Antonio Mcgowan
Backflow incense, also known as waterfall incense, is a relatively new type of incense that produces a flowing, downward cascade of smoke. This is achieved through the use of special incense cones with a small hole in the bottom, which are placed in a backflow burner, a ceramic holder with a hole at the base. When lit, the smoke moves downwards instead of upwards, creating a mesmerising effect that resembles a waterfall. The backflow incense cone is lit in a similar way to a stick of incense, with the tip ignited using a match or lighter, before being gently blown out. The cone is then placed in the backflow burner, and after a few minutes, the smoke will begin to flow downwards.
How to Use Backflow Incense:
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Lighting | Hold the cone and light the tip with a match or lighter. Allow it to burn at least a third down before placing it on the burner. |
| Burner Positioning | Place the burner on a protective surface, away from flammable materials. Ensure it is in a well-ventilated room, but avoid drafts or wind as this will interfere with the smoke effect. |
| Smoke Effect | The smoke will initially rise, but after a few minutes, it will begin to flow downwards, creating a waterfall or cascade effect. |
| Burn Time | The burn time of backflow cones is shorter than regular cones due to their hollow shape. They typically burn out in 20-30 minutes, but the aroma can last up to a day. |
| Clean-up | Clean the burner after each use to prevent a burnt oil smell and maintain its appearance. Use a toothbrush and dish soap to remove sticky residue. |
| Storage | Store the cones away from moisture, sun, and heat to preserve their fragrance. Keep them in a cold, dark location. |
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What You'll Learn
- Lighting a backflow incense cone: Hold the cone and light the tip. Once the tip ignites, wait a second and blow out the flame
- Using a backflow burner: Place the backflow cone upright on the burner, covering the hole. The smoke will flow downwards
- Backflow incense burner design: The burner is made of ceramic or porcelain with a hole at the base. The smoke escapes through this hole, creating a waterfall effect
- Cleaning the burner: Use a toothbrush and dish soap to remove sticky oil residue. Clean after each use to keep the burner in good condition
- Safety: Keep the burner away from flammable materials and place it on a protective surface. Burn in a well-ventilated area
Lighting a backflow incense cone: Hold the cone and light the tip. Once the tip ignites, wait a second and blow out the flame
Lighting a backflow incense cone is slightly different from lighting a traditional cone. You must allow it to burn at least a third of the way down before placing it on the burner. Hold the cone in one hand and light the tip with a match or lighter. Ensure that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites. Once the tip is ignited, wait a second or two and then blow out the flame. Be careful not to burn yourself while holding the cone. The tip should be glowing red and releasing a fragrant smoke.
If you don't see a small glowing ember at the tip, and smoke visibly flowing from the bottom when you hold the cone in your hand, then your incense cone is not lit. In this case, ensure that the plate holding the cone is clean and that the hole is unobstructed. Resin from previous cones can get stuck to the plate and reduce airflow. You should also check for wind flow near your incense, as this can accidentally put it out or affect the smoke flow.
Once the cone is lit, it's time to place it in your backflow burner. After a short while, the smoke will begin to travel throughout the burner and create a pattern. Be aware that drafty locations can reduce the falling smoke effect. The smoke will initially rise from the top like a regular incense cone, but after a few minutes, the backflow effect will start, and the smoke will pour from the bottom of the cone.
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Using a backflow burner: Place the backflow cone upright on the burner, covering the hole. The smoke will flow downwards
Backflow incense is a relatively new type of incense that produces smoke that flows in the opposite direction of traditional incense—that is, downwards instead of upwards. This creates a mesmerizing waterfall effect. The incense is also known as waterfall incense or an incense fountain.
To use a backflow burner, you must first light the backflow cone. Hold the cone with one hand or with tweezers and light the pointy end with a match or lighter. Ensure that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites. Gently fan or blow out the flame or its remnants. For some incense, you may need to wait 10 to 30 seconds before blowing out the flame. Check the incense tip where the flame was. If you see a small glowing ember and smoke is coming out of the bottom, the incense has been correctly lit.
Once the backflow cone is lit, place it upright on the burner, covering the hole. This alignment is essential for the smoke to flow correctly downwards. The smoke will initially rise from the top like a regular incense cone, but after a few minutes, the smoke will begin to flow downwards and create a waterfall effect. If you do not see the smoke flowing downwards, check that the cone is lit and that the burner is clean and free of obstructions.
After burning, the backflow cone will leave behind a sticky residue, so it is important to clean the burner after each use. Use a toothbrush and dish soap to remove the sticky oil residue.
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Backflow incense burner design: The burner is made of ceramic or porcelain with a hole at the base. The smoke escapes through this hole, creating a waterfall effect
Backflow incense burners are made from ceramic or porcelain and are often designed with Asian motifs like a lotus, dragon, or Ganesha. They are small, decorative pieces that reflect the smoke in their high-gloss glazed finish. The burner has a hole at the base through which the smoke escapes, creating a mesmerising waterfall effect.
The backflow incense burner utilises all four elements: the ceramic or porcelain comes from the earth, fire and air are needed for the combustion of the cone, and the smoke escaping from the hole at the base of the burner symbolises water. The burner's design, coupled with the use of special backflow incense cones, creates the waterfall effect. These cones are partially drilled through from the bottom to just under the tip, causing the smoke to stream back down through the cone and out through the hole in the burner, instead of upwards.
To use a backflow incense burner, hold the incense cone with one hand or with some tweezers and light the pointy end of the cone with a match or lighter. Ensure that the incense is immersed in the flame until it ignites, and then gently fan or blow out any remaining flame. Check the tip of the cone for a small glowing ember, and ensure that smoke is coming out of the bottom. If not, the cone may not be lit. Once lit, place the cone in the burner and enjoy the waterfall effect of the smoke escaping through the hole at the base of the burner.
It is important to note that backflow incense burners should be used indoors and away from any sudden air movements, as this can affect the smoke flow. After burning, it is normal for a light oily residue to appear on the burner, which can be easily wiped off with a damp cloth. It is recommended to clean your burner after every 2-3 cones burnt.
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Cleaning the burner: Use a toothbrush and dish soap to remove sticky oil residue. Clean after each use to keep the burner in good condition
To clean your backflow incense burner, you will need to first dispose of the incense ash from the cone that has finished burning. This can be done by moving a trash bag or garbage can close to the burner and gently tipping the small metal plate the incense cone is sitting on, so that the burnt cone falls into the trash. Another method is to use a vacuum to suck up the burnt cone, although this can be a bit messy.
Once the ash has been removed, wait for the burner to cool down. The best time to clean the burner is when the burner is still a little warmer than room temperature, as the oil residue will be a little runny and not completely solid. Use a toothbrush and dish soap to scrub away at the hole opening on the burner where the backflow cone is placed, and then rinse it under water. You can also use a sponge instead of a toothbrush. Make sure to also clean the various parts of the burner that come into contact with the incense smoke with the toothbrush/sponge and dish soap.
It is recommended to clean your backflow incense burner after each use to prevent a large quantity of oil or resin from building up on the plate. This build-up can prevent new incense cones from burning properly and can block the hole below the incense cone, stopping the smoke from drifting downwards and interrupting the intended visual effect.
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Safety: Keep the burner away from flammable materials and place it on a protective surface. Burn in a well-ventilated area
When using backflow incense, it is important to prioritise safety. The burner should be placed on a heat-resistant surface, away from flammable materials such as curtains, books, or any other items that could easily catch fire. It is also recommended to use a protective surface, such as a tray or mat, to prevent any possible staining from the incense smoke. This is especially important if your burner does not come with a silicone mat, as some do.
It is crucial to keep the burner away from flammable materials due to the presence of an open flame during the lighting process. The pointy end of the incense cone is lit with a match or lighter, similar to lighting a candle wick. The incense cone should be held with one hand or with tweezers, and the flame should be allowed to immerse the tip of the cone. Once a small flame appears, it can be gently blown out, but care must be taken to ensure that the cone is properly lit. This can be confirmed by checking for a small glowing ember and smoke emanating from the bottom of the cone.
During the burning process, it is essential to keep the burner away from flammable materials as the cone continues to emit smoke and heat. The smoke from the incense cone contains tiny particles that are denser than normal air at room temperature, causing the smoke to flow downwards instead of upwards. This unique property of backflow incense creates a visually appealing effect, resembling a natural waterfall. However, it is important to ensure that the smoke has adequate ventilation to disperse into the air without accumulating in the surrounding area.
Always exercise caution when handling the burner after use. Allow several minutes for the cone, burner, and any metal parts to cool down before touching them. It is also important to keep the burner out of the reach of children and pets. Regular cleaning and maintenance of the burner are recommended, and there are various methods available to effectively remove incense ash and residue.
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Frequently asked questions
Backflow incense, also known as waterfall incense, is a type of incense where the smoke flows in the opposite direction of regular incense, i.e., downwards instead of upwards.
Lighting a backflow incense cone is similar to lighting a traditional incense stick. Hold the cone with one hand or with some tweezers and light the tip with a match or lighter. Once the tip is lit, gently blow out the flame. If you see a small glowing ember and smoke coming out of the bottom, the incense has been correctly lit.
It is important to clean your backflow incense burner after each use to prevent the buildup of burnt oil and residue. Use a toothbrush and dish soap to remove the sticky residue. You can also use a vacuum to suck up the burnt cone or a dustpan and small broom, although this method can be messy.
Store your backflow incense cones in a cold, dark, and dry location, such as a drawer. Keep them away from moisture, sunlight, and heat, as these factors can cause the cones to lose their fragrance.
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