9 Beautifully Simple Frankincense Burner Ideas You’ll Want to Try

Easy DIY ideas to bring the Omani tradition of Frankincense burners and beautiful scent into your space.

There’s something magical about the scent of frankincense. It’s grounding, ancient, and deeply tied to Oman’s identity. But you don’t need to wait for a trip to the country – or invest in a traditional ‘mabkhara’ to experience it.

In this post, I’ll show you 9 creative ways to make your own frankincense burner at home. Whether you’re drawn to the scent for spiritual rituals, artistic moments, or simple calm, these ideas are practical, beautiful, and use items you probably already have around the house.

Let’s infuse your space with something special!

 

What You will Need

Here are some useful materials you might want to have on hand before you start:

• Heatproof ceramic or clay bowl
• Sand or salt
• Activated charcoal discs
• Frankincense resin
• Vintage teacups, thick metal tins, or small terracotta pots
• Small pebbles or river stones
• Foil (for makeshift insulation)
• Lighter or long matchstick
• Fireproof base (tile, plate, or dish)

Tip: Always burn frankincense in a well-ventilated space and never leave it unattended.

 

1. Frankincense Burner Using a Vintage Teacup

 

There’s nothing more charming than giving an old teacup a new life – especially when it turns into a delicate frankincense burner. It’s vintage, it’s practical, and it fills the room with the scent of Middle Eastern souqs. The best part? You probably already have everything you need in your kitchen cupboard.

How to Create it:

• Find a heatproof teacup (a little chip adds character).
• Fill it halfway with fine sand or salt.
• Place a lit charcoal disc in the centre.
• Add a small piece of frankincense resin once the charcoal is glowing.

 

Imagine This:

You’re curled up with a book and a cup of spiced tea. Next to you, a rose-patterned teacup you once rescued from a thrift shop is gently releasing frankincense smoke into the air. It smells like spice markets, warm stone walls, and something ancient you can’t quite name. Pure calm. Pure magic.

 

2. Frankincense Burner with Pottery Shards (Omani Style)

You’ve probably seen traditional Arabic pottery. This burner is made up of fragments of a broken ceramic pot you may have kept because its texture is irresistible. This DIY turns those bits of ceramic pot (or anything similar you’ve collected) into a little sculpture with soul.

How to Create it:

• Arrange terracotta shards in a shallow dish or bowl.
• Create a small raised area in the centre.
• Rest your charcoal disc on top and add frankincense once it glows.

 

Imagine This:

A quiet table in the evening. Your little mound of clay shards is glowing gently. Smoke drifts up and for a second, it’s like you’re sitting in the ruins of an old village, the past rising around you in scent.

 

3. Frankincense Burner Using a Shell

Oman’s coastline stretches for kilometres, and each shell carries its own tiny story. Whether you picked one up yourself or bought it on a seaside trip, this burner idea brings sea and scent together in the most beautiful way.

How to Create it:

• Choose a large shell.
• Line it with foil or a bit of sand to protect it.
• Place a small lit charcoal disc inside, then top with frankincense.

 

Imagine This:

The waves might be far away, but the smell of salt still lingers on the shell. As the smoke rises, it blends with the scent of the sea in your memory. You breathe in. It smells like driftwood, dunes, and something sacred.

 

4. The Pebble Garden Frankincense Burner 

Smooth stones and earthy tones make this burner idea feel like it belongs in a spa – or a desert garden. It’s low-effort and surprisingly elegant.

How to Create it:

• Fill a small (heatproof) ceramic bowl with clean pebbles or river stones.
• Nest a charcoal disc snugly between the stones.
• Light the charcoal and sprinkle your resin on top.

 

Imagine This:

Your space has gone still. A few rays of late afternoon light fall across your bowl of stones. The scent of frankincense rises slowly, curling around your thoughts and settling into the quiet. It’s like an exhale.

 

5. The Garden Pot Frankincense Burner 

Tiny flower pots aren’t just for herbs. Their shape and material make them perfect for holding heat – and turning your plant shelf into a space of scent and ritual.

How to Create it:

• Take a small terracotta pot and fill it halfway with sand.
• Place your lit charcoal disc on top.
• Add frankincense and enjoy.

 

Imagine This:

Nestled between basil and mint, frankincense rises from the terracotta pot. Bees hum outside, and your indoor garden smells like mountains, earth, and faraway hills.

 

6. The Mini Tagine Frankincense Burner 

Tagines don’t just cook food – they can also gently release scent. This little burner is perfect for slow mornings or cozy evenings when you want the scent to build slowly over time.

How to Create it:

• Use a small clay tagine (decorative or functional).
• Place charcoal and frankincense in the base.
• Cover partially with the lid for a slow, subtle burn.

 

Imagine This:

The tagine is slightly covered. A curl of smoke escapes. You close your eyes and think of an old courtyard filled with lanterns, cushions, and cardamom coffee.

 

7. The Salt Tile Frankincense Burner 

Simple. Clean. Elemental. This one doesn’t try too hard – it just works.

How to Create it:

• Place a ceramic tile or thick plate on a heatproof surface.
• Pour a small mound of coarse salt in the centre.
• Light your charcoal and rest it on the salt before adding resin.

 

Imagine This:

A smooth tile, a swirl of smoke, and the salt crystals sparkle. It’s rustic, calming, and just a little bit magical.

 

8. The Stone Slab Frankincense Burner 

If you love minimalism and natural textures, this one’s for you. A simple stone, a bit of salt, and a whole lot of atmosphere.

How to Create it:

• Use a flat stone or piece of marble as your base.
• Add a little mound of sand or pink salt for insulation.
• Place your charcoal and frankincense directly on top.

 

Imagine This:

A clean stone slab sits quietly on your windowsill. The smoke rises without a sound, as if it’s always been there—like breath, like memory.

 

9. The Souq Tin Frankincense Burner (Omani Style)

This one is a classic. You find these little tin boxes everywhere in flea markets — simple, practical, and full of heart. If you don’t have one yet, keep an eye out to find a colourful tin box that could be used to store spices or trinkets.

How to Create it:

• Use a traditional perforated tin box.
• Fill it with a bit of sand or coarse salt.
• Light your charcoal and add frankincense resin.

 

Imagine This:

A small metal tin glows softly in the corner. You close your eyes and for a moment, you’re in Muttrah Souq, in Oman, with scents of frankincense, rosewater, and worn wooden doors all around you.

 

Now go get that old teacup (or beach shell, or spice tin, whatever inspires you!) and fill your home with the dreamy scent of frankincense and pure slow-living magic.