The agarwood ritual

A small chip.
A moment to yourself.

A little warmth releases the fragrance held within the wood. Here’s how to begin.

Set out the essentials
01 · Essentials02 · Light03 · Place04 · Adjust
01 / Before you begin

Set out
the essentials.

A few simple objects.
Each with a part to play.

Close-up illustration of a single resinous agarwood chip
01 / 04

A small agarwood chip

Start small.

One small chip of your chosen wood is enough to begin. The photograph is a close-up of the grain; you don’t need a large piece.

Oudism gold burner
02 / 04

The burner & ashtray

A place for the warmth.

Clip the burner snugly onto the ashtray’s rim. Set the tray on a stable, heat-resistant surface.

Illustration of a translucent mica plate
03 / 04

A mica plate

A little distance from the heat.

The chip sits on this thin sheet, rather than directly on the charcoal. Moving the plate lets you adjust the warmth.

Tweezers and a cigar torch with a blue jet flame
04 / 04

Tweezers & a lighter

Small tools. Careful movements.

Use tweezers for the charcoal, mica and wood. Choose the lighter to suit your charcoal, as shown below.

Set contents vary. Check your product listing for the accessories supplied.

02 / Light the charcoal

Add charcoal. Then light.

Clip the burner to the ashtray and add charcoal with tweezers. The lighter you need depends on the charcoal you use.

ROUND DISC

Quick-light charcoal

A match or regular lighter.

Light the edge and allow it to catch.
RECTANGULAR BLOCK

Coconut charcoal

A blue-flame cigar torch.

Light the edge with a blue-flame jet lighter in 30-second passes, usually two or three, until the charcoal glows.

These are the two shapes shown in this guide. Check the packaging to confirm the type and follow its lighting instructions.

LET IT SETTLE

Wait until a fine layer of pale ash forms before adding the mica and wood. The charcoal is still hot.

03 / Warm the wood

Mica first.
Then a small chip.

Use tweezers to place the mica over the charcoal, securely supported by the burner. Add one small agarwood chip on top.

Warm it gently. Let the scent unfold.

Keep the wood on the mica plate to soften the heat. If it smells scorched, move the mica partly off the charcoal.

See how to adjust it ↓
Agarwood rests on mica above charcoalWoodMicaCharcoal

Manage the heat.

Photographic agarwood heat controlTop-down view rotated 90 degrees counterclockwise. The mica and wood slide together between the charcoal and the straight burner arm. The tray, burner and charcoal stay fixed. Illustrated smoke increases over the charcoal and fades to a faint wisp over the burner arm. Resin bubbles while over the charcoal and settles when moved onto the burner arm.
A little care

Stay with the ritual.

  • Keep the setup clear of flammable materials, children and pets. Avoid breathing the smoke directly.
  • Use suitable tools for hot parts. The burner, mica, charcoal and tray can remain hot after use.
  • Confirm everything is fully out and cold before handling or disposal.
  • Charcoal and oud produce smoke. Please ensure adequate ventilation.
A few useful answers
Why use mica?

It provides a thin surface between the wood and the charcoal, so the wood can be warmed rather than placed directly onto the coal. Its position helps you manage the heat.

How much wood should I start with?

A small chip. The right amount and heat vary with the wood; start gently and adjust rather than filling the burner.

Should there be lots of smoke?

No. Focus on the fragrance. If the wood is scorching or the scent turns harsh, reduce the heat rather than chasing more smoke.

Is everything shown included in a Discovery Set?

Contents vary by set. Check the product listing for the wood, burner, tray and accessories supplied. Do not assume ignition equipment or every handling tool is included.

Your own moment with agarwood

Find your starting point.

Explore the woods and objects in our Discovery Sets.

Explore Discovery Sets