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Warm weather is here, and as we prepare our lake homes for lake season and entertaining at the lake, spring cleaning and home upgrade projects are often top of mind. However, one of the easiest and most overlooked ways to refresh your lake home is to infuse it with scents that capture the seasonal vibe. Although many products are available to make your home smell amazing, if you’re looking for a DIY alternative, utilizing a simmer pot could be a good option.
What is a Simmer Pot?
One of the most popular things to make during the cooler months is homemade apple cider. While the ingredients slowly simmer on the stove, the smell of apples and spices fills the air, evoking a sense of coziness that resonates with the season. Incorporating this same concept, a simmer pot is essentially that: a stovetop potpourri. Fill a pot with water and fragrant ingredients, and let it simmer to release its aroma throughout your home.
Why Use a Simmer Pot?
You might think, “With all the available home fragrance products out there, why go through the trouble of using a simmer pot?” A simmer pot can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional home fragrant products such as candles, diffusers, and wall plug-ins. And if you regularly cook at home, some leftover ingredients can easily be used in a simmer pot. Alternatively, ingredients from your lake home cocktail party from the night before, such as limes, pineapples, and garnishes, can also be used to scent your home. Finally, the most common reason for using a simmer pot is its versatility. Scents can easily be customized depending on your mood or the occasion. It’s a fantastic opportunity to be creative and experiment with fragrance.
Making a Spring/Summer Simmer Pot
Ready to get started? From ingredients to pot recommendations, here is everything you need to know about assembling a simmer pot.
Types of Ingredients
Refreshing your lake home with scents made from seasonal ingredients is a great way to usher in the lake season. Spring and summer fruits such as lemons and strawberries can easily be paired with fresh flowers and herbs from the garden. No garden, no problem! Most dried herbs and spices from your pantry, such as rosemary, cloves, and black peppercorns, can be used, and dried flowers, such as lavender and rose petals, can be purchased at the store. Another option is to use store-bought essential oils. You can mix and combine different essential oils to create your own unique blend or add them to your fresh ingredients to further customize and enhance the aroma. There is no “one rule fits all” with simmer pots. Just mix and match to find the perfect spring or summer scent to fit your mood.
Types of Pots
The types of pots used for simmer pots vary by user preference. Some people prefer Dutch ovens and slow cookers such as Crock Pots, while some opt for decorative pots such as glass pots or tea kettles. However, a basic saucepan works just as well.
Temperature and Duration
Once you combine all of the ingredients, bring the water to a boil. Then, reduce the heat to low and begin the simmering process. Depending on the amount of water and ingredients added to the pot, a typical simmer pot typically lasts for 2-3 hours. You can extend the duration longer by adding more water and fresh ingredients. Note: never leave simmer pot unattended.
Spring and Summer Simmer Pot Recipes
If you’re new to simmer pots and are not yet inclined to experiment with different ingredients, here are a few recipes to get you started. The ingredients in these recipes were specifically selected for their spring and summer essence — fragrance notes that are light, clean, and sweet.
Williams Sonoma Spring Simmer Pot
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon of whole black peppercorns
3 sprigs of rosemary
1 large lemon sliced thinly
1 tablespoon of a quality Vanilla Extract
8 cups of water
View more recipes from alifeunfolding.com.
Summer Simmer Pot Recipe
Ingredients:
1 fresh lemon, thinly sliced
a few mint sprigs
a few lavender sprigs, leave and or flowers
feverfew or camomile flowers
View entire recipe at stonegableblog.com.
Rose Eucalyptus Simmering Potpourri Natural Air Freshener
Ingredients:
3 – 4 cups rose petals (about 6-12 roses)
5 pieces of fresh eucalyptus, about 5 inches long
water (around 8 cups, but depends on size of pot)
View full recipe at Get Green Be Well.
The Island Breeze Simmer Pot
Ingredients:
sliced limes
fresh mint sprigs
a splash of coconut extract
View full recipe at White & Woodgrain.
Spring Simmer Pot
Ingredients:
oranges, sliced
lemons, sliced
lime, sliced
star anise
vanilla extract
mint
thyme
View entire recipe at garianne’s table
“Happy” Simmer Pot
Ingredients:
handful of fresh mint
1-inch sliced ginger root
3 sliced limes
5 sprigs of thyme
View full recipe at apartment therapy.
Lemon, Cucumber and Mint Simmer Pot
Ingredients:
1 lemon, sliced
1 cucumber, sliced
a handful of fresh mint leaves
View the full recipe at returninggrace.com.
Grapefruit Ginger Zest
Ingredients:
2 sliced grapefruits
2 sprigs of mint
¼ cup of sliced ginger root
4 cups of water
View more recipes at Life with Nitraab
Commonly Asked Questions About Simmer Pots
Now that you’re set up, here are some commonly asked questions to help you along the way.
Simmer is on low heat on the stove. However, when starting your simmer pot, make sure you bring the contents to a boil and then reduce the heat to low.
No. Once you set it to simmer, leave the lid off.
Yes, if the ingredients used are all natural. If you’ve added essential oils or synthetic scented oils to your simmer pot, the contents should not be consumed.
A simmer pot can be reused 1-2 times. If you want to reuse it later, simply remove the contents from the pot and place them in an airtight container before storing them in the refrigerator.
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