Making Incense Cones Using Makko Powder
Updated: Nov 24, 2021
I have been making incense for many years now, it is something I highly enjoy doing. Most recipes I have are for loose incense mixtures which must be burned on charcoals, making it more difficult to burn in a pinch. Unless you are using a natural bamboo charcoal, many of the commercial brands have harmful materials in them. After realizing the dangers using saltpeter (which is an ingredient in most of today’s charcoals on the market sold as sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate) I was prompted to start researching making combustible incense mixtures where I found a method using Makko which is a natural combustible.
Makko is derived from the bark of a tree native to Asia, known as the tabu-no-ki tree. When added to loose incense mixtures with a small amount of liquid, Makko allows for the forming of incense cones. Because it is water soluble, the amount of Makko to add to a mixture depends on the humidity in your area and the amount of resins and woods in the recipe. You'll have to experiment with this yourself to see what works with your particular mixture and climate. I suggest you record the exact measurements of Makko added to the recipes so you can recreate it later. I use both wood and resin in my mixtures so I have found a 50/50 ratio works well. This whole process is kind like baking cookies to me.
WHAT YOU WILL NEED
Loose Incense Mixture of your own Creation
Makko Powder
Distilled Water
Mixing Bowls (keep a set specifically for incense and resins)
OPTIONAL
Coffee Grinders (keep a set specifically for herbs and resins)
Mortar and Pestle (if you don't have grinders)
Incense Cone Mold
Essential Oils
Tinctures (I like using resin tinctures in my incense)
Start by pulverizing your incense blend of ingredients into the finest powder possible. This must be done in order for the cones to burn evenly. I use a set of coffee grinders to create the finest powder possible, one I use for non poisonous herbs and the other for resins.
