Help me use my censer!

  • Thread starter Thread starter BeeSweet
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
We have a censer very similar to this one as well. It won’t flame the entire time, it will likely fizzle around for a minute or so, and then no visible flame. We light ours about 8 minutes before we put in the insense. It will turn grey ashy when it’s about ready. You might want to blow on it a little after it’s done fizzling, it will glow red when you blow on it. If that’s not the problem, then maybe you have some old charcoal?

Hope that helps!
EC
 
So charcoal does get old? Am I not storing it properly? Do dry or humid conditions make it age? I’ve only been able to get the charcoal to really get red and start to turn ashy maybe two or three times, and I’ve had this censer for more than a year. The only times I’ve had good results with the charcoal is when I’ve used it the same day I brought it home. How long is it supposed to last?

Will closing the censer put out the fire every time?
 
Check that the vent holes in the censer are open. Residue from the incense gradually builds up in mine. When the holes are about half covered the charcoal won’t burn well.

I open them out with a letter opener.
 
BeeSweet said:
I can’t figure out how to get the thing to stay lit. Does charcoal get stale or something? Open or closed, the charcoal will not stay lit. I just tried using lighter fluid on the silly thing, and it flamed up into a lamp. I feel like such a dolt for not being able to figure out what I’m doing wrong here. Help! Here’s one that’s similar to what I have:
http://orthodoxincense.com/display_...&archive=0&final_h=240&final_w=180&percent=80
Click to expand...
You need to keep the charcoal under a steady flame. Some charcoal “catches” easily and becomes red quickly. Others, you need to hold over the flame for longer and gently blow to make the whole charcoal become glowing red. I’ve found that closing the lid makes the charcoal die out more quickly, so if i want incense to burn in mine, I leave the censer open.

I use Japanese (Shoyeido) charcoal. It’s relatively cheap, and does the job.
 
Joe_Kelley said:
Check that the vent holes in the censer are open. Residue from the incense gradually builds up in mine. When the holes are about half covered the charcoal won’t burn well.

I open them out with a letter opener.
Click to expand...
Also, I put sand on the bottom of the censer. It keeps the charcoal from caking on the sides. I occasionally clean my censer with bronze wool.
 
I use the quick-lite charcoal disks, and humidity can greatly reduce their effectiveness. I usually hold it over hte stove flame so that the top heats evenly. When the popping stops, I put it in the censer and blow on it gently until the whole top is red. Then I leave it for a little bit until there’s a covering of light grey ash on the top – then it’s good to go!

Also, be sure that the incense you’re putting on it is crushed into powder rather using chunks. Resin incense in particular is notorious for melting on top and smothering the charcoal.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top