Essential Oil Burner VS Reed Diffuser: Find the Perfect Fit for Your Aroma Needs
Air fresheners are passé; essential oils are in. Yes! Essential oils are quickly finding their use in deodorizing and refreshing home spaces and other areas. And why not! They are chemical-free, completely safe for you as well as the environment, and their fragrances can be very soothing and effective.
But when it comes to using essential oils for aromatherapy, it can be a little confusing as to which method of diffusing the essential oil works best for you. And usually, it’s about choosing between a diffuser and a burner to spread the goodness of the essential oils around you.
How are essential oils used in aromatherapy?
Essential oils are pure plant extracts that contain the essence of one or more aromatic plant parts– such as the leaves, stems, flowers, roots, or bark. All essential oils have unique properties and come with a characteristic fragrance. Aromatherapy uses these oils which can soothe the senses and help you relax, energize the mind, and uplift the mood. Popular essential oils in aromatherapy include lavender, peppermint, rosemary, chamomile, etc.
Essential oils are very concentrated extracts and hence are very potent. Even a few drops of oil in its pure form can provide great results in aromatherapy. Using essential oils with a soothing aroma as a home fragrance is an amazing way to incorporate essential oils into your routine. They not only provide therapeutic benefits to your body & mind but also cleanse the air around you and lower the presence of harmful germs in the air.
There are various methods of using essential oils in aromatherapy. Some of them are given below:
- Diffusing the essential oil using an essential oil burner or diffuser
- Direct inhalation by sprinkling a few drops on a handkerchief or a tissue
- Using essential oil in bathwater
- Drops of essential oil in boiling water for steam inhalation
- Essential oils in air sprays to instantly deodorize the surroundings
- Essential oils in Potpourris, candles and scented sachets for home fragrance
- Diluting an essential oil in a carrier oil and using it as a chest rub or massage oil
The most popular method of using essential oils in aromatherapy is diffusion. The choice between a diffuser and a burner can be confusing for many. There are different types of diffusers available in the market, including a non-electric and electric diffuser. Reed diffusers are non-electronic diffusers that work on the wick system whereas burners, as the name suggests, use a flame to heat the oil. In this blog, we’ll compare a reed diffuser and an oil burner. Knowing the difference between the two can help make a better choice.
Essential Oil Burner or Reed Diffuser - Which one is better
Diffusers in general break down the essential oil into tiny droplets that easily disperse in the air and fill the space with the unique fragrance of the essential oil being used. The key difference between a reed diffuser and a ceramic burner is in their basic operation. Below are the differences between the two.
Basic operation
Reed diffusers are a simple arrangement of a vessel that contains the essential oil either in the pure or diluted form and reed sticks that channel the fragrance of the oil into the air.
Essential oil burners heat the essential oil, usually using a candle. The essential oils when heated, evaporate, and disperse into the air filling the surroundings with aroma
Safety
Reed diffusers are generally considered safer since fire isn’t involved. If you have pets or kids in the house or want to usage while you sleep, a burner might not be a good option.
Ceramic burner cannot be left unattended since it can be a fire hazard. However, with the correct safety procedures, they can be used to get the best results.
Length of use
Candle Powered burners last only as long as the candle used to heat up the oil lasts. And usually, the tea light candles used, burn out pretty quickly. Ceramic burners are a good choice for aromatherapy beginners who want to experiment with new fragrances.
Reed Diffusers, on the other hand, are better as far as usage for a longer time is concerned and don’t require too much monitoring and intervention. Reed diffusers disperse fragrance 24/7 and the essential oil can be topped up whenever required. The reed sticks also last for 2 to 3 months after which they can be replaced with new ones.
Availability
Until recently, aromatherapy diffusers weren’t easily and widely available. Thus, ceramic burners, which were competitively easier to find, were an obvious choice. However, nowadays, both non-electric and electric diffusers have become quite common and can be found in local pharmacies, retail stores, hardware stores, etc.
Aesthetics
Ceramic burners can lend a beautiful aura to the surroundings due to the candle that is used. Especially in dim lighting, the flame can be all the more soothing to the eyes. However, reed diffusers with decorative glass vessels are also available which can work well with different decors.
Maintenance
Essential Oil burners need to be cleaned after each use due to the molten wax and soot that can be left behind.
Reed diffusers are relatively easier to maintain. The ceramic pot needs to be cleaned only when the oil runs out and the reed sticks can be flipped every day for better fragrance dispersal. The sticks last for months.Reed Diffusers
The best essential oil diffusers are Reed diffusers, which are a very practical and simple to use for aromatherapy. They are easy to assemble and give excellent results and are also the safest. The vessel contains the aromatic essential oil and the reed diffuser sticks absorb the scent and release it into the air. These are standalone diffusers that don’t need to be turned on or off and last for months. They also give a mild but but consistent fragrance and continue to do so for the lifespan of the reeds and the essential oil in the vessel.
When you buy a reed diffuser, the quality of the reed stick is an important consideration. It decides the longevity of the diffuser arrangement. The other factor is the number of reeds that are to be used in the diffuser vessel which depends on the size of the room for which the diffuser is being used. The size of the mouth of the vessel also plays a major role in selecting the diffuser, with a larger mouth means faster dispersal of the fragrance. When you buy essential oils for the diffuser, an oil with a thick consistency works better for larger spaces while a thinner consistency can work well if space is smaller.
Ceramic Essential Oil Burner
It is a common belief that ceramic burners are not very effective since they work on the principle of heating essential oil. It is believed that the essential oil loses some of its therapeutic properties due to the heat. However, there is no substantial evidence for this. Ceramic burners too can provide very effective aromatherapy. And the best thing about them is that they improve the ambiance of the space they are kept in.
While buying a ceramic essential oil burner, look for creative and beautiful designs available. Look for the quality of the ceramic being used. Often, the flame can heat up the oil too much and cause the ceramic to crack. Good quality material can help improve the longevity of the burner. The space between the candle flame and the part of the burner containing oil should be at least 8 cm for the best results. A smaller distance between the flame and the oil can cause overheating. Ceramic burners are the best choice when you want to practice aromatherapy for a short span of 20 to 30 minutes.
Recommended Spaces
Reed diffusers work best in homes, office cubicles and other small spaces. However, a higher number of reeds and a vessel with a wider opening can make the diffuser work for larger spaces, too. They are ideal for use in living rooms, bedrooms, and small commercial spaces. Since they do not use electricity, they are great for use in wet places such as the bathroom.
Essential oil burners are best used in quiet and serene places like meditation centers and spas. They add to the beauty of the surroundings when used in areas with dim lighting. For instance, the fragrance from oil burners powered by tea light candles can instantly elevate a candlelight dinner or a quiet evening.
Safety Precautions
The only precaution to take while using a reed diffuser is to avoid spillage or accidental ingestion, especially if you have kids or pets in the house who can knock the ceramic pot over. Choose a safe spot away from children and pets
While using a ceramic oil burner, precautions must be taken to keep the burner out of reach of pets and children to avoid burns and spills. It should also be constantly monitored to ensure that the essential oil hasn’t completely evaporated during usage. Care should also be taken to prevent overheating. One more care that needs to be taken is to ensure that you use only good quality essential oils. Buy from trusted sources since the oils that come with the diffusers might not always be fully natural. Always opt for 100% pure essential oils to enjoy the benefits of aromatherapy.
