9 Simmer Pot Recipes That'll Make Your House Smell Terrific

Put down the lighter, and put away your nana's potpourri jar (sorry, Grandma, but the times are changing). Simmer pots are the answer to a gorgeously smelling home. But here's the thing. As a full-time simmer pot user and part-time missionary spreading the good word of the simmer pot, I'm here to make sure these simmering scents are no longer a secret. 

Ingredients

• 1 orange peel
• 1 apple peel
• 2 cinnamon sticks
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add orange peel, apple peel, and cinnamon sticks.
3. Put heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 3-4 cinnamon sticks
• 1 tablespoon star anise
• 1 tablespoon cloves
• ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
• 1 dash vanilla extract
• Water

Instructions 

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, nutmeg, and vanilla extract. 
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 3-4 pears, peeled and halved
• ½ cup crushed cranberries
• 1½ tablespoons star anise
• 2-3 cinnamon sticks
• ½ an orange peel
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add pears, cranberries, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and orange peels. 
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 2-3 oranges, sliced thin
• 1 grapefruit, sliced thin
• 1-2 limes, sliced thin
• 2-3 lemons, sliced thin
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add citrus slices.
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 6-8 rosemary sprigs OR ¼ cup evergreen needles
• 1-2 fresh pine cones
• ½ teaspoon cloves
• ½ orange, thinly sliced
• ½ tablespoon peppercorns
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add rosemary sprigs, pine cones, cloves, and lemon.
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4-6 lavender sprigs
• ½ tablespoon chamomile buds
• 1 dash vanilla extract
• 1 lemon, thinly sliced
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add lavender sprigs, vanilla extract, and lemon slices.
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 1½ cups coffee beans, roughly crushed
• ½ cinnamon stick
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water. 
2. Add coffee beans, cinnamon stick, and whole cloves. 
3. Heat on medium-high. 
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• 4-5 thyme sprigs
• 1 pine cone
• ½ lemon, sliced thinly
• 2-3 bay leaves
• ¼ tablespoon peppercorns
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add thyme sprigs, pine cone, lemon slices, and bay leaves. 
3. Heat on medium-high.
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.

Ingredients

• ¼ tablespoon vanilla extract
• 3 lavender sprigs
• 1 teaspoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon peppercorns
• Water

Instructions

1. Fill a pot half to three-quarters full with water.
2. Add vanilla extract, lavender sprigs, and lemon juice.
3. Heat on medium-high
4. Bring to a boil.
5. Turn heat to low.
6. Allow to simmer.
7. Add water as needed, approximately every 30 minutes.