How to burn thick incense at home

To burn thick incense, rest the stick in a heat-proof holder, light the tip and let the flame take for a few seconds, then blow it out so the ember glows. The glow releases the scent. Put the stick out in the holder when the room smells right, and relight the same stick next time.

By Tobi, founder of Ẹlẹ́wà, a Yoruba-rooted ritualsware house in Sydney. People pick my incense up at the market and ask if it's a cigar. It burns differently from the thin sticks you might be used to, so here is how I use it.

What makes thick incense different?

Thin sticks are usually burned from start to finish. A chunky, cigarillo-style stick (a cigarillo is a small, slim cigar) holds more of the blend, and a short burn goes a long way. You can burn a whole stick if you want to. You can also stop whenever the room smells right.

How do you burn thick incense?

1. Open a window.
2. Set the stick in a heat-proof holder. A ceramic holder or an old ashtray works. Our holders have a dip to rest the stick in and a hole to lay it across, and the ash stays put.
3. Light the tip and let the flame take for a few seconds.
4. Blow the flame out so the ember glows. The glow is what releases the scent.
5. When the room smells right, smoosh the tip out in the holder until it stops glowing.
6. Let the holder cool, tip out the ash and wipe it with a damp cloth.

Why does it smell different unlit and lit?

Unlit, CLEANSE smells cold, a bit like bubblegum. Lit, the citrus comes forward and turns bright and zingy. GROUNDING starts heavy and then brightens, earthy and soft with a little heat. Give a stick a moment before you decide what you think.

Do you need to burn the whole stick?

No. Put it out whenever you like and relight it next time. A short burn indoors sets a mood or an intention, and the scent keeps working after the smoke stops, so you get the room without the haze.

What should you listen to while it burns?

Each scent has two playlists on the Ẹlẹ́wà Spotify, one called Everyday and one called Ceremonial. Pick Everyday for a regular evening and Ceremonial for the moments you want to take seriously. Light the stick, press play, and let the scent and the music do the work.

Is it safe to burn thick incense?

Use a heat-proof holder, keep a window ajar and never leave a burning stick unattended. Keep it out of reach of children and pets. The blends contain aromatic compounds that may cause sensitivity, and ANCESTRAL contains tobacco. If you're unsure, get in touch and ask me.

Questions people ask

Can I relight a stick?

Yes. Smoosh it out, then light it again next time.

What can I use as a holder?

Anything heat-proof that the stick can rest in or across, such as a ceramic dish or a bowl of sand. Keep it away from anything that can catch.

Do I smoke it?

No. It's designed to look like a cigarillo, but you burn it in a holder and never smoke it.

Where is it made?

In small batches by Gita Aromatic, a team of around 29 in Pejeng, Bali, to my design. The boxes are by Sans Studio. Everyone is credited on the good character page.

Last updated 9 November 2026.