Chandigarh/Srinagar, Dec 20: On slow Saturdays, when time stretches and the house feels quieter than usual, small rituals take centre stage. A cup of tea lingers longer, sunlight pools on the floor, and the urge to make your space feel comforting becomes almost instinctive. Somewhere between expensive aroma diffusers and DIY home hacks lives a simple, desi solution — the humble electric kettle.
In many Indian homes, kettles are workhorses, brought out for boiling water, making instant noodles or a quick cup of green tea. But lately, they are being quietly repurposed into something else entirely: a makeshift diffuser that fills rooms with warmth, spice and nostalgia.
The idea is deceptively simple. Fill your kettle with water, drop in a few sticks of cinnamon, switch it on and let it boil. As steam rises, it carries with it the sweet, woody aroma of cinnamon, dispersing it gently across the room. Within minutes, the air feels richer — almost festive — like a bakery, a winter kitchen or a cosy café tucked away on a cold street.
Unlike synthetic room fresheners that hit the nose sharply and fade fast, cinnamon’s scent unfolds slowly. It lingers. It comforts. It doesn’t announce itself loudly but wraps the room in warmth.
For many, this jugaad is born out of necessity. Diffusers can be expensive, essential oils even more so, and not everyone wants to invest in gadgets. A kettle, on the other hand, is already sitting on the kitchen counter, waiting to be reinvented.
Cinnamon isn’t just about smell — it’s memory. It reminds people of winter evenings, spiced tea, festive desserts and old kitchens where something was always simmering. The aroma has a grounding effect, making spaces feel lived-in rather than staged.
There’s also a practical reason. Cinnamon sticks hold their scent even when heated, releasing fragrance steadily instead of burning off quickly. This makes them ideal for steam-based diffusion, even when done the jugaad way.
Some people add cloves, bay leaves or orange peels to the mix, but cinnamon alone is enough to transform a space.
What makes this kettle trick special isn’t just the fragrance — it’s the ritual. The act of filling the kettle, breaking a cinnamon stick, waiting for the water to boil and watching steam curl upward becomes meditative. It slows the day down.
In a world obsessed with optimisation and speed, there’s something quietly rebellious about choosing a low-tech solution that requires patience. No apps, no refills, no blinking lights — just water, spice and heat.
For those working from home, especially writers, artists or anyone spending long hours indoors, this small sensory shift can change the mood of an entire afternoon. The room feels warmer, softer, more welcoming.
Like all jugaad solutions, this one works best with care. Leaving a kettle unattended is never a good idea. It’s important to keep windows slightly open for ventilation, especially in smaller rooms, and to avoid letting the kettle boil dry.
Those with pets or respiratory sensitivities should be mindful, keeping exposure brief and gentle. The idea is to scent the room, not overwhelm it.
The kettle diffuser is not about replacing luxury diffusers or pretending it’s the same thing. It’s about using what you have, creatively and thoughtfully. It’s about finding comfort in small acts and letting your home breathe with you.
On a Saturday afternoon, when deadlines pause and the week loosens its grip, letting cinnamon steam through your room feels like an act of care — for the space you inhabit and for yourself.
Sometimes, heaven doesn’t come bottled. Sometimes, it’s boiling quietly in a kettle on your kitchen counter.
