Quote:
Originally Posted by ametc
I've seen how some of my Pagan friends set up resin incense.. it's a little bit like setting up a hookah but without the rest of the hookah bowl.
you pour some in a bowl (my friends were using a glass bowl), wrap the top with foil, poke holes in the foil, heat up the charcoal so it retains the heat (they used a hot plate) and put it on top of the foil. This should heat up the incense.
This is what I observed.. though I could be wrong in the steps. :P
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From what I've read, glass is not heat safe enough to burn charcoal / resin. It can shatter. They suggest metal bowls (brass or cauldrons) more so over anything. You'll also need sand to retain the heat. I use a soapstone bowl with play sand.
These are the charcoal tablets. They come in several different brands. Don't pay more than $2:00 a roll. I pay only $1.25 at a shop I go to:
As you can see, they have an indentation at the top for your incense. When lighting one up, do it outside! It smokes and stinks lol. Bring your bowl of sand with you. Holding the tablet with either tongs or your fingers (they don't recommend this but I haven't had any problems,) hold a lighter to the tablet. When it starts to spark like a sparkler, set the tablet in the center of the sand. Let it smoke and spark until it's done. That's when you'll know it's lit and ready for use indoors. It'll also glow red when you blow on it and / or turn grayish around the edges.
Place your resin / powder / etc. in the indentation at the top. It will begin to smoke (a lot) and smell up your home all nice and pretty. Use a small amount of incense before using larger amounts to gauge how strong it is. Once it stops smoking, you can add more to the tablet or just let it burn out.
DO NOT EVER THROW THE TABLET IN THE TRASH. These things can burn for quite a while, even though they claim they're good for 25 minutes / pop. I'll scoop mine up with a spoon and dump either in the toilet and flush or I'll just drop it in an ashtray to make sure it burns out completely.
I do still use sticks and cones, but using charcoal and resin is just 'neater.' It's more pure. If you're that into new age'ish stuff, Wicca, paganism, etc., make it a ritual for yourself.
It's because I started this whole charcoal / resin thing that I've been inspired to start making my own blends. I got one of the two books I'm after to learn more about what smells good together, what each herb / resin / bean / seed represents, etc. Yeah, I'm way into aromatherapy anyways.
So that's it.
