The Simmer Pot Side Quest: What It Is & How To Use One
Not everything has to be a main quest.
Some things are just small, optional joys you pick up along the way — the kind that make everyday life feel a little warmer without demanding too much from you. That’s how I think about simmer pots.
I started using stovetop simmer pots because I wanted my house to smell good in a real way — not overpowering, not artificial, just quietly cozy. Something that could exist alongside cooking dinner or folding laundry. No pressure. No perfection.
If you’ve ever wondered what a simmer pot actually is, or how people use them, consider this your invitation to a very low-effort side quest.
What is a stovetop simmer pot?
A stovetop simmer pot is a small pot of water filled with natural ingredients — things like dried citrus, spices, herbs, or fruit — gently heated on the stove so they release a warm, natural scent into your home.
There’s nothing fancy about it. It’s closer to cooking than decorating.
People have been doing some version of this for generations, often without naming it at all. It’s one of those quiet practices that existed long before it became “a thing.”
How do you use a simmer pot?
This is the part where people assume it’s more complicated than it is. It’s not.
Here’s the simple version:
- Fill a small pot with water
- Add your ingredients
- Place it on the stove over low heat
- Let it gently simmer (not a rolling boil)
- Add water as needed throughout the day
That’s it. You don’t need to babysit it — just keep the heat low and enjoy the background warmth it brings into the room.
What do people put in simmer pots?
Most simmer pots are made with ingredients you probably already recognize:
- Dried or fresh orange slices
- Cranberries or apple slices
- Cinnamon sticks
- Cloves or star anise
- Pine, rosemary, or bay leaves
Different combinations give off different moods — bright, cozy, woodsy, or festive — depending on the season.
At Mabel’s Acres, I use whole, dried ingredients because they hold their scent longer and feel more intentional than tossing scraps into a pot at the last minute.
How long does a simmer pot last?
A simmer pot can last anywhere from a few hours to a full day, depending on how gently it’s heated and how often you add water.
Many people reuse the same ingredients for a day or two — especially if they turn off the heat at night and refresh it the next morning with more water.
Once the scent fades or the ingredients start breaking down, it’s time to compost them and move on. Side quests aren’t meant to drag on forever.
Are simmer pots better than candles?
This question comes up a lot, and the honest answer is: it depends on what you want.
Simmer pots:
- Use real, recognizable ingredients
- Don’t rely on synthetic fragrance
- Create a softer, more natural background scent
Candles:
- Are convenient and portable
- Tend to be stronger and more immediate
- For me, simmer pots feel less like décor and more like part of the rhythm of the house — something you do while living, not something you turn on and forget about.
Are simmer pots safe if you have pets?
- Another common question, and an important one.
- Because simmer pots use whole ingredients and don’t aerosolize fragrance oils, many people feel more comfortable using them in homes with pets.
That said:
- Keep the pot out of reach
- Use low heat
- Avoid ingredients your pets are sensitive to
- Never leave the stove unattended
- Simple ingredients and common sense go a long way here.
Why this side quest keeps calling me back
I’m drawn to things that feel useful, comforting, and a little old-fashioned — not performative or overdone.
A simmer pot doesn’t demand attention. It just quietly makes the house feel lived-in and cared for. It’s a small ritual that adds warmth without clutter, which is probably why I keep coming back to it season after season.
That’s also why I started making small-batch simmer pot blends here at the farm — so people who want that same feeling don’t have to overthink it or source everything themselves.
Final thoughts
If you’re looking for a natural way to make your home smell good — especially during colder months — a simmer pot is an easy place to start.
No rules. No pressure. Just real ingredients, warm water, and a little time.
And if you decide to take on this particular side quest, I hope it makes your home feel a little softer.
Cheers,
Kim & Mabel