Add /incense

content/blog/making-incense.md

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 imageAlt: A sieve containing fluffy ground green sage beside a small pile of fine green powder.
 mastodon_id: "113666537272260557"
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+::: info
+Update 2025-10-01: See the [/incense page](/incense/) for additional resources.
+:::
+
 While I like to post incense builds, I haven't yet posted on exactly how to go about turning raw ingredients into Japanese style incense sticks. Here's a 1,000 mile overview of the process to accompany a video I recently uploaded to my new PeerTube instance on that very topic. For more info, you can check out [IncenseDragon](https://www.youtube.com/c/IncenseDragon) on YouTube, read this [very useful article](https://blog.rauchfahne.de/en/2023/02/19/making-your-own-incense-sticks-basic-knowledge-and-useful-information/) by Irene of Rauchfahne.de, peruse [incensemaking.com](https://incensemaking.com), and look through some [posts flaired with "incense making"](https://www.reddit.com/r/Incense/?f=flair_name%3A%22Incense%20Making%22) on the [incense subreddit](https://reddit.com/r/incense). Making incense is a difficult, involved process, and this is only a shallow overview; I highly recommend looking through these resources for more in-depth information.
 
 <figure><div style="position: relative; padding-top: 56.25%;"><iframe title="Japanese Style Incense Making Process" width="100%" height="100%" src="https://makertube.net/videos/embed/8864549d-204b-4f48-884e-ca912cf4235c" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" sandbox="allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-popups allow-forms" style="position: absolute; inset: 0px;"></iframe></div><figcaption>More or less the full process of making incense. It didn't go perfectly, but I think it's important to show that too. This is also the first time I've attempted to make a video like this; making incense is hard as is, let alone while trying to film the process!</figcaption></figure>
@@ -32,10 +36,10 @@ You can't get all your ingredients pre-powdered, so you're going to need somethi
 100 microns seems to be the magic number for incense powders; ingredients reduced to this size perform better in terms of fragrance, and ease of extrusion. Your sticks will burn more slowly, and you'll be able to use less binder in the dough. Sieve carefully, allowing only the finest particles to pass through.
 
 ### An extruder
-I use [one of these (not an affiliate link)](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804509917099.html). There are many options available, but try to find an extruder that gradually comes to a point rather than one that takes interchangeable plates - they'll produce rough sticks. Also avoid anything made of plastic; I promise you it won't be strong enough.
+~~I use [one of these](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256804509917099.html)~~ (I have since moved on. See [this article on extruders](/blog/the-skinny-on-incense-stick-extruders/) for advice). There are many options available, but try to find an extruder that gradually comes to a point rather than one that takes interchangeable plates - they'll produce rough sticks. Also avoid anything made of plastic; I promise you it won't be strong enough.
 
 ### A drying screen
-Again, there are many options, some of which you may have already laying around. I use [one of these (also not an affiliate link)](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806230786054.html).
+Again, there are many options, some of which you may have already laying around. I use [one of these](https://www.aliexpress.us/item/3256806230786054.html).
 
 ### A respirator
 I almost forgot to mention this, but [as Irene points out](https://blog.rauchfahne.de/en/2023/02/19/making-your-own-incense-sticks-basic-knowledge-and-useful-information/) this is an important piece. Inhaling fine powders of any kind is very very bad for you. Don't mess about with this one: use a proper respirator, or at least a well-fitted n95 mask.