Simmer Pot

Want your house to smell amazing? Or, maybe you’re looking for a great last minute handmade gift to give. A Simmer Pot kit is the way to go. Simmer pots or stovetop potpourri, combine simple ingredients for a natural, cozy, festive scent.

I have an easy-to-follow recipe for you, but really, it’s more like a guideline or an idea to start you off on a simmer pot journey. Change them up for the season, based on what you have in the house, or with what you like more.

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How to Make

These are a great gift to make for the holidays, and if you’re a last-minute person, these are perfect! I like to use dried fruits and herbs in the ones I make as gifts. Fresh ingredients work great too, but need to be used more quickly.

If you want to make a bunch of them, most spices and dried herbs can be bought in bulk.

They’re also a great way to reuse upcycled glass jars that you’ve cleaned and saved.

Basically, you’re taking aromatics like citrus, spices, and herbs and boiling them to release the fragrance.  

This air freshener is natural, useful, consumable, and quick to make.

What’s in a simmer pot kit?

For these simmer pots, I used cinnamon sticks, dried blood orange slices, rosemary sprigs, anise stars, whole cloves, and whole allspice berries.

I’ve also made them using pine boughs or fir boughs. It makes your house smell festive without any chemical sprays. You can also use evergreens for a delicious Evergreen tea.

Here are some ideas, grouped by season, of things to toss in your pot. And again, feel free to use fresh or dried as you like.

Fall & Winter

• orange slices or peels
• whole cloves 
• cinnamon sticks
• cardamom
• ground nutmeg
• vanilla extract
• cranberries, fresh or dried
• star anise
• allspice berries
• coffee beans
• evergreens like pine needles, fir needles, cedar sprigs, or eucalyptus
• rosemary sprigs
• ginger root
• apple slices
• apple cider
• pumpkin spice seasoning
• essential oil, any fragrance

Spring & Summer

• rosemary sprigs
• lemon slices or peels
• lime slices or peels
• vanilla extract
• mint leaves
• thyme
• almond extract
• essential oil, any fragrance

Make your house smell like a Williams Sonoma store with rosemary, lemon, vanilla extract, and peppercorns.

How to put together

Basically, there’s no right or wrong way to put it all together. Place it in a glass jar, a plastic bag, or a cellophane bag.

I like to use dried ingredients if I’m storing it or giving it away as a gift. Fresh ingredients can introduce moisture which may lead to mold or spoilage.

Add a little handwritten tag or note telling the recipient how to use it.

How to use

When ready to use, place the contents in a small saucepan and add 2 cups water. Simmer on low heat, making sure the water doesn’t dry out.

It can also be heated in a crock pot or slow cooker on low, uncovered. If you have a large crock pot, you may wish to add more water to the pot so it doesn’t dry out.

Always check on the pot to make sure there’s enough water, and never leave it unattended.

How long can I use it?

They last for about 3 to 4 days. Just keep adding fresh water the pot. Simply turn off the stove and cover the pot with a lid in between uses, usually after a couple of hours.

If they develop a shiny “off” or oily appearance on top, I usually throw them away.

room spray

I recently tried straining out the solids from the liquid and using the liquid in a spray bottle as a room spray. It works really well! And if you add things like bay leaves and cinnamon to your pot, it may even help keep bugs away.

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Recipe

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5 from 1 vote

Simmer Pot

Want your house to smell amazing? Or, maybe you’re looking for a great handmade gift to give. A Simmer Pot kit is the way to go. Simmer pots or stovetop potpourri, combine simple ingredients for a natural, cozy, festive scent.

Course how to

Cuisine American

Keyword simmer pot, stovetop potpourri

Prep Time 5 minutes minutes

Total Time 5 minutes minutes

Servings 1 simmer pot

Author Debi

Ingredients

• 3 cinnamon sticks
• 2 dried orange slices
• 3 dried rosemary sprigs
• 2 anise stars
• 10 whole cloves
• 4 whole allspice berries

Instructions

• Place herbs and spices in a glass jar or other container, tie with a pretty ribbon.
• When ready to use, place contents in a small saucepan and add 2 cups water. Simmer on low heat, making sure the water doesn’t dry out.
• It can also be heated in a crock pot or slow cooker on low, uncovered. If you have a large crock pot, you may wish to add more water to the pot so it doesn’t dry out.

Notes

Always check on the pot to make sure there’s enough water, and never leave it unattended.