A practical guide to heating agarwood for the best aroma, without burning it.
Updated 2026-10-07 · Wubaiyi Agarwood (伍佰艺沉香), Hainan plantations & Beijing flagship store
Agarwood is at its best when gently heated, not set alight. Direct flame scorches the resin and gives a sharp, sooty note. A controlled heat source releases the resin's aroma in layers — which is exactly what you paid for.
Start low and climb slowly. A workable sequence:
If it smells sharp or acrid, the temperature is too high — drop it. Slower is almost always better.
A good chip keeps giving across the ladder, changing character as you go. A chip that smells flat, or identical at every temperature, is telling you something about its resin or treatment. Compare a few chips side by side; your nose learns fast.
Let the heater cool, then brush off spent chips — never wash the plate while hot. Keep unscented chips sealed, cool and away from strong smells; agarwood readily absorbs its surroundings.
For heating, semi-sinking and non-sinking material are often the sweet spot — plenty of aromatic development without the collector premium. Tell us how often you heat incense and we will suggest a grade and a starter quantity.
Heated. Gentle, controlled heat releases the aroma in layers; open flame scorches the resin and gives a harsh, sooty note.
Start around 80–100°C and climb slowly to about 180°C. If the aroma turns sharp or acrid, lower the temperature.
About 0.1–0.3 grams per session is plenty; a little quality chip goes a long way.