Making a charcoal briquette for burning loose incense or resin...

In order to burn loose incense or resins you need a charcoal
briquette.

( To use this recipe safely and effectively, you should be in an area
where burning wood is permissible such as on your own land or in your
own fireplace at home. )

To Begin: Burn several branches or logs of hard wood (ash or oak is
best). Allow the wood to incinerate completely and wait until it
cools down. Take the chunks and grind them with a mortar and pestle
until the charcoal is a fine powder and you have 3 ounces of it.
Measure out the 3 ounces and put it in a wooden or glass bowl.

Take one tablespoon of Gum Arabic (you can find this at your local
herb store or art supply store) and mix it with 1 cup of water. Boil
this in a saucepan for 5 minutes. Put it in a jar or plastic bowl and
seal it. It can be re-used. Keep refrigerated.

Get your bowl of powdered charcoal and add 10% salt peter (potassium
nitrate). You may have to call around to find salt peter. It is
usually available in most new age shops. Mix your charcoal and salt
peter together thoroughly. Add 1 teaspoon of your Gum Arabic and
water mixture to your charcoal and salt peter and mix thoroughly.
Your mixture should the consistancy of dough (similar to bread dough).

Wen you feel you have the right consistancy, shape your charcoal
dough into spheres and set on wax paper. Flatten out your spheres and
use a shot glass or small round cookie cutter to cut into round
blocks. You might make a small impression in the center of the block
to hold the incense.

Allow drying and curing. This will take approximately 3-7 days. Go
outside to test.

NOTE: The rule of thumb is to NEVER EVER add more than 10% salt peter
to your mixture, ie 3oz=3/10 oz of salt peter. Too much salt peter
will cause your block to poof and burn too quickly. Not enough salt
peter, and your block won't burn at all. If on your test the block
does not burn , try adding another small pinch to a new mixture in
addition to your 10% or adding less than 10% if it burns too quick.
If you increase the amount of charcoal you use, be sure to also
increase your Gum Arabic mixture and your salt peter. Be careful that
you don't burn yourself. HAVE FUN!