Incense burner types and how to use them

Stick holders

Incense sticks need a holder with a hole for the stick and somewhere for the ash to land. A stick in a holder over an open surface drops ash onto that surface, which is why most holders have a trough or a dish at the base. Sticks burn slowly and give a long, even scent, so they need a little space and a stable base.

Cone burners

A cone sits on a small dish or on a burner with a heatproof base. Cones burn hotter and faster than sticks and give a stronger burst of scent in a shorter time. Because the ember is more exposed, a cone wants a proper heatproof surface rather than a saucer you would rather not scorch.

Backflow burners

A backflow burner is the dramatic one. A backflow cone has a hollow channel through the middle, so the smoke is pushed down through the burner and falls in a stream instead of rising. That visual is the whole appeal.

The catch is that it only works with backflow cones. An ordinary cone has no channel, so its smoke rises as usual. Buy backflow cones to match. Ours, the Weeping Skull backflow burner (£21.15), arrives with cones and has a light in the base, so the falling smoke is lit from below.

Offering plates and ash catchers

An offering plate or ash catcher sits under a burner and catches whatever falls. It keeps ash off the shelf and turns cleaning into a single object rather than a whole surface. The Triple Leg Enamelled Offering Plate (£17.77) is exactly this: a shallow enamelled plate on three legs, sized to sit under a burner or a cone.

Using incense safely

Burn incense on a heatproof surface, in a room with some ventilation, and never leave it burning unattended. Keep it clear of curtains, paper and anything else that could catch. When the ash is cold, tip it into the bin rather than letting it build up in the burner.

Cleaning a burner

Let a burner cool completely before you touch it. Wipe resin and ceramic burners with a dry or barely damp cloth, and shake or brush ash out of the catcher. A backflow burner has a channel that can clog with resin over time; a gentle wipe through keeps the smoke falling cleanly.