How to Burn Incense Cones in a Waterfall Burner

Waterfall incense (or backflow incense) has smoke coming out from the bottom, and using a special burner creates a calming, aesthetic look. If you’ve seen them recently on TikTok and want to know how they work, waterfall incense is easy to light and use. Keep reading, and we’ll walk you through how to burn the incense properly, put it out safely, and clean the burner when you’re finished. We also spoke with Karina Menali, DACM, Dipl. OM, a diplomate of Oriental Medicine, and master herbalist Julie Brow-Polanco to learn the best practices for using incense.

How to Light a Waterfall Incense Burner

To use a waterfall incense burner, hold a flame to the top tip of the incense cone for 10-15 seconds to light it. Gently blow out the flame after another 10 seconds, then place the cone so the hole in the bottom lines up with the burner's hole. The smoke will move down through the holes and look like a waterfall.

Section 1 of 7:

How to Use a Waterfall Incense Cone and Burner

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Waterfall incense cones, also known as backflow cones, have a hollow section inside so the smoke comes out from the bottom instead of the top. To light them, Brow-Polanco says “light it at the tip [using] a lighter” or a long match so you don’t burn your hands.^{[1]
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Julie Brow-Polanco
Master Herbalist & Certified Aromatherapist

Expert Interview} Hold the flame against the tip for about 10-15 seconds to make sure it’s burning.

Meet the wikiHow Experts

Karina Menali, L.Ac., DACM, Dipl. OM is a Licensed Acupuncturist & Diplomate of Oriental Medicine who specializes in holistic health and medicine.

Julie Brow-Polanco is a Master Herbalist & Certified Aromatherapist who has 20 years of experience in western herbal medicine.
Let the flame burn for a little while to ensure that the incense is fully lit and reaches the hollow section inside. After about 15-30 seconds, gently blow out the flame and check that smoke is coming out from the cone.

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Place the incense cone over the hole on the burner. A waterfall incense burner usually has a flat dish-shaped spot near the top to place the cone. Set the cone onto the burner so the holes are completely aligned. Give the burner about 10-15 seconds for the smoke to fall through the hole and move down through the burner.^{[2]
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- If the smoke doesn’t start going through the burner, check our troubleshooting steps to solve the issue.

Section 2 of 7:

Troubleshooting Waterfall Incense Not Working

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If the incense isn’t smoking or if you can’t see an ember, hold a lighter against the tip for 15-30 seconds to ensure it starts burning. Once it’s lit, leave it to burn for another 10-15 seconds before gently blowing it out.
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Check the incense’s alignment on the burner. If the incense smoke is floating up instead of flowing down, the hole may be blocked. Readjust the incense over the burner’s hole, and wait a few seconds for the smoke to move down.
- If the smoke still floats up, scrape any residue out from the hole with a toothpick or pipe cleaner.
Strong breezes from an open window or a nearby fan prevent the smoke from running down the burner like a serene waterfall. Find a spot away from vents or windows so the smoke falls through the burner properly.^{[3]
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Backflow incense burners tend to get dirty faster because the essential oils melt down into the openings. The oil residue on the burner may also create a bad odor when it gets hot. After every 2 or 3 uses, clean the burner with soapy water and scrub the residue out of the openings.

Section 3 of 7:

How do waterfall incense burners work?

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Smoke normally rises when you burn incense. When smoke gets caught inside the hollow section of a backflow cone, it cools down. Because the cooler smoke is denser than normal air, it sinks down into the burner to create a waterfall effect.^{[4]
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Section 4 of 7:

How long does backflow incense burn?

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Backflow incense cones typically last for 20-40 minutes. How long incense cones burn depends on their size and how they’re made. Some smaller cones burn quickly, while larger cones that are densely packed take a bit longer. Most incense lists the average burn length, so always double-check the packaging.
- Some larger backflow incense cones may burn for up to 1 hour.

Section 5 of 7:

How to Put Out Backflow Incense Cones

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Place the cone in sand or water to extinguish it. Use a pair of incense tongs to move the cone because it could be very hot. If you want to reuse the cone, dip the lit end into a dish filled with sand and leave it there for a few minutes until it stops smoking.^{[5]
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- Alternatively, drop the cone into a bowl of water. Once the incense gets wet, throw it away because you won’t be able to use it again.

Section 6 of 7:

How to Clean a Waterfall Incense Burner

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When you’re done burning your incense, let the burner cool down completely. Then, use a small brush and dustpan to sweep off any ashes. Work slowly to prevent the ashes from spreading, or use a vacuum to suck them up without a mess.
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Wash the burner with water and mild dish soap. Use warm water and a mild dish soap, and submerge the entire burner if you’re able. Let the burner soak for 5-10 minutes to help loosen stuck-on residue. Then, use a stiff-bristled cleaning toothbrush to scrub the burner clean.^{[6]
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- If your incense burner has any electrical parts, avoid submerging it. Instead, use a damp, soapy cloth to wipe any dirty areas.
Essential oils from the incense cones run down into the burner’s holes and turn into solid residue. Stick a toothpick or pipe cleaner into the hole, and scrape the residue off the sides. Keep scrubbing until you don’t see any more residue coming out from the burner.
Wipe off any excess water with a clean towel or paper towels. Then, leave the burner in a well-ventilated space to air-dry completely. Burners that have more complex designs may take a little longer to dry than simpler ones.^{[7]
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Section 7 of 7:

Best Practices for Burning Incense

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Dr. Menali recommends “using incense that is pure and scented naturally rather than ones that utilize bonding agents or chemical fragrances.”^{[8]
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Expert Source

Karina Menali, L.Ac., DACM, Dipl. OM
Licensed Acupuncturist & Diplomate of Oriental Medicine

Expert Interview} Check the ingredients on the incense you purchase to ensure it only has natural ingredients that you recognize.
Dr. Menali notes that smoke from incense is “an irritant to the lungs,” so don’t let it build up inside your home. She recommends having windows open and potentially running an air purifier.^{[9]
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Expert Source

Karina Menali, L.Ac., DACM, Dipl. OM
Licensed Acupuncturist & Diplomate of Oriental Medicine

Expert Interview}
Choose a spot for your burner that’s away from anything flammable. Clear off the area where you have your incense and burner so it isn’t cluttered. Keep a metal or glass dish underneath the burner as an extra layer of protection in case the incense falls.^{[10]
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While there isn’t a visible flame, the incense still has hot embers that could start a fire. Even if you have a fireproof dish and nothing flammable nearby, stay in the same room with the incense until it burns out or until you extinguish it.^{[11]
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Animals and young children have more sensitive respiratory systems, and some studies have shown regular incense use can cause breathing issues.^{[12]
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Trustworthy Source

PubMed Central
Journal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of Health

Go to source} If you want to make your house smell good, give it a quick clean, keep houseplants, or run an air purifier.