For this, an incense cone is first lit and then put on the lower half of the two-part wood figurine.
The hollowed-out upper part is placed over the lighted cone, which burns down inside of the hollow figurine, the smoke leaving the mouth hole of the Räuchermann.
Several kinds of figurines exist, traditionally representing craftsmen of the region, such as foresters, peddlers, miners, and soldiers.
According to the Guinness Book of Records, the largest Räuchermann in the world is in the Miniaturenpark Kleinwelka in Bautzen.
He is supposed to be a small forest spirit who helps poor families with natural products, can change leaves to gold, and—according to folk tales—mostly appears during Christmas time.