Lance Carson
Incense cones are a popular way to enjoy fragrant smoke. They are crafted with smoke quantity in mind, focusing on the visual effect and smell. The process of burning an incense cone involves placing it on a heat-resistant dish or burner with sand or salt, lighting the tip, and blowing out the flame after 10-15 seconds. The cone will then smoke for up to 20 minutes and self-extinguish. It is important to burn incense cones in a well-ventilated area and ensure proper airflow to keep the cone burning. Additionally, the residue from burning cones can be stubborn and leave an unpleasant burnt odour, so it is recommended to clean the burner regularly.
How to Smoke Incense Cones
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense Cone Type | Backflow incense cones |
| Burn Time | 15-25 minutes |
| Burning Conditions | Avoid drafts or fans that can accelerate burn time |
| Incense Burner | Use heat-resistant, non-combustible incense burners made of metal, stone, or ceramic. |
| Incense Burner Placement | Place on a heat-resistant surface |
| Incense Cone Placement | Place the cone upright on its base in the burner |
| Additional Materials | Add sand or salt to the dish/burner and place the cone on top |
| Lighting | Light the tip of the cone with a flame and wait 10-30 seconds before blowing out |
| Ember | A small, glowing ember at the tip indicates the cone is burning correctly |
| Smoke | Smoke should be visible, flowing down the bottom hole |
| Ventilation | Burn in a well-ventilated area away from pets, plants, and children |
| Safety | Do not leave burning incense unattended. Allow the cone to cool before handling or discarding. |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right incense burner
When choosing an incense burner, it is also important to consider the type of incense you will be using. If you plan to use backflow incense cones, which produce a mesmerizing waterfall effect with smoke flowing downwards, you will need a special burner with a hole at the base where the cone sits. Regular incense cone burners will not create this effect.
Another factor to consider is airflow. Incense cones require airflow to continue burning, so choose a burner with adequate ventilation. However, be mindful of wind flow near your incense as it can accidentally put it out or affect the smoke flow. Place your burner in a well-ventilated room, but away from drafts or breezes.
Finally, consider the size and design of the burner. Incense cones leave behind ashes and a sticky oily residue, so choose a burner that is easy to clean. Some burners feature creatures with open mouths, such as dragons, for a dramatic smoke effect. Choose a burner that suits your style and the space where you will be using it.
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Preparing the incense cone
Incense cones are a popular way to enjoy the fragrance without the time commitment of an incense stick or the preparation and cleanup of incense resins and herbs. Most incense cones burn for around 15 to 25 minutes, depending on their size and burning conditions. They burn very hot, so it is important to use a heat-resistant incense burner placed on a heat-resistant surface. Painted or wooden burners are not suitable, as the heat will damage them. Metal, stone, or ceramic burners are best.
To prepare the incense cone, place it upright on its base in the burner. Add a few pinches of salt or sand to the burner first to protect it and increase airflow. Light the tip of the cone with a match or lighter, as you would a candle wick. Ensure the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites. You may need to wait 10 to 30 seconds before blowing out the flame. Check the tip of the cone—if it is glowing red and smoking, it is ready. If not, re-light and try again. Be careful not to blow out the flame completely or knock over the cone.
If the cone is successfully lit, you will see a red glow and smell the incense smoke. At this point, you can put the lid on the burner. Remember that incense cones require airflow to continue burning, so you may need to adjust the lid or re-ignite the cone if it goes out. Always burn incense in a well-ventilated area, away from pets, plants, and children. Do not leave burning incense unattended.
Once the cone has finished burning, the surface may still be hot, so be sure to let it cool before handling or discarding. The ashes are easy to remove, but there may also be a sticky, oily residue. This residue can be unpleasant-smelling and impact the fragrance quality of future burns, so it is important to clean your burner regularly.
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Lighting the incense cone
Lighting an incense cone is a simple process, but it does require some care and attention. Incense cones burn very hot, so it is important to take precautions to ensure a safe experience. Firstly, place the cone on a heat-resistant, non-combustible dish. Add a few pinches of salt or sand to the dish and place the cone on top. This protective layer will increase airflow and safeguard the dish from discolouration and hardened residue.
Now you are ready to light the incense cone. Using a match or lighter, ignite the pointy end of the cone as you would a candle wick. Ensure that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites with a small flame. You may need to hold the flame to the incense for 10-30 seconds. If you are using backflow incense, which is designed to flow downwards rather than upwards, you will need to look out for a small glowing ember at the tip of the cone and smoke flowing down the bottom hole.
Once the tip of the cone is ignited, allow it to burn for a few moments. Be careful not to burn up the whole cone before it starts to smoulder and release its fragrance. Gently blow out the flame, being mindful not to extinguish the ember or knock over the cone. You may need to relight the cone if it does not stay lit, so apply the flame for a little longer this time and allow it to burn a bit longer before blowing it out.
If the ember is glowing strongly and the incense smoke is billowing, it is time to put the lid on the incense burner. Remember that incense cones require airflow to continue burning, so you may need to adjust the lid or re-ignite the cone if it extinguishes. Always burn incense in a well-ventilated area, away from pets, plants, and children. Do not leave burning incense unattended and be sure to allow the cone and burner to cool completely before handling or discarding.
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Maintaining the burn
Firstly, it is important to ensure that your incense cone is placed correctly. The cone should be sitting upright on its base, positioned in the centre of the incense burner to avoid touching the sides of the lid, if applicable. Always use a heat-resistant burner made from materials that can withstand the high temperatures generated by the burning cone, such as metal, stone, or ceramic. Avoid using painted or wooden burners as the heat may ruin them.
Once the cone is properly positioned, light the tip of the cone with a match or lighter, just as you would a candle wick. Ensure that the incense cone is fully immersed in the flame until it ignites. You may need to hold the flame to the tip for 10-30 seconds. Then, gently fan or blow out the flame. If you are using backflow incense, which is designed to flow smoke downward, check that there is a glowing ember at the tip and that smoke is flowing down the bottom hole when you hold the cone in your hand.
After blowing out the flame, you should see a small glowing ember at the tip of the cone and smell the incense smoke. If the ember is strong and the smoke is billowing, you can put the lid on the incense burner. However, remember that incense cones require airflow to continue burning, so ensure the lid does not restrict airflow. Burn your incense in a well-ventilated area, away from pets, plants, and children. Do not leave burning incense unattended.
Depending on the size of the cone and the burning conditions, your incense cone should burn for around 15-25 minutes before self-extinguishing. If the cone does not stay lit, re-light it and start the process again. Always allow the surface to cool completely before handling or discarding the incense cone.
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Cleaning the burner
To clean your incense burner, you should first let it cool down for about 15-30 minutes. Then, dispose of the incense ash by tipping the burner so that the ash falls into a trash can or paper bag. You can also use a vacuum to suck up the ash.
Next, you can use a soft cloth, such as a microfiber or cotton cloth, to wipe down the burner. If your burner is made of brass, you can polish it with a soft cloth and use a gentle baking soda paste for stubborn spots. For wooden burners, use a slightly damp soft cloth with a small amount of mild soap and dry it immediately. If your burner is painted or decorated, avoid using alcohol or strong cleaning agents as they can damage the finish.
For ceramic, glass, or metal burners, you can use a mild soap and water solution or alcohol to clean them. Prepare a mixture of 70% isopropyl alcohol or higher and spray it onto the surface of the burner. Then, take a wet wipe or a soft cloth dampened with water and gently wipe the alcohol across the surface.
It is recommended to clean your burner regularly, especially if you use incense cones with natural oils, as the oily residue can build up quickly and cause blockages in the smoke channels. This can disrupt the signature downward flow of the smoke and affect the fragrance of the incense.
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Frequently asked questions
Place the cone on a heat-resistant, non-combustible dish. Add salt or sand to the dish and place the cone on top to protect the dish and increase airflow. Light the tip of the cone with a flame and wait 10-15 seconds before blowing it out. The tip should be glowing red and smoking. The cone will burn for up to 20 minutes and then self-extinguish.
Incense cones burn very hot, so it is important to use a heat-resistant incense burner. Burners made of metal, stone, or ceramic are best. Painted or wooden burners are not suitable as the heat will ruin them.
Backflow incense is a type of incense where the smoke flows in the opposite direction to normal incense, i.e. it flows downwards instead of upwards. This is because the smoke enters a hollow tunnel in the centre, where it cools and becomes denser, causing it to flow downwards.
To make the smoke flow downwards, you need to use backflow incense. You can make your own backflow incense cones from materials such as balsam fir, cedar, and juniper sprigs.
Traditional herbal incense is made from herbs in powder form, such as vanilla, cinnamon, sage, sandalwood, cedar, and thyme. You can experiment with different ingredients, but it is recommended to always use at least one resin or wood as a base.
