Bakhoor needs gentle heat to release its scent, and there are two ways to give it: a charcoal burner or an electric one. Both work well, but they suit different homes and habits. Here is how to choose.
Charcoal burners
A charcoal burner, called a mabkhara or dani, holds a small disc of charcoal. You light the disc, wait until it is covered in grey ash, and place a piece of bakhoor on top. For a step-by-step version in Hindi, for charcoal and electric burners alike, read bakhoor kaise jalaye.
- Smoke: thick and traditional. This is the classic way to scent a majlis, clothes or hair.
- Speed: slower. The charcoal needs several minutes to be ready.
- Care: the charcoal gets very hot and stays hot. Use only in a ventilated room, keep it on a heat-proof surface, and never use charcoal in a closed room, because it gives off carbon monoxide.
Electric burners
An electric burner has a small heated plate. Switch it on, let it warm for a minute or two, and add bakhoor.
- Smoke: lighter and cleaner, with more of the scent and less of the charcoal smell.
- Speed: quick, and no charcoal to light or dispose of.
- Care: safer indoors and around children, and good for flats and offices. Many have a temperature setting, so you can control how fast the bakhoor burns.
Which should you choose?
For everyday use at home, especially in a flat, an electric burner is simpler and safer. For special occasions, for Eid and weddings, or when you want the fullest traditional smoke, charcoal is hard to beat. Many families keep both. If you are not yet sure bakhoor is the right smoke for your home, bakhoor vs agarbatti vs dhoop compares how much smoke each gives and which suits a small flat.
Scenting clothes and hair
Hold a garment or scarf a safe distance above the rising smoke for a few seconds. For hair, let the smoke drift over from a distance and never lean close to the heat. Never leave a lit burner unattended.
Our bakhoor
Our bakhoor comes in several blends, from ₹249, and works on either kind of burner. New to bakhoor? Start with What is bakhoor and how to burn it. For a complete ritual, scent your clothes with bakhoor and wear an oud attar on the skin.