Quick Specs
- Size: 5 3/4 inches tall
- Type: Cone Incense Burner
- Material: Cold cast resin
- Design: Alien figure seated on a saucer base, smoke exits from the head
- Includes: Starter incense cones
- Best For: Meditation space, desk decor, novelty gifting, daily cone incense use
A Burner That Gets a Second Glance
I stock a lot of incense burners, most of them rooted in a specific tradition: carved soapstone from India, brass censers from Morocco, ceramic dishes used across a dozen cultures for smoke-cleansing rituals. This one is different. The 5 3/4 inch alien cone burner isn’t pretending to be anything sacred. It’s a cold cast resin sculpture of a serene extraterrestrial seated cross-legged on a saucer, and when you light a cone inside it, the smoke curls out from the top of the alien’s head like it’s doing a slow cosmic exhale. It’s genuinely delightful.
Cold cast resin is made by blending powdered metal or mineral material into a liquid resin base, then pouring it into a mold and curing it at room temperature. The result is heavier and more detailed than straight plastic, with a texture that reads as sculptural rather than cheap. The alien has that soft, wide-eyed stillness that makes it a good desk companion, and the saucer base is stable enough that a burning cone won’t tip it. You can browse my full cone and granular incense burner collection if you’re looking for more styles, or pair this with a few packs from my cone incense selection to keep things going past the starter set.
There’s no deep mythology attached to this piece, and I won’t invent one. What it does well is make the daily ritual of lighting incense feel a little more fun. If you keep incense burning while you read, study, or unwind, having a quirky burner on the shelf is a low-effort way to make the space feel like yours. This one ships with starter cones so you don’t need to source anything extra on day one.
How to Use the Alien Cone Incense Burner
How to set up and use your alien cone incense burner safely.
- Set Up Your Burner
Place the alien cone burner on a heat-safe, flat surface away from drafts. Remove the alien figure from the saucer base, set a regular incense cone inside the cavity, then seat the figure back on top so the cone is fully enclosed.
- Light the Incense Cone
Lift the alien figure, light the tip of the incense cone with a lighter or match, and let it catch for about 10 seconds. Blow out the flame gently so the cone begins to smolder, then lower the alien figure back into place over it.
- Watch the Smoke and Tend the Burn
Smoke will drift up and curl from the alien’s head opening. Never leave a burning cone unattended. When you’re done, use a small spoon or tweezers to lift the cone and press it into a dish of sand to extinguish it cleanly.
The Tarot Fellow Standard
I carry this burner because it ships consistently, holds its detail well, and arrives without the kind of resin flash or rough edges that make a novelty piece feel disposable. My supplier for decorative resin items has a reliable quality threshold and I’ve returned product when pieces don’t meet it. The alien’s painted finish, particularly the large black eyes, holds up well in transit. It’s the kind of item I feel comfortable stocking because I’m not going to get emails about it showing up cracked or misaligned.
One honest note: cold cast resin is not heat-resistant the way ceramic or soapstone is. The incense cone itself sits inside the figure and doesn’t make sustained direct contact with the outer shell, so normal use is fine. But don’t set the burner over another heat source or leave it in direct sun for long stretches. The base can also pick up soot marks over time from the residue that drifts back down, so a light wipe with a dry cloth after each use keeps it looking clean.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sized for standard regular incense cones, the short round-bottomed cones roughly an inch tall. Backflow cones will also fit physically but won’t produce a backflow effect in this burner. Stick with regular cones for best results.
No. This is a regular cone incense burner. Smoke exits from the top of the alien head and drifts upward. Backflow burners use specially drilled cones to produce a downward cascade. This piece is not designed for that type of cone.
Cold cast resin, a mix of resin and powdered material poured into molds and cured at room temperature rather than fired in a kiln. It’s durable for display use but not heatproof like ceramic, so keep open flame away from the figure body.
Yes, it ships with a small set of starter cones so you can use it right away. Once those are gone, any standard regular cone incense works. I carry a range of cone incense scents if you’d like to keep the ritual going without a trip elsewhere.
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