Electric aroma lamps, fragrance oil burners, essential oil warmers, whatever you call them, all serve the same purpose – to diffuse essential oils into the air to enjoy their benefits.
When used carefully, they have the power to drive you away to a different place, magically transport you back in time or soothe and relax you after a long day.
If you have ever wondered how to use a fragrance oil burner for the excellent healing touch of aromatherapy, this post is for you.
I will share my top tips for getting the most out of your oil warmer and answering some common questions.
How Do Fragrance Oil Burners Work?
Oil warmers are generally of two types – those with a bowl or dish on top in which you place your oil and a candle underneath, and those with a heating element underneath that is electrically operated.
The first fragrance oil burner consists of a heat source (usually a light tea candle) and a dish to hold the oil. The heat of the candle warms the oil and diffuses the fragrance into the air.
Secondly, you can use essential oils in electric aroma lamps. These are often electrically operated, and they use a bulb to heat the oil instead of a tea light.
As the heat from the element or lamp warms the oil, it starts to evaporate and disperse into the air of your room. You can then enjoy the benefits of the essential oils you have diffused for a whole day.
To get the best results from your oil warmer or burner, here are a few tips for you to keep in mind.
- Start with a clean burner
- Add a few drops of water to the bowl or use a carrier oil (instead of water) if you are using an essential oil that is too concentrated
- Next, add 3-10 drops of your favorite fragrance oil to the bowl, depending on the size of the bowl/container
- Place the burner on a heat-resistant surface, away from flammable items, and turn on the heat source (electricity or candle).
- When the oil has diffused, turn off the electricity and allow the burner to cool completely.
Cleaning your oil burner
It is essential to clean your oil burner after each use. If you don’t, the oils will start to build up, making it difficult to eliminate the residue.
To clean your electric oil burner, simply remove the bowl and wash it with soap and water.
You can use a cotton swab dipped in white vinegar or rubbing alcohol to clean the bowl and remove any oily residues that have remained. Vinegar will be especially helpful if you have an old candle-based oil warmer with gummy residue in the reservoir.
Be sure to dry the bowl completely before adding oil to it again.
What Oils are Best to Use in a an Oil Burner?
The market is sprouting with a wide variety of essential oils you can choose from. Some of my favorite essential oils that I love to use in my oil burner are lavender, chamomile, jasmine, lemon, sandalwood, and peppermint. You can use any of them or even a blend of oil recipes in your candle warmer.
However, remember that not all of them are suitable for use in an electric oil burner. Some essential oils are too concentrated and can cause skin irritation. Others simply don’t smell good when they are diffused, due to not being pure.
Some of them can even clog your burner or release toxic fumes when heated, especially if they are adulterated or mixed with synthetic additives.
When choosing a pure essential oil with a good scent, I would recommend getting therapeutic-grade organic essential oils from reputed brands such as Aura Cacia, Eden’s Garden, Now Foods, and Plant Therapy.
They all have different smells, including floral, fruity, minty, earthy, and spicy. You can even find some that smell like chocolate or coffee. So, you can go with them and get started if you do not have any specific ones in your mind.
Can I dilute fragrances with a carrier oil in an oil burner?
While carrier oils like fractionated coconut oil, jojoba oil, or sweet almond oil are great for diluting essential oils for topical use, they are not ideal for use in oil burners.
Carrier oils have a higher smoke point and may not evaporate cleanly when heated, which can lead to smoke, residue buildup, or even damage to your burner. For best results in an oil burner, it’s safer to dilute essential or fragrance oils with water or use them as directed by the burner’s manufacturer.
Can You Use Fragrance Oils in a Kerosene Burner?
Remember that most essential oils are extremely flammable, with a flashpoint between 100 and 215 degrees Fahrenheit (37 to 102 Celsius). So, they can easily catch fire if used carelessly.
Flashpoint is generally the temperature at which they will catch fire. This means that you need to take extra care when storing and using essential oils and be aware of which ones are more flammable than others.
Some of the most flammable essential oils include tea tree oil and frankincense oil. So, if you are working with these oils, be sure to take extra precautions and use them with fire safety in mind.
Because of the clear safety risks, it’s best to use essential oils only in specially designed oil burners, not in kerosene burners.
Kerosene burners are intended specifically for burning kerosene to provide light or for cooking. Adding essential or fragrance oils to a kerosene burner can be dangerous, potentially causing fires or releasing harmful fumes.
Electric Oil Burner vs. Candle Warmer – What’s Better for My Room?
When comparing candle-driven oil burners vs. electrical oil burners, I think the lamps that work on electricity (or battery) are much safer. Since there is no open flame, it reduces the risk of fire hazards.
Plus, modern-day electrical oil burner lamps are highly decorative. It has different shapes, sizes, and colors. You can even find some that are shaped like animals or flowers. So, if you’re looking for a decorative way to add some ambiance to your home, a scented electric burner lamp is the way to go.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a more potent way to diffuse essential oils, then a candle-driven oil burner might be a better choice. The candle’s heat from the bottom will help release the essential oils into the air more quickly. However, you need to be careful with candles since they can be a fire hazard.
When using a fragrance oil burner, it is important to be aware of the safety of your kids and pets. If you have pets, keep the aroma oil lamp out of their reach.
You will also need to look at the material of the body of your device, which it is made of. These can be glass, ceramic, metal, or plastic.
As a rule of thumb, I would recommend using an electric oil warmer made of glass or ceramic rather than plastic. This is because essential oils can dissolve plastic over time, which can be a health issue in the long run. These devices may be slightly more expensive than plastic ones, but I think they are worth the investment.
As an alternative, you can also use a candle warmer. It’s an electric device designed to gently heat candles or scented wax products without the need for an open flame.
Instead of burning the candle wick, the warmer uses a built-in heating element or warming plate to slowly melt the wax, allowing the fragrance to disperse into the air safely and evenly. This flameless method reduces the risk of fire, soot, or smoke, making it a popular and safer alternative to traditional candle burning, especially in homes with children or pets.
FAQs
Is warming oil the same as essential oil?
No, essential oil is a concentrated liquid containing a plant’s aromatic compounds. Warming oil or a fragrance oil is simply a scented oil that has been warmed up so that it can release its fragrance.
You can use them on the oil burner to warm up and release their scent, but essential oils are the most popular choice since they are natural and have many health benefits.
How often should I use my fragrance oil burner?
You can use your fragrance oil burner as often as you like. Some people use it daily, while others only use it on special occasions.
If you are using it every day, you might want to choose a small oil burner, so you can easily change the oil without wasting any.
Oil warmer vs. wax warmer – what’s the difference?
The difference between the two is that wax warmers are designed to melt wax cubes or pellets, while oil warmers are made to heat essential oils or scented oils.
Compared to wax warmers, essential oil warmers typically have a stronger fragrance since the oil is heated up and diffused into the air more quickly.
The conclusion
So, there you have it – a complete guide on how to use a fragrance oil burner in your room.
There are a lot of reasons why people choose to use fragrance oil burners. Some people do it for the decorative factor, while others do it to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy. Regardless of your reason, I hope this guide has given you some helpful tips for getting started.
Remember to never leave your burner unattended while in use, and avoid mixing oils with carrier oils unless the burner specifically allows it. With the right care and attention, a fragrance oil burner can become a delightful part of your daily routine.
Meen Smith is a nurse by profession who loves writing online, spending time with her family and caring for the elderly. She has already worked as an associate editor on various moms, babies, home appliances, kitchen, and healthy living blogs. In her spare time, she also enjoys drawing, reading/writing kindle eBooks and improving her skills a bit.