Burning Tips
Lighting your incense
Hold under a flame until the stick catches light. Allow it to burn for a few seconds, then blow out, leaving the glowing red ember to do its work.
Make sure to monitor your incense as it burns.
Incense burners
The style of incense I make is entirely combustible (and doesn’t have a bamboo stick), so it’s best not to use a burner made of wood or plastic for safety reasons. You can instead choose a ceramic or brass burner, or make your own by standing the stick in a small container of white ash, sand or dirt.
If you use white ash, the stick will burn down entirely on its own. If you use dirt or sand, you’ll be left with the small segment that anchors the stick. To get the most out of your stick, unearth this portion, light one end, and lay it on top of the sand or dirt horizontally to burn it completely.
Air flow
No matter the style of incense you’re using (thin or thick, natural or synthetic), good ventilation and air flow are important – so throw open a window. This pleasantly distributes the scent, and protects the air quality of the room.
Adjust
One of the nice things about this style of incense is that you can break off a small piece and light it for a shorter burning time. This is particularly useful if you’re burning incense in a small space, or are using a strong blend. Everyone’s sense of smell is different, so adjust to suit your needs.