One or two chips is usually plenty for an average room, whether using charcoal or an electric burner. Bakhoor is concentrated, so more is not automatically better, and overloading a burner can actually produce a heavier, less pleasant smoke rather than a stronger scent.

A Sensible Starting Point

Start with a single chip and see how it fills the room over ten to fifteen minutes before deciding whether to add more. Larger rooms or gatherings might reasonably call for two or three chips, but a small bedroom or bathroom rarely needs more than one at a time.

Why Restraint Pays Off

Using less bakhoor more often gives better, more consistent results than burning a large amount occasionally, and is gentler on ventilation and anyone in the house sensitive to smoke. Adding a second chip partway through, once the first has mostly burned down, tends to give a steadier, more consistent scent than piling several on at the very start. Our complete guide to bakhoor covers quantities and technique properly, and our complete guide to perfume has more general advice.