Stove Top Potpourri
Cold weather is here to stay. I am reminded of that each time I find that my thermostat is struggling to keep up. On very cold days, it seems like the furnace just runs and runs.
That’s when I often decide to get out the simmering pot to warm things up. If you’ve never used one, the idea is quite simple. It is a basic stove top potpourri made up of spices, dried fruit peels, and/or extracts. There are really an infinite amount of combinations and it is so fun to experiment. Below I’ll share with you several of my favorite recipes.
Benefits of Stove Top Potpourri
There are so many benefits to using simmering pots, but my favorite is as a replacement for air fresheners. This simple DIY project will fill your entire home with the most wonderful aroma so easily. It seems to last and last throughout the day, even after you have stopped using the simmering pot.
Additionally, Simmering pots are a wonderful way to add moisture to the air. I often leave mine on for an hour or two, replacing the water as needed. All of that extra moisture in the air helps the heat to stay longer and carries the aroma throughout my house. The only downside to a simmering pot is having to clean the pot afterwards! That’s why I have a “dedicated” pot for this very reason. It’s very well loved but not very pretty to look at.
Note
Be sure to keep your simmer pot on the back burner and replenish with water frequently. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve forgotten about mine only to go into the kitchen and realize that I needed to add water ASAP!
Below you will find a list of suggested spices, herbs, fruit peels, and extracts that can be used in simmering pots. This list is not exhaustive by any means. It’s just a few suggestions to help get your creative juices flowing. I will share with you several of my favorite simmering pot recipes after these suggestions.
Stove Top Potpourri Suggestions
Spices
- Cloves
- Juniper Berries
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Anise (whole)
- Ginger
- Allspice
(Find all of these spices here.)
Herbs
- Lavender petals
- Rose petals
- Thyme
- Rosemary
- Basil
- Sage
- Mint
- Bay leaves
(Find all of these herbs here.)
Fruit Peels
- Grapefruit
- Orange
- Lemon
- Lime
- Apple
Extracts
- Orange
- Vanilla
- Lemon
- Almond
How to Make a Simmering Potpourri Pot
It is quite simple! This is the recipe I follow, but there really is no wrong way to do it.
- Choose a medium sized pot and fill ¾ full of water.
- Add in herbs/spices/extracts/fruit peels.
- Bring water to a boil.
- Lower the heat and simmer.
- Replenish the water as needed.
Note: Keep in mind that cleaning the pot afterwards can be a chore! Some scrubbing may be involved, so don’t use your favorite pot!
Other Stove Top Potpourri Recipes
You can find most of the dried ingredients for these simmering pots here.
Vanilla Mint Simmering Pot
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- ½ cup dried mint leaves (peppermint, spearmint, etc.)
Orange Spice Simmering Pot
- peels of 2 oranges
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves (ground also works, but whole cloves are easier to clean out of a pan)
- 1 cinnamon stick
Floral Simmering Pot
- ½ cup lavender petals
- ½ cup dried rose petals
- 1 sprig rosemary
Holiday Spice Simmering Pot
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- ½ cup whole star anise
Fresh Fruit Simmering Pot
- the peel of 1 lemon
- peel of 1 orange
- peel of 1 lime
- 1 teaspoon orange extract
Winter Woods Simmering Pot
- ½ cup juniper berries
- 1 sprig thyme (or 1 teaspoon dried thyme)
- 1 sprig rosemary (or 1 teaspoon dried rosemary)
Ginger Citrus Simmering Pot
- ¼ cup grated ginger (or 1 tablespoon ground ginger)
- peel of 2 oranges
- peel of 1 lemon
- 1 bay leaf
Apple Pie Simmering Pot
- peel of 2 apples
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
Find most of the dried ingredients for these recipes here!
Please feel free to share with me your favorite combinations in the comments below!
Have a favorite simmer pot technique? Let us know! I’d love to hear from you.
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I add whole cranberries to the orange spice mix ; adds a little spicy tartness. I also use an old fashioned cast iron simmering pot (can be found on line) looks like a big black tea pot but you can fill it up and leave your mixture simmering for hours. It is a bit heavy when you go to empty it to refresh your ingredients but it’s so worth it. I then just leave it on the stove and it gives the kitchen a nice country look. I do this year round to add fragrance and also humidity.
Betty, do you have a link or a particular place to buy the cast iron simmering pot? I LOVE anything cast iron!!!
This is a GREAT post.
I use several tiny crock pots…purchased at a local thrift store for under $5. each.
Hi Carol L….don’t have the link. Bought mine years ago but if I remember right it was on Amazon. Here is one I just found. https://www.amazon.com/Vogelzang-TK-02-Fireplace-Kettles-Quart/dp/B000I6FF1U/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1485788805&sr=8-4&keywords=cast+iron+steaming+pot
This one looks just like mine. I’m sure you know to season your cast iron. Kind of hard for this big guy but if you don’t do it often you’re boiling rusty water. After I use mine; I wash & rinse it out really good and let it air dry outside with the sun hitting it. Helps keep the rust to a minimum. I love to add orange peels or just cut up oranges with the cranberries, clove & cinnamon but watch your water level cause the cranberries will get burnt to the bottom.
Carol L…found another one that would be a lot easier to clean. I might order one of these…..holds less water, tho.
https://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Lotus-Top-Woodstove-Steamer/dp/B004X9NNNK/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1485788805&sr=8-2&keywords=cast+iron+steaming+pot