Do you love it when your house smells great? I’m sharing how to make a simmer pot to make your home smell wonderful. This is basically a stovetop potpourri. It’s inexpensive, it’s natural (no chemicals), and it can be a gift idea!
You’ll need:
Water
An empty mason or recycled jar (optional for preserving or gift)
Simmer Pot to Make Your House Smell Wonderful Video
First slice up your oranges.
Next slice up your apples.
Put all the fruit slices in your pot with some cinnamon sticks.
Fill the pot up with water.
Put it on your stove.
Turn your stove on to simmer. Once the water warms up, it will start emitting the wonderful aroma.
***A word of caution – keep an eye on it, you need to keep adding water throughout the day as it evaporates. You do not want this to come to a boil, just a gentle simmer.
Sometimes I like to use a crock-pot or slow cooker instead. Turn it on warm or low and keep the lid off so the smell fills your home. You still need to keep an eye on it and add water as it evaporates.
If you want to store it or give it as a gift. Put the fruit and cinnamon sticks in a jar.
Fill the jar with water and put the lid on.
You can keep it in your refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.
Other Ideas for a simmer pot:
You can customize the ingredients in your simmer pot depending on the scents you like and what you have available in your pantry.
- Orang peels, orange slices, lemon peels, lemon slices, or grapefruit peels.
- Mint
- Fresh lavender
- Fresh ginger
- Star anise if you like a licorice smell
- Vanilla extract
- Pumpkin spice seasoning
- Bay leaves, rosemary, thyme or basil
- Whole cloves or nutmeg
- Rose petals
- Cedar chips
- Coconut
Find out “What Exactly Does It Mean To Repurpose Or Upcycle“, save money, and create the most amazing things.
Simmer Pot to Make Your House Smell Wonderful Video
Shop any of these stores and I receive a small commission at no cost to you.
Fabulous idea! I sometimes save just the peels then add various whole spices. I like cloves too and even a little vanilla. I also like to use my crockpot – just because it seems to last longer and I don’t have to watch it so carefully. It makes the house smell like I’ve been baking. I do have a question though. Is there a reason you didn’t put the apple core in your batch? I could see not using it if the project is a gift, but I’m wondering if you could add the cores as well? Also, your video is amazing. Who knew you could use hand sanitizer to cook, warm and give ambiance? I was absolutely fascinated watching what you did. Great job!
Thanks Linda – and I love that you use your crock pot too! I totally agree that it lasts longer and you don’t have to worry as much about it. Love all your additions, I’ll have to give some of those a try too – the possibilities of mixing and matching are endless. I think I didn’t put the apple core inside to make it more pleasing as a gift. You are totally right though – you could use the whole thing! I’m glad the video came through okay to see too. I’ll be sending those posts out soon on the fire bowls 🙂
I love homemade simmers! Good to know tip about storing for three weeks. Thanks for sharing at Thursday Favorite Things this week!
Thank you Amber 🙂 and thanks for stopping by.
I love how this fills up the whole house with wonderful smells; I used to make a similar pot of potpourri while we were trying to sell our house. Pinned.
Thank you for the Pin and I sure do love the smells that fill the whole house especially during these cold winter months 🙂 Thank you for the Pin
I used to do this all the time. It really works and fills the house with awesome, homey, holiday smells. Best wishes for 2018.
Thank you Linda 🙂 I know doing this during the cold winter months really cheers me up 🙂
That’s a great idea. Similarly, I used to make apple cider in winter. It fills up the house with a wonderful smell and have something healthy to drink and snack on to beat the winter blues.
Thank you Herlina, and I love apple cider – do you have a special recipe?
‘Hopping over from Bloggers Pit Stop… This combination sounds wonderful for a simmer pot and what a pretty gift, too! -Marci @ Stone Cottage Adventures
Thanks Marci, and Thank you for stopping by 🙂
I make mini batches of this and put this in my mini crockpot every few weeks. Looks really pretty in the mason jar.
Thank you Carrie, I love doing this especially during the winter months. I made these as gifts for my friends and was trying to figure out a way to make them look “pretty”. I am pleased with the mason jar too. Thank you!
Simple and easy to make the house smell wonderful. Found you on Over the Moon link Party.
Thank you Candy, and thanks for stopping by 🙂
Pinned! This is so neat!! What great gifts they’d make! 🙂
I would love for you to share this with my Facebook Group for recipes, crafts, tips, and tricks: https://www.facebook.com/groups/pluckyrecipescraftstips/
Thanks for joining Cooking and Crafting with J & J!
Thank you Jess, thanks for the pin and invite to share 🙂
Nice idea. The winter needs a little brightening some times.
Thank you 🙂 I know it cheers me up when it’s really cold outside.
When you store the items in the jar, are they the ones you simmered?
Thanks!
Hi Lori, great question. When I put them in the jar they are fresh. They are ready to be given to someone as a gift or stored in your refrigerator until you are ready to use them. 🙂
This seems like a wonderful way to “warm” a home this winter. Love it! I have all the ingredients except the cinnamon sticks. I’m putting that on my list 🙂
Thank you, and I love that you want to give it a try 🙂
Thus us such a great alternative to some of the questionable information that has been out there about candles the past few years. I love this natural approach to a good smelling home, thank you for sharing!
Thank you Chloe, and you have a really good point that I had not thought of regarding candles. I do like how clean and natural this is for your home 🙂
I can already smell this. I love the idea of using a crockpot too. Thanks for sharing on Sunday’s Best.
Thank you Rhonda, it is definitely easier in a crock pot to manage too 🙂
Great idea and very inexpensive. I bought a diffuser over the holiday and your simmer pot is a fantastic alternative.
Thank you Sandra, I love the diffusers too and have one in my office.
Using this in the crock pot is such a good idea, I would never have thought of that!
Thank you Julie, it really does make it safer so you don’t end up with burnt gook in the bottom of a pot 🙂
This is wonderful, Chas! I’m so worried about chemical home fresheners, but this delicious smelling simmer pot is all natural! Featuring at the Hearth and Soul Link Party this week. Thank you so much for being a part of the party!
Thank you April and I completely understand what you mean 🙂 Thank you so very much for the feature and always hosting a wonderful place for all of us bloggers to share ideas.
Simmering potpourri is such a big mood lifter! Thanks so much for sharing with Party in Your PJs!
Thank you Lynda, I appreciate you stopping by.
I have done these dinners for myself, but had never thought of giving them as a gift. I love homemade gifts!!
Thank you Nannette, me too 🙂
I think I missed something! When giving this as a gift do you recommend just putting the fresh ingredients in a jar or doing the crock pot thing first?
If giving as a gift you place in the jar and give it to someone. When they or you are ready to use it then you put it in a crock pot to use and enjoy the smell.
I can almost smell the aroma just by looking at your pictures!
Thank you so much Amy 🙂 I love the smell of cinnamon anytime of year.
This is the perfect fall or winter simmer pot. Thanks for sharing! Visiting from Whims Wednesday link up.
Thank you Marielle, I’m so glad you like it.
Chas, I love the idea of giving this as a gift! Never considered that! I love to make hot cider with apples and cloves in the fall. Not only does it make the kitchen smell good, but it is lovely with a bit of rum. Thanks for sharing this fun idea!
Thank you so much Mary, I’m thrilled you like the idea. I love that you do this in your home too. You might like my hot apple cider info here too … https://chascrazycreations.com/famous-hot-apple-cider-recipe-subscriber-exclusive/
What a great idea! I love all the fall smells!
Happy day!
karianne
Thank you so much KariAnne! Aren’t fall smells so wonderful?
I can just smell this simmer pot! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you so much Amy, I’m so thrilled you like it.
I know this smells amazing! I had no idea you could give it as a gift like that! great idea! Thank you for linking up at Embracing Home and Family!
Thank you Jennifer, and I’m so glad you like it. Yes, a nice gift for all year around 🙂
I just know this smells wonderful. I have never tried this before but with four dogs in my house I constantly worry that my house smells to others. Thanks for sharing something I can try out without chemicals to harm them. #HomeMattersParty
Thank you Donna and I’m all about chemical free too.
********************************************************
Thank you for sharing at #OverTheMoon. Pinned and shared. Have a lovely week. I hope to see you at next week’s party too! Please stay safe and healthy. Come party with us at Over The Moon! Catapult your content Over The Moon! @marilyn_lesniak @EclecticRedBarn
********************************************************
Thank you Marilyn, I hope you’re having a great week