It's made from dried tree sap and has been used for thousands of years.The traditional way of burning incense is over a hot disc of charcoal.You can heat it on the stove or in a burner.If you want to increase your mental clarity or cleanse a room, use frankincense.
Step 1: Purchase some discs to burn incense.
The discs of charcoal are used to hold incense.There are incense shops and Asian or Indian markets where you can find them.You can buy them online.You can burn your frankincense by lighting a charcoal disc.
Step 2: Place the charcoal disc on the metal bowl or incense burner.
Once the charcoal is lit, you need a place to set it.A small metal bowl or pan built for that purpose should be able to handle the heat of the charcoal once it's burning.You don't want your table to be damaged by placing a trivet underneath it.If you prefer, you can use an incense burner.If you can, try pouring sand into the burner or bowl.
Step 3: Light the disc with a match or lighter.
You don't want to burn your fingers if you hold the disc with tongs.Set the disc on fire with a lit match or lighter.It should ignite in 10 to 15 seconds.Light the disc by moving the lighter around.The discs will catch on fire quickly.
Step 4: Put the disc in the bowl or burner you've prepared and let it heat up.
The tongs can be used to move the disc.The slight indention should be facing upward, not downward, as that's where you'll place the piece.The charcoal should be left to heat for about 7 minutes.When it's ready, it will turn gray.
Step 5: There is a piece of frankincense on top of the charcoal.
You don't need a lot of the stuff to make smoke and scent.A small piece of resin, not much bigger than a grain of rice, will do to begin with.When it stops smoking, you can burn more.Salt is poured in the center of the disc to help it burn slower.You can add another piece to it if the coal is still hot.If you get too much smoke, you can take the resin off the charcoal and put it away for a while.To move it, use a metal utensil.If you want to keep burning your frankincense, you should light another one.
Step 6: If you have to leave, put water on the charcoal.
You don't want to leave the charcoal unattended because it will stay hot for a while.Someone may be tempted to pick it up, or it could start a fire if something falls on top of it.In the sink or outside, pouring water over the charcoal can make a mess.Use oven mitts when moving the container to protect your hands from the heat.
Step 7: The frankincense can be placed on a stove burner.
Put a piece of foil over the burner.The burner should heat up if the heat is turned up to high.To begin the burning process, place a piece of frankincense on the foil.The heat can be turned down to burn more slowly.Don't leave the burner unattended.
Step 8: If you want to heat the frankincense, put it in a pan.
To help with the mess, you can line the pan with foil.The pan should be set over high heat.When the pan is hot, drop the frankincense and let it heat up.You don't want the pan to be used for anything other than burning incense and frankincense.If you want to heat those by themselves, pick a pan without a coating.
Step 9: There is a burner that can be used to heat some frankincense.
Plug the burner into the wall if you put frankincense in the cup.The incense burner should be turned on to 235 F.When you're done, turn it off and keep it away from kids and pets, as the burner will get very hot.If you prefer, you can use a mortar and pestle.Once it is hot, use tongs or an oven mitt to take the lid off.To keep the main burner bowl from collecting gunk, place a foil cup in the burner.