Three Kings
Three Kings Self-Lighting Charcoal Tablets, 33 mm (10)
Roll of ten 33 mm self-lighting charcoal tablets from Three Kings, the common church size for a brass thurible.
Communion & Altar Supplies
Incense & Charcoal
Incense is burned at solemn Masses, funerals, Benediction and the Divine Liturgy, placed with a spoon onto glowing charcoal in the thurible. Church incense is granulated resin, sold by the pound in blends such as frankincense, Pontifical, French or sweeter monastery mixes. Charcoal comes as self-lighting tablets, usually 33 mm across, sold in rolls of ten. Products differ in scent profile, grain size, pack weight and whether the resin is pure or blended.
A parish that incenses at one Mass a week uses a pound of resin in roughly a year. One bag of Cathedral Candle or Christian Brands blend is a sensible first order. Choose pure frankincense tears from Holy Land Market for a traditional Orthodox or Holy Week scent. A sweet Gloria blend suits churches where smoke sensitivity is a concern. Keep two or three rolls of 33 mm charcoal on hand and store them dry.
8 incense & charcoal
The eight products below cover three brands of self-lighting charcoal and five one pound packages of church incense resin.
Three Kings
Three Kings Incense Charcoal
Three Kings quick-lighting incense charcoal for censers; the listing gives no tablet size or count, so check the package before ordering.
M. Rosenfeld
M. Rosenfeld Quick Light Charcoal Discs, 33 mm (10)
Sealed roll of ten 33 mm quick-light charcoal discs that ignite from a match and burn up to 60 minutes for resin incense.
Generic
Pontifical Granulated Resin Incense, 1 lb
One pound of granulated Pontifical blend resin incense, a traditional church mixture made from tree resins for use on charcoal.
Cathedral Candle Company
Cathedral Candle Gloria F8 Monastery Incense, 1 lb
One pound bag of Cathedral Candle Company's Gloria F8 blend, a sweet aromatic church incense packed by weight.
Cathedral Candle Company
Cathedral Candle Common Frankincense Incense, 1 lb
One pound box of Cathedral Candle Company's common frankincense blend, sold for church and sanctuary use and packed by weight.
Christian Brands
Christian Brands French Incense, 1 lb
One pound package of French blend church incense from Christian Brands, item 57804, for burning on charcoal in a censer.
Holy Land Market
Holy Land Market Mount Athos Frankincense Resin, 500 g
Half-kilo bag of pure frankincense resin tears made to a Mount Athos monastery recipe, with no fillers or additives.
Side by side
The specifications the makers publish, in one table.
| Product | Unit Count | Color | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Three Kings Self-Lighting Charcoal Tablets, 33 mm (10) Three Kings | — | — | Check availability |
| Three Kings Incense Charcoal Three Kings | — | — | Check availability |
| M. Rosenfeld Quick Light Charcoal Discs, 33 mm (10) M. Rosenfeld | 1 | 10 Charcoal Discs | Check availability |
| Pontifical Granulated Resin Incense, 1 lb Generic | 1 | Pontifical | Check availability |
| Cathedral Candle Gloria F8 Monastery Incense, 1 lb Cathedral Candle Company | 1 | — | Check availability |
| Cathedral Candle Common Frankincense Incense, 1 lb Cathedral Candle Company | 454 | Brown | Check availability |
| Christian Brands French Incense, 1 lb Christian Brands | 1 | Clear | Check availability |
| Holy Land Market Mount Athos Frankincense Resin, 500 g Holy Land Market | 1 | Frankincense | Check availability |
Questions before you order
How much charcoal does one Mass need?
One 33 mm self-lighting tablet is enough for a weekday Mass with a small censer. For a solemn Mass or a funeral, two tablets keep the thurible hot through the entrance, Gospel, offertory and final commendation. A roll of ten covers several celebrations.
How is self-lighting charcoal lit?
Hold the tablet with tongs and touch a match or lighter to the edge. The maker of the M. Rosenfeld discs describes the glow spreading across the surface within seconds. Let the tablet grey over before adding incense, and set it on a layer of sand in the bowl.
What is the difference between frankincense and a blended incense?
Frankincense is a single tree resin with a clean, slightly citrus smoke. Pontifical, French and Gloria blends mix frankincense with other resins such as myrrh or amber and sometimes added fragrance. Blends tend to be sweeter and heavier, which some congregations prefer and others find strong.
How should incense and charcoal be stored?
Keep resin in a sealed jar or bag away from heat. Holy Land Market notes resin tears keep their scent for years when stored this way. Charcoal absorbs moisture and then refuses to light, so keep rolls sealed in a dry cupboard and open only what is needed.