There are many ways to use incense cones, but it’s important to take some precautions. For instance, it’s essential to choose a heat-resistant surface to burn your incense cone on.
Start by placing your incense cone on a burner with a heat-resistant surface, such as a ceramic plate. Next, light the tip of the cone with a lighter or match. Allow the flame to burn for about ten seconds, then blow it out so the incense can begin to smolder.
1. Keep the Cones Away from Children and Pets
Incense cones should never be left unattended as they may quickly burn down to the base and smolder. Once you see the red glow of a burning ember at the tip of your incense cone, gently blow it out.
To light the cone, hold it at a slight angle with one hand and use a lighter or match to light the tip. Make sure the flame is touching the cone to start a fire, and continue blowing gently until the tip is bright orange with a small flame.
Use a metal, ceramic, or concrete incense burner to encase the incense cone for added safety and stability. Or, create a DIY holder out of a flat, heat-resistant material such as wood or clay. To prevent overflow, add a layer of salt or sand to the bottom of your container before positioning your incense cone.
2. Keep the Cones Away from Flammable Materials
Incense cones produce more heat than stick incense, so they need to be kept away from anything that can burn. This includes curtains, lampshades, paper, and other flammable materials. You can also put a bit of sand, salt, or uncooked rice in the bottom of your burner to enhance airflow and absorb excess heat.
When you are ready to use your incense, light the tip with a lighter or matches. Let the flame burn for about five to ten seconds, then blow it out. The cone should then produce a smoldering red ember and aromatic smoke on its own. Be aware that a few drops of incense can leave a sticky residue or discoloration on some surfaces. If this occurs, wipe it clean with a damp cloth.
3. Keep the Cones Away from Heat Sources
A common reason that a cone won’t stay lit is because it’s around too much heat. Make sure to use a heatproof vessel, such as a ceramic bowl or an ashtray. Also, make sure that you position the cone so that it is facing up. To help prevent the cone from toppling over, spread a layer of 1 cm sand on the bottom of the container.
You can craft a DIY burner using a piece of heat-resistant wire bent into a spiral or loop shape that fits the tip of an incense cone. Another option is to carve a small indentation into a flat wood slice for a natural, rustic holder. Make sure the wood slice is dry before use. Also, be aware that some types of wood are flammable, so be careful!
4. Keep the Cones Away from Drafty Areas
Unlike sticks or coil incense, cones have no supporting centre and need to be placed in a special cone burner. The best option is a small brass burner that can be placed on a heat resistant surface (like a wood or ceramic bowl). It’s also a good idea to spread a layer of sand, salt or uncooked rice in the bottom of your burner to help absorb and disperse any excess heat.
Cones produce a lot of heat and can easily damage surfaces. To prevent this, always place your cones away from drafty areas or open windows. A draft can cause the tip to flame, which is not safe, and may also cause it to burn out prematurely. This can lead to the tip melting or breaking.
5. Keep the Cones Away from Smoke
Cones produce more smoke than sticks, so it’s important to keep them away from anything flammable that could be damaged by the flame or ash. This includes things like wooden surfaces and glass table tops.
Using a shallow, heat-resistant dish filled with sand or salt makes an excellent holder. The sand can be molded into intricate patterns or designs to add an artistic touch to the experience of burning cone incense.
Alternatively, you can make an elegant incense cone holder out of a vintage teacup. Fill the base of the cup with sand or uncooked rice for stability and place a burning cone on top. This creates a stunning decorative display and enhances the scent of the cone incense as it burns. The smouldering orange glow lasts for 30 to 40 minutes until the tip of the cone is completely burnt.