Charcoal discs make it easy to burn your copal resin.
Some people put sand in a bowl to sink the disc into. [2] X Research source
You can also use a burner to catch the charcoal on fire.
At this point, some people pour a small pile of salt in the indention on top of the disc. The salt acts as a buffer between the heat of the charcoal and the resin, so it doesn’t burn quite as hot. You won’t get as much smoke this way, but you can experiment to see what works best for you. [6] X Research source
This method of burning copal will produce a lot of smoke, so you can use it for smudging your house. However, if you get too much smoke, use tongs or a spoon to knock the resin off for a while. [8] X Research source
The charcoal disc will stay hot for at least an hour. [10] X Research source It can be messy, so try extinguishing it in the kitchen sink.
If your chunks are too large to heat easily, crush them a bit with a mortar and pestle. To keep the bowl inside clean, try adding a foil cup before putting in the resin. [12] X Research source
If the copal is burning too hot for your liking, turn the burner down.
Don’t use a pan that has a nonstick coating, as those can put off chemicals if you don’t have much in them.
These warmers can be electric or have a small candle underneath, and they’re typically used for aromatherapy oils. Because you’re not burning the copal directly, you won’t get much smoke. However, you can warm the same resin over several days. Just leave it in the warmer to cool, then turn the warmer back on when you want to heat it up again.
Don’t leave stick incense unattended.
You can lightly fan the smoke around the room with a feather or hand fan. Try to get it in every area of the room.
Try burning copal once a day and stay nearby so you can inhale the scent.
