Intro
Have you ever wondered if there’s a creative use for your leftover coffee grounds beyond the compost bin? It turns out that coffee grounds can be repurposed in an unexpected and delightful way: as incense! Whether you’re looking to fill your home with the rich, earthy aroma of coffee or create a natural bug repellent, coffee incense offers a versatile and eco-friendly solution. In this guide, we’ll explore step-by-step methods to turn your coffee grounds into incense, from simple powder incense to handcrafted cones, and even how to use them to keep pests away. Let’s dive into the world of coffee-scented incense and discover how to make the most of this everyday material
A Simple Way: Turn Your Coffee Grounds into Incense Powder
If you’re looking for a quick and easy way to enjoy the aroma of coffee as incense and want to know how to burn coffee incenes like incense at home, transforming your coffee grounds into powder incense is the simplest method. The above youtube video basically shows how to burn coffee grounds like incense? In this part, we will give you a more detailed guide about how to turn coffee grounds into incense powder. You can also shop directly incense powder from our store. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Prepare Your Wet Coffee Grounds
Start by collecting your wet coffee grounds, ideally from freshly brewed coffee. The grounds should still be slightly moist, as this helps to release the coffee’s fragrance when warmed. Spread them out evenly on a small plate or tray, so they’re ready to be heated.
Step 2: Light the Candle of Your Incense Warmer
Set up a candle incense burner or essential oil burner by placing a small tea light candle in the designated spot below the warming dish. Light the candle and allow it to warm up the dish above. Make sure the warmer is on a stable, heat-resistant surface to avoid any accident
There are many candle incense warmers avaiable for sale at Lulu Incense. You can always find one that fits your personal preference and tastes.
Step 3: Warm the Coffee Grounds Slowly
Place the prepared coffee grounds in the warming dish. The key here is to warm the grounds slowly, allowing their natural oils and aromas to gently release into the air without burning them. You’ll start to notice the rich, earthy scent of coffee filling the room within a few minutes.
Step 4: Add Orange Peel for a Fresh Scent
But for many people, it is boring or not enough merely to learn about how to keep coffee grounds burning. Right? You can also add an extra layer of fragrance like rose, jasmine, osmanthus and so on. In our video, we add some dried orange peel to the coffee grounds for an extra layer of fresh fragrance. Orange peel not only enhances the coffee aroma but also adds a fresh, citrusy note that complements the warmth of the coffee. Simply break a small piece of dried peel and mix it into the coffee grounds.
Step 5: Mix Coffee Grounds and Orange Peel
As the coffee grounds and orange peel warm together, gently stir the mixture with a small spoon or tool every few minutes. This ensures that both the coffee and the orange peel are evenly heated, allowing the scents to blend harmoniously
Premium Way: How to Make Coffee Incense Cones
But for many people, it is not enough to merely burn coffee grounds like incense in the house, then this section will give you a comprehensive guide of how to make coffee incense. This process is quite similar to make incense cones. So we will give a brief discussion about how to make coffee incense cones. For a more detailed guide, you read and learn our article how to make incense cones here.Â
The above youtube video gives a simple guide. Here is a detaile breakdown of the process of how to turn coffee grounds into incense:
Step 1: Grind the Coffee Grounds into a Fine Powder
To start, ensure your coffee grounds are finely ground. If you’re using leftover coffee grounds, let them dry completely first, then grind them until they’re a smooth, even powder. Fine grounds help the cones hold their shape and burn evenly
Step 2: Mix Coffee Powder with Binder
In a mixing bowl, combine 8 parts coffee powder with 2 parts binder powder (such as sandalwood powder or Nanmu powder). The binder is essential for helping the cone maintain its shape and ensuring a slow, even burn. Stir the mixture thoroughly to make sure it’s evenly blended
Step 3: Gradually Add Water to Form a Dough
Slowly add water to the mixture, one drop at a time. It’s important to do this gradually, stirring as you go, to avoid making the mixture too wet. Continue adding water until the mixture forms a cohesive dough that holds together when pressed. The dough should be moist but not sticky
Step 4: Knead the Mixture
Put on gloves and begin kneading the mixture thoroughly. This step ensures the water is evenly distributed, and the texture becomes uniform. The dough should feel firm and pliable. If it’s too dry, add a bit more water; if too sticky, sprinkle a little more binder. Keep kneading until the dough holds its shape well
Step 5: Shape the Cones
Once the dough is ready, take a small portion and roll it into a cone shape. Press firmly to make sure the cone is solid. For optimal burning, poke a small hole at the base of the cone with a toothpick or skewer to allow airflow when it burns. Of course, you can make your coffee grounds into backflow incense cones. Read our article our article how to make backflow incense cones here.
Step 6: Let the Cones Dry
Place the cones in a shaded, well-ventilated area and allow them to air dry for about 7 days. Make sure they are completely dry before using them, as wet cones won’t burn properly. You can speed up the process by using a dehydrator, but natural drying is recommended for best results
Step 7: Test Your Incense Cones
After the cones have dried, it’s time to light one! Simply light the tip of the cone, blow out the flame, and let the incense smolder. Enjoy the rich aroma of coffee as it slowly fills your space.
Advanced Customization: How to Burn Coffee Grounds to Keep Bugs Away?
After understanding how to burn coffee grounds like incense power and how to make coffee incense cones, we shall make it more functional by making burning coffee grounds a natural way to keep bugs, pests, or mosquitoes away in the house.Â
Can Coffee Grounds Really Repel Bugs?
Yes, coffee grounds can help repel certain types of bugs, particularly mosquitoes at home. The strong smell of coffee is naturally unpleasant to many insects, including mosquitoes, wasps, and flies. Coffee contains compounds like caffeine and diterpenes, which are toxic to certain insects and can disrupt their sensory pathways, making your space less attractive to them.
While coffee grounds alone can offer some degree of protection, the effect is not as strong as dedicated bug repellents like citronella or essential oils. However, when used in combination with other natural repellents like lavender, citronella oil, or dried herbs, coffee grounds can create a more powerful, natural insect barrier. The smoke released when burning coffee grounds also helps drive away pests, making it a good option for outdoor gatherings or keeping your home bug-free in a natural, eco-friendly way.Â
After understanding the relatively limited effects of coffee grounds in keeping pests, bugs or mosquitoes away, you can make a few simple additions to either the powder incense or the incense cones. Here’s how you can customize these methods to create a stronger, more effective barrier against insects in the house.
Customizing the Simple Powder Incense Method
For those using simple way of how to burn coffee grounds like incense powder, you can easily enhance its effectiveness by adding a few natural ingredients known for repelling insects:
- Essential Oils: Add a few drops of essential oils like citronella, eucalyptus, lavender, or peppermint to your coffee grounds before warming them. These oils are well-known for their ability to ward off mosquitoes and other bugs.
- Dried Herbs: Incorporate dried rosemary, sage, or thyme into the coffee grounds. These herbs not only add a pleasant scent but also act as natural repellents.
By warming the coffee grounds slowly with these additions, you’ll create an environment that’s unwelcoming to bugs while enjoying a layered, fragrant aroma.
Customizing the Premium Incense Cones Method
If you’re following the premium way of how to make coffee incense cones, you can follow a similar approach to enhance the bug-repellent qualities by adding the following two materials in the second step of mixing coffee powder with binder:
- Blend Essential Oils: Before shaping the cones, mix in a few drops of bug-repellent essential oils (like citronella or lavender) directly into the coffee and binder mixture. This ensures the scent will be strong enough to repel insects once the cones are burned.
- Herbal Additives: Crush dried herbs, like rosemary or bay leaves, and add them to the cone mixture. These herbs will smolder alongside the coffee, creating a smoke that’s both pleasant and effective in keeping pests away.
Both methods give you the flexibility to craft incense that not only smells great but also offers a practical solution to keeping your outdoor spaces bug-free. Whether you’re relaxing in the garden or hosting a backyard gathering, this coffee incense can be an all-natural alternative to chemical bug sprays.
Conclusion
Burning coffee grounds as incense not only allows you to repurpose what would otherwise be waste, but also offers a unique, natural way to enjoy the rich aroma of coffee in your home. Whether you’re starting with simple powder incense or taking it a step further by crafting coffee incense cones, the possibilities are endless. Plus, by adding a few extra ingredients, you can even turn your coffee incense into an effective bug repellent. Coffee grounds, paired with essential oils or dried herbs, can enhance your space while keeping pests at bay. So next time you brew your morning coffee, think twice before throwing out those grounds—you might just have the perfect base for your next DIY incense project
FAQ about How to Burn Coffee Grounds Like Incense?
Yes, you can! Coffee grounds can be burned directly as loose powder on a heat-safe dish or using an incense warmer. However, for a more controlled burn and longer-lasting aroma, shaping the coffee grounds into incense cones is a more effective method.
Yes, coffee grounds are known to repel certain types of insects like mosquitoes and flies. When burned, the strong smell and smoke help keep bugs away. However, combining coffee grounds with essential oils like citronella or eucalyptus can significantly enhance the bug-repellent effects.
To keep coffee grounds burning effectively, you can follow these tips:
Dry the Grounds Thoroughly: Ensure the coffee grounds are completely dry before burning. Wet or damp grounds will not burn well and may extinguish quickly.
Use a Heat-Safe Dish or Incense Burner: Place the coffee grounds on a heat-resistant surface or in an incense burner that allows air to circulate underneath the burning area. This helps maintain the burn.
Add a Small Amount of Charcoal or Binder: To extend the burn time, mix the coffee grounds with a small amount of charcoal or binder powder (such as sandalwood or Nanmu powder). This helps the grounds smolder more evenly.
Shape into Cones for Controlled Burn: Forming the coffee grounds into incense cones ensures a longer, more controlled burn. The cone shape allows the coffee to smolder gradually, releasing its aroma over time.
Avoid Overpacking: If you’re burning loose grounds, avoid packing them too tightly. Allow space for airflow, which helps the grounds burn more steadily.
By following these steps, you can keep your coffee grounds burning for a longer, more consistent aromatic experience
