This $24 “Little Luxury” Makes My Kitchen 100x Cozier Every Morning

I’m one of those people who hates overhead lights, or “big lights” — I’m a highly sensitive person and overhead lights are typically too overstimulating for me. Conversely, the warm glow that comes from the Himalayan salt lamp on my office desk or the charming little lamp set on my kitchen counter both give me an inordinate sense of cozy and calm. These small, effusive points of light settle my nervous system and guide my senses to an aesthetically pleasing vignette that grounds me in the here and now. Besides all this, soft, low light is just plain pretty. 

That’s why I’ve thought candle warmers were delightful since they became popular a few years back. Originally invented in 2001 (so they’re officially “vintage”!), they’re small, glowy, and make candles safer to enjoy, helping them burn more efficiently and ultimately making them last longer. With no flame, they just heat your candle from the top, releasing the scent evenly, with no smoke, and no chance of forgetting to blow the flame out. For this house of seven filled with kids and dogs, that peace of mind is priceless.

They come in all different shapes, styles, and colors, but my favorite is this REIDEA candle warmer lamp, which is under $25 in a romantic rose color that’s pretty both on and off. A candle warmer is great in and of itself, but the world of possibilities opened up when I saw Wendy of @thekwendyhome’s Instagram reel that shows how much more it can be, especially to make winter cozier than ever in the kitchen. 

This is your sign to start using a candle warmer to keep your coffee or tea warm. Using the base of the candle warmer as a coaster puts your mug right under the heat lamp, making your warm beverage last longer. Of course, this works with all kinds of warm winter drinks, like mulled cider or wine. You could even use it to keep soup or another lunch nice and hot. The candle warmer also warms up the mug itself, which feels so nice in your hands and is perfect for winter mornings, but use caution! The warmer can make the mug pretty hot. 

As Wendy shows, you can also use the candle warmer to waft yummy smells from a miniature simmer pot. Put water, citrus, rosemary, cinnamon sticks, or any other warm-scented ingredients in a heatproof glass (a Mason jar would work perfectly), place it under the candle warmer, and enjoy a naturally scented space. 

The candle warmer can also be used for decadent snacks, like a mini fondue station. Put cheese in a heatproof ramekin and dip crackers into it, or melt chocolate and dip in your favorite fruit. This luxurious gem makes a fancy treat far more accessible and can suffuse even an ordinary Thursday around the kitchen table with a special-occasion vibe in an instant. Just make sure you’re following proper food safety guidelines; watch to make sure food doesn’t burn, and don’t let perishable food sit out too long at an unsafe temperature. 

Your candle warmer can also be used when cooking — set butter in a bowl or mug under it if you need to soften or melt it. You can also soften coconut oil or shortening for baking. Again, make sure the dish you place your food in is heat-safe (and read the instruction manual in case you have any other questions). 

Finding out that your favorite gadgets are far more versatile than you thought is such a fun feeling, and really reminds you that you got your money’s worth. I, for one, will be using my candle warmer every way I can to make the rest of the chilly season super cozy!

This post originally appeared on The Kitchn. See it there: This $24 “Little Luxury” Makes My Kitchen 100x Cozier Every Morning