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This morning, I noticed a few of our apples had secretly started to go bad. Not the kind of bad where you’d want to eat them, but not quite bad enough to toss either. Instead of letting them go to waste, I turned them into something warm and comforting—a homemade simmer pot!

If you’ve never made a simmer pot before, it’s one of the easiest and coziest ways to make your home smell incredible. No fancy candles or expensive essential oils—just simple, natural ingredients you already have in your kitchen.

My Easy Simmer Pot Recipe

For today’s simmer pot, I used:

A few apples (past their prime but still perfect for this!)
A mandarin orange (peel and all)
A pear (because why not?)
A fragrant tea bag (I used an orange spice tea we don’t love—it turns out, it’s much better in a simmer pot than in a mug!)
A good splash of vanilla extract (because vanilla makes everything better)

I love adding a tea bag to simmer pots—it’s an easy trick to deepen the fragrance and tie all the scents together. As the pot gently simmers, the steam carries the warm, spiced aroma throughout the house, making it feel extra inviting.

And on a rainy morning like today? Absolute perfection.

Simmer Pot Tips & Tricks

Keep an Eye on the Water Level
Since simmer pots naturally evaporate over time, check on it throughout the day and add fresh water as needed to keep the fragrance going.

Save & Reuse Your Simmer Pot
If you’re done using the stove for the night but want to keep the simmer pot for another day, cover it with water and place it in the fridge. The next morning, simply pull it out, set it back on the stove, and let it warm up again.

Freeze Scraps for Later
Short on time? If you have citrus peels or overripe fruit but don’t have time for a simmer pot, toss them into a freezer bag and store them in the freezer. That way, you’ll always have a stash ready to go when you want a cozy refresh.

Freshen Up the Garbage Disposal
When your simmer pot is completely exhausted (meaning everything is mush), dump the contents into the garbage disposal and run warm water. It’s a natural way to freshen up your sink.

🌿 Did You Know? A Hidden Benefit of Simmer Pots!

Simmer pots do more than make your home smell amazing—they help add moisture to the air, especially in dry winter months. Instead of synthetic air fresheners, they use simple, natural ingredients like fruit scraps and spices. Best of all, they’re budget-friendly and non-toxic, making them a cozy, practical ritual for any day.

More Simple Simmer Pot Ideas

One of my favorite things about simmer pots is that you can get creative and use whatever you have on hand. There’s no right or wrong combination! Here are some other easy simmer pot ideas to try:

Citrus & Herbs

A fresh and uplifting scent that’s great for any time of year:

Lemon slices
Fresh rosemary or thyme
A splash of vanilla extract

Warm & Spicy

A classic fall and winter blend that makes your home smell like the holidays:

Apple peels
Cinnamon sticks
Whole cloves

Cozy Bakery

Smells just like something fresh out of the oven:

Orange peels
A dash of almond extract
A sprinkle of cinnamon

Refreshing & Light

Perfect for spring or when you want a fresh, clean scent:

Eucalyptus leaves or mint
Lime slices
A few drops of peppermint extract

The beauty of simmer pots is that they’re completely customizable. If you don’t have an ingredient, swap it for something else! Have extra herbs about to go bad? Toss them in. Leftover citrus peels? Perfect.

A Little History of Simmer Pots

Long before store-bought air fresheners, people simmered herbs, citrus, and spices to naturally refresh their homes. Many cultures believed certain blends had purifying or calming effects, making this tradition both practical and soothing. Today, simmer pots remain a timeless way to add warmth and comfort to any space.

How to Make a Simmer Pot

Making a simmer pot is as simple as it gets:

Add your chosen ingredients to a pot. Fresh or dried, peels or whole fruit—it all works!
Pour in enough water to mostly cover the ingredients to ensure there’s enough liquid to last as it simmers.
Bring the pot to a gentle simmer over medium heat, then reduce to low. You want a slow, steady steam, not a rolling boil.
Let it do its thing—check the water level occasionally and add more as needed.

You can also use a small slow cooker or crockpot on low heat if you don’t want to monitor the stove. Just set it and forget it!

I love how something as simple as a simmer pot can transform the feel of a home. It’s proof that creating a cozy, inviting space doesn’t have to be expensive or complicated. Sometimes, it’s as easy as repurposing what you already have.

So next time you notice some fruit on its last legs or a tea you didn’t love, don’t toss it—turn it into a simmer pot instead! Hugs.

Comment Below: Do you have a favorite simmer pot recipe? Let me know in the comments—I’d love to try it!