Fall Stovetop Potpourri: Simmer Pot Recipe (2024)

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ByJo-Anna RooneyPostedUpdated

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With this Fall Stovetop Potpourriyou are 5 minutes away from your home smelling like the coziness of fall baking!

So what are your thoughts on home smells? For me, having a home that smells good when you walk in is really important. That may sound weird, but I wouldn’t be able to stand it if someone came into my home and hated the smell. I mean, our home is busy…I have 3 busy kids withfriends who are here all the time, we have a puppy and a cat, so needless to say I worry that things could get a little stinky.

I like to have the windows and doors open (that’s the country girl in me), but there are times when I just want to get the whole house smelling a little fresher. But I don’t like to use home sprays and things like that because I’m bothered by their intense smell, so I prefer to use more natural ways to add scent. This is where homemade stovetop potpourris are really nice. Sometimes they’re also called simmer pots.

Fall Stovetop Potpourri: Simmer Pot Recipe (1)

Stovetop Potpourris are a simple way to make your home smell amazing!

Homemade potpourris (or simmer pots) are SO easy to make, and most of the time the ingredients you need to make them are right there in your own home already. Really, if you have some cinnamon and vanilla on hand, you have an instant home deodorizer.

Fall Stovetop Potpourri: Simmer Pot Recipe (2)

Make a Fall Stovetop Potpourri

For fall, this simple potpourri is great…when it simmers it smells like you have an apple pie in the oven. The only problem with that is you will suddenly crave a slice of apple pie, but you won’t actually have one. Sad face. But at least your home will smell delicious and cozy! Place your potpourri pot on the back burner and let it simmer on the lowest setting. Within minutes you will be enjoying the warm and comforting scents of vanilla and cinnamon. Potpourris are alsogreat to make about a half hour before you have guests come over…your home will smell amazing.

Recipe Tips:

  • Simmer not boil! Simmering is heat just below boiling…so the mixture should lightly rumble (gently bubble), not boil
  • What kind of pot to use? I just use a medium sized saucepan.
  • Lid on or off? Keep the lid off…simmer pots need to release their lovely scent into the room.
  • Stovetop: Let this mixture simmer on the back burner of your stove on the LOWEST setting, for a couple of hours.
  • Slow Cooker: Feel free to let this mixture simmer in a slow cooker on low.
  • Spices: I like to use cinnamon sticks and cloves, but you can also add a pinch of nutmeg and ginger! A sprig of rosemary is nice too!
  • Food Waste Tip: You can also make this simmer pot with only the peels of the apples and lemons, making it a great way to repurpose food waste.
  • Water Level: When the water level gets low, just top it up with fresh water.
  • Make one before guest arrive! Start your simmer pot about 30 minutes before your guest arrive.
  • How long will the simmer pot last? I will use the same simmer pot for 1 or 2 days, just topping it up with fresh water when it gets low. But I like to make a brand new one after about 2 days.

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Fall Stovetop Potpourri: Simmer Pot Recipe (3)

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With this Fall Stovetop Potpourriyou are 5 minutes away from your home smelling like the coziness of fall baking!

  • Author: Jo-Anna Rooney
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

  • 1/2 lemon (sliced thin)
  • 1/2 an apple (sliced)
  • 4 cinnamon sticks (or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon)
  • 2 tbsp whole cloves
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • water

Instructions

  1. Put all of the ingredients into a medium sized saucepan and top up with water.
  2. Simmer on the lowest setting and enjoy!

If you like this potpourri recipe, you might also like this recipe for a Christmas Stovetop Potpourri!

PIN IT to make later!

Fall Stovetop Potpourri: Simmer Pot Recipe (5)

Happy Fall Y’all!

Fall Stovetop Potpourri: Simmer Pot Recipe (6)

Fall Stovetop Potpourri: Simmer Pot Recipe (7)

Jo-Anna Rooney

Hi I'm Jo-Anna Rooney, the creator, director, baker, maker and home decorator here at A Pretty Life in the Suburbs! I'm sharing a simple home life through fresh and easy recipes and uncomplicated home tips and home decor.

Fall Stovetop Potpourri: Simmer Pot Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do you make potpourri for fall? ›

Thinly slice an orange, lemon, apple and pear, and place them on a metal cooking rack. Using your oven's dehydrate setting, cook the fruit slices until they are fully dried, making sure to flip them every half hour.

How long does a fall simmer pot last? ›

If there are no fresh fruit slices in your recipe, simply turn off the stove and cover the pot with a lid in between uses. Reheat when you need another dose of stovetop potpourri. According to the Happier Homemaker, with this method, your simmer pot can last four days.

How to simmer potpourri on the stovetop? ›

Directions. Add all orange, apple, cranberries, rosemary, cloves, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean or vanilla extract, and water to a large pot. Bring to a simmer over low heat for as many hours as desired, keeping an eye on the pot to check water level, adding water as needed throughout the day.

Can I use powdered cinnamon in a simmer pot? ›

One apple and pretty much any orange (personally, we love the smell of Blood oranges and Cara Cara oranges, so we'd probably go with one of those). And to give it a nice, rich aroma, you'll need: 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 tsp ground cinnamon), 2 tsp ground nutmeg, and 1 tsp vanilla extract.

What can I bake to make my house smell like fall? ›

The sweet scents of pumpkin spice, baked apples, and warm cinnamon perfectly encompass the cozy, comforting feeling of fall. As temperatures begin to drop, incorporate these seasonal fragrances into your home for a boost of warmth and festive spirit.

How do you make fall scents? ›

Combine two cups of water, a few slices of fresh oranges, two sprigs of rosemary, two cinnamon sticks, two whole cloves, and one teaspoon of vanilla.” Simply combine everything in a crock and set to low heat. To keep the aroma going, add more water every couple hours.

How do you make potpourri smell stronger? ›

How do you make potpourri smell stronger? If you want to make your potpourri smell longer, you can simply give it an occasional stir or shake to release more scent. Alternatively, if your potpourri contains essential oils, just add a few more drops even now and then.

How long does stovetop potpourri last? ›

Keep an eye on the pot and add more water as needed. Your holiday spice stove top potpourri will last 3-5 days depending on how long it simmers. The Mason jars will help keep your dried ingredients fresh and having all the portions ready to go makes this a lovely gift idea.

Should you simmer pot lid on or off? ›

If you're simmering to soften the food being cooked - then with the lid on. If to reduce liquid, then with it off.

Can you leave a simmer pot unattended? ›

Note: For safety reasons, please never leave your simmer pot unattended for long periods of time.

How many times can I reuse a simmer pot? ›

Depending on what ingredients you've used in your simmer pot, you can reuse the same one for several days! If you've included fruit in your recipe, then it's best to use that pot for only 1 day.

Does stovetop potpourri really work? ›

In addition to filling any space with a warm and inviting aroma, simmering potpourri on the stove can also help to humidify the dry winter air. Plus, it's just a fun thing to do when you're stuck inside — before you know it you'll be curled up by the fire with a good book and a cup of tea.

Can I use ground cinnamon instead of sticks for potpourri? ›

Do I need to use whole spices? Ground spices will certainly smell delicious as well, but I like whole cinnamon sticks and cloves because I can strain the mixture and re simmer it multiple days in a row. In a pinch, ground spices will be fine though!

How do you simmer pots to get rid of odors? ›

The basic premise is simple; you fill a saucepan with water, fruit and fragrant herbs and spices and gently heat it. Once the pan begins to simmer, the scents from your ingredients will start to spread around your home, adding whatever smells you choose.

Do simmer pots make your house smell good? ›

Simmer pots are an easy and natural way to make your house smell amazing with the cozy scents of baking, and humidify dry air in your home. Think of it as a liquid potpourri pot, bubbling away on your stove all day.

How long does it take a simmer pot to smell? ›

Simply fill a large pot ¾ full with water over medium-high heat. Add the ingredients to the pot and bring everything to a boil. Then reduce the heat to low and let everything simmer for 2-3 hours. Throughout the simmer, add additional water as needed to keep the sweet-scented smell filling the room.

What can I put in my pot of water to make my house smell good? ›

Natural way to make your home smell amazing. For this recipe you need 3 cups of water, one sliced lemon, one sliced lime, 2 cups of fresh Rosemary, one and 1/2 tablespoon of vanilla extract. and 2 cinnamon sticks. Bring to a boil over medium high heat, then reduce to simmer and continue to simmer on low.

What can I bowl to make my house smell good? ›

How to Make a Stovetop Potpourri
  1. Cinnamon Sticks. They're a classic potpourri spice for good reason — a few sticks in a simmering pot of water will make your entire home smell like you've got cinnamon rolls baking.
  2. Cardamom Pods. ...
  3. Whole Cloves. ...
  4. Star Anise. ...
  5. Citrus Peels. ...
  6. Fresh Ginger. ...
  7. Pine Sprigs. ...
  8. Masala Chai Tea Bags.
Oct 31, 2023

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