I got an incense burner for my SD Secret Santa gift (thanks Duffer!), and I would really like to be able to find some incense to burn in it. Anyone have any suggestions as to where I might be able to buy some? What scents do you all like best?
Thanks!
~ monica
I haven’t burned incense in years but when I did, I purchased most of mine from Pier 1.
First, does it hold sticks or cones? in my experiences, sticks are easier to find.
Around here, you can buy incense at just about any grocery or department store. Look near the candles. Also try your local import clothing and gifts store or head shop for a better variety.
IME, the best selection is in headshops. Not sure if that’s your scene or not.
It has a bottom compartment for a candle and a top compartment for the incense.
Nag Champa. Get some, it’s a great smell.
Oddly enough, the best place to buy incense in Boise is a record store. Namely, The Record Exchange. I’d just ask your friendly local freak.
That’s an odd description. Could you elaborate? Sounds like what you have might be an oil burner.
It looks kinda like a box. In the front, there’s an opening, and out of the opening comes a little tray, looks just like the perfect size for a candle.
There’s also a hole in the top of the box. In this hole sits a little cup with a lid, directly above where the candle goes.
That help any?
Yeah, that description does sound more like an oil burner. That’s when you put a tea light in the bottom bit and fill the top “bowl” type section up with water and then just add a few drops of essential oil. When the oil heats up it releases the fragrance in an intense way. The smell of lavender oil is very good for helping you to feel relaxed.
However incense wise - I just love the smell of sandalwood. The sticks that come from Japan smell the best to my nose.
One of my favorites (which unfortunately I haven’t been able to find in a long time) was called Rain. A nice, clean smell.
Most places have variety packs so you can try out several different kinds at a time. I’d suggest you start there.
Okay, then, let’s try this: Where can I find oil to burn?
Usually, oils are sold at the same place as incense. Once again, ask the freaks.
Frank-N-Myrrh oil will make your house smell like the old church I used to go to. Talk about a scent bringing back a memory!
Look to the Secret Santa thread for a similar post.
It’s neither of the above. I hope you still like it though. :
:
It’s a potpourrie burner. Though I never though of using oils. Maybe Mrs. duffer will want to hit whatever store she goes to for the scenty stuff and try that.
Whatever you use it for, hope you can enjoy it. 
The warmer (AKA infuser) can be used for either potpouri or essential oils.
From your friendly Doper Freak, here’s watcha do:
Take some water and fill the top bowl part about half way full. Add some dried potpouri, or perfume oils or essential oils (about 10 drops) or kitchen spices (a few pinches). We’ll get to where to find them in a minute. Light a candle underneath. The warmth of the candle will heat the water and realease yummy smells from the aromatic stuff on top. Keep an eye on the water. It probably won’t boil from one candlepower, but it will evaporate, so you’ll have to add more when the level gets low, or you end up with the scent of Scorch[sup]TM[/sup] which is not sexy. And, of course, make sure the candle doesn’t light anything on fire.
Where to get stuff to put in it? I’m not sure where you live, so let me suggest:
For perfume oils and essential oils or spices
Granola Hippie Stores like Whole Foods or Wild Oats
Health food stores
For perfume oils and essential oils
Head shops, occult bookstores
For spices and potpourri
Grocery stores
For potpourri
Craft stores, like Frank’s Nursery and Crafts or Michaels
Gift stores
Spices to try:
cinnamon, cloves, ground ginger, black pepper
Essential oils to try:
**Lavender **for relaxation
**Rosemary **for better concentration while studying
Citrus (orange, lemon, lime, lemongrass, tangerine, grapefruit, blood orange) for a “pick-me-up” (Citrus are some of the cheapest oils)
**Eucalyptus **and Grapefruit, in equal parts, for stuffy noses or sinuses from head colds or allergies.
Rose, Sandlewood, or Ylang Ylang for sexy moods. These are some of the most expensive oils. You can find cheaper ones that are dilluted in jojoba oil. That’s just fine for your use.
**Chamomile **for just being lucious.
Play around with mixing them, too. A rule of thumb for beginners is to take one flower, one green thing and one brown (wood, bark or root) and put 3 drops of each in your diffuser. Adjust to taste (er, smell) but only add one more drop at a time. One drop really changes the smell of a blend!
Good luck and have fun!
