Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used for centuries for various purposes, including ancient and modern worship, purification, meditation, yoga, and simple relaxation. The most common form of incense used today is stick incense, which comes in two forms: with or without a core. To use an incense lamp, you must first prepare a suitable holder, such as a bowl or burner, and fill it with grain, rice, salt, or sand to catch the falling ash. Then, light the incense with a match or lighter, allowing the flame to burn for a few seconds before gently blowing or fanning it out. Once a small ember is visible, your incense is ready to be enjoyed safely, filling your space with fragrant smoke.
How to use an incense lamp
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Reasons to burn incense | Relaxation, religious purposes, meditation, yoga, reading, improving scent of home |
| Types of incense | Stick incense, cone incense |
| How to light stick incense | Use a match or lighter, light one end of the stick, allow flame to burn for a few seconds, gently blow out the flame, check for a small glowing ember |
| How to light cone incense | Use a lighter or match, burn the tip until it glows orange, blow out the flame when the tip is glowing orange |
| How to put out stick incense | Press the lit tip against a heat-resistant surface, use sand, salt, white ash or rice to put out the heat, use cool water to ensure embers are out |
| How to put out cone incense | Snuff the tip out by pressing the burnt end against a heat-resistant surface, use sand, salt, white ash or rice to put out the heat, use cool water to ensure embers are out |
| How to store incense | Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, use an airtight container or sealed plastic bag |
| Incense holders | Use a bowl or bucket wide enough to catch any falling ash, fill the container with grain, rice, salt or sand, use a heat-proof container for cone incense |
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What You'll Learn
Choosing the right incense
Natural vs Synthetic Ingredients
It is important to consider the ingredients used in the incense. Natural incense, made from essential oils, resins, and woods, tends to last longer and emit a more pure and intense fragrance compared to synthetic incense, which often has synthetic undertones that can be tiresome. Natural incense also has a longer shelf life, lasting for years instead of months. However, natural incense made from raw resins and woods can be quite different from the fragrances you may be accustomed to, so it may take some time to adjust to their unique aromas.
Cultural and Regional Variations
The region of origin can significantly influence the characteristics of incense. For example, Indian and Tibetan incenses tend to be stronger and more highly perfumed, while Japanese incense is known for its refined and sophisticated fragrances. Pakistani incense offers bright and complex scent profiles, similar to those found in the Middle East, but in the convenient Indian-style stick format. If you're looking for a local option, US makers like Fred Soll emphasize the use of natural ingredients, offering high-quality incense right from your own backyard.
Purpose and Intensity
Consider your intended purpose and the intensity of fragrance you desire. Incense has been used for millennia in diverse cultures for various purposes, including meditation, ceremonies, and even insect repellent. If you're looking for incense to aid in meditation or relaxation techniques like yoga, opt for fragrances with calming properties such as Nag Champa, sandalwood, lavender, or vanilla. For a more intense and complex fragrance experience, explore options with earthy aromas, such as those combining sandalwood with other notes, or try unique fragrances like dragons blood, which is made from the resin of a tree.
Personal Preference and Experimentation
Ultimately, the selection of incense comes down to personal preference. Experiment with different types of incense to find what resonates with you. Try sampler packs or purchase from specialist stores to explore a variety of fragrances. You can also enhance your incense experience by choosing an appropriate incense holder, such as a bowl or a stand, that suits your personal taste and ensures a safe and pleasant burning experience.
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Lighting the incense
Lighting incense is a simple process, but it's important to follow safety precautions to avoid accidents. Incense is available in stick or cone form, and both types require a heat-resistant dish or holder to burn safely.
If you're burning an incense stick, you can choose to light it while holding it or after placing it in an incense burner. Hold the flame to the stick until it ignites and a small flame is visible. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then gently blow or fan it out. Check the tip of the incense stick—if you see a small glowing ember and a wisp of smoke, it has been correctly lit.
For incense cones, place the cone in a heat-proof container before lighting. Light the tip of the cone with a match or lighter, and let it burn until it produces a flame. Once the flame disappears, the tip of the cone should glow orange. If it looks dark or burnt, try relighting it. Gently blow or fan the cone until the flame is out, and a steady stream of smoke signals that the incense is burning safely.
Remember to always burn incense in a well-ventilated room, away from anything flammable. If you need to put out the incense before it burns out, press the lit end against a heat-resistant surface until the ember breaks off, or use sand, salt, rice, or water to extinguish it.
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Using an incense holder
First, choose a suitable holder for your incense. Incense holders come in many different shapes and sizes, and the type of holder you use depends on the type of incense you are burning. If you are using a cored incense stick, opt for a holder made of stone, metal, or ceramic. These can come in the shape of elephants, flowers, or bowls, for example. If your incense is solid, avoid wooden holders as these are flammable and solid incense sticks burn all the way down. Instead, use a non-flammable holder or fill a bowl with rice, salt, or sand, and place the incense inside.
Next, find a stable spot for your incense holder, away from anything flammable and where it won't be knocked over. Then, light the incense stick with a match or lighter. Hold the flame to the incense until it ignites and a small flame is visible. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then gently blow it out. Check that the incense is lit by looking for a small glowing ember and a small amount of smoke.
If you need to put out the incense before it has finished burning, press the lit tip against a heat-resistant surface until the ember breaks off.
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Putting out the incense
Putting out an incense stick is simple, but it's important to do it properly to avoid wasting the remaining incense, creating a mess, or causing a fire hazard.
If you are using Japanese incense, such as Shoyeido or Baieido, you can simply snap the stick in half or break off the amount you want to extinguish. For other types of incense, it is recommended to avoid blowing out the flame as you would with a candle, as this can disperse burning embers. Instead, you can try one of the following methods:
- Using a bowl of sand or rice: Place the lit end of the incense stick into a bowl of sand or rice. The embers will quickly go out on their own, and the sand or rice will prevent the stick from burning further. This method also allows you to relight the incense later.
- Using a heat-resistant surface: Press the lit tip of the incense stick against a heat-resistant surface, such as concrete, ceramic, glass, or metal, with some force until the piece with the ember breaks off.
- Twisting: Extend your thumb and index finger of your right hand and bring them close to the burning tip of the incense stick. As soon as your thumb and finger make contact, twist the incense stick to put out the flame. Ensure that you are twisting the stick loosely rather than holding it in a fixed position.
Remember to always monitor incense while it is burning and never leave it unattended. Before disposing of extinguished incense, ensure that it is fully cooled down to avoid the risk of starting a fire.
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Incense cones vs incense sticks
To use an incense lamp, you will need to insert an incense stick or cone into the lamp and light it with a match or lighter. You should hold the flame to the incense until it ignites, and then let the flame burn for about 10 seconds before gently blowing it out. If you see a small glowing ember, and smoke, the incense has been correctly lit.
Now, here is a comparison between incense cones and incense sticks:
Incense cones and incense sticks are the two most common forms of incense, each with unique qualities and benefits. Incense sticks are thin wooden sticks coated in a fragrant mixture and typically last between 30 minutes to an hour. They are straightforward to light, making them ideal for daily use or extended periods of burning, such as during meditation or relaxation practices. The slow-burning nature of incense sticks provides a continuous stream of fragrance and a stronger scent due to their larger surface area.
On the other hand, incense cones are small, compressed pellets that burn for a shorter time, usually between 10 to 15 minutes. They offer a more subtle aroma that is released quickly but dissipates faster. Incense cones are perfect for creating a specific ambiance or for use during a particular activity as they are better suited for short bursts of aroma. Additionally, cones burn faster, release more smoke, and are stronger in terms of fragrance.
The choice between incense cones and incense sticks ultimately depends on personal preference, the intended usage, and the desired fragrance experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Light the incense stick with a match or lighter. Ensure that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites and a small flame is visible. Allow the flame to burn for a few seconds, then fan or blow it out. If you see a small glowing ember, the incense has been lit.
If you have a cored incense stick, use an incense "boat", which is a long, thin piece of wood, metal, or ceramic with a tiny hole at one end. If you have a solid incense stick, do not use a wooden holder. Instead, consider filling a bowl or cup with grain, rice, salt, or sand, and sticking the incense stick inside.
If you don't want to burn an entire stick of incense, you can put it out halfway through burning and keep the remainder for your next session. You can put out the flame by pressing the lit tip of the incense stick against a heat-resistant surface until the piece with the ember breaks off.
As a general rule, opt for incense that is pure and scented naturally, rather than those that use bonding agents and chemical fragrances.
