Can you really store butter OUT of the refrigerator?
Sometimes, I see something in a cooking catalog that makes sense and want to see if it works. That’s how I felt when I read about the Butter Bell, French Butter Bell® Crock, a traditional butter storage system that permits you to keep softened butter outside the refrigerator. I was very skeptical at first.
How often did my mother yell at me for leaving the butter out? But after reading how this French crock or “beurrier” (bur-e-ay) was used in days past before refrigeration, I thought I’d give one a try.
You may be asking why I want softened butter available at all times. That’s a good question. The answer is that my two little girls love toast and toasted waffles with butter for breakfast. Yes, I serve them omelets and cereal, but they love their waffles and butter.
Before I tried my Butter Bell crock, I would spread cold, hard, refrigerated butter on the waffles, which would often tear them apart, giving them a reason to whine, “Daddy, you ruined my waffle!”
No more. The softened butter from the crock spreads fast, doesn’t cool off their waffles, and gets me smiling every morning.
Did I worry about getting sick?
Yeah, at first, I couldn’t believe they would be allowed to sell a product if it was making people sick. We’ve been using ours for a month now, and there have been no complaints or illnesses. Of course, you have to follow the manufacturer’s directions and keep it clean.
According to the manufacturer, the butter is protected by an airtight water seal at the crock’s base. As you can see in the diagram, the butter 
goes in the top half and sits in the bottom half, which contains 1/3 cup of water. The crock keeps the butter at the perfect “spreading” consistency by insulating and keeping it cool and is also designed to enhance the flavor and freshness.
I’m not sure how it enhances the flavor, but it does prevent the butter from picking up bad flavors and odors from other stuff in your refrigerator.
These “Butter Bells®” come in various sizes and styles to suit the look of your kitchen. They are made from durable, high-quality stoneware and are dishwasher-safe.
Be sure to follow the helpful hints included with the crock, such as washing it thoroughly before adding new butter.
You will also be pleased to know there are a bunch of well-known chefs who endorse it. Here’s how a few of them describe it much better than I do;
“The Butter Bell® crock allows the flavors of fresh, herbed butter to blend beautifully of a rich, delicious taste” – Chef Peter Roelant, Executive Chef at The Four Oaks, Bel Air, CA
“The Butter Bell® enhances the taste of fresh, herbal butter while making a wonderful presentation piece.” – Chef Jean Franxois Meteigner, Owner of La Cachette, Los Angeles, CA
“The Butter Bell® crock is a great invention that provides a perfect way to keep and present flavored butter in a unique and attractive container.” – Chef Michael Roussel, Executive Chef at Brennan’s, New Orleans, LA
If you are interested in some great herb butter recipes, see my Herb Butter Recipes page, which includes Cilantro Herb Butter, Tarragon Herb Butter, Brennan’s Bananas Foster Butter and more.
One Response
I have used a butter bell for over 2 years. We love, love, love it!
Keep it clean, refresh the water every few days, and you will have cool, spreadable butter. Yum!