When you use burners or simmering pots you get the most out of potpourri oils. Heat is the catalyst which causes the fragrance to expand into the atmosphere. A low heat is ideal because it excites the fragrance molecules enough to make them freshen the air but it is not hot enough to actually burn the oil and ruin the fragrance. Fragrant oil used in this manner gives a delightful scent to your home if it is a good quality fragrance and is easy to use. It also provides a continual aroma rather than something which is sprayed into the air and lasts for just a few minutes. The oil based fragrance also tends to settle into the carpet, and curtains of your home which also causes it to linger.
I personally like to use the candle burners when I warm potpourri oil but there are electric models which work very well also. The candle burner needs a tea light candle to provide heat. You place a small amount of oil and water in the burning dish and light the candle to cause the oil to release its fragrance. The water turns into steam which causes the fragrance to diffuse throughout the atmosphere.
Electric oil warmers use a small high intensity light bulb to produce heat. The heat is usually funneled to the oil container through a tube which surrounds the light bulb. You can usually adjust the level of heat by increasing or decreasing the intensity of the light. More heat causes more fragrance, less heat causes less fragrance to be released. Many of my customers will burn undiluted oil in the burning dish but I personally like to use water with just a few drops of oil in it.
Never add cold water to a hot dish. If the water level in the dish runs low turn the burner off and wait until it cools down before you add warm water.
You can also use an old pot or pan as an oil warmer. Place a small pan on top of the stove and put in a small amount of water. Turn the heat on low to get the fragrance started. This works just as well as any burner that you may buy. Light rings are also excellent for spreading fragrance. They put out a tremendous amount of scent but they use the oil rather quickly. Remember to keep these devices out of the reach of small children and away from places where they can be knocked over. You really want to keep them where your guests won’t handle them because even when the candle has gone out or the light has been turned off they will be hot. Remember never to add water to a hot burning dish. Now that you have taken care of all of these precautions go ahead and enjoy your fragrance.
