How to Use Incense Burners and Charcoal

Learn how to use traditional Orthodox charcoal-based incense burners in your home prayer and worship. Legacy Icons has America's biggest selection of in-stock incense and related accessories.
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[@Nerdpainter]

Something I’ve learned is that, some resins smell like burning chemicals or plastic when. Burned directly on the charcoal. If you get a small piece of aluminum foil and bend it so it makes a little table that’s just barely touching the charcoal, you don’t have that problem. You can also use salt or sand, but that can sometimes smother your charcoal and also if you’re cutting your charcoal into pieces that doesn’t work. But if you’re using an entire charcoal, you could put some incense sand in the divot and put the resin on top of that sand. I find the aluminum foil is easier. This was a game changer because I know I have high quality stuff but it smelled terrible. So if you have that issue, it doesn’t necessarily mean you have low quality resin it could just mean that you’re heating it up way too hot too hot.

[@fahn777]

I use the metal cup from a tea light. I place it on my charcoal and add a spoonful of incense, and after it is done I can remove the old resin and reuse the tea light cup.

[@iinrodwetrust]

Where do you purchase your incense and charcoal if you don’t mind me asking? Been having a tough time finding reputable sources

[@tu1469]

So true, I was using a brass burner and it always smelled great then when I tried charcoal method even after waiting 10-15 minutes for it to turn gray it immediately smelled like burnt plastic and smoke

[@kirdot2011]

what incense is this in this video?! Ive never seen one like this. It looks like smashed up candy pieces. I only know the sticks.

[@tu1469]

@@kirdot2011 it is frankincense resin you can buy it anywhere

[@jacob.dorsey3204]

This was very helpful and I burned my first incense today, thank you.

[@chrisgosey1821]

Thanks for this video. My Godchild just ordered this item from you was not sure how to use it. Your quick response to her inquiry by sending her this video cleared up every thing. Thank you!

[@bryanlahaise595]

I really like this style of incense burner.

[@zumieskitchen730]

Beautiful sharing

[@DarkLordTran]

Is all incense including yall’s incense capable of causing lung damage if accidentally inhaled? I know its a dangerous issue with many providers

[@ladyshay78]

Is that burner on your website? That’s the perfect size

[@MrMarkar1959]

I found mine on etsy

[@KevinLyons-gn7eu]

What was the white stuff that was placed on top of the Charcoal

[@Kitimaniac]

Raw resin incense, think dried tree sap!

[@psybin]

It looks like frankincense. I recommend both it and myrrh, which were some of the gifts given to Jesus when he was born.

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

My incense smells good for a bit but ends up smelling unpleasantly burnt after about a minute or so. Is it the quality of incense or the charcoal? I use sadaf brand frankincense and three kings charcoal.

[@SouthernRebels94]

If the incense is getting a burnt smell it means you are adding the incense to early onto it try allowing the charcoal to burn for about 3 to 4 minus after turning a ashy white color to allow the charcoal to cool down a little bit still hot enough to burn and the incense will no longer have a burnt smell and if you want try adding some salt as a base on the charcoal disk to cut down on some of the heat that also helps stop the incense from getting a burnt smell. Hopes this helps.

[@sasquatchdonut2674]

@@SouthernRebels94 I mean that’s what I usually do. I wait for the whole outside to get ash. I never really did the salt on it tho

[@TingTingalingy]

​@@SouthernRebels94 I tried this, though my discs do not seem to produce enough heat in order to work. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. I'm also using a different style burger, it's a small bread pot with one air hole i had to drill into its side

[@johngalt9181]

I usually take a piece of foul the size of charcoal disk and mold it around my finger tip. Put the incense into the foil and place the foil on the charcoal. It won't be as smoky and the incense will burn alot cleaner

[@mrbeanz6451]

If your incense is burning with a long rope of smoke ... The charcoal is too hot. Let it cool down when it's gone more ashy as people mentioned above. the smoke will no longer be a streamline straight above your head and your room will no longer smell of burnt wood

[@sunriseschubert4391]

Thanks for sharing!

[@shawnwilt7196]

So, why can't someone make a version of this that allows you to place the charcoal disc similar to what it is, but then have a small metal disc very similar to a tea light candle metal disc millimeters above the charcoal then the heat would melt the resin and there would be much less chance of it getting that burnt smell.

[@LegacyIcons]

This is an interesting idea Shawn. I'm not sure if the charcoal gives off enough heat for this to work, but we can do some testing.

[@shawnwilt7196]

@@LegacyIcons so, I tried my own testing using a tea light candle minus the candle. It worked just the same as the way shown with one exception. By the time the charcoal burned out their was about one quarter of the Frankensense was left over and was usable for another burning. My wife and I noticed no difference in the amount of scent doing it this way. I lit my charcoal disc, let it get red all over, then placed the tea light shell directly on top. I am currently trying to do this but with the tea light shell about 1/2 inch over the disc.

[@pulgasari]

You can skip the charcoal entirely and avoid the acrid burning smell by using an incense burner that holds a tea light at the bottom and has a height adjustable metal bowl above it for the incense. Search brass/adjustable incense burner. Charcoal is more traditional but a lot more hassle. I would also say, if you're using charcoal, don't discard the ash! Save it for your next incense burner, to cover the charcoal disc for a slower burn.

[@LegacyIcons]

@@pulgasari Good comment! We sell the 'smokeless' burner.

[@ruwanweerakkody5411]

That's exactly what they have here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pJqanJmYrqpjjdk

[@davob303]

thank you

[@ilovechickennuggets999]

its called bakhour and it is also orgiginated here in the middle east!

[@mikeferoni5966]

Can you put ghee or hing on top of this for cooking

[@LegacyIcons]

We do not recommend this.

[@abelabraham2440]

Where is the best place to bury the ashes? What is a place that won't be walked on?

[@TorchVX]

A flower garden would be a good place. All you're trying to avoid is burying it where people frequently walk.

[@LegacyIcons]

We collect our ashes in a coffee can and bury them on the edge of our garden when it gets full.

[@salmabegum4593]

Is it your religious issue to burry them in the garden? And how much time to fully burn it? 2/3 hours?

[@schannel7138]

@@salmabegum4593 From my experience about 10 minutes max.

[@kellaycherray]

Do I put salt under to avoid it burnt?

[@LegacyIcons]

Some people do, but it is not required.

[@gemgameaj2679]

Do i burn outdoors or indoors?

[@LegacyIcons]

Incense can be burned indoors or outdoors. Check with any relevant authorities before burning indoors, if there is a concern about rules or setting off smoke detectors.

[@tttdrr2293]

I’ve had one for while now and black soot has accumulated. Is there a method to prevent this?

[@LegacyIcons]

It is inevitable over time. We would recommend hand washing your censer periodically to prevent buildup of soot.

[@Hurtin_Albertan]

I've heard gun cleaner works well

[@Sagemaze]

My coal goes cold so fast. Why?

[@LegacyIcons]

It depends on the size of the charcoal. Our "home size" charcoal typically lasts up to 30 minutes, but if it is broken up into smaller pieces it may be used up faster. If the charcoal is properly lit, it should stay hot until it turns entirely to ash.

[@notofworld2513]

I did a spell and burned herbs on a disk and went to my bed and prayed and all of a sudden the smoke went up thick and really really fast. I'm hoping that's a sign from the gods that my spell will work.

[@BigHukas]

a spell?…the gods? Huh?

[@adventureguy4119]

This dude lol 😆

[@KingJoeCB]

Repent and believe in the gospel

[@SouthernRebels94]

@@KingJoeCB telling a none believer to repent and telling them to believe in the gospel isn't how to reach out to unbelievers. Plus Christians are not allowed to judge unbelievers only God can we are to only allow to share the Good news to them and pray for them. But to tell them what they should or shouldn't do is not our place as Christians.

[@albertusr6178]

@@SouthernRebels94 For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens. (Psalm 95:5)

[@MrMarkar1959]

i use a riding mower so the ashes wont get walked on until i move