Anisha Riggs
Incense cones are a great way to fill your space with a natural fragrance. They are usually placed in a heat-proof container, such as a burner, ashtray, or ceramic bowl, and lit with a match or lighter. Incense cones produce a lot of smoke, so many burners feature dragons or other creatures with open mouths, giving the appearance that the creature is breathing smoke. When choosing a surface to place your incense cone on, it is important to avoid flammable objects and areas with a lot of wind or air movement.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burn time | 15-30 minutes |
| Burning conditions | Avoid drafts, open windows, and fans that can accelerate burn time |
| Burner material | Metal, stone, or ceramic |
| Burner design | Enclosed burner shaped like fantasy animals, log houses, or other shapes; or a straightforward platform |
| Burner features | A lid, small feet, or a brass bottom to reduce combustibility |
| Lighting method | Lighter, match, or candle |
| Lighting duration | Immerse in flame for 5-15 seconds |
| Flame colour | Orange |
| Flame control | Blow gently to control burn rate |
| Heat dissipation | Place burner on a heat-resistant surface, add a layer of sand, salt, white ash, or rice to the burner |
| Extinguishing method | Smother in sand or ash, or immerse in water |
| Storage | Cool, dry place, inside an airtight container or sealed plastic bag |
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What You'll Learn
Incense burners
- A simple metal or clay platform to sit the cone on. Some wooden burners are available, but they often have a brass bottom to reduce flammability.
- A fancy, enclosed burner in the shape of fantasy creatures, log cabins, and more. These burners often feature dragons or other creatures with open mouths. When the smoke filters out, it gives the appearance that the creature is breathing smoke.
- A heat-proof incense burner. Cones often come with a metal disk to absorb the heat.
- A backflow incense burner. Backflow incense is a relatively new type of incense where the smoke flows in the opposite direction of "normal" incense, downwards instead of upwards.
To use an incense burner, place the cone in the burner with the point facing up. Light the tip of the cone with a lighter or match until it glows orange. If a flame appears, blow it out. Once lit, the incense cone should last for 20 to 30 minutes. If you need to put it out early, you can use a variety of methods, including:
- Smothering the end in sand or an ashtray.
- Placing the cone in a cup of water.
- Pressing the burning end against a heat-resistant surface, such as a box or tray.
- Using salt, white ash, or rice to put the heat out.
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Ashtrays
First, ensure that your ashtray is made of a suitable material. Incense cones burn very hot, so your ashtray must be heat-resistant. Metal, stone, or ceramic ashtrays are ideal. Painted or wooden ashtrays are not suitable, as the heat will damage them. Some incense cones may contain natural oils, so be cautious of this when choosing a material for your ashtray to avoid any potential combustion risks. Metal is a preferred option for safety.
Next, prepare your ashtray by placing it on a heat-resistant surface, away from flammable objects and out of direct sunlight. You can add a layer of sand, salt, white ash, or rice to the bottom of the ashtray to help distribute the heat and catch any falling ash. Place your incense cone in the centre of the ashtray, with the point facing up.
Always allow your incense cone to burn from the tip downwards. If your ashtray has a lid, leave it open or slightly ajar to let the smoke escape. Enjoy the fragrance for 15-25 minutes, depending on the size of your cone and burning conditions.
When your incense cone has burned down, you can gently blow on it to extinguish any remaining flame. Allow the ash to cool completely before disposing of it. You can then empty and wipe your ashtray clean, ready for your next incense cone!
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Ceramic bowls
Ceramic incense burner bowls are a great option for burning incense cones. These bowls are designed to catch the ash produced by the incense or smouldering Palo Santo. They are often handcrafted and feature a traditional three-legged design for heat distribution. Some popular colours for these bowls include slate grey, ivory, and earthy sage.
When using a ceramic bowl, it is important to ensure that the incense cone is wholly immersed in the flame until it starts burning and then gently blow out the flame. Once the flame is out, check the bottom of the cone for a glowing ember and a cloud of smoke, which indicates that the incense cone is burning correctly. If not, you may need to relight the cone.
Ceramic incense burner bowls can also be used for incense powder burning with charcoal discs. Additionally, some people fill their bowls with rice, white ash, or even coffee beans to hold their incense sticks.
Etsy is a popular place to find unique or custom ceramic incense bowls, with many sellers offering free shipping. You can also find handmade ceramic incense burner bowls from artists in the UK and the USA.
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Backflow incense burners
Backflow incense cones are lit in the same way as regular cones, but they are more difficult to put out once they are fully lit. To extinguish a backflow cone, it is recommended to immerse it in a cup of water.
- A gnome sitting on a mushroom
- A witch brewing a concoction
- A smiling cat wearing a hat
- A baby dragon
- A skull
- A Buddha relief
- A dragon (in various sizes and styles)
- A clown
- A caterpillar
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Saucers
Incense cones are a popular way to enjoy the fragrant smoke of incense. They burn very hot, so it is important to use heat-resistant burners and place them on heat-resistant surfaces.
To dissipate the heat, it is recommended to spread a layer of sand, salt, white ash, or rice about 1 cm thick on the bottom of the saucer. This layer can also be used to snuff out the flame if needed.
It is important to note that the incense cone should be placed in a well-ventilated area, away from flammable materials. Once the cone has burned out, allow the remaining ash to cool down completely before disposing of it in the trash.
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Frequently asked questions
You can place an incense cone on a heat-proof container, such as a ceramic bowl, an ashtray, or a special heat-proof incense box or tray.
It is recommended to spread a layer of sand, salt, white ash, or rice about 1 cm thick on the bottom of any heat-resistant container to help distribute the heat.
You can put an incense cone in a proper cone burner, which can be a fancy, enclosed burner in the shape of fantasy creatures, log cabins, or a simple metal or clay platform.
After an incense cone has burned, you can place it on a heat-resistant surface to cool.
