Spiced Fall Stove Top Potpourri

A spiced fall stove top potpourri recipe perfect for those days where you want to stay in. Omitting no fumes, stove top potpourri the perfect way to make your home smell like fall without all of those toxins.

When I think of fall, one of the first things I think of are the smells. Cloves, cinnamon, and apple are some of the first that come to mind. Cinnamon especially since this is the key spice in most apple and pumpkin scented candles.

Candles are a great way to make your home smell good and feel cozy during the holidays, but some candles can omit toxins into the air, making them not the best choice for the health conscious home maker. Stove top potpourris are a great alternative for this type of person.

First though, I want to preface by saying that not all candles are bad for your home. I am a candle fanatic and burn them frequently, but it really requires some researching into the candle and company to know if it’s toxic or not. I love Antique Candle Co and started purchasing all of my candles from there two years ago.

Why Are Candles Bad For Your Home?

Most candles contain parafin wax, which is not a clean burning wax. While being burned, paraffin wax releases carcinogenic toxins into the air. The toxins in this case are the additives in the wax. We’re talking formaldehyde, toluene, benzene, naphthalene, just to name a few. And let’s not to forget to mention that a decent bit of candles contain wicks with lead and synthetic oils. Are you grossed out yet?

Candles can also create a film that builds up on the walls of your home. This comes from tiny soot particles that accumulate on the wall surfaces.

Stove Top Potpourri – A Natural Alternative

Some people are sensitive to candles and certain essential oils, making stove top potpourri a great alternative to candles. The ingredients a lot of the times are things you can find in the kitchen of your home. When stove top potpourri is being simmered, it does not omit the same toxins as a candle because the ingredients are natural and the process consists of boiling water instead of burning a wick.

What is Stove Top Potpourri?

Stove top potpourri is a combination of natural food elements that can be added to a pot and simmered on the stove to release the natural smells of the said food/spices. Potpourri is normally simmered on the stove for a long period of time and the scent can last for up top several days.

What’s In Fall Stove Top Potpourri?

In this particular recipe I used the following ingredients but you can always mix it up with common whole fall spices. I added a clove essential oil to this simmer pot to enhance the whole cloves. This is my ultimate favorite fall spice so I wanted those extra notes. I have also heard of people adding apple cider to this combination and it smelling amazing.

• Apple
• Orange
• Cinnamon Sticks
• Whole Cloves
• Star Anise

These are also very popular fall stove top potpourri ingredients. The same recipe can be tweaked a little but for a Christmas Stove Top Potpourri. As far as the amount of each ingredient, you can add as little or as less of a certain ingredient as you’d like. If you like a certain smell, add more of that spice or fruit.

How to Make Fall Stove Top Potpourri

To make stove top potpourri, add all of the chose ingredients to a dutch oven or stainless pot on the stove. Before adding ingredients, make sure any fruit is sliced so the aromas from the fruits can be heated and released in the air.

After adding all of the ingredients, bring the potpourri to a simmer. Once at a simmer, lower the heat and let it do it’s work of making your house smell warm and cozy. If the liquid gets low, simply add more water to the pot. These are perfect for days when you’re home all day baking or hosting company. I hope you enjoy getting cozy with your all natural fall aromas.

Supplies Needed

Enameled Dutch Oven (I used a 5 quart dutch oven)