Simmer Pots Make Your Home Smell Amazing + Boost Focus and Ease Stress: How to Make Them
Don't miss the genius trick to make good use of simmer pot leftovers!
Simmer pots, also known as simmering pots or stovetop potpourri, are having a moment. The age-old trend has gone viral on Tiktok, with several videos racking up millions of views. So what are they? Simmer pots are a simple and natural way to fill your home with a pleasing array of scents. It involves simmering a combination of aromatic ingredients on the stove, allowing the steam to release their aromas. Sounds good, right? If you want to give it a try, we’ve compiled several simmer pot recipes to help you get started!
What are the benefits of simmer pots?
Simmer pots release incredible aromas into your home — and they do so in a safer way than candles and air fresheners, many of which release artificial or potentially irritating ingredients into the air. Simmer pots may also help with some health issues, says Heather Moday, MD, director of the Moday Center in Philadelphia. “Simmer pots involve putting spices, herbs and fruit into boiling water. This releases oils into the air, which prods the brain to create hormones that boost focus, reduce stress and more, depending on the ingredients you use.” One caveat: You’ll only get these brain-boosting benefits when you’re close to the pot, inhaling the aromas.
How do I make a simmer pot?
A simmer pot takes just a few minutes and a few steps, and often, you can use ingredients you already have around the home, saving money and trips to the store, says New York-based interior designer Dominic Carota of Blair House Interiors. You only need a Dutch oven or pot (a small slow cooker will do the trick, too!), tap water and a variety of common kitchen herbs and spices. Here, Carota’s tips for getting your pot simmering fast.
- Choose your ingredients: Select a combination of fruits, herbs, spices and extracts, such as cinnamon sticks, cloves, vanilla extract, fresh herbs like rosemary or thyme and fruits like apples, citrus peels or cranberries.
- Combine in a pot: Place the chosen ingredients in a pot and cover them with water. Adjust the quantities based on personal preference and the size of your pot.
- Simmer on the stove: A simmer pot wouldn’t work without the simmer! Place the pot on the stove over low heat. Allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil, then reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer. As the water heats up, it releases steam, carrying the aroma of the ingredients into the air.
- Monitor your simmer pot: It’s essential to keep an eye on your simmer pot and add more water as needed to prevent it from drying out. This allows you to continue simmering the pot for as long as you like, adding more ingredients or adjusting the heat as necessary.
- Enjoy the aroma: As the simmer pot cooks, it will fill your home with a delightful fragrance. You can enjoy the scent as-is or experiment with different ingredient combinations to suit your preferences or the season.
Related: 7 Genius Homemade Air Fresheners Using Items You Already Have On Hand
What are some simmer pot recipes I can try?
We’ve pinpointed five easy simmer pot recipes. Try them today to make your home smell amazing!
1. Cinnamon citrus simmer pot
If you want to feel more energized and awake, try an eye-opening simmer pot featuring energizing citrus fruit, like this one, inspired by @_beesbaking.
Ingredients
- 3 orange peels
- 2 lemon slices
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 cloves
- 2 cups of water
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water and add orange peels, lemon slices, a couple of cinnamon sticks and cloves.
- Simmer on low heat, adding more water as needed to prevent the mixture from drying out.
Related: 20 Brilliant Uses for Orange Peels
2. Herbal garden
This herbal garden simmer pot recipe (from @The Green Arte) contains medicinal herbs that can cleanse the air and help clear up a stuffy nose. Count us in! Here, an easy recipe to try.
Ingredients
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 4 thyme sprigs
- 1 cup dried lavender
- 4 mint leaves
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water and add rosemary, thyme, lavender, and mint.
- Simmer gently, allowing the herbs’ fragrance to infuse your space with a calming and refreshing scent.
- Replenish water as needed.
Related: The ‘Lullaby’ Lavender Tea Guaranteed to Melt Stress and Deepen Sleep
3. Vanilla chai spicy simmer pot
If you love the cozy scent of vanilla, give it a spicy twist using vanilla chai as @Natural.Simpleliving does. Here, an easy recipe:
Ingredients
- 4-6 chai tea bags
- 2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 8 cardamom pods
- 1 lightly crushed orange peel
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water and add tea bags, cinnamon stick, and orange peel.
- Simmer on low heat, allowing the comforting vanilla and warm cinnamon aroma to envelop your home!
- Replenish water as needed.
Related: What to Do With Used Tea Bags: 14 Brilliant Uses That Save You Time and Money
4. Tropical paradise
@Roslyn Lewis shares a “tropical paradise” inspired simmer pot that’ll make you feel like you’re sitting on a beach sipping a pina colada! For a similar recipe, try this:
Ingredients
- 1 cup canned or frozen pineapple or mango chunks
- 1 Tbs. coconut extract
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Fill a pot with water and add pineapple or mango chunks and coconut extract.
- Simmer on low heat, transporting yourself to a tropical paradise with the delightful aromas of a tropical island paradise!
- Replenish water as needed.
5. Berry bliss simmer pot simmer pot recipes
@KaleJunkie uses cranberries, oranges, and apples for a holiday simmer pot, but we’ve subbed those out with summer berries for a more seasonally appropriate take.
Ingredients
- 4 sliced strawberries
- 1 cup blueberries
- 1 cup raspberries (frozen are fine!)
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 tbs. anilla extract
- 2 cups water
Instructions
- Add berries to a pot and cover with water. Add vanilla extract.
- Allow the mixture to come to a gentle boil, then reduce to low heat to simmer.
Related: What to Do With Leftover Juicer Pulp: 10 Genius Ideas Sure to Surprise You
Make good use of leftovers from your simmer pot
When you’re finished, Tiktoker @thefoxypineapple suggests this genius trick: Remove the fruits and herbs from the water, lay them on a paper towel to dry, and once dried, put them in a bowl and display them as a fragrant and colorful potpourri!
Related: 20 Brilliant Uses for Orange Peels
For more home hacks click through the links below!
How To Make Laundry Smell Good: Experts Share 7 Secrets to a Freshly Scented Wash
Home Pro’s Genius Fan Trick Helps Get the Smell of Burnt Food Out of Your House
How To Get Rid of Musty Basement Smells + Why You May Want To Act Fast
