How to Burn Bakhoor

With its exotic fragrance and delicate plumes of aromatic smoke, Bakhoor offers a feast for the senses. Bakhoor, which originates from Yemen, is made of perfume-soaked woodchips, resin, essential oils, and a variety of other organic ingredients that come together to create a relaxing ambiance in any space. To fill the room or imbue special garments with this rich incense, there are a few basic instructions and safety precautions to follow.

Choose an Incense Burner

Bakhoor does not light on its own and requires a heat source to release its fragrance. The two most common Bakhoor burner options are mabkhara, which is the traditional choice, and electric incense burners.

Mabkhara                                                       

A mabkhara serves as a container for the Bakhoor while it is burning. As is delivers no heat, charcoal discs are required. Antique incense burners may feature clay or soft stone, while modern mabkhara generally consists of glass, crystal, or metal. This burning method gradually burns the Bakhoor to release a continuous fragrance.

Electric Incense Burneron

An electric incense burner uses electricity to heat the Bakhoor, and is typically a safe option because it does not rely on hot charcoal discs. Electric incense burners provide a more intense fragrance, but it tends to be short-lived when compared to the classic mabkhara burning method. 

Light the Charcoal Disc

When using a mabkhara to burn Bakhoor, place a charcoal disc in the center of the cup or on top of the censer. Hold a candle lighter to the charcoal disc until it catches flame and sparks begin to fly from the disc. Allow it to burn for a few minutes or until a layer of ash begins to appear along the edges of the disc.

Add the Bakhoor

Use a pair of small tongs to place a piece of Bakhoor home fragrance on top of the charcoal disc. A little Bakhoor goes a long way, and an amount roughly the size of a quarter is sufficient. If the Bakhoor is in larger chunks, use the tongs or a utility knife to break it up into smaller pieces. Add more Bakhoor using the tongs when the smoke begins to dissipate or if a stronger scent is desired. Use the tongs to remove ash as it collects in the mabkhara dish, as well as any pieces of charcoal that separate from the disc.

Electric Incense Burner Method

When using an electric incense burner, place the Bakhoor directly into the burner dish using a pair of tongs. Adjust the settings on the burner to release more or less fragrance and to evenly burn the Bakhoor. Use the tongs to adjust the Bakhoor and to remove any large chunks of ash that collect in the dish.

Extinguish Charcoal

When there is no more Bakhoor on the charcoal disc or an adequate amount of fragrance is in the room, extinguish the charcoal by placing a ceramic lid over the mabkhara or turning off the electric incense burner and covering it with a heat-resistant dish.

Bakhoor Safety Precautions

Keep all Bakhoor burning supplies away from small children and pets; especially incense burners that are still warm to the touch. Always ensure that there is an adult monitoring the Bakhoor while it is burning to ensure that no sparks or embers pose a fire hazard. It is best to burn Bakhoor in a well-ventilated room to minimize smoke inhalation.

Only dispose of the Bakhoor and charcoal disc after they are completely extinguished and cooled. Also, avoid using Bakhoor in an area with a smoke detector or emergency sprinkler system, as it may trigger the alarm. Seal Bakhoor in an airtight container and wrap the charcoal discs in aluminum foil to preserve their freshness.