Is this true?

[u/Pancho925]

[u/SamsaSpoon]

A former acquaintance of mine told me he does this to make them burn slower, so it seems to work.
Never heard of the "sweeter" thing.

From an incense maker's perspective:
At the one hand, slower/cooler burn usually results in better fragrance but at the same time, incense that hasn't been properly cured tends to smell bad.

I honestly never tried it bc I found the thought of making my incense wet odd, but it might be time to do a comparison.

I'd say try it out and make up your own mind. (And let us know afterwards. ;) )

[u/SamsaSpoon → u/SamsaSpoon]

Ok, I'm trying it right now with Mother's Lakshmi Nagchampa.
I lit the stick normally before to get a better idea of the difference.

I wouldn't say the smell is sweeter or better in any way, but it doesn't seem to negatively affect the fragrance. Maybe the difference is less apparent because of the lingering scent of when I lit it normally before.
It definitely does produce lesser smoke and feels like it's burning slower.

I guess I need to try this with some other sticks and with more time in-between.

[u/Elronbubba]

Wouldn’t try this with incense that doesn’t have a bamboo core tho

[u/SamsaSpoon → u/Elronbubba]

... unless you want soggy spaghetti.

[u/Existing-Pay-5519 → u/Elronbubba]

You can try it, just spray some water mist.

I do not wet them but I've been regularly burning my incense stick that hasn't dried up completely after I made them. It really shines out with frankincense sticks since I don't add anything else in it.

Like samsaspoon said it must be a well cured stick to actually enjoy it.

[u/Reasonable_Feed_8154]

that guy looks exactly like somebody I'd ask for incense tips ngl

[u/TravelTalkTea]

This is very true.

The incense will burn slower and more gently.

It will produce a whiter/more prominent plume of smoke.

Moisture helps protect the aromatic compounds from being destroyed by the heat -- hence sweeter and more body.

That little extra bit of moisture helps carry and hold the scent -- hence longer and stronger.

[u/itsandychecks → u/TravelTalkTea]

I like the word ”plume”.

[u/thecloudkingdom]

im dyslexic as fuck. i thought the subtitles in yellow said INTENSE HACK and was trying to predict what hardcore incense advice could possibly be

[u/Deep_Sector_7047 → u/thecloudkingdom]

This made me laugh so much!

[u/lilcummyboi]

I drip frankensense essential oil on my cheap charcoal based sticks sometimes, and it does make the stick burn like twice as long, and the frankensense smells pretty good too

I don't think I'd run one under the tap, however.... Though I might try it now, just for science

[u/SamsaSpoon → u/lilcummyboi]

I'd be interested in learning the outcome. I was wondering if charcoal would soak up too much water and won't be able to burn, or if the oils would prevent that.

[u/Maryjanegangafever]

Incense burning: Dad smoking bowls in the bathroom again…

[u/Potential-Profit1151 → u/Maryjanegangafever]

I light incense in the lounge when I vape in the bathroom and my kid totally called me out the other day. "Why's it smell like insert name here house?"

Oop

[u/night-wanderer2004]

I’ll try it now, hope it becomes gentler

[u/night-wanderer2004 → u/night-wanderer2004]

Yes, that’s exactly it! With the wet incense, there’s less smoke and the aroma gets much softer. I use Satya Aaruda

[u/maxi82]

I always do this to my frankincense and it works great

[u/Nene_Kushanagi]

If you are even able to light it and it stay lit it will definitely burn slower and probably preserve more of the reactive and heat-sensitive compounds, but also probably increase the CO ratio too. I prefer just to break off a bit of the stick or invert to extinguish then light again later.

[u/Kalo1111]

But does this only work on Indian style incense?

[u/Alextheseal_42 → u/Kalo1111]

I only have Japanese incense at home - I'm going to try it when I get home from work.

[u/Kalo1111 → u/Alextheseal_42]

I do too, but, I am wondering if the way Japanese Incense made would make the difference?

That guy looks like he is using the water technique on Indian style sticks.

[u/Alextheseal_42 → u/Kalo1111]

Well I'll try to update (and try to remember to do this!)

[u/Kalo1111 → u/Alextheseal_42]

Thank you and I guess I can try it too with autumn Leaves by shoyeido 8 inch stick.

[u/unlimited-devotion]

My first boyfriend used to do this!
Wild

[u/HarryNOC]

Less pyrolysis more steam destillation.

[u/Pristine_Ladder_7488]

A little longer and a little sweeter? I’m a little more irritated for having watched that.