Lance Carson
Incense burning has been a prominent part of religious and spiritual ceremonies for centuries, with the censer, a vessel used for igniting incense, becoming closely associated with divinity and religious ritual around the globe. The word censer was first documented in English in the mid-13th century and is often used in the context of religious or spiritual ceremonies, especially Catholicism. The famed inventor and craftsman, Ding Huan (1st c. BCE), is believed to have made censers with gimbal supports, allowing them to be easily used for fumigating or scenting garments. Today, incense users can choose from a variety of censers made from materials such as ceramic, concrete, glass, or metal, and can burn different types of incense, including sticks, cones, or loose aromatics with charcoal.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incense type | Direct-burning, Indirect-burning, Granulated, Stick, Cone, Loose aromatics, Non-combustible |
| Incense material | Tree resins, Spices, Whole plant materials, Sandalwood, Agarwood, Thuja |
| Censer material | Ceramic, Concrete, Glass, Metal |
| Censer shape | Censing baskets, Bird or animal-shaped, Hill censer, Scenting globe |
| Censer size | Minimum 3" diameter and 2" deep |
| Censer filling | Ash (Japanese rice ash, white ash, campfire ash), Diatomaceous earth, Salt, Sand |
| Charcoal type | Bamboo charcoal, Greek charcoal, Puck-shaped charcoal |
| Charcoal burning time | 15-20 minutes |
| Charcoal lighting | Light corner of charcoal briquette, place in censer, extinguish flame |
| Incense placement | Wait for charcoal to develop ash layer, sprinkle thin layer of sand on charcoal, avoid direct contact |
| Censer lid | Keep open during use, close when finished |
| Censer cleaning | Use acetone or isopropyl alcohol to clean resin residue |
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What You'll Learn
- Choosing a censer: Go for a minimum 3 diameter, 2 deep vessel made from a non-flammable material
- Charcoal: Fan or blow on it to get it red hot. Avoid commercially available charcoal discs
- Incense type: Direct-burning incense is placed on a heat source. Indirect-burning incense requires a separate heat source
- Safety: Keep the censer open during use and clean it regularly to avoid residue buildup
- History: The hill censer, a vessel designed to make rising smoke look like clouds, became popular in 141–87 BCE
Choosing a censer: Go for a minimum 3 diameter, 2 deep vessel made from a non-flammable material
When choosing a censer, it is recommended to opt for a vessel that is at least 3 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep. This larger size allows for better airflow, which is crucial for effective burning. Additionally, the censer should be made from a non-flammable material to ensure safety and durability.
There are various materials suitable for censers, including ceramic, concrete, glass, and metal. Metal censers, such as those made of brass, bronze, or silver, have been commonly used in religious and spiritual practices for centuries. They are often intricately designed and may be hung from chains, allowing for swinging during rituals. However, metal censers require careful handling to prevent corrosion and discolouration.
Ceramic censers offer a wide range of designs and colours, making them aesthetically pleasing. They are also known for their heat resistance and ability to retain heat for a longer period. Concrete censers provide a modern and industrial look, while glass censers offer a unique visual experience by allowing you to see the burning incense and the rising smoke.
When choosing a censer, it is essential to consider not only the size and material but also the type of incense you plan to use. Different types of incense, such as sticks, cones, or loose aromatics, may require specific types of censers to ensure proper airflow and burning. Additionally, some censers are designed with lids or perforated tops to contain the burning materials safely while allowing the smoke to escape.
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Charcoal: Fan or blow on it to get it red hot. Avoid commercially available charcoal discs
Charcoal discs are easy to light, but commercially available ones often contain saltpeter or other ingredients that may be harmful when used indoors. To avoid this, opt for natural Japanese bamboo charcoal, which does not contain additives and produces minimal smoke.
When lighting charcoal for a censer, there are several methods to avoid using lighter fluid, which can leave an unpleasant smell and flavour. One method is to use fire starters, which are all-natural and can be placed in the area you want to light and left to burn, or you can build a charcoal tepee around them. Another option is to use a propane grill torch, which is portable and can be attached to a bottle of propane. You can also try using a combination of paper towels and cooking oil, or an electric starter, which is placed into the charcoal and plugged into an electrical outlet.
If you are using a swinging censer, light pieces of charcoal or coal until they are red hot, then place them into the censer and swing it back and forth to help aerate the coals. If you are using a stationary censer, you may need to fan or blow on the charcoal to achieve the same result.
Once your charcoal is lit and red hot, you can place incense on top. For direct-burning incense, light the tip or end of the incense with a flame or other heat source, then fan or blow out the flame. The incense will continue to burn without a flame. For granulated incense, light one corner of a small, concave charcoal briquette, then place it in the censer and extinguish the flame. Once the briquette is glowing, it is ready for incense.
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Incense type: Direct-burning incense is placed on a heat source. Indirect-burning incense requires a separate heat source
Incense comes in two main types: direct-burning and indirect-burning. Direct-burning incense is also known as combustible incense, and it is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, creating a glowing ember that smoulders and releases a fragrance. This type of incense is usually formed around a bamboo stick or extruded into a stick, cone or coil shape. Direct-burning incense is the most common type used in contemporary settings.
Indirect-burning incense, on the other hand, is non-combustible and cannot burn on its own, so it requires a separate heat source such as charcoal or glowing embers. It is an aromatic material or combination of materials, such as resins, that does not contain combustible material. Finer forms of this incense tend to burn more quickly, while coarser or whole chunks may burn very slowly as they have less surface area. This type of incense is often burned on a hot metal plate in a censer.
When using direct-burning incense, light the tip or end of the incense with a flame or other heat source. Once it has caught fire, blow out the flame and the incense will continue to burn without a flame, releasing its fragrance. If using incense sticks, you can use a variety of incense holders to burn your incense in a vertical position, and the censer will catch the ash.
If using indirect-burning incense, light a piece of charcoal and place it in the censer. Fan the charcoal with a card, rather than your breath, to avoid blowing ash around. Then, place your incense on top of the charcoal and it will begin to burn, releasing its fragrance.
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Safety: Keep the censer open during use and clean it regularly to avoid residue buildup
To keep your censer open during use, it is recommended to fill it with ash, sand, or other non-flammable, dry materials. This is because finely sifted ash allows oxygen to flow around the incense or charcoal freely, allowing it to burn completely. Japanese rice ash or "white ash" is a popular choice, but any ash, even from a campfire, will do the job. An affordable substitute for rice ash is diatomaceous earth, available at most gardening stores.
If you are using incense sticks, you can use a variety of incense holders to burn your incense in a vertical position, and the censer will catch all of the ash. For direct-burning incense, the tip or end of the incense is ignited with a flame or other heat source until the incense begins to turn into ash at the burning end. Flames on the incense are then fanned or blown out, with the incense continuing to burn without a flame on its own.
To ensure safety and avoid residue buildup, it is important to keep your censer clean. Regularly sift through the ash to remove debris and start over when it gets too messy. If you need to clean the censer, place it in an organic solvent such as car fuel, Solvent P-646, or white spirit. These are effective for the fast removal of contaminants and day-to-day care, and they do not damage the coating. Rinse the surfaces with water and wipe them with a soft cloth afterward. If your censer has a lid, you can try scrubbing it with a mix of isopropyl alcohol and salt to dissolve the resin, with the salt acting as a mild abrasive.
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History: The hill censer, a vessel designed to make rising smoke look like clouds, became popular in 141–87 BCE
The history of incense burners is a rich and fascinating one, with the practice of burning incense holding spiritual and religious significance in many cultures around the world. One of the most celebrated early incense burner designs is the hill censer, which rose to popularity during a pivotal period in Chinese history.
The hill censer, also known as "boshanlu" in Chinese, became a widespread vessel during the reign of Emperor Wu of the Han Dynasty (141-87 BCE). This period marked a time of increasing belief in sacred mountains inhabited by immortals, and the hill censer is thought to have been crafted to represent these mythical locations. The design of these censers often incorporated imagery of wild animals and trees, resembling miniature mountains or mountain islands.
The intricate craftsmanship of the hill censer served a specific purpose: to create an illusion with the rising smoke. Apertures or vents in the lid of the censer directed the scented smoke, making it appear like mist or clouds swirling around a mountain peak. This visual effect added to the allure and mystique of the burner.
The famed inventor and craftsman, Ding Huan, from the 1st century BCE, is believed to have created hill censers with gimbal supports. These censers could be easily used to fumigate or scent garments, bedclothes, and even kill insects. Edward H. Schafer describes these as "censing baskets", globes of hollow metal intricately designed with floral or animal motifs.
The hill censer holds a significant place in the history of incense burners, showcasing the ingenuity and artistry of ancient craftsmen. Its design not only served a functional purpose but also enhanced the sensory experience of burning incense, making it a beloved vessel for centuries to come.
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Frequently asked questions
A censer is a vessel used for burning incense, essentially an incense holder or burner. The word is often used in the context of religious or spiritual ceremonies, especially in Catholicism.
For a beginner, it is recommended to get a larger vessel, at least 3 inches in diameter and 2 inches deep, and fill it with ash. The censer can be made from any material that is not flammable, such as ceramic, concrete, glass, or metal.
A censer can be used with various types of incense, including sticks, cones, or loose aromatics with charcoal. For direct-burning incense, the tip of the incense is lit with a flame until it turns to ash, and then the flame is extinguished. For granulated incense, small charcoal briquettes are lit on fire and placed in the censer.
It is important to use common sense when burning incense indoors. Avoid using the censer with the lid closed, as this can create a low oxygen environment and cause the coal to die out or overheat the incense. Always clean the censer regularly to prevent resin residue buildup.
