Lighting an incense stick and watching the smoke rise gently, while inhaling the faint scent of herbs and wood, will gradually help you relax. But when the incense has burned out, or when people want to put it out halfway through, many people will subconsciously pour water on it to extinguish it.
This action is actually very dangerous. Not only does it produce an unpleasant burnt odor, but it can also leave behind a lingering ember that poses a risk of reignition. So, how exactly can you safely extinguish an incense stick? This article summarizes several commonly used methods, and you can choose the one that suits your needs.
Correct Ways to Put Out an Incense Stick
1. The Waving Method
Firmly grasp the unburnt lower end of the incense stick with one hand. Be sure to keep your hand well away from the burning tip to avoid burns. Hold the stick vertically or at a slight incline. Using a flicking motion of the wrist, quickly wave the stick up and down 3 to 5 times. This is more effective at isolating oxygen than waving it left and right, and it shuts off the engine faster.
The principle behind this method is to utilize airflow to dissipate heat and block oxygen. The open flame will be extinguished rapidly, leaving only the tip of the stick slowly smoldering. If the incense stick is particularly long, you may increase the speed and amplitude of the waving motion slightly. However, be sure to control your force carefully to prevent ash from scattering or the stick itself from breaking.
This is the recommended method for beginners. The fragrance does not come into contact with the incense head, does not damage the fragrance body, and has no additional odor. It requires absolutely no technical skill and is suitable for all types of incense sticks.
2. Extinguishing by Pressing
This method is suitable for situations where you need to prematurely stop the burning of an incense stick or wish to preserve an unfinished stick for future use. The incense holder used should be made of ceramic, glass, or metal. If the holder is made of wood or plastic, exercise caution when employing this method. To use this technique, you will need to prepare specific incense accessories.
Suitable options include the ash, fire-retardant cotton, or fine sand found within an incense burner, as well as ceramic or metal incense stands. The procedure involves holding the lower end of the incense stick and gently pressing the burning tip vertically against the ash or fire-retardant cotton. Hold for 1-2 seconds to extinguish the flame quickly by cutting off the air supply. After extinguishing, visually inspect the tip to ensure there are no lingering flames or sparks. You may proceed once you have confirmed that the fire has been completely put out.
The advantage of this method is that it can extinguish the fire completely while preserving the unburned incense stick intact. The ash can also coat the incense stick, making the aroma richer the next time it's lit. This method is particularly well-suited for high-quality natural incense sticks that contain no chemical combustion aids.
3. The Pinching-Out Method
If you need to stop the incense stick from burning immediately, you can gently pinch out the burning end with a wet finger or metal tweezers. It is highly recommended to use a tool rather than your bare hands, as doing so carries a significant risk of burns.
The specific procedure is as follows: First, ensure that the ash at the tip of the incense has cooled down. Next, using the pads of your thumb and index finger, gently pinch the very edge of the burning tip. Apply a quick, slight twisting motion; the combination of the pressure and the cooling effect from your fingertips will interrupt the combustion process.
Once extinguished, gently shake the body of the incense stick to allow any residual ash to fall away naturally. This prevents ash from adhering to the tip, which could otherwise interfere with the burning process the next time the incense is lit. This method is suitable *only* for thin incense sticks where the ash has cooled.
The tips of thicker incense sticks reach much higher temperatures; attempting to extinguish them with bare hands is strictly prohibited. While this method is suitable for temporarily pausing the burning process, it is not recommended for frequent use.
4. Sealed Suffocation Method
Prepare a moisture-free small ceramic jar, a sealed metal box, or an incense burner with a lid. Place the incense stick into the container with the burning tip facing downward, then quickly secure the lid. The oxygen inside the container will be rapidly depleted, causing the open flame to extinguish naturally. Allow it to sit for one minute; then, open the lid to confirm that the tip has completely cooled before cleaning the incense vessel.
If you burn incense frequently, you might consider purchasing a stainless steel incense extinguisher tube. This device is designed specifically for extinguishing incense. Its usage is also quite simple: Insert the burning tip of the incense stick into the tube and rotate it a few times; the embers will be extinguished within the oxygen-deprived environment.
The interior of the extinguisher tube features a metal mesh or a heat-resistant lining, so there is no need to worry about damaging the device through heat exposure. The advantages of this method are its thoroughness and the fact that it eliminates the risk of burning your hands. It leaves absolutely no residual sparks behind, thereby offering the highest level of safety.
Taboos for Putting Out an Incense Stick
Taboo One: Blowing It Out with Your Mouth
There are three primary reasons why it is strictly forbidden to forcefully blow out the flame of an incense stick using your mouth: First, moisture and saliva from your mouth may splatter onto the tip of the incense, causing the stick to become damp and prone to mold. When the incense is lit again later, this results in a burnt, acrid, or foul odor. This ultimately destroys the pure, authentic fragrance of natural incense.
Secondly, in formal settings, the breath from one's mouth is often regarded as "impure." Blowing out incense with your mouth is therefore considered an act of disrespect. This violates the established etiquette and norms of incense culture. Thirdly, blowing forcefully can cause hot ash to scatter. This poses a risk of burning your skin or igniting nearby objects.
Taboo Two: Extinguishing It with Water
Some people, seeking a shortcut, simply dip the burning tip of the incense stick directly into water. This method is entirely inadvisable. The water will thoroughly saturate the body of the incense stick, causing it to deform, crumble, and lose its aromatic ingredients. In some cases, the incense stick may even become completely unusable thereafter.
Taboo Three: Violently Breaking It or Discarding It Carelessly
Some individuals simply snap a burning incense stick in half and toss it into a trash can, or carelessly leave it lying on a tabletop or the floor. This behavior is extremely dangerous. Breaking the stick damages its structural integrity. Unburnt incense sticks still have hot embers, and the trash cans are full of flammable materials such as paper scraps and plastic bags, which can easily cause a fire. Littering indiscriminately will pollute the environment, and the high temperature of incense sticks may also burn furniture and floors.
Conclusion
Properly extinguishing an incense stick is a matter that concerns not only the aromatic experience but also safety. By mastering the correct technique, you can enjoy the tranquil atmosphere provided by incense sticks in your daily life with greater elegance and safety.
If you, too, enjoy lighting a natural botanical incense stick to help yourself slow down after a busy day, we invite you to visit Dao Incense. From raw material blending to handcrafted incense, every incense stick retains the natural aroma of herbs and trees. We hope that our fragrance can also become a comforting scent in your daily life.