You use about 9 cubes to make about 40 discs (Solitary Size)
Charcoal Is to be crushed then powdered the kind I use is regular bbq briquettes. You can use a coffee grinder if you have one or food processor. You need a hammer a hard surface and a bowl. You crush the charcoal as much as you can then you transfer it into a coffee grinder or food processor to powder it.
you can scale down if you want but I make it in bulk so its an eye hands experimentation thing.
Traganth is a gum.You can get that in powder form at a scientific supply store or you can order it from Tandy Leather Company for cheaper. Traganth is spendy but it's cheaper than lot of other gums on the market.
You get a cup of hot water mix it with 1/2 teaspoon of the traganth. The water is supposed to be hot to melt the traganth into it and it (Just like like cornstarch heat and water thickens.) Set that aside in a metal or glass bowl.
You can make them in about 30 mins and then you can let them airdry.
I bake mine at a low heat if I want them to dry quicker but i keep an eye on them so they don't over cook. The idea is evaporation as opposed to cookie making.
After the charcoal is in fine powder form you can mix the traganth mix into the charcoal. Put half of the charcoal in a bowl, add the traganth mixture. You don't want the mix to be too wet. The traganth mix is to saturate the charcoal in order for the charcoal to stick together again. Add the dry charcoal to the saturated gum/charcoal mix to absorb more of the moisture.
Saltpeter is added to the mixture I would say 1 tablespoon you can get it at a scientific supply store or behind the counter at a pharmacy. Salt Petre is also known as Potassium Nitrate it is used as a combustable agent. In charcoal discs from the store ignite and sputter from the Saltpetre as it starts to burn.
In case the Pharmecy asks you what you are using it for. Tell Them Inscence.
Then You mix the Saltpeter into the charcoal mix. Then you can use molds or syrup lids or olive oil lids something round our shaped in the form you want it. Make your charcoals.
You can use a marble to make the indentation into the charcoals evenly.
so the herbs stay in place.
Then You place the raw charcoal on a flat surface somewhere in the house to air dry. Use a spatula and Put it in a airdry Container. Then You place the raw charcoal on a flat surface somewhere in the house to air dry. Use a spatula and Put it in a airdry container. Silica packets are great with keeping inscence dry.
You Match the charcoal. Light it. You might need to provoke it to light. I'm sure you know how some charcoals don't always light.When it Turns grey it is ready to add a herb a sap or whatever is to be burned.
Note:
I have been told that some charcoals may contain toxins like metal. Use your discretion. I would not suggest using a charcoal that does not require lighter fluid.
Bibliography:
Book Called Wynalts Book of Inscence Weiser press Paperback
Oils Inscence and Brews by Scott Cunningham Lewellyn Press
The Master Book of Herbalism by Paul Beyerl Phoenix Publishing
