Burning Incense 3

Loose, Powdered & Granulated: Resins,
Wood Chips, Herbs & Kneaded Incense

Burning Incense On Smoldering Charcoal

1. Fill a heat proof incense bowl or censer with at least 2" of sand, or natural ash. This will provided some much needed insulation for your burner. Charcoal can burn at up to 1500 degrees F.
   
   
2. Form a cone shape with whatever medium you filled your burner and place the charcoal tablet at the peak. This will allow air to flow around the charcoal. This is more important when using sand, since ash is "breathable."
   
   
3. Place a charcoal tablet on the ash/sand and light the edge. If it's self-igniting charcoal (contains potassium nitrate) you will see tiny sparks as you light it and it will ignite quickly so never hold it in your hand! If you need to hold the charcoal over an open flame to ignite it, use tweezers or tongs to hold it.
   
   
4. If your charcoal tablet has a concave indentation on one side place it in your burner with the hollow facing up. Use the "bowl" to hold your incense ingredients.
   
   
5. Wait until the charcoal is glowing red hot and is covered with grayish-white ash. This could take about 5 minutes or so. If you like you can fan or blow on the charcoal to help get the whole tablet started.
   
   
6. When ready sprinkle a pinch or two (about 1/4 -1/2 teaspoon) of incense (e.g. resin, dried herbs, etc.) directly on top of the hot charcoal. The incense will begin to smolder. Be careful not to place too much incense on the charcoal or you may smother it and you'll have to start over.
   
   
7. When the smoke begins to thin out, add more incense. The charcoal will stay hot enough to burn incense for about 45 minutes to an hour.

"Heating" Incense Over Smoldering Charcoal

1. Fill a heat proof incense bowl or censer with at least 2" of sand, or natural ash. This will provided some much needed insulation for your burner. Charcoal can burn at up to 1500 degrees F.
   
   
2. If you filled your burner with sand (instead of ash) form a cone shape so that you can place the charcoal tablet at the peak. This will allow air to flow around the charcoal.
   
   
3. Place a charcoal tablet on the ash/sand and light the edge. If it's self-igniting charcoal (contains potassium nitrate) you will see tiny sparks as you light it and it will ignite quickly so never hold it in your hand! If you need to hold the charcoal over an open flame to ignite it, use tweezers or tongs to hold it.
   
   
4. Wait until the charcoal is glowing red hot and is covered with grayish-white ash. This will take about 5 minutes or so. If you like you can fan or blow on the charcoal to help get the whole tablet started.
   
   
5. If you're using ash, cover the charcoal with a thin layer of ash. If you're using sand, loosely cover the charcoal with a small piece of aluminum foil (you can even make a small foil cup). Making sure the charcoal has enough air flow at the top so it doesn’t go out. Sand doesn't allow the charcoal to breathe like ash does.
   
   
6. Place your incense directly over or next to the ash covered charcoal. If using sand, place it on the foil.
   
   
7. The charcoal will stay hot enough to burn incense for about 45 minutes to an hour.

"Remember: Burning incense is fun, so don't be afraid to experiment to see what works best for you!

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• Incense Safety Tips