Simmer Pot Workshop

A simmer pot is simply a blend of natural ingredients—like fruits, spices, herbs, and sometimes even flowers—that you heat on the stove in a pot of water. As it simmers, the ingredients release their fragrances into the air, creating an aroma that makes your space feel warm, inviting, and fresh.

What makes simmer pots so great is their simplicity and versatility. You are able to create multiple scent combinations and fill your home with an aroma with no sprays or candles. They can be customized to match any mood, season, or occasion, and best of all, they’re made from ingredients you probably already have in your kitchen. Plus it’s a great way to have your home smelling amazing all day.

In this workshop, we’ll dive into the basics of making your own simmer pots, explore some fun ingredient combinations, and learn how to create scents that’ll fill your home with warmth.

While it’s hard to pinpoint an exact “first record” of a simmer pot, the concept of simmering herbs, spices, and fruits to release fragrance has been around for centuries, across many different cultures.

Simmer pots, or the act of simmering aromatic ingredients, can be traced back to ancient civilizations, where aromatic plants were used for both culinary and medicinal purposes.

Egyptians are known to have used herbs, spices, and resins in their homes and temples to create pleasant fragrances, particularly with the use of incense and oils.

In Ancient Greece and Rome both cultures used herbs and flowers for a variety of purposes, including creating fragrant waters and infusions. Romans in particular were known for their use of perfumes and aromatic oils in their baths. (which is basically one big simmer pot?)

In parts of Asia, especially in China and India, simmering spices and herbs was commonly done for both culinary and medicinal purposes, as well as to purify the air in homes.

In early American households, especially in colonial New England, people often used what was called a “stew pot” or “simmer pot” to create comforting aromas. Which has brought it to where we are today.

Today, simmer pots have made a comeback as a simple, eco-friendly alternative to synthetic fragrances. Their charm lies in the ability to customize the ingredients—creating a natural, warm atmosphere without the chemicals

Definitions

Let’s start by defining simmer.

Simmer (verb):

1. To cook gently: To heat a liquid just below the boiling point, typically between 185°F (85°C) and 205°F (96°C), where small bubbles form but do not fully boil. This is often used in cooking for stews, soups, sauces, and other dishes to allow flavors to meld and ingredients to soften.

It is important to note that for the best results your water should NOT be boiling. Simmer. By slowly heating the aromatics without bringing the mixture to a full boil you create a subtle, long-lasting fragrance.

How long do they last

The length of time your simmer pot can go before it needs attention can mainly depend on a few factors:

•  How much water was used
•  The level of heat being used
•  The ingredients used

Typically a simmer pot can last hours (1-4) before it needs to be refreshed. To get the most out of your pot you’ll want to make sure the heat stays pretty low. It may seem tempting to turn up the heat and increase the fragrance but this will actually make your water evaporate faster and can cause your herbs or other additives to burn. That is the opposite of the smell you want, trust me.

To get my pot started I turn my heat higher than I intend to leave it simmering at. Once I can see water vapors simmering from the top of the pot I will turn the heat down and let it do its thing. Throughout the day I will periodically pop in and check on the water and heat levels. If the water has gotten low I simply add more and possibly more ingredients to refresh the scent.

What ingredients are best to use?

Simmer pots rely on fresh, natural ingredients like citrus peels, cinnamon sticks, cloves, fresh herbs, and vanilla beans or extracts. These ingredients are highly fragrant and easy to find so they make good choices. Fruits and flowers are also perfect choices for creating your own custom scents.

Want to be a great gift giver?

I also LOVE to give these as gifts! For teacher appreciation, house warmings, coworkers, gifts for your husband’s great aunt, you name them, this makes the perfect gift. All you have to do is wrap the dry version of the ingredients you chose in a cellophane treat baggie and tie it off with instructions to add water and simmer. Go a step further and customize your gift specifically for the event or recipient. If its a house warming gift, place it in a new pot as a gift for the home. Make it a gift basket by tossing in a cooking utensil or two, potholders or oven gloves, and a monogram kitchen towel.

Great, now you’ve got the breakdown of simmer pots! Just remember, the key is keeping the temperature low and checking in on your pot every so often to add water or refresh the ingredients. Now, it’s time for real-life application! I’ve put together a guide with some seasonal suggestions to get you started, but don’t be afraid to get creative and experiment with your own unique combinations. Have fun creating your perfect scent!

Simmer Pot Ideas for Every Season