To combat unwanted odors and infuse your home with delightful fragrances, simmer pots are a fantastic solution. Unlike air fresheners and plugins that may contain chemicals, simmer pots utilize natural ingredients to create a cozy atmosphere while adding moisture to dry air. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create your own simmer pot recipes either on the stove or in a Crockpot.
While many simmer pot recipes call for basic ingredients like water, fruit, lemon peel, and cinnamon sticks, I’m excited to share my three secret ingredients that will take your simmer pot to the next level. These ingredients will help intensify the aroma and leave your home smelling fresh and inviting.
In addition to revealing my secret ingredients, I’ll also share some of my favorite simmer pot recipes so you can customize your own fragrance blends to suit your preferences and create a welcoming ambiance in your home. Whether you’re combating cooking odors or simply seeking to add a touch of warmth to your space, simmer pots are a simple and natural solution that will leave your home smelling wonderful.
1- Butter
The first secret ingredient I put in my simmer pot is butter! It sounds crazy but trust me, it’s not. You can’t smell butter, but it does help to enhance the scent in your pot. Butter adds a richness that enhances the smell of each ingredient. The fat in butter helps to expel the fragrance, producing a much more richer scent. When I add it to my apple cinnamon mixture, it smells like I’m baking an actual apple pie in the oven.
2- Sugar
Sugar adds sweetness and makes your SP smell good enough to eat (or drink)! You cant smell sugar either, but when you add it to your pot, it changes things dramatically. Sugar adds a sweetness and compliments most simmer pots that call for fruits and citrus.
3- Vanilla Extract
Vanilla adds warmth. It’s strong, yet doesn’t overpower the house. It also makes your home smell like you just baked something yummy. You don’t have to use real vanilla. In fact, I never do for my simmer pots. Vanilla is too expensive to use for a simmer pot. I buy mine at any dollar store. Imitation vanilla will work just well as real vanilla. Unless you insist on real vanilla, opt for the cheap stuff. My husband loves when I make simmer pots. He says simmer pots make home peaceful and comforting after work. I look forward to this time of year so we both can enjoy the cozy scents of simmer pots
Here is my favorite recipe.
- Apples
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cinnamon powder
- 1/2 stick of butter
- 1/4 cup of sugar
- 3 tbs of imitation vanilla (not the good stuff, save that for baking)
Slice up the apples and add all ingredients to a pot filled with water. Bring to boil then reduce to a simmer. Keep an eye on it throughout the day and add water to it when needed. You can play with the ingredients. You’re not baking a cake and can’t ruin it.
Another combination I like is adding citrus and rosemary. The scent is milder but the rosemary adds a refreshing “Pick-me-up” scent to your home. Here’s what you’ll need for this one: Oranges, Rosemary sprigs, Imitation Vanilla Extract, 1/2 stick of butter , Anise and Cloves. Slice up the oranges and add everything to a pot of water. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Keep an eye, obviously. If you are uncomfortable with the idea of a pot simmering on the stove all day, you can opt to use a crockpot. It will free up the burner and you can set a timer for it to shut off in case you forget to take it off. Whatever you choose, I hope you enjoy it as much as we do!
The Writer's Oven 
Leave a comment