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    Home » Home & Garden » Cleaning » Winter Simmering Pot Recipe

    Last updated: Nov 23, 2021 by Melissa Riker · 8 Comments

    Winter Simmering Pot Recipe

    Winter Simmering Pot Recipe, this stovetop potpourri pot is an easy way to scent your home without harmful chemicals! With oranges, Christmas tree clippings, and cloves, you'll love how this simmer pot makes your home smell like Christmas!

    pot with halved oranges with cloves and pine sprigs

    I was talking with my neighbor in her yard last week when I spotted some trimmings from their Christmas tree. We are traveling for the holidays this year so I reluctantly didn't get a live tree.

    When I saw my neighbor's cuttings I asked her if I could snag a few branches to make a simmer pot. She kindly allowed me to take some and I ran right home to whip up this delicious smelling Winter Simmer Pot.

    Trust me, you're going to want to try this recipe today!

    A close up of halved oranges with cloves and pine sprigs

    If you've been around this blog for a while you know I'm a HUGE fan of simmer pots. I love the way they make my entire house smell good and I'm not spraying yucky chemicals in the air.

    I usually share one or two different combinations I've tried each year (I'll link to all my previous recipes at the bottom of this post!)

    water with halved oranges with cloves and pine sprigs

    What is a simmer pot?

    If you're not familiar with making simmer pots (also called simmering pots, stovetop potpourri, or potpourri pots) you're in luck because it's so easy.

    You just fill a saucepan with water and add a combination of ingredients and then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow to just barely simmer.

    The evaporating water will fill the house with the scent of whatever you added to the pot! Then you can just add more water as needed.

    Ingredients

    For this winter simmer pot, I used one sliced orange, a few sprigs of Christmas tree cuttings (fir tree branches) and about 12 whole cloves. Seriously, the house just smelled like Christmas, it was amazing!

    halved oranges with cloves and pine sprigs in pot

    Variations

    You can get so creative experimenting with simmer pots, here are some other scents that would be perfect for winter:

    • cranberries
    • cinnamon sticks
    • star anise
    • apples
    • vanilla
    • allspice
    • nutmeg
    • lemon

    Tips

    • You can save the simmer pot ingredients to use the next day by draining them and storing in the fridge in an airtight container.
    • If you are entertaining or don't want to keep your eye on the stove you can make this in your slow cooker set to high with the lid off. It will take longer to start scenting the house but once it starts you won't be able to tell the difference!

    As promised, here are the previous simmer pot recipes I've shared. If you have a new one for me to try please leave it in the comments!

    • Autumn Simmer Pot and Mason Jar Gift
    • Ginger Citrus Simmer Po
    • Autumn Simmer Pot Variation
    • Slow Cooker Simmer Pot
    « Loaded Chocolate Chip M&M Cookies
    Watergate Salad Recipe »
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Karen St. Germain says

      December 20, 2020 at 7:55 am

      Trying this out before giving it out as gifts.. Sounds nice thank you sharing.

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        December 21, 2020 at 1:43 pm

        You're very welcome!

        Reply
    2. Emily Cosgrove says

      December 01, 2020 at 3:10 pm

      Could you use dried oranges instead, so you don't have to include water?

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        December 02, 2020 at 2:17 pm

        I'm not sure how you would have a simmer pot without water?

        Reply
      • Anita says

        December 03, 2020 at 1:01 pm

        did you mean using dried slices in a mason jar for gifting instead of new slices in water? I've never tried making a simmer pot with dried oranges. I would try it out yourself and see if the fragrance still comes through. If you are happy with it then gift away!!

        Reply
    3. Jill Brown says

      December 08, 2019 at 11:45 am

      If I make these for gifts in a mason jar, do I need to add water to the jars like in the Fall Mason jar recipe?

      Reply
      • Melissa Riker says

        December 09, 2019 at 9:52 am

        yes if you are slicing the oranges you'll need them to be in water so they don't go bad

        Reply
    4. Janet says

      July 29, 2019 at 12:46 pm

      thank you I will try your recipes

      Reply

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