How to Burn Incense: Sticks, Cones and Resin on Charcoal

Last updated: 2026-09-24 · Mamuxa atelier, Anatolia

Sticks and cones are lit directly, blown out and left to smolder in a holder. Resin and loose botanical blends need a lit charcoal tablet in a heat-resistant bowl, and only a small pinch at a time. Whatever you burn, open a window, use a heat-proof surface and never leave it unattended.

In our atelier in Anatolia we hand-pack resins and loose botanical blends burned on charcoal, so that is where we spend the most time here.

Incense sticks

Sticks are the simplest place to start, including solid wood sticks such as our Sandalwood Wood Incense, which are hand-cut pieces of wood rather than a coated bamboo core.

1. Set a stick holder on a stable, heat-proof surface. A groove like the one on our Stone Incense Stick Holder keeps the stick secure while the flat base collects falling ash.
2. Hold the tip in a flame from a lighter, match or candle until it catches.
3. Let it flame briefly. For our sandalwood, the product page suggests about 30 seconds to 1 minute.
4. Gently blow out the flame. You want a glowing tip and a thin ribbon of smoke, not a flame.
5. Place the stick in the holder, angled so the ash falls onto the base, not onto the table.

Solid wood sticks burn slowly and can be relit, so one stick usually lasts for several sessions.

Incense cones

Cones burn from the tip down and leave a small pile of ash, so they need a holder with a flat, heat-resistant base. Our Natural Stone Cone Incense Holder is carved from a single piece of stone and takes either a cone or a stick.

1. Light the very tip of the cone and let it catch.
2. Blow out the flame once the tip is glowing.
3. Set the cone upright on the holder and leave it to burn down.

Backflow cones

Backflow cones have a hollow center. When lit, the smoke is drawn down through that channel and flows over the burner instead of rising, which is what creates the slow “waterfall” effect. They only work in a backflow burner, such as our Ceramic Backflow Incense Holder or the carved Wooden Backflow Incense Holder.

1. Place the burner somewhere stable and away from drafts.
2. Light the tip of a backflow cone until it glows, then blow out the flame.
3. Set the cone over the hole at the top of the burner. The smoke usually starts to fall within a moment.

Resin and loose botanical blends on charcoal

This is the oldest way to burn incense, and the one we know best. Resins such as Frankincense, Myrrh and Benzoin, and loose blends such as Relax (Anatolian sage, rosemary, lavender and eucalyptus) or New Home (Anatolian sage, rosemary, rose and frankincense), cannot be lit on their own. They need gentle, steady heat from below.

You will need incense charcoal tablets, tongs and a heat-resistant bowl (ceramic, stone or metal), ideally with a layer of sand.

1. Set up. Put the bowl on a stable, heat-proof surface, away from anything that can catch fire.
2. Hold the tablet with tongs. Never hold charcoal in your fingers while lighting it.
3. Light the edge. Most tablets spark and crackle as they catch. That is normal.
4. Place it in the bowl. Set it down flat, with the small hollow side facing up if your tablet has one.
5. Wait for the ash-grey stage. The tablet is ready when it has stopped sparking, glows red when you look closely and is covered in a thin layer of grey ash. This usually takes several minutes.
6. Add a small pinch. A few small pieces of resin, or a pinch of loose blend, is enough.
7. Add more only when the scent fades. Resin melts and bubbles; herbs smoke and char. When the scent drops away, add another small amount.

Frankincense is bright and resinous, myrrh deeper and earthy, benzoin soft and sweet with notes of vanilla; benzoin pairs well with either.

Choosing a holder

Match the holder to the form (see the table below). If you use more than one form, a multi-purpose piece helps. Our Tri-Function Stone Incense Burner has a groove for sticks and a recessed bowl, and our Copper Incense Burning Dish has a wide, flat base made for sticks, cones or charcoal discs. You can see every style in our incense holders collection.

Comparison: which form suits you

Our product pages do not list exact burn times, so we describe them rather than guess.

How much, and for how long

Less is almost always better. One stick, one cone, or a small pinch on charcoal is enough for an average room, and a short session with a window open usually beats a long one with the door closed. If the smoke feels heavy, stop, ventilate and use less next time.

How to put it out

• Sticks: press the glowing tip gently into sand or the ash in your holder. For wood sticks, you can then relight the same stick later.
• Cones: let them burn out on their holder, or cover them with sand.
• Charcoal: let the tablet burn out completely in the bowl. Do not pour water onto hot charcoal in a ceramic bowl, since the sudden change in temperature can crack it. Leave the bowl in place until it is cool to the touch.

Safety at home

Incense means an open ember, so treat it with the same care as a candle.

• Burn in a well-ventilated room, on a heat-proof surface.
• Never leave burning incense or charcoal unattended.
• Keep incense, charcoal and holders out of reach of children and pets, and away from anything that can catch fire.
• Use tongs for charcoal. It stays hot long after the smoke fades.
• If you share your home with birds or other small pets, ask your veterinarian before burning incense near them.
• If you are sensitive to smoke, use sparingly.
• If you have asthma or another respiratory condition, ask your doctor before burning incense.

Common mistakes

• Adding resin to charcoal too soon. Wait for the ash-grey stage.
• Too much at once. A heaping spoonful of blend smothers the charcoal and makes thick, harsh smoke.
• The wrong holder. A stick holder cannot hold hot charcoal, and a regular cone holder will not create backflow.
• Burning in a closed room. Open a window, even a little.
• Leaving before it is out. Charcoal and cones keep burning after the scent seems to have faded.

What you’ll need

• Incense in your preferred form: wood incense, resin incense or loose botanical blends. Or browse all incense.
• A holder that suits it: see our incense holders
• For resin and blends: incense charcoal tablets, tongs and a heat-resistant bowl
• Matches or a lighter
• A little sand for your bowl (optional)
• An open window

FAQ

How do I know when the charcoal is ready?

It has stopped sparking and the surface is covered in a thin layer of grey ash, with a red glow underneath. This usually takes several minutes.

Why is my backflow cone smoke rising instead of flowing down?

Usually because of a draft, or because the cone is not seated over the hole in the burner. Move the burner away from open windows and fans, and check that the cone sits flat.

How much loose blend should I use?

A small pinch. Add more only when the scent fades.

Can I burn resin without charcoal?

Resin needs steady heat from below. Charcoal in a heat-resistant bowl is the traditional method and the one our resin pages describe.