On a hot charcoal, resin itself burns for just a few minutes, however the scent can linger in your space for 20–60 minutes or longer depending on the type and amount used. Charcoal disks often last around 20 minutes, so adding more resin prolongs the aroma. With an electric diffuser or tea light burner, resin will release scent for hours.

There are two main styles of charcoal for ritual resin use: Quick-Light Charcoal and Japanese Charcoal. Both offer benefits depending on your preferences. Quick light charcoal are usually round tablets and offer the ease of a quick light, igniting in just 1-2 minutes. The indent in the center of the round tablet to cradle resin once hot for easy burning. Quick-Light Charcoal contains a starter that ignites the coal quickly and easily. It is recommended to allow the starter to burn off in a well-ventilated place for a few minutes before using with resin incense or other wood, incense or botanicals. It’s best to use self-igniting charcoal tablets designed for burning incense.

Japanese Charcoal are square or rectagular and made from pure charcoal (often wood or bamboo). They offer a very clean burn, and contain no additives or starters, and do not need to be started in a ventialted place. Japanese Charcoal takes up to 10 minutes to completely ignite. Both Quick-Light and Japanese Charcoal will remian active for about 20 minutes.

Avoid barbecue charcoal as they may produce harmful chemicals.

Using a torch lighter:
Place charcoal on screen of brass burner or small pile of sand.
Pass flame of torch lighter over charcoal for 5-10 seconds for Quick-Light Charcoal and 15-20 seconds for Japanese Charcoal.
Place the charcoal set up in a well-ventilated place or outside (if you have access) for a few minutes to burn off the starter and allow the coal to fully ignite.
Once a light layer of ash is visible over the surface of the coal, it is ready to receive resin incense. You can gently blow on the coal to check that the entire coal is ignited into an ember.

Using a flame and metal tongs:
Light a candle or other sustaining flame.
Hold the charcoal with metal tongs and pass over the flame for 10-15 seconds for Quick-Light Charcoal and 20-30 seconds for Japanese Charcocal.
Place on the screen of brass burner or small pile of sand.
Place the charcoal set up in a well-ventilated place or outside (if you have access) for a few minutes to burn off the starter and allow the coal to fully ignite.
Once a light layer of ash is visible over the surface of the coal, it is ready to receive resin incense. You can gently blow on the coal to check that the entire coal is ignited into an ember.

Yes, you can use a fireproof dish or bowl, layered with sand, as a makeshift burner. Just make sure the surface is stable and heat-resistant. Place charcoal on top of the sand and ignite and burn resin as usual.

Absolutely. Mixing resin blends allows for a customizable burning experience and can enhance the scent or effects.