Charcoal, Electric or Oud Brick: Which Bakhoor Burner Should You Choose?

6 August 2026

Amaani Kurve bakhoor burner beside its gift box

There are three genuine ways to bring bakhoor into a home: a traditional charcoal burner, an electric burner, or a self-lighting oud brick. Amaani's own burner range, the Hexagono, Kurve, Pyramid and Mashrabiya, all work on an instant charcoal disc, while Amaani Oud Bricks are self-lighting and need no charcoal or burner beyond the glass holder that comes with the first set. Here is exactly how each method works, what it costs to keep going, and which one suits how you actually want to use bakhoor at home.

What is the difference between a charcoal burner, an electric burner and an oud brick?

A charcoal burner heats loose bakhoor pieces on a lit charcoal disc. An electric burner heats loose bakhoor or chips gently, with no flame and no charcoal. An oud brick lights directly at its own edge and needs neither charcoal nor an electric burner, only a heat-safe surface such as the glass holder it comes with. All three release the same kind of fragrant smoke; they differ only in how that smoke gets started and how much attention it needs while it burns.

Charcoal bakhoor burners: the traditional way

This is the classic ritual: light an instant charcoal disc for 10 to 15 seconds, set it on the burner's tray, then add a few pieces of bakhoor onto the hot coal, topping up every 10 to 15 minutes until the charcoal burns out. It gives the fullest, most authentic release of fragrance, which is why it remains the method most bakhoor lovers reach for. Amaani's entire burner range, the Hexagono, Kurve, Pyramid and Mashrabiya, is built for this method, each a piece of decor in its own right between burns.

Amaani Hexagono Bakhoor Burner - hexagonal incense burner with Arabic geometric patterns, South Africa
Amaani Hexagono Bakhoor Burner
Geometric charcoal burner in four colours, with two Amaani bakhoor sample vials included.
From R999View product
Amaani Kurve Bakhoor Burner, a modern contemporary take on the traditional bakhoor ritual
Amaani Kurve Bakhoor Burner
A modern, contemporary take on the charcoal ritual, at home on a shelf between burns.
From R1199View product

Electric bakhoor burners: gentle and flame-free

An electric burner plugs in and heats loose bakhoor or chips gently, with no flame and no charcoal to light. It suits daily use in a busy home, though the release of fragrance is generally softer than a charcoal burn. Electric burners are built only for loose bakhoor and chips: they are never the right choice for an Amaani Oud Brick, which is a self-lighting format and should never be placed in any electric burner or on a charcoal disc.

Self-lighting oud bricks: no charcoal, no burner

Each Amaani Oud Brick blends natural aged agarwood chips with fine fragrance oils and burns for around 30 minutes, lit directly at the edge. No charcoal is required at any point. A starter set such as Oud Al Kiswah includes 14 scented bricks and the Amaani glass oud burner to rest the lit brick in; once you have the glass burner, a refill pack of 10 bricks is all you need to keep going.

Amaani Oud Al Kiswah bakhoor bricks box, Mecca inspired Arabian incense, South Africa
Amaani Oud Bricks - Oud Al Kiswah
14 self-lighting oud bricks plus the glass oud burner, ready to use with no charcoal.
From R599View product
Amaani Oud Al Kiswah oud bricks refill pack, floral woody bakhoor scent
Amaani Oud Bricks Refills - Oud Al Kiswah
10 scented oud bricks to refill your glass burner, around 30 minutes of burn each.
From R399View product

Charcoal burner vs electric burner vs oud brick: a quick comparison

Method Needs charcoal? How it starts Typical burn Best for
Charcoal burner Yes Light a charcoal disc, add bakhoor Top up every 10 to 15 minutes The fullest, most traditional release
Electric burner No Plug in, add loose bakhoor Continuous while switched on Gentle, flame-free daily use
Oud brick No Light the brick's edge directly Around 30 minutes per brick Simplicity, no charcoal to manage

Which one should you choose?

  • Want the fullest, most traditional release and do not mind managing charcoal: choose a charcoal burner such as the Hexagono or Kurve.
  • Want a gentle, flame-free burn for daily background fragrance: an electric burner is the easier day-to-day option.
  • Want the simplest routine with nothing to light or top up beyond the brick itself: choose Amaani Oud Bricks, starting with a set that includes the glass burner.

Bakhoor burner FAQ

What is the easiest way to burn bakhoor at home? Amaani Oud Bricks are the simplest: light the brick's edge directly and rest it in the glass burner that comes with your first set. There is no charcoal to light or top up.

Do Amaani's charcoal burners need charcoal? Yes. The Hexagono, Kurve, Pyramid and Mashrabiya all work by lighting an instant charcoal disc, then adding bakhoor on top, topping up every 10 to 15 minutes.

Can Amaani Oud Bricks be used in an electric burner? No. Oud bricks are self-lighting and burn directly, never on a charcoal disc or inside an electric burner.

How long does one Amaani oud brick burn for? Around 30 minutes per brick, so a 14-brick starter set or a 10-brick refill pack covers several sittings.

Ready to pick your method? Shop the Bakhoor Burners collection for the full charcoal range, or explore Amaani Oud Bricks for the self-lighting option.

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