Easy Winter Simmer Pot Recipes for the Magickal Soul (2024)

FAQs

What is a simmer pot for winter solstice? ›

One of the easiest things to do around the winter holidays is to make a simmer pot. A simmer pot is basically a homemade air freshener made by simmering fragrant pieces of fruits, herbs, and other spices in water. You throw some nice smelling things into a pot and let it just simmer on the stove all day.

It is possible to reuse a simmer pot a second time. To reuse, drain water from the simmer pot ingredients. After the ingredients are drained and have cooled, store them in an air tight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, depending on what ingredients you used.

The ingredients used in simmer pots, like cinnamon, ginger, and citrus fruits, not only emit a comforting fragrance but also bring with them an array of health benefits, such as improved digestion, enhanced immune function, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Use it to anoint a black candle for protection. Use it to wipe over services and especially the front door. Add used lemon peel to a pot with thyme, vanilla and cloves. Simmer and reserve the liquid for a non-toxic air freshener.

Your simmering pot should last 24 hours on the stovetop. If you only use peels and spices without fresh food, it can last up to four days! All you have to do is replenish the water about every 30-45 minutes. That way, you'll constantly have the simmering aromatics filling your house with all the scents of fall.

In this case, a frostproof pot with a drainage hole is important. Fiberglass, lead, iron, heavy plastic, and stone are the best weather-resistant containers to use; terra-cotta will eventually expand and crack with repeated freezing and thawing.

Simmering and Boiling

In the event that your goal is to keep moisture in—like when your pot of soup, stew, or sauce is already at the right consistency, but you want to keep cooking the vegetables and melding the flavors—leave the lid on to keep any more liquid from evaporating.

Some, like lavender and mint teas you are probably familiar with but there are so many more! I use flavored teabags to infuse flavor when I am boiling, simmering, and poaching.

Never leave the simmering pot unattended. I always stay in the same room so I can keep an eye on the stove, and can top up the simmer pot with additional water as needed. Don't allow the pan to run dry, and avoid using it when there are kids or pets nearby. Simmer pots are meant to be smelled, not eaten!

Those store-bought air fresheners and candles might smell nice, but they're packed with chemicals that aren't so great for us or the environment. Simmer pots, using natural ingredients like herbs and fruits, offer delightful scents without any of those harmful additives—no chemicals, just pure goodness!

Do simmer pots add moisture to the air? ›

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.

However, as long as you use only food-based ingredients, you could drink the liquid from a simmer pot. If you do plan to drink it, we recommend using apple juice or cider as the base and add food-based ingredients that produce a desirable flavor you would want to sip on, similar to a homemade simmering apple cider.

Put simply, a simmer pot is an assortment of ingredients combined together in water and set on a medium heat to simmer for a few hours, releasing a more concentrated aroma into the air. It's healthier than an aerosol and, often, faster at enveloping the rooms in a scent than burning a candle would be.

A teaspoon of vanilla extract also makes a simmer pot smell divine; or, add a few drops of your favorite therapeutic essential oils to create a custom scent. To start your simmer pot, fill a small pot halfway with water and stir in your spices, herbs, peels, or fruits.

Put simply, a simmer pot is an assortment of ingredients combined together in water and set on a medium heat to simmer for a few hours, releasing a more concentrated aroma into the air. It's healthier than an aerosol and, often, faster at enveloping the rooms in a scent than burning a candle would be.

A simmer pot is a clever, all-natural way to waft a pleasant aroma throughout your entire house. Just put the ingredients into a saucepan, cover with water and let simmer. The heat and steam will welcome your guests — or even help them feel like they've been transported somewhere else.

Set your stovetop to low to medium heat, slowly increasing it until you reach the desired simmer. Be aware that adding new ingredients may cause the temperature to drop slightly.