Quick Specs
- Brand: Three Kings
- Type: Self-lighting charcoal discs
- Size/Quantity: 33mm diameter, 100 tablets (10 rolls of 10)
- Best for: Burning resin, granular, and loose herb incense
Self-Lighting Charcoal Discs for Resin Incense
These are Three Kings self-lighting charcoal tablets, and the 33mm disc is a common size for ritual and everyday incense burning. These are the burning medium that makes loose resin, granular, and dried herb incense accessible. Without a lit charcoal disc beneath them, most resins such as frankincense, myrrh, copal, and dragon’s blood cannot be burned directly on an altar or in a censer.
Each tablet is made from European beech wood charcoal and contains a small amount of potassium nitrate, which enables the self-lighting spark to travel across the disc surface. When you hold the edge of a tablet to a flame for two to three seconds, a visible spark travels from one side to the other. That chemical reaction is what distinguishes a quick-light disc from ordinary charcoal. The 33mm disc burns for approximately 20 to 30 minutes per tablet.
Burning Resin on Charcoal
Burning resin on charcoal is one of the oldest ways of making incense, and the method is still used today in many religious and home settings. A charcoal disc burning resin connects a personal altar practice to a long history of incense use.
The 100-tablet bulk pack, organized in 10 rolls of 10 tablets each, suits practitioners who burn resin incense more than occasionally. A single ritual session typically uses one to two tablets. Each roll is individually sealed in foil, which is critical because these tablets are sensitive to moisture. A tablet that has absorbed humidity will not spark reliably. Store the box in a dry location away from steam or any water source, and the tablets remain viable for an extended period between sessions.
How to Use Three Kings Charcoal Tablets
How to light and use self-lighting charcoal discs for burning resin and loose incense.
- Light the Charcoal Disc
Hold the tablet edge with tongs, bring a flame to one edge for two seconds, and a spark travels across the disc. Set the lit disc in a burner with sand underneath. Wait until the surface turns grey-white before placing resin or loose herb on top.
- Add Resin or Loose Incense
Once the disc shows grey ash, place a small pinch of resin or loose herb on the center. Start with a pea-sized amount. Resin releases heavy smoke on first contact with heat, so add incrementally and replenish as the scent fades through your session.
- Cool and Store Safely
Let the disc cool fully inside the burner before handling it. Never set a hot disc on wood or cloth. Store unused tablets in sealed foil rolls in a dry spot. Moisture causes tablets to fail to spark, so keep every roll closed tightly between uses.
The Tarot Fellow Standard
I stock Three Kings 33mm charcoal because I want a disc that lights reliably the first time. Inferior tablets require multiple flame attempts or fail to hold a spark across the full surface, which interrupts a ritual at exactly the wrong moment. The 100-tablet count means you are stocked for a long stretch of regular practice. These pair naturally with the resins and granular blends in my granular and resin incense collection. For the complete burner and incense setup, browse my charcoal and sand accessories.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 33mm disc is standard for personal altar use, fitting most common burners and burning 20 to 30 minutes per session. The 40mm disc burns longer but needs a wider bowl. For most practitioners, the 33mm size handles regular ritual use reliably.
Moisture is the top cause. Tablets in open air absorb humidity and lose the ability to spark. Pull a fresh tablet from a sealed foil roll, hold the edge with tongs, and apply flame to the rim for two to three seconds before pulling the lighter away.
A 33mm Three Kings disc burns for 20 to 30 minutes. Once the surface turns white-grey, it is spent. For longer sessions, light a second disc in a separate burner. Avoid stacking two discs in one vessel, as this creates uneven heat and poor airflow.
Yes. Loose materials including dried herbs, herb blends, powdered incense, and granular resin all work on charcoal. Place a small pinch on the ashed surface and add more as the scent fades. Avoid overloading, as heavy material cuts the disc airflow.
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