how to make joss sticks?

Answer 1

Combustible incense is made in the form of sticks (sometimes called joss-sticks), bricks, or cones. Whatever the volume and shape, combustible incense is always made with potassium nitrate, better known as salt peter. This helps the incense to burn well, and evenly. You can find potassium nitrate in nearly any drug store, although you may have to ask the pharmacist for it.

Gum tragacanth (or use gum arabic as a substitute) is made into a glue, and acts as a binding agent. It is the key ingredient in all molded incense. To make the glue, place a teaspoon of the ground gum in a glass of warm water and mix completely until dispersed. A foam may rise, but it can be easily redistributed, or skimmed off if it gets in your way. (The gum is unbelievably absorbent! A mere ounce will absorb up to one full gallon of water in a single week!) Allow your gum mixture to absorb the glass of water until it thickens to a paste.

Now you will need to create your incense base. An incense base is made up of talcum powder, sawdust, ground spice, dried herbs and flowers, or any combination thereof. Once you have defined your base, an essential oil may be added for additional scent, the potassium nitrate is blended in, and finally, the gum-glue.

Here's a sample mixture for cone incense:



6 parts powdered sandalwood or cedar

2 parts benzoin

1 part orris root

3-5 parts ground herb mixture of choice

6 drops essential herbal oil of choice



Mix the first four ingredients until well blended. Add the essential oil (or combination of oils) and mix with your hands until you have a fine, crumbly mixture. Add the dried herb mixture and mix again. Now add 10% potassium nitrate (KNO3). In other words, use a ratio of 10:1. If you've made 10 oz. of incense base, then add 1 oz. of KNO3.



Next comes the addition of the glue mixture. Add one teaspoon at a time, mixing with your hands as you go. Add only enough of the glue to achieve the consistency of model clay or playdough from the entire mixture.

On a piece of waxed paper, shape the mixture into small cone shapes (just like the store bought ones you're already familiar with) and allow them to dry for a week in a cool, dry place. The area you choose to dry the incense cones in must be free of moisture in order to dry thoroughly.

By following the sample recipe given, you can also make stick incense. Although, this requires much more patience and tenacity than making any other form. But, you'll amaze yourself and your friends...what better reward could you ask for? Plan to spend the better part of a day in making these.

You will need thin wooden splints or skewers, such as thin, straight twigs, or cocktail skewers. Each stick is dipped into the incense base until covered. They are then allowed to dry standing on end, perhaps by poking them into a slab of clay, or a pot of dirt or sand. This process is repeated until a satisfactory amount of layers have built up on each stick.

Block incense is made by rolling out the final mixture on wax paper to a 1/4 inch thickness - much like cookie dough. Then cut into 1 inch squares and allow to dry thoroughly.

And there you have it! Not so tough, although you will get good use from a kitchen apron while working the mixtures together! Now, on to some recommended blends, the first of which is an ancient blend indeed.

Answer 2

Combustible incense is made in the form of sticks (sometimes called joss-sticks), bricks, or cones. Whatever the volume and shape, combustible incense is always made with potassium nitrate, better known as salt peter. This helps the incense to burn well, and evenly. You can find potassium nitrate in nearly any drug store, although you may have to ask the pharmacist for it.

Gum tragacanth (or use gum arabic as a substitute) is made into a glue, and acts as a binding agent. It is the key ingredient in all molded incense. To make the glue, place a teaspoon of the ground gum in a glass of warm water and mix completely until dispersed. A foam may rise, but it can be easily redistributed, or skimmed off if it gets in your way. (The gum is unbelievably absorbent! A mere ounce will absorb up to one full gallon of water in a single week!) Allow your gum mixture to absorb the glass of water until it thickens to a paste.

Now you will need to create your incense base. An incense base is made up of talcum powder, sawdust, ground spice, dried herbs and flowers, or any combination thereof. Once you have defined your base, an essential oil may be added for additional scent, the potassium nitrate is blended in, and finally, the gum-glue.

Here's a sample mixture for cone incense:



6 parts powdered sandalwood or cedar

2 parts benzoin

1 part orris root

3-5 parts ground herb mixture of choice

6 drops essential herbal oil of choice



Mix the first four ingredients until well blended. Add the essential oil (or combination of oils) and mix with your hands until you have a fine, crumbly mixture. Add the dried herb mixture and mix again. Now add 10% potassium nitrate (KNO3). In other words, use a ratio of 10:1. If you've made 10 oz. of incense base, then add 1 oz. of KNO3.



Next comes the addition of the glue mixture. Add one teaspoon at a time, mixing with your hands as you go. Add only enough of the glue to achieve the consistency of model clay or playdough from the entire mixture.

On a piece of waxed paper, shape the mixture into small cone shapes (just like the store bought ones you're already familiar with) and allow them to dry for a week in a cool, dry place. The area you choose to dry the incense cones in must be free of moisture in order to dry thoroughly.

By following the sample recipe given, you can also make stick incense. Although, this requires much more patience and tenacity than making any other form. But, you'll amaze yourself and your friends...what better reward could you ask for? Plan to spend the better part of a day in making these.

You will need thin wooden splints or skewers, such as thin, straight twigs, or cocktail skewers. Each stick is dipped into the incense base until covered. They are then allowed to dry standing on end, perhaps by poking them into a slab of clay, or a pot of dirt or sand. This process is repeated until a satisfactory amount of layers have built up on each stick.

Block incense is made by rolling out the final mixture on wax paper to a 1/4 inch thickness - much like cookie dough. Then cut into 1 inch squares and allow to dry thoroughly.

And there you have it! Not so tough, although you will get good use from a kitchen apron while working the mixtures together! Now, on to some recommended blends, the first of which is an ancient blend indeed.

Answer 3

Are "joss sticks" anything like Thai sticks?

Answer 4

this is kinda extraordinary extremely. Do you hit upon a hassle to apply the classic joss-sticks? Thats' why U wanna get electric powered wans? Hmm...what's the element? No offence to any faith or absolutely everyone out ther, because U r unsincere to applying the classic ones, dun use.

Answer 5

Are you helping me making it so that i won't have to waste money to buy when I burn them to you?Oh you're so sweet.