Anisha Riggs
Burning incense resin on charcoal is a popular method for enjoying incense, but it can create a lot of smoke. To burn resin incense with charcoal, you'll need an incense burner, charcoal tablets, and resin incense. You can also use salt or sand to help absorb heat. First, light the charcoal tablet using a candle and tongs, then place it in the burner. Once the charcoal is fully lit and ash has formed, place a small piece of resin in the middle. The resin will begin to melt and release its fragrance. You can add more resin or blend different types to create a custom scent. However, be cautious as lit charcoal can reach very high temperatures and should never be left unattended.
How to use charcoal resin incense
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Items needed | Resin incense, incense burner, charcoal, salt or sand (optional) |
| Incense burner | Fill with salt or sand to help absorb heat. Use a heat-resistant surface. |
| Charcoal | Self-lighting or regular. Use charcoal tablets. |
| Lighting the charcoal | Use a match or lighter. Hold by one edge while applying flame to the other. |
| Placing the charcoal | Once lit, place charcoal on a bed of white ash in a metal incense burner. |
| Adding incense | Place a small piece of resin in the middle of the coal. Add a pinch at a time. |
| Adjusting heat | Charcoal can be too hot, burning the resin and producing smoke. Try allowing the charcoal to burn down before adding resin. |
| Reducing smoke | Use an oil warmer or electric burner instead of charcoal. |
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What You'll Learn
Using charcoal disks
To use charcoal disks, start by placing the disk on a non-flammable dish, bowl, or plate. Using a candle and tongs, hold the disk's bottom over the flame until it starts to crackle, then do the same for the top. Be sure to use incense tongs for safety. Place the now very hot disk on a bed of white ash in a metal burner. You can also use a stone bowl filled with sand or small pebbles as a base for the charcoal disk. If you're using a metal burner, place a wood coaster or cloth underneath to protect the surface from heat.
Once the charcoal is burning, give it time to burn out completely. This usually takes around 15-20 minutes. Do not leave lit charcoal unattended and ensure it is away from flammable materials. You can then place a small piece of resin incense in the middle of the coal. The resin will begin to bubble and melt, releasing its fragrance. You can add more resin pieces as needed and even create custom blends by mixing different resins.
To reduce the heat when burning resin on charcoal, you can try a few methods. One method is to grind the incense into a fine powder and sprinkle it onto the hot charcoal. Another method is to create a small foil cup and place it on the charcoal before adding the resin. This will help regulate the heat and prevent the resin from burning too quickly, reducing the amount of smoke produced.
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Preparing the burner
The next step is to create a bed of white ash within the burner. This ash will help catch any stray sparks and prevent heat transfer to the surface. The depth of the ash should be sufficient to provide insulation without requiring a large quantity. Additionally, you can add a layer of sand or small pebbles on top of the ash to further regulate the heat and absorb any resin residue.
When using charcoal disks, it is important to choose the appropriate type and size. Charcoal comes in two main varieties: self-lighting, which is beginner-friendly and mixed with a combustible agent, and regular charcoal, which is pure vegetable charcoal that requires sustained heat to light and offers an uninterrupted fragrance. Small charcoal tablets are generally recommended unless you need to fill a large space with incense.
To light the charcoal, use a candle or any type of tongs to hold the charcoal by one edge while applying a flame to the other. If using self-lighting charcoal, you will hear crackling and popping sounds as the surface ignites. Once the entire surface is glowing, it is ready for the incense. Alternatively, you can light the charcoal using a match or lighter, allowing it to burn down and turn grey before adding the incense to reduce the heat.
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Lighting the charcoal
To light the charcoal, use incense tongs to hold the charcoal by one edge while applying a flame to the other. You can also use candlelight and any type of tongs, including cooking tongs, needle-nose pliers, or tweezers. If using self-lighting charcoal, you will hear crackling and popping as the surface ignites. When the whole surface is glowing, it is ready for incense. If using regular charcoal, hold the disk's bottom over the flame until it starts to crackle, then do the same for the top before placing it on a safe surface.
Once the charcoal is burning, it needs time to burn out, so ensure you have at least an hour before leaving the area. The charcoal will begin to spark and ash will form on the edges. It is important to use a non-flammable, heat-resistant container for safety. A stone bowl filled with sand or small pebbles works well as a base for the charcoal disk. If using a metal incense burner, place a wood coaster or cloth underneath to prevent scorching. Never leave lit charcoal unattended or near flammable materials.
When the charcoal is fully lit and ash has formed, it is time to add the incense. Add a small piece of resin to the middle of the coal, and it will begin to bubble and melt, releasing its fragrance. You can add additional resin pieces as desired and even blend different resins to create custom scents. To prolong the fragrance and prevent the resin from burning too quickly, you can place a small piece of foil over the charcoal before adding the resin. Alternatively, grind the incense into a fine powder and sprinkle it over the hot charcoal.
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Adding the resin
To add the resin to your incense burner, you will need to use a charcoal tablet. Charcoal comes in rolls or boxes of tablets and is available for a few dollars anywhere that sells resin incense. You can choose between self-lighting charcoal, which is mixed with a combustible agent (usually saltpeter) and can be ignited with a flick of a lighter, or regular charcoal, which is compressed vegetable charcoal with nothing added. Regular charcoal requires sustained heat to light but does not have any chemical odour that interferes with the fragrance of the incense.
Once you have your charcoal tablet, light it using a match or a lighter. If you are using self-lighting charcoal, it will begin to crackle and pop as the surface ignites. You can blow on it gently, as if you were lighting a campfire. When the whole surface is glowing, it is ready for the resin. If you are using a candle and tongs to light the charcoal, hold the disk's bottom over the flame until it starts to crackle, then do the same to the top. Then place the now very hot disk on the sand or directly on the dish.
When the charcoal is fully lit and ash has begun to form, take a small piece of resin and place it in the middle of the coal. As the resin begins to bubble and melt, smoke and fragrance will be released. You can add a pinch of incense at a time, or a small piece, and enjoy the fragrance as it burns. You can add more resin as desired and even blend different resins to create your own custom scent. If you are burning resins on charcoal, it is recommended to grind the incense into a fine powder first. The finer the powder, the more fragrance you will get before the scent of the burning resin takes over.
If you are using an oil warmer, add a small amount (approximately one teaspoon) of almond oil or another carrier oil to the bowl of the warmer, then add a few pieces of your chosen resin. Light the tealight underneath or plug in the warmer if it is electric. After a few minutes, the resin will begin to soften, infusing the oil with fragrance.
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![Sunlight® Charcoal Tablets for Incense – Quick Light Coal Tablets – Charcoal Disks – 40 mm Coal Rolls – Coal Briquettes – Slow Burn - Instant Lighting [100]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81jL961OxxL._AC_UL320_.jpg)
Cleaning up
Cleaning Charcoal Resin Incense Burners:
- Soak the burner: Fill your burner with a small amount of water and add a few drops of dish soap. Bring it to a boil and then let it rest for a few minutes. The hot, soapy water will help loosen the resin buildup.
- Scrape off the residue: After soaking, use a rough sponge or a wooden stick to gently scrape off the softened resin residue. This will help remove the bulk of the buildup without damaging the surface of your burner.
- Repeat as needed: If there's still some residue left, you can repeat the soaking and scraping process until most of the residue is gone. Keep in mind that it might be difficult to get it completely spotless, especially if you're using a copper burner.
- Use cleaning agents: For tougher resin buildup, you can try using various cleaning agents. Plant-based oils, such as lemon essential oil, can be effective. Soak a cloth or cotton ball in the oil and then use it to wipe down the burner. You can also try using 99% isopropyl alcohol, which is better for removing resin than rubbing alcohol.
- Consider alternative methods: If the buildup is particularly stubborn, you can try more aggressive methods. Placing your burner in the freezer can make the residue more brittle and easier to chip off. However, be cautious when using metal tools to avoid damaging the burner's surface. Additionally, some people use a blow torch on copper burners, but this will change the colour of the copper.
- Allow the burner to cool: Before cleaning your resin incense burner, ensure that it has cooled down completely. Never try to clean it while it's still hot or warm to the touch.
- Wipe down the burner: Once the burner is cool, use a paper towel or a soft cloth to wipe down the inside and outside of the burner. This will remove any excess ash or residue.
- Replace the incense and oil: If you're using an oil warmer, it's important to replace the incense and oil regularly. If you burn incense daily, it's recommended to replace it every 3 to 4 days. At this point, you should also add more oil to the burner.
- Clean the oil warmer: If you're not going to use the oil warmer for a while, empty the bowl and wipe it clean with a paper towel. Make sure the warmer is completely cool before cleaning it. You can also soak the bowl in oil for 2-3 days to help remove any stubborn residue.
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Frequently asked questions
You will need resin incense, a charcoal disk, an incense burner, and a lighter or matches. You can also use a candle and tongs to light the charcoal disk.
Hold the charcoal disk by one edge and apply a flame to the other. You can use incense tongs for safety. The charcoal will begin to crackle and pop as the surface ignites. Once the whole surface is glowing, it's ready for the incense.
Place the lit charcoal disk on a bed of white ash in a metal incense burner. Then, add a small piece of resin incense to the middle of the charcoal. The resin will begin to bubble and melt, releasing its fragrance. You can add more resin as desired and even blend different resins.
Most charcoal tablets will burn for around 15-20 minutes. Once the charcoal has burned out, you can stir the remaining ash into the white ash.
Yes, you can use an electric incense burner or an oil warmer. These methods produce less smoke and are suitable for places with strict rules against burning charcoal.
