How to use Self Lighting CHARCOAL
Self-lighting incense charcoal discs are used as a heat source for burning incense resins, loose dried herbs, powdered botanical blends and, in some cases, the tip of a smudge wand.
They are not the same as BBQ charcoal and should only be used in a heat-safe vessel, with care and common sense.
At With Good Intentions, this guide shares the method that works best for us through our own experience and testing.
Before You Begin
Choose a safe, well-ventilated space before lighting your charcoal.
The first smoke released from self-lighting charcoal can be strong, so we recommend lighting it outside or near an open window.
You will need:
a jet lighter or BBQ Lighter
Hookah Tongs or short kitchen tongs
small sheet aluminium foil or a foil cup
loose dried herbs, incense resin, powdered herbal blend or a smudge wand
Never hold charcoal in your hand while lighting or once it has started to heat.
We do not sell lighters, as they contain flammable liquid and may be subject to postal and hazardous-goods restrictions. Jet lighters are commonly available from Bunnings hardware stores, supermarkets , tobacconists, and discount stores.
Lighting the Charcoal
At WGI, we find that a jet lighter or a regular BBQ lighter works best for lighting self-lighting charcoal, as it provides a direct and reliable flame.
We do not generally recommend using a candle flame, as the charcoal can spark during ignition and small particles may fall into or contaminate the wax. We have also found that matches are less reliable, as the sparking action of the charcoal can sometimes blow out the match flame before the charcoal fully catches.
Our Foil Cup Method
Through our own experience, we prefer placing the hot charcoal into a small aluminium foil cup, then placing the foil cup inside a heat-safe bowl or dish.
Foil helps retain heat and can help protect your bowl from direct charcoal marks, discolouration or heat stress.
Some instructions suggest placing charcoal onto sand or salt. You may choose to do this if it works for you, however in our own testing, we found that sand and salt can draw heat away from the charcoal and reduce the heat intensity.
For this reason, the foil cup method is our preferred method.
Always remember that foil conducts heat, so it must still be placed inside a heat-safe bowl or dish.
Adding Loose Herbs, Resins or Botanicals
Once the charcoal is glowing and hot, carefully place a small amount of loose dried herbs, incense resin, powdered herbal blend or botanicals onto the charcoal.
A little goes a long way.
The herbs, resins or botanicals should begin to smoke quickly once they touch the hot charcoal.
If you would like to encourage more smoke, gently blow towards the herbs or resin. Take care not to blow too strongly, as loose ash, herbs or small embers may lift from the bowl and land on nearby surfaces.
Avoid overloading or completely covering the charcoal, as this may reduce airflow and weaken the heat.
As a general guide, a regular self-lighting incense charcoal disc may remain hot for approximately 15 to 25 minutes, slowly breaking down into ash as it burns.
Always allow the charcoal and ash to cool completely before handling or disposal.
Using Charcoal with a Smudge Wand
You may also place the tip of your smudge wand onto the hot charcoal if you would like it to continue gently smoking while you attend to prayer, meditation, reflection, energy work, space clearing or other personal ritual practices.
This can be helpful if your smudge wand keeps going out, or if you prefer not to keep relighting it during your practice.
Always keep the charcoal and smudge wand inside a heat-safe vessel.
Never leave charcoal or a smudge wand unattended while burning or smouldering.
Rainy Days, Cold Weather & Humidity
On rainy days, or when the weather is cold and humid, your smudge wand may naturally absorb moisture from the air.
This can make it harder for the wand to stay lit, smoulder evenly, or produce steady smoke.
Self-lighting charcoal can be very helpful in these conditions. The strong, steady heat helps your smudge wand continue to smoulder, allowing you to continue your space clearing, prayer, meditation, reflection, energy work or personal ritual practice.
Gently place the burning end of your wand onto the hot charcoal and rotate as needed to encourage an even burn.
Always use charcoal inside a heat-safe vessel and never leave charcoal or a smudge wand unattended while burning or smouldering.
Ash Disposal
Allow the charcoal disc to burn out completely and cool before disposing of the ash.
Do not place hot charcoal or warm ash into your rubbish bin.
Once the charcoal and ash are completely cool, they may be disposed of safely.
If you need to extinguish the charcoal before it has fully burned out, carefully place the hot charcoal or ash into cold water and allow it to cool completely before disposal.
Always use care when handling charcoal, ash or foil, as heat may remain longer than expected.
Storing Your Charcoal
To help keep charcoal discs dry and easy to light, reseal opened rolls and store them in a cool, dry place away from moisture.
If charcoal becomes damp, it may become harder to light or may not burn evenly.
Safety Reminders
Use self-lighting incense charcoal with care and common sense.
Never hold charcoal in your hand while lighting or burning.
Always use charcoal in a heat-safe bowl, dish or incense burner.
Keep charcoal, flames, lighters, herbs and smudge wands away from children and pets.
Never leave charcoal unattended while burning or smouldering.
Do not place hot charcoal or ash into your waste bin.
Light charcoal in a well-ventilated area.
Avoid using charcoal outdoors in windy conditions.
Stop using if the smoke or aroma feels uncomfortable, and move into fresh air.
