[Help] I can't light incense

[Firetree]

What kind of charcoal are you using? I recommend the self igniting kind but even it requires a good bit of burning before it's really lit, and sometimes you need to blow on it to keep the embers going.

Is that the stuff that fizzes ? I used to find it funny because as the fire fizzes across the block ( saltpeter or something ?) in a line of little sparks , in the dark it makes a cool little light show , and in a group ritual some people seemed to enjoy that as the best part

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 11:09 PM

Just hold the stick or sage in the flame of your candle for a couple of seconds. How hard can it be. If you use loose white sage then one leaf is enough to fumigate your room. Placing loose pieces of anything in a bowl and then trying to light that is never going to work..

Maybe we need a tutorial on it

Post automatically merged: Yesterday at 11:21 PM

I'll say it again. Moisture. Relative humidity. Moisture gradients. Water loves to get into absolutely everything.

Those silver packets the charcoal disks come in, I'm pretty sure that's mylar, or a cheap version of it. Better than plastic for keeping moisture out. Once that packet is open, that charcoal will soak up atmospheric water like a sponge which makes it a real PITA to keep it lit. Same with all your dried plant matter, sage etc.

Whenever I've played around with flint and steel, or ferrocerium and a striker, the dryness of the tinder has been a large factor in how easily it will catch a spark and sustain a useful ember.

Carefully dry your incense, sticks of wood, charcoal etc. Store it in an old jam jar, or something with a lid that forms a tight seal that will keep the moisture out.

Like I said, a jar with rice in the bottom of it .... hang on ... not cooked rice

Good point about moisture though ; I can use paper to light my indoor fire but it doesnt work well . If I first hold it above the flaming stove gas ring , steam comes out of it, the paper gets stiffer and burns bright and hot . Hold a sheet of newspaper in front of the fire and you can see moisture gassing off it .

I guess for some ... we are going to have to go down this path ;

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[borbponderer]

Good point about moisture though ; I can use paper to light my indoor fire but it doesnt work well . If I first hold it above the flaming stove gas ring , steam comes out of it, the paper gets stiffer and burns bright and hot . Hold a sheet of newspaper in front of the fire and you can see moisture gassing off it .

I wrapped some tinder, wood shavings etc in foil and put it in the oven for 15 minutes. When I unwrapped it, it was steaming. Soon as it cooled down I transferred it to sealed jars. Moisture is so omnipresent it's easy to not notice it.