December is here, which means we welcome winter and its still magic. I might be in the minority, but I like the dark and coldness that winter brings. Sure, it’s nice when the sun stays out later each day, but there’s something to being cozy and warm inside. One way to keep the cozy atmosphere while using natural ingredients is through the use of a simmer pot.
At my library, we have a broken book cart in the break room that serves as a “free to a good home” spot where folks can offload their former treasures and find new ones as well. One fateful morning, I found a mini crock pot that is typically used to keep dip warm for parties. Not having a wood stove and being wary of having my gas stove on for hours at a time, I grabbed the little guy up and took it home, and immediately adopted it as my simmer pot.
If you are not familiar with the term, a simmer pot is pretty self-explanatory: a pot filled with various fruits, herbs, and spices with added water that is heated slowly throughout the day. These are commonly found on top of wood stoves, stove tops, or even electric mini crock pots. Simmer pots have been popular as long as we have had pots to simmer things in. Back when home life was centered around the hearth of the kitchen, simmer pots served as a way to keep the air smelling fresh and sweet even in the confines of winter. This is still a great alternative method to keeping your house smelling cozy and seasonal instead of air fresheners or candles.
While there are a lot of pros to having a simmer pot in all seasons, there are a few things to consider safety-wise first before jumping in. First, unlike candles or chemical air fresheners, simmer pots rely on you to keep them topped off with water and eventually turned off or unplugged. Having a simmer pot dry out not only smells less delicious, but it also sets you up for a pretty quick fire hazard. If you are a forgetful type (like yours truly), having the pot simmering in a spot you are likely to walk past frequently is a good idea. I keep mine simmering away by the kitchen sink, which is somewhere I am often finding myself and also one of the last places I check before bed. It’s a good idea to keep a simmer pot going only while you plan to be at home and not while you’re out of the house–much like having a lit candle.
Be sure to clean out your simmer pot after a week or so, because as organic materials are wont to do, they will eventually start to decay and attract mold spores. Simply empty the contents into the trash, clean out the container, and you’re good to go to start fresh. Hours of simmering may permanently dye the pot you are using to simmer things in, so keep that in mind when you are selecting what vessel to use. My little electric crock pot has a black interior, so I can go to town with anything and not notice a difference.
“This is all well and good, Kelly,” you may be saying, “but what on earth does one put inside a simmer pot?” Well! The answer to that is actually pretty great: whatever you please! Traditionally, fruits such as oranges, lemons, and apples make a great addition, both alone or in combination. Additionally, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, whole allspice, star anise, and nutmeg are hearty and delicious-smelling spices to throw in. If you don’t have the whole versions of these spices, the powdered versions work just as well–you can adjust the amounts as you go along to see what combinations are most delicious! Other things to add include: vanilla extract, dried herbs from your garden, peppercorns, and even bay leaves. The fun part is that you can experiment and find your very own signature scent for friends and family to associate with your home. I grew up with my mom keeping a simmer pot going on the wood stove, and I always associate the smells of cinnamon and apples with my childhood and feelings of safety and comfort.
Here is a recipe of what I currently have simmering in my house:
1 handful of mini cinnamon sticks
1 shake of whole cloves
2 clementines sliced into rounds
2 lemon wedges leftover from dinner and in need of a purpose
That’s it! And believe it or not, my house smells fantastic with just those few ingredients. Have fun with scents that work for you. If you have a live Christmas tree, put in a few sprigs of the branches along with some cranberries and peppercorns for a wintery vibe. In the summer, citrus and fresh herbs can really make a house smell grand.
I hope you have a fantastic holiday season filled with love, warmth, and laughter. I am looking forward to spending time with my wonderful family, and to smelling my mama’s ever-faithful simmer pot while I’m home. Happy Holidays!
