Incense sticks
Chinese incense sticks: wood powder and herbs, pressed thin, with one quiet line of smoke.
Burn it in three steps
Snap it to size
A full stick can fill a bedroom. In a small room, break it in half and save the rest.
Light it, then wave it out
Let the tip catch, then wave out the flame so it only glows. By custom, people don't blow incense out with their breath.
Catch the ash
Stand it in ash or a holder, over something heatproof. Open a window a crack.
One thin stick can change a whole room.
What to look for
Incense makes smoke. Burn it with a window open, on a heatproof surface, and never unattended. Skip it around asthma, babies or pet birds.
Incense sticks
Hand-picked pieces are on the way.
Good to know
How long does an incense stick burn?
Usually about 20 to 60 minutes, depending on length and thickness, and many packs say. If you only want a few minutes of scent, break the stick shorter.
Is it safe to burn incense indoors?
Occasional use with fresh air is the usual advice, but it isn't risk-free. All incense makes fine particles, even the natural kind, so crack a window and put it out before you sleep.
Are joss sticks the same as incense?
Joss sticks are usually incense with a bamboo core, common at temples and shrines. Thread incense has no core, so it is thinner and suits small rooms.
