Censer help


 S> I have been previously using cone and stick incense in my rituals and
 S> workings.  Today I bought a censer.  I am having trouble using it.  I
 S> light the briquet and get the sparklies.  I lay hte briguet on the sand
 S> bed.  Then sprinkle the powder over it.  I get a great trail of smoke
 S> for about ten seconds then it is gone.  What am I doing wrong here.  I
 S> know to all of you more experienced incens users I probably look real
 S> simple.  But I really want to make this work.  The stick and cone stuff
 S> will stay producing through most if not all of the working.
 S> Thanks in advance for your help.
 S> Blessed Be!

Sounds like the trouble is not the censer, but rather the incense itself.
The really dry kinds go up in a puff of smoke.
This is why your blend should feel somewhat moist, it will last longer.
Speaking of the same, you might visit your local Occult shop for something of a
moister nature. Or, you can always make your own.
Simple Formula:
Take an equal amount of whole cloves and cinnamin stick.
Take the cloves and grind them in a food processor until they are powder,
next take a nutmeg ginder and grate the cinnamin stick.
Take equal measures of both and blend well.
Use for protection, exorsism, and include in healing rituals.
Also gives a warm sweet smell come Yule time:)

While the above may burn slower than say sage, it still burns up fast on a coal.
The oils in the cloves tend to slow down the burning a bit.
ALSO: try and hold off placing your/any mixtures on your coal until a white ash
has formed on the top; the ash will sorta insulate the mixture and retard the
combustion as well.