Best way of burning oud chips?

#21
I use charcoal with ashes on top but also burn very fast the wood less than 5min ! i have see a video that someone use salt on the top of charcoal! (i will try it and see..)

One more thought is try to use the classic essential oil burner the one with the candle.. let see how it works..

Any new informations for charcoal controlling will be well accepted for a test

:)
 
#22
Hi Nikolaos,

try some white rice ash. White rice ash does not have a particular aroma, so it doesn´t influence the smell of the burning agarwood (matter of fact, agarwood should not be BURNED but HEATED only!)

Also, you could just burn a lot of coals, and then use that ash to make a small mound into which the glowing coal is set. Then cover the glowing coal with some more ash, so the agarwood is only heated in the hot ash. You will need to experiment a little with this. The chip should not really "burn" but only turn darker, bubbling with resin, and releasing fine wisps of smoke - that is the correct way to enjoy agarwood smoke...

White rice ash is available in good esoteric bookstores, they usually carry incense sticks and incense equipment as well.
Or through amazon: http://www.amazon.com/SHOYEIDO-60101-Shoyeido-White-Ash/dp/B001B61JXY

I also recommend you use the bamboo coals (for example, "miyakosumi" from Shoyeido).
Bamboo charcoal does not contain any burn enhancers (chemicals such as phosphorus, saltpeter etc.) which will cause the coal to sparkle when ignited. Those chemicals will alter the smell of the coal and thus influence the smell of the wood, too.

Bamboo charcoal will just quietly glow and, step by step, you will see how it glows all over. Once it has turned all white (covered in ash, glowing beneath the ash) it is ready for use.
DO NOT BRUSH OFF the layer of white ash from the coal- it serves as protective layer between glowing coal and wood chip!
Instead, cover with either rice ash; or some ash from earlier burning sessions.
Carefully put the chip on top of the hot ash, and enjoy.

You can refer to KyaraZen´s website (kyarazen.com) - he has lot of wonderful information about the Japanese Incense Ceremony (Mon-Koh).
Or simply check out this one:
http://www.japanese-incense.com/contents.htm

Kind regards
Thomas S.
 
#23
Thank you Thomas,

Wonderfull reply! Now i use the classic charcoal (not the bamboo one) and i use Punk Ash from a mushroom called Phellinus igniarius until now it works but now I'm at the stage to found the right amount of ash on the charcoal, if its little it burn the wood, if its more wood not bubbling.. I have order to try Mica...

Thank you for the link..


Will see... :)
 
#24
Nikolaos,

one way to adjust the heat is -- a toothpick (or another thin and long object to push the chip into the coal).

Heap a lot of ash onto the coal. Then place the chip on it. If it does not burn properly; use the toothpick to press the chip down into the coal.
Do this slowly, and deliberately.
Once the chip is closer to the coal, i.e. if you pushed it down a bit, the chip is exposed to more heat and you will be able to enjoy it :)
You can also do this to first gently heat a chip and then push it into the heat to let it smoulder and burn it completely.
This way you can really enjoy all the different layers of the scent, from the subtlest to the most intense notes.
You see: no need for a mica plate. Mica should best be used with white rice ash in a properly Mon-koh cup (Japanese Incense Listening).

However, to prepare a good incense listening burn is an art form- as everything traditional Japanese ;-) so it may take some time until you master it properly
(I for sure haven´t mastered it yet!).

Kind regards,
Thomas S.
 
#26
Nikolaos, you are welcome.

It all depends on your previous experience and financial situation; but I advise that you get some decent chips and then experiment a little.
If you are a toal newbie try to get some Shoyeido or Baieido chips / granules. They come in 25 grams packages.
Nice qualities can also be found at Oudimentary. Get either the Select or Private Reserve Burmese, the Southern Thai Micro lot or the Seleet Cambodi chips, they are quite good if you are starting out, and come at reasonable prices. Oudimentary´s Super Assam chips are OK too -- but IMHO of mediocre quality.

If you are truly an oudhead, get some of the sinking chips either from EnsarOud (Port Moresby Sinking) or from AgarAura (Malaysian Supreme).
Both are really good!
 
#27
Dear Thomas,

Thank you for the recommendations...! Oudhead, Oudsick, Oudadditc in the last stage.. yes is truth i confess!!! :eek:
The matter of Oud is like a very strong Virus, it's like the scorpions poison... once inside you always inside you
It's really a unique relationship, totally personal connection

.........
 
#28
I use charcoal with ashes on top but also burn very fast the wood less than 5min ! i have see a video that someone use salt on the top of charcoal! (i will try it and see..)

One more thought is try to use the classic essential oil burner the one with the candle.. let see how it works..

Any new informations for charcoal controlling will be well accepted for a test


:)
Greetings Nikolaos

I'll give you a run through of what happens during my burn session.
The coal I use is a 'quick-lighting' coal made by a Dutch company called Three Kings. They're normally used for Shisha's (smoking) pipes but I like to use them for my Oud burning. Usually, after I light the coal, I let it sit for about 20 mins. I know this is a long time but I find that it works perfectly because you get a nice thick layer of ash developing on top of the coal. Plus the coal's are so good they can stay good for a 45 min session! So once you've let it sit, start burning your Oud, inhale, take in and enjoy!

If you want a good Bakhoor burn (i.e I use the Oudimentary seasonal mixes) here's some advice for that. After you're done with the wood, get a pair of scissors (this is what I use for this) and gently scrape the layer of ash on the coal into the middle of the coal. You should get a sort of mound of ash built up on the middle of your coal. Then add your bakhoor mix onto the top and by doing this you get a wonderful long burn. I love this technique because you can smell the sweetness of the bakhoor without getting wafts of a burning smell. I'd recommend just practising your technique every session you have a burn. It takes time to develop and I'm sure you'll find the best way for yourself to do it :).
 
#29
Hello,

finally i use mica plate and works just perfect, fire up the charcoal and i let be white colour, after i put the mica plate on and the chip, works great, no burning wood and long lasting burning also.
 
#34
I don't burn often. But the last time I had a small chip (forgive me, I don't even know the variety as it was given to me), I opened a window, let direct sunlight enter the room and used a magmifying glass. Only the might of Sol Invictus and the wood.
 

kooolaid79

Well-Known Member
#37
White rice ash is available in good esoteric bookstores, they usually carry incense sticks and incense equipment as well.
Or through amazon: http://www.amazon.com/SHOYEIDO-60101-Shoyeido-White-Ash/dp/B001B61JXY
I just bought some and it came in yesterday! :)
I also recommend you use the bamboo coals (for example, "miyakosumi" from Shoyeido).
Bamboo charcoal does not contain any burn enhancers (chemicals such as phosphorus, saltpeter etc.) which will cause the coal to sparkle when ignited. Those chemicals will alter the smell of the coal and thus influence the smell of the wood, too.
These coals just arrived in the mail today also! :) Gonna try them out later tonight!
 
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