Looking for cozy simmer pot recipes to make your home smell delicious? Our easy-to-follow simmer pot recipes are perfect for chilly days.
Simmer pots are a lovely way to scent your home any time of year, but the cooler months of fall and winter really lend themselves to the comforting and nostalgic scents of the season, like cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, apples, and vanilla.
Simmer pots are an inexpensive, all-natural, and healthy alternative to scenting your home without artificially fragranced candles made with petroleum-based wax or diffusers made of dubious toxic chemicals.
In fact they smell even better than a candle or diffuser because nothing beats the real thing! As an added bonus, simmer pots add some much-needed moisture to the air during the colder, dryer months, which your skin will thank you for!
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What Is A Simmer Pot?
Creating a simmering pot is as simple as placing a few fragrant ingredients, usually from what's around your kitchen, into a pan, covering it with water, and letting the water simmer on the stove to release the natural fragrances into the air.
What Kind of Pot Do You Use For a Simmer Pot?
The most traditional way to do a simmer pot is on the stove in a large, heavy-bottomed Dutch oven. But of course, there are alternatives to best suit your living arrangements.
An all-glass simmer pot makes for a beautiful display watching the brightly colored fruit bubble away.
If you prefer not to leave an open flame in the kitchen, a crock pot or electric simmer pot are good, low-energy alternatives
What Can I Simmer To Make My House Smell Good?
Truly the sky is the limit when it comes to simmer pot combinations. A quick peruse through your pantry and spice rack will surely turn up some wonderful options. You can also add some of your favorite essential oils to really amp up the simmer pot fragrance.
How To Make A Simmer Pot- Inspiration
Simmer pots are a great way to use up food scraps in the kitchen. Have an apple that's gone a little mealy? Throw it in the pot! A pear that's gotten a little over-ripe? Throw it in the pot! Lemon peels laying around? Well, you know what to do. Putting on a simmer pot as you tidy up the kitchen for the evening is a delightful way to wind down, taking in the warm luxurious scent as you enjoy a few quiet moments.
Cranberry Apple Simmer Pot Ingredients
Cranberries
Apple Slices
Orange Slices
Cinnamon Sticks
Nutmeg
Vanilla Extract or Almond Extract (or both!)
Lemon & Orange Citrus Simmer Pot Ingredients
Lemon or Lime Slices
Orange Slices
Bay Leaves
Rosemary
Almond Extract
Pumpkin Pie Simmer Pot Ingredients
Pumpkin Pie Spice
Orange Slices
Apple Slices
Cinnamon Sticks
Cloves
Suggested Reading: 3 Practical Tips For Quick & Easy Christmas Organizing
How Many Times Can You Use The Same Simmer Pot?
A simmer pot can last up to 4 days, depending on what ingredients you include. If you are mainly using dried spices, herbs, and extracts, you can continue to reheat the pot for up to four days, replenishing it with water as needed. If you are using fruit or similar perishables, probably best to use them for only one day.
How Long Should I Leave A Simmer Pot On?
While there is no set time limit as to how long you can leave a simmer pot on, always be mindful of turning off the stove or heating element anytime you leave the house. If these scent starts becoming overpowering, that's also a good indication it's time to turn the simmer pot off for a while.
What Do You Do When A Simmer Pot Is Done?
Once the scent begins to fade, don't throw your simmer pot water out! Once the water has cooled, strain your herbs, spices, and fruits from the pot, keep the water, and transfer it to a spray bottle. The natural essential oils will have infused into the water and make for a wonderful all-purpose countertop cleaner that will continue to stretch the scrumptious scent through your home.
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