Autumn has some pretty wonderful scents, doesn't it? There's apple pie fresh from the oven, cinnamon warming in the kitchen, and that unmistakable scent of oranges studded with cloves. Even when there's nothing baking, it's nice to have those familiar fragrances floating around the house.

That's where simmer pots come in. They're an old-fashioned trick for making the kitchen smell like we've been baking all afternoon, even when the oven hasn't been switched on. And, with Thanksgiving just around the corner, it's the perfect time to put one on the stove.

What Is a Simmer Pot?

A simmer pot is essentially homemade stovetop potpourri, made by gently heating fruit, herbs, and whole spices in water. As everything warms, the ingredients release their natural fragrances into the air.

It’s important to note that simmer pots need supervision. You have to keep an eye on the water level, top it up when necessary, and never leave the stove unattended or allow the pot to boil dry. Here are five combinations to try this fall.

1. Classic Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot

Apple and cinnamon have been making autumn kitchens smell like home for generations. Add a little orange and clove, and you'll have the fragrance of homemade apple pie without having to roll out a single piece of pastry.

Ingredients

• 1 apple, sliced

• 1 orange, sliced

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 4 whole cloves

• 4 cups water

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan.

• Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

• Let the ingredients simmer gently, adding more water as needed.

2. Orange and Rosemary Simmer Pot

Rosemary isn't just for roast potatoes. Its distinctive herbal fragrance works well with orange. It’ll create a scent that's a little less sweet than the traditional cinnamon-heavy combinations.

Ingredients

• 1 orange, sliced

• 2 sprigs fresh rosemary

• 1 cinnamon stick

• 3 whole cloves

• 4 cups water

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan.

• Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

• Continue simmering gently, adding more water as needed.

3. Cozy Vanilla and Pear Simmer Pot

There's something particularly comforting about the smell of vanilla in the kitchen. The ripe pear and vanilla will create a soft, sweet fragrance, while the cardamom will add a subtle hint of spice. It's a lovely choice for a quiet afternoon with a good book.

Ingredients

• 1 ripe pear, sliced

• 1 cinnamon stick

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

• 3 whole cardamom pods, lightly crushed

• 4 cups water

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan.

• Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

• Allow the ingredients to simmer gently, adding more water as needed.

4. Cranberry and Orange Simmer Pot

This one's particularly pretty, with bright red cranberries bobbing around among slices of orange. It's a festive combination for Thanksgiving week, especially when friends and family come over and the kitchen is already the busiest room in the house.

Ingredients

• ½ cup fresh or frozen cranberries

• 1 orange, sliced

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 1 sprig fresh rosemary

• 4 cups water

Instructions

• Combine all the ingredients in a medium saucepan.

• Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

• Continue simmering gently, adding more water whenever needed.

5. Spiced Apple Cider Simmer Pot

Remember walking into a cider mill or farm shop in October and catching that wonderful smell of warm, spiced apple cider?

This simmer pot will bring a little of that experience home. And the star anise will add a distinctive licorice-like note to the familiar apple and cinnamon combination.

Ingredients

• 1 apple, sliced

• 1 orange peel, cut into strips

• 2 cinnamon sticks

• 3 whole cloves

• 2 whole star anise

• 4 cups water

Instructions

• Add all the ingredients to a medium saucepan.

• Bring to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to low.

• Let the ingredients simmer gently, adding more water as needed.

Make Autumn Your Own

Once you've tried a simmer pot or two, it's easy to start experimenting with whatever’s in your kitchen. Leftover orange peels are perfect for this, and a slightly bruised apple can still create plenty of fragrance. You might even discover a favorite combination of your own.

Just remember that these mixtures are for fragrance, not for drinking, and need to be poured out when you’re done. Still, isn’t there something nice about bringing back such a simple, old-fashioned tradition? With a saucepan on the stove and a few familiar ingredients, your house will be smelling like autumn in no time.

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