Candle warmer lamps offer a stylish and practical alternative to traditional candle wick burning. They provide a more even scent distribution, extend the life of your candles, eliminate the worry of an open flame, and keep your air free from soot and smoke. But their benefits don’t stop there—these trendy home accessories are surprisingly versatile. From melting chocolate for fondue to keeping your coffee warm, we’ve rounded up seven unexpected ways to make the most of your candle warmer lamp.

1. Create a Mini Simmer Pot

For an extra-cozy candle alternative, make a mini simmer pot to place under the lamp in place of a candle. Not only does this option provide soft, ambient light (thanks to the lamp), but it also eliminates the stress of constantly checking the hot stove when you have a simmer pot on. To create your own, find a heat-safe cup or bowl that fits under the lamp and fill it with water and the simmer pot ingredients of your choice. (Coffee beans, vanilla, orange peels, cinnamon sticks, cranberries, and cloves are all great options.) Check the simmer pot every couple of hours to make sure it doesn’t run out of liquid and burn its contents.

2. Make Fondue

Using a heat-safe vessel, melt either cheese or chocolate to make a mini portion of fondue. Use a recipe of your choice for either, and let the candle warmer do the rest of the work! Dip strawberries and pretzels in the chocolate fondue or chips and bread in the cheese. This idea works great for one to two people, as the bowl has to be small enough to fit under the lamp.

3. Warm Essential Oils

Just like with a simmer pot, you can add 5 to 10 drops of your favorite essential oils to a heat-safe dish and place it under the candle warmer lamp to fill your home with a custom scent. Consider adding a carrier oil, like coconut oil, to the dish to dilute the essential oils and extend the diffusion time. Check the dish every so often to make sure the oils don’t evaporate too fast. Add more drops of essential oils if you notice the scent has faded.

4. Keep Dips and Drinks Warm

If you have a small serving of hot dip that you want to keep warm at the counter, a candle warmer lamp is the perfect solution. This works for your favorite hot drinks, too. Place your tea or coffee mug under the soft light between sips for a stylish drink warmer that you’re proud to display on your side table. The gradual heat will keep the drink warm without making it too hot.

5. Heat Socks

This idea works particularly well if you have a candle warmer lamp in or near your bedroom or bathroom. About five minutes before you’re ready to put your socks on, place rolled up, dry socks under the lamp for a quick warm-up. Before you know it, you’ll have heated, cozy socks before you start your day or crawl into bed.

6. Proof Dough

If your candle warmer lamp’s size allows for it, it can assist you in proofing dough before baking. After covering your dough and placing it in a heat-safe dish, set it under the lamp to create a perfect proofing environment. After about 45 minutes, check your dough to make sure it’s not rising too quickly or drying out. Continue to proof as your recipe suggests.

7. Soften or Melt Butter

Whether you need to soften butter (or cream cheese) to room temperature for a baking recipe or before serving on its own, the slow melt of a candle warmer lamp will gradually get the job done perfectly. It should take around 20 minutes to soften cold butter, but check it frequently to be sure it doesn’t melt completely. If you’re serving a seafood dinner and need liquid butter to dip in, place butter in a small heat-safe dish and melt.