Hack Your Candle Warmer To Make A Simmer Pot Without The Stove

There's truly nothing better than the smell of a pot full of fruits, herbs, and spices that's been simmering away on the stovetop for some time... or is there? You might think this old-school way of keeping your home smelling fresh only belongs on the stovetop, but one simple hack has proved that idea wrong. Now, you can easily make your simmer pot safe, transportable, and effective even in small sizes — and all you need is a candle warmer.

One Instagram user showed her followers how she creates the perfect candle warmer simmer pot, and we couldn't help but fall in love with the hack. All you need is a small, heat-safe vessel to put your favorite simmer pot ingredients inside — and, of course, a candle warmer lamp. Top-down candle warmers release candle scents quickly (plus they have that ambient warm glow everyone loves), and you could try bottom-up wax warmer to release the scents of your simmer pot. For the vessel itself, the creator of this hack uses an old candle jar so that the simmer pot fits perfectly underneath the candle warmer. You can also use a small pot, heat-safe bowl, or even a little baking dish to create your simmer pot. Fill the vessel close to the top with water, and don't forget to check in on it every once in a while to make sure that the water hasn't evaporated underneath the heat lamp if you're using it for long periods of time.

There are lots of ways to spice things up (literally) with your miniature simmer pot. Spices — such as star anise, nutmeg, cloves, and cinnamon sticks — are a great way to make your home smell like the holidays during the winter season. Add a few pine leaves or essential oil for an extra wintery scent. If you've got leftover citrus peels, don't throw them away; make a simmer pot out of them first. Oranges and lemons go well with other scents for any season.

If you're wondering how you can reuse your leftover teabags, save them up for a simmer pot; the herbs will make any room smell delightful. Speaking of, don't forget about the potential for rosemary, mint, and lavender in a mini simmer pot — they're a perfect candle replacement. 

Incorporating seasonal elements into your simmer pot recipes is the perfect way to give your house a refresh throughout the year. Rosemary, cranberries, cinnamon, citrus, and pine create a gorgeous holiday simmer pot. In the spring, lavender and lemon will bring a beautifully fresh scent into your home. Dried rose petals and vanilla will release a sweet, gentle, summery vibe once they start simmering. For fall, gather up all your favorite warm spices for the coziest simmer pot ever. 

So, why should you use a candle warmer instead of a stovetop to heat your simmer pot? For one thing, you'll find that candle warmers are often safer than leaving your stovetop on for long periods of time; especially if you're working with a gas stovetop. Candle warmers use no flame or gas to operate, and are even better than an electric stovetop because they use a low level of heat designed for melting wax, not cooking food. Some candle warmers also come with a timer, so you can set your pot to simmer for exactly as long as you want it. Though candle warmers are generally seen as a safe option, you still shouldn't leave yours on for too long — and be careful not to touch the bulb or candle warming plate, either.

A candle warmer also means that your simmer pot is easily transportable, so you can move it from room to room within your home. A stovetop simmer pot is great for making your kitchen smell amazing, but unless you have a kitchen in your bedroom, the smell may not permeate the rest of your house as easily. With a candle warmer, however, you only need a wall plug and a flat surface to take your favorite simmer pot wherever you want. This makes an affordable, sustainable alternative to store-bought candles.