How to burn resin or powder incense on charcoal with sand:

Always place charcoal on a layer of sand at least 3/4 - 1 inch thick. The charcoal will burn more evenly and keep its glow longer. The sand will reduce the risk of ceramic incense burners cracking or metal containers burning the surface underneath due to the strong heat charcoal produces.

You may light a candle to light the charcoal instead of using matches which may burn out quickly. Long handle tweezers or small tongs to hold the charcoal briquet during lighting will help keep your fingers safe from the heat. After the charcoal is lit, place on the sand. Blow gently or fan the charcoal till it glows and stops crackling.

Next place the incense on top of the charcoal with a spoon or the tweezers. After your ritual or ceremony, the charcoal may continue to burn for up to two hours. Safely extinguish the charcoal by picking up with the tweezers and submerging it in water.

Unlike stick incense, resins do not burn or smolder on their own. In order to use resins as incense, you need to use them with charcoal tablets. Place a few small pieces of your resin on the brick and they will start to smolder. Resins produce a lot of smoke so start with a small piece or two. Charcoal tablets can be broken into half if you don't need the whole thing at once.