Burner Oil Guide: How to Use an Oil Burner & the Best Scents to Try
Home fragrance guide · Yado Market Blog
Burner oil is a concentrated fragrance oil you warm in an oil burner to fill a room with scent. A few drops last for hours, and it's one of the cheapest ways to make your home smell good. Here's how to use an oil burner safely and a few popular scents to try.
Quick answer: how to use an oil burner
- Fill the top dish about two-thirds with warm water.
- Add 5 to 10 drops of burner oil to the water.
- Light a tealight underneath, or switch on an electric burner.
- Top up the water as it evaporates and never leave it unattended.
1 oz
Bottle size
5–10
Drops per use
2–4 hrs
Scent per fill
$7.99
Per bottle
Know your oils
What Is Burner Oil?
Burner oil (also called fragrance oil or oil burner fragrance) is a concentrated scented oil made to be warmed. When the water and oil in the burner dish heat up, the scent spreads through the room. It's different from an essential oil, which is pressed or distilled from a single plant.
Burner oil
Blended fragrance, strong and long-lasting. Made for oil burners.
Essential oil
Pure plant oil such as lavender or peppermint. Lighter, fades faster.
Body oil
Fragrance oil made to wear on skin. Some of our scents are sold as body oils; check each label.
Step by step
How to Use an Oil Burner
Works for classic ceramic tealight burners. For an electric burner, follow its manual.
1. Water
Fill the top dish about two-thirds with warm water. Never heat oil in a dry dish.
2. Oil
Add 5 to 10 drops of burner oil. Start with fewer drops in a small room.
3. Heat
Light an unscented tealight underneath, or switch the electric burner on.
4. Refill
Top up with water as it evaporates. Blow out the candle before the dish runs dry.
Use it safely
Oil Burner Safety Tips
Never unattended
Blow out the tealight when you leave the room or go to sleep.
Keep water in
A dry dish can overheat and crack.
Stable spot
Place it on a flat, heat-proof surface away from curtains, kids and pets.
Cool before cleaning
Let the dish cool, then wipe out old oil with a paper towel.
Shop the scents
Best Burner Oil Scents to Try
All 1 oz, $7.99. A few popular scents:
More scents, including Black Woman, Barack Obama and Michelle Obama: see all burner oils.
Good to know
Can You Use Burner Oil in a Diffuser?
It depends on the diffuser. Oil burners and reed diffusers work well with fragrance oils. Many ultrasonic (water mist) diffusers are made for essential oils only, and thick fragrance oils can clog them, so check your diffuser's manual first. If it allows fragrance oils, use just 2 to 3 drops.
Oil burner
Made for burner oil. Best choice.
Reed diffuser
Works with fragrance oil mixed into a reed base.
Ultrasonic diffuser
Check the manual. Many are essential-oil only.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is burner oil?
A concentrated fragrance oil made to be warmed in an oil burner so its scent spreads through the room.
How many drops of oil do you put in a burner?
Start with 5 to 10 drops in a dish two-thirds full of water. Use fewer in a small room and add more if you want a stronger scent.
Do you put water in an oil burner?
Yes. Always add water first and top it up as it evaporates. Heating oil in a dry dish can burn the oil and crack the burner.
How long does burner oil last?
One fill usually scents a room for 2 to 4 hours. A 1 oz bottle gives you many uses.
Is burner oil the same as essential oil?
No. Burner oil is a blended fragrance oil that's stronger and lasts longer. Essential oils come from a single plant and fade faster.
Where can I buy burner oil near me?
At Yado Market: pick up at 1651 E 87th St in Chicago, local delivery, or shipping anywhere in the U.S.
Make Your Home Smell Amazing
Pick a scent, add a few drops, and enjoy hours of fragrance for $7.99.