A wood diffuser works by absorbing fragrance oil into the wood and releasing it into the air, with no power at all. The kirri wood diffuser is solid beech: you fill the top bowl with a 100ml traditional refill, no more than three-quarters full, and it sits on its ceramic dish while the wood draws the scent through.
There's no power, no flame and no reeds to flip. Here's how it works, how to set it up and what to expect over time.
How it works
When you pour a traditional refill into the top bowl, the solid beech absorbs the oil and the scent sinks down through the wood. From there it's released into the room.
- Passive: no electricity, no battery and no heat
- Silent: nothing moves, so there's nothing to hear
- Steady: a soft background scent rather than a burst
- Adjustable: refill as often as you like for a stronger scent
What you need
- The wood: a solid beech diffuser measuring 6.1 x 8.1 x 17.8cm
- The ceramic dish: provided with the diffuser. The wood always rests on it, which protects the surface underneath
- The oil: a kirri traditional refill (100ml) in the scent you choose
How to set it up
- Place the dish first: on a flat, steady surface, out of direct sun and away from heaters
- Sit the wood on the dish: always use the ceramic dish provided
- Fill the top bowl: pour in the traditional refill, no more than three-quarters full
- Let it soak in: the beech absorbs the oil and then releases the scent into the room
Pour slowly over the dish, and wipe up any drips with a dry cloth. Fragrance oil can mark timber, stone and painted surfaces. Keep the diffuser and the refill out of reach of children and pets.
Why one scent only
We recommend using a single fragrance in your wood diffuser for its whole life. The scent sinks through the wood, so a second scent poured on top will mix with the first rather than replace it. Pick a scent you'll be happy to keep.
- Warm and woody: santal woods (sandalwood, cedar, cardamom, papyrus, violet, iris, amber), a natural match for the wood
- Fresh: coral (bergamot, pink pepper, eucalyptus, white flowers, violet, benzoin, modern woods, white musk)
- Clean and soft: country linen (lemon, peach, carnation, rose, jasmine, sandalwood, honey, tonka bean)
Unsure? The discovery kit has a 2ml sample of each iconic scent.
Natural splits in the wood
As the wood absorbs the oil, its natural fibres may sometimes form small splits or cracks. This isn't a defect. It's part of the wood's character, and it makes each diffuser one of a kind.
How strong is it?
A wood diffuser suits a single smaller room: a bedroom, study, bathroom or entry. To make it stronger, top it up more often (still no more than three-quarters full) or choose a stronger scent. Our scent strength guide rates every iconic scent from 1/5 to 5/5.
For a large or open-plan room, a waterless electric diffuser is a better fit. See what size diffuser do I need.
Which refill to use
The wood diffuser takes the 100ml traditional refill. It's the same refill made for the 100ml reed diffuser and the car diffuser, so one bottle can cover a room and your car in the same scent.
Don't use the diffuser oils made for electric diffusers (Micro, Macro or Aura Oil) in the wood diffuser, and never put a traditional refill into a Micro, Element, Beacon or Pillar. The perfumer's alcohol in it damages electric diffusers. The full list is in our oil compatibility guide.
Wood diffuser vs reed diffuser
- Look: a solid wood piece on a ceramic dish, rather than a glass bottle with reeds
- Upkeep: no reeds to flip; you top up the bowl instead
- Scent changes: a reed diffuser can change scent with new reeds; the wood diffuser stays one scent
- Same refill family: both use traditional refills
More on reeds in our reed diffuser care guide.
FAQ
How full should I fill a wood diffuser?
No more than three-quarters full, using a 100ml traditional refill.
Can I change scents in a wood diffuser?
We recommend sticking to one scent. The oil sinks through the wood, so a new scent will mix with the old one.
Is it normal for my wood diffuser to crack?
Yes. Small natural splits can form as the wood absorbs oil. It's part of the wood's character, not a fault.
more guides: all reed diffuser guides