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Incense Sticks: Charcoal and Gum Paste Rolled onto Bamboo Cores
A cored incense stick is a thin bamboo stick coated in a thick layer of combustible paste that smoulders away with the core. Charcoal dust is the fuel, a little saltpetre keeps it burning and a gum binds it. Roll the paste onto bamboo sticks, trim them and dry them slowly so they do not warp.
The picture: our diagram, coated sticks, one smouldering.
Beginner
An afternoon, then drying
Instructions
1
1
Split the cores
Split the cores
Split bamboo into thin, straight sticks of even length.
Materials for this step:
Bamboo Rod1 pieceTools needed:
Knife
Cutting Board2
2
Make the paste
Make the paste
Grind charcoal dust finer with a little saltpetre and sieve it. Dissolve gum arabic in a little water and knead it into the dust to a stiff, smooth dough. Wear a mask.
Materials for this step:
Charcoal - Crushed Fine80 g
Potassium Nitrate (saltpeter)5 g
Gum Arabic8 gTools needed:
Mortar and Pestle
Fine Sieve
Bowl
Water
Dust Mask3
3
Roll
Roll
Roll a little paste into a thin coil, lay a stick beside it and roll the two together on the board until the stick is centred and coated, leaving a bare handle.
Tools needed:
Cutting Board4
4
Dry slowly
Dry slowly
Trim the ends and lay the sticks on a tray in the shade, turning them now and then, until hard and dry.
Tools needed:
Flat Drying TrayKnife5
5
Paste for your sticks
Paste for your sticks
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Materials
4- 1 piecePlaceholder
- Placeholder
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- 8 gPlaceholder
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