Three Kings charcoal is a quick-light charcoal tablet for burning resin incense in Orthodox cense...
Three Kings charcoal is a quick-light charcoal tablet for burning resin incense in Orthodox censers and home incense burners. Each disc lights in seconds and burns evenly with very little ash, so you smell the incense, not the coal, whether in church or at your icon corner. Choose 33mm (about 20–30 minutes) or 40mm (about 50–60 minutes), sold by the roll of 10, five rolls, or a box of 100.
Features and Benefits
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Quick lighting: Catches in seconds with a match or lighter, and is ready for incense in 1–2 minutes once the sparking stops.
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European beech wood: Made in the Netherlands from beech wood. Once fully lit it has no scent of its own and leaves very little ash.
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Two sizes: 33mm (1.3 in) for small hand censers and home prayers, 40mm (1.6 in) for church censers and full services.
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Long, even burn: 33mm burns about 20–30 minutes and 40mm about 50–60 minutes (manufacturer figures).
Key specs
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Brand: Three Kings (René Schönefeld BV, the Netherlands)
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Material: European beech wood
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Sizes: 33mm (1.3 in) and 40mm (1.6 in) diameter
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Burn time: 33mm about 20–30 min · 40mm about 50–60 min
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Packs: 1 roll (10 tablets) · 5 rolls (50 tablets) · 1 box (100 tablets)
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Works with: Orthodox hand censers, hanging thuribles and incense burners with a heat-proof bowl
Why Choose Three Kings Charcoal?
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Genuine Three Kings: Made by René Schönefeld BV in Bladel, the Netherlands.
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Trusted by parishes: One of the most widely used incense charcoals in Orthodox and Catholic churches, rated 5.0/5 by our customers.
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Works with any censer: Fits hand censers, hanging thuribles and incense burners with a heat-proof bowl, and works with any resin incense, such as our Athonite incense.
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Best value in bulk: The 100-tablet box costs $23.99, which is $0.24 per tablet. For parish and wholesale orders, email sales@orthodoxdepot.com.
Which size do I need?
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33mm
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40mm
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Burn time
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~20–30 min
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~50–60 min
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Best for
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Home prayers, small censers
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Liturgy, Vigil, church censers
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Box of 100
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23.99(0.24 each)
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25.99(0.26 each)
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How to light incense charcoal
- Hold the tablet with metal tongs, never your fingers.
- Light the edge with a match or lighter – a spark will run across the surface for a few seconds.
- Place it in the censer and wait 1–2 minutes until it stops sparking and turns grey on top.
- Add a few grains of incense. Add more as the fragrance fades.
Using it in Orthodox worship
Charcoal is the heat source for incense offered at Vespers, Matins, the Divine Liturgy and memorial services, and for censing the icons at home. One 40mm tablet usually lasts a full Liturgy; a 33mm tablet suits evening prayers at the icon corner. Pair it with our Athonite incense.
Safety and storage
Use lit charcoal only in a heat-proof censer on a non-flammable surface. Burning charcoal gives off carbon monoxide, so keep the room ventilated. Never leave it unattended and keep it away from children and pets. Store tablets sealed in their foil roll in a dry place – damp tablets light poorly.
Ordering for a parish? The 100-tablet box is the best value. For larger quantities email sales@orthodoxdepot.com.
FAQs
What is Three Kings charcoal?
Three Kings charcoal is a brand of quick-light charcoal tablets made in the Netherlands by René Schönefeld BV. The round discs are made from European beech wood and are used to burn resin incense in church censers, thuribles and home incense burners. They come in 33mm and 40mm sizes.
Is Three Kings charcoal good for incense?
Yes. Three Kings is one of the most widely used incense charcoals in Orthodox and Catholic churches because it lights in seconds, burns evenly and leaves very little ash. Our customers rate it 5.0 out of 5.
How long does Three Kings charcoal burn?
According to the manufacturer, a 33mm tablet burns for about 20–30 minutes and a 40mm tablet for about 50–60 minutes. Burn time varies with airflow, the censer and how much incense you add.
How do I light Three Kings charcoal?
Hold the tablet with metal tongs and light its edge with a match or lighter. Place it in your censer and wait 1–2 minutes until it stops sparking and turns grey on top. Then add a few grains of incense.
How do I burn resin incense on charcoal?
Light a charcoal tablet and let it stop sparking. Place it in a heat-proof censer or burner, then put a few small grains of resin incense on top. The heat melts the resin and releases the fragrance. Add more grains as the scent fades.
