of years, it has been believed to have cleaning properties, ridding your space of conflict, anger, evil, and illness. Amber is another scent that is often burned when experiencing changes in life, as it can inspire self-discovery and boost connections to knowledge and history.
The form of incense you select will also determine the type of burner you need. Cone incense, for example, requires a stone or ceramic disk to catch the ash, while stick incense can be placed in an incense holder, which comes in various shapes and materials.
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Lighting the incense
Lighting an incense stick is a simple process, but it requires care and attention. The first step is to position your incense stick upright in a holder, ensuring it is secure and will burn evenly. You can use a purpose-made incense holder, or make your own using a bowl and something grainy like rice, salt, or sand. If you are using a bowl and grain setup, gently push the bottom of the stick into the grain until the incense is standing upright and secure.
With your incense stick secure, it is time to light it. Hold a flame to the end of the stick, using a match or a lighter. Keep the flame on the tip of the incense stick until you see a small flame and a red glow. The incense may take a few seconds to catch, so be patient. Once the flame is burning, leave it for a few seconds, then gently blow or fan it out. You should now see a small, glowing ember, and perhaps a wisp of smoke. If you do not see the ember, and the tip looks ashy, then you have extinguished the incense, and will need to re-light it.
If you are using a bowl and grain setup, be sure to use a non-flammable grain such as rice, salt, or sand. Do not use flammable materials such as wood, fabric, plastic, or paper/cardboard.
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Using an incense holder
Incense holders come in various shapes and sizes, each with its own unique design and function. They can be simple dishes or elaborate burners made from materials like wood, ceramic, brass, or marble. The type of holder you choose will depend on the style you prefer and the kind of incense you plan to use. For example, stick incense holders have slots or holes to hold the sticks upright, while cone incense holders have a small platform or dish to support the cone-shaped incense. Rope incense, on the other hand, requires a special holder designed for burning incense that hangs and burns upwards.
- Always supervise burning incense. Never leave it unattended, especially if there are children or pets around.
- Be mindful of ventilation. Open a window or door to allow the smoke to circulate and prevent the room from becoming too stuffy.
- Start with a small amount of incense. You can always add more if needed. Experiment with different types of incense and holders to find what works best for you.
- Be aware of allergies. Some people are sensitive to incense smoke, so it's advisable to start with a small amount and observe how you react.
- Extinguish the incense properly when you're finished. Dip the ember in water or sand to ensure it's completely put out.
Now, let's go through the steps of using an incense holder:
- Choose the right incense holder for the type of incense you have. For stick incense, you'll need a holder with holes or slots to hold the sticks upright. For cone incense, you'll need a holder with a small platform or dish. Rope incense requires a special holder designed for burning rope incense.
- Prepare your incense and holder. If using stick or cone incense, you may need to light the tip of the incense and blow out the flame before placing it in the holder. For rope incense, light the rope and allow it to burn upwards before placing it in the holder.
- Place the incense in the holder. Ensure that it is stable and secure, following the specific instructions for your type of incense and holder.
- Position the incense holder in a safe location, preferably in the centre or corner of the room, and avoid placing it directly next to you.
- Enjoy the fragrant smoke from a distance. Observe the rising smoke and take in the pleasant fragrance as it spreads throughout the space.
- Properly extinguish the incense when you're finished. Dip the ember in water or sand to ensure it's completely put out.
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Safety precautions
Incense is a great way to add fragrance to your home, but it's important to follow safety precautions when using it. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you enjoy the benefits of incense while reducing potential hazards:
- Use a heat-resistant incense holder or burner: Always use a heat-resistant incense holder or burner to catch the falling ash and prevent the incense from toppling over. Look for holders made of crystal, metal, ceramic, or concrete, which are less likely to get too hot. Avoid flammable materials such as wood, fabric, plastic, or cardboard.
- Keep flammable objects away: Incense sticks are made of highly flammable materials. Keep them away from flammable objects like curtains, towels, clothes, and anything with high alcohol or petroleum content, such as hairspray and aerosols.
- Burn in a well-ventilated area: Long-term exposure to incense smoke has been linked to increased health risks, including respiratory problems, eye irritation, nausea, and cardiovascular complications. Open a window or turn on a fan to disperse the smoke and reduce your exposure to hazardous chemicals.
- Never leave incense unattended: Always monitor burning incense and never leave it unattended. Make sure it is fully extinguished before disposing of it, as embers may still be burning and could start a fire.
- Stable and secure setup: Choose a stable spot for your incense burner to prevent it from being knocked over. Ensure your setup is secure, especially if using incense sticks, which should be placed upright or diagonally.
- Avoid sensitive smoke detectors: While incense sticks produce low amounts of smoke, sensitive smoke detectors or limited ventilation may trigger the alarm. Keep a reasonable distance from smoke detectors to avoid false alarms.
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Reusing and storing incense
Incense sticks cannot be reused once they have burned down to the ash. However, there are several ways to store incense to ensure its longevity.
Incense sticks can be stored in their original packaging and then placed in a Ziploc bag. Alternatively, you can purchase a cigar tube with a tight seal, which is great for storing incense sticks of around 5.5" in length. You can also use glass jars, especially tinted ones, as they protect the incense from light damage. Clay porcelain containers are also a good option as they create the ideal moisture level and light environment.
If you are looking to store loose incense, you can use thick plastic “stackable” cups with twist lids or glass jars.
To store incense sticks, you can also make your own incense holder using a bowl and something grainy, or you can mould your own out of clay.
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Frequently asked questions
First, choose your incense stick. There are two types of incense sticks: one has a core in the centre and the other does not. Next, you can choose to hold one end of the stick or place it on an incense burner. Light the other end of the incense stick with a match or lighter, ensuring the incense is immersed in the flame. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then gently fan or blow it out. If you see a small glowing ember and smoke, the incense has been correctly lit.
The best way to experience incense is to place it in the centre or corner of a room and enjoy the wafting fragrant smoke from a distance.
Incense holders come in many shapes and are usually made out of ceramic. You can also make your own holder using a bowl and something grainy, or out of clay. If you are using a coreless incense stick, you can place it in a bowl filled with sand, rice, salt, or ash.
Incense sticks typically burn for 20 to 45 minutes, depending on the size, thickness, fragrance, age, and dryness of the stick, as well as burning conditions such as drafts or fans.
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