508246 Thu Apr 10 20:20:36 -0700 2008 12 41 Cookware 0 3583076 I know a butter bell isn't "exactly" cooking equipment, but... I've been dancing around buying one for a while now. Seems like a great idea. Then I stop and think, "Idiot! You need one more thing sitting on the counter like a hole in the head!" But the idea of spreadable butter any time is very attractive. Anyone have one (and use it!), and would you recommend the one stick or the two stick size? Thanks for sharing! Thu Apr 10 20:20:36 -0700 2008 112096 Caroline1 1 3583629 I have one and use it all the time, it really is nice to be able to have soft butter for my homebaked breads. Fri Apr 11 06:24:26 -0700 2008 3583076 171261 LadyCook61 1 3584893 See this recent (brief) thread: http://www.chowhound.com/topics/502027 Fri Apr 11 12:24:20 -0700 2008 3583076 55316 mpalmer6c 1 3585015 Got one, love it, and it doesn't take up too much room. Proper size depends on how much butter you use. We don't use a lot of butter - we typically put half a stick of butter in the bell, at most, and it'll last several days. If you go through a LOT of butter, get the bigger one...but I bet most folks can get by with a one-stick size. Fri Apr 11 12:48:31 -0700 2008 3583076 13700 ricepad 1 3585388 I've got one, and I love it, but I don't use it in the summer. I've found that the butter gets too soft, and even changes a little in texture and color in the warmer weather, even though my home is air conditioned, and even if I change the water daily. Fri Apr 11 14:07:48 -0700 2008 3583076 49600 CindyJ 2 3585575 Yeah, and I've also found that if you leave it in the direct sun (on the breakfast room table), on a hot day you can end up with butter soup, as the butter melts and mixes with the water. I have two, and I go through periods where I use them regularly, and then through periods when they sit in the cupboard. You might as well get one (a small one) and see how it fits into your lifestyle. You can, of course, put the butterbell inside a cupboard -- you don't have to leave it on the counter. Fri Apr 11 14:50:17 -0700 2008 3585388 10159 Ruth Lafler 1 3585647 Thanks, everyone. Sounds like it's worth the counter space! Fri Apr 11 15:11:19 -0700 2008 3583076 112096 Caroline1 2 3586828 It is absolutely worth the counter space. I have the one stick size and need to refill it about once a week. Just leave a stick out til room temp, and smush it in there. It's really nice to have soft butter always available, and looks kind of cute on the counter. Sat Apr 12 05:45:08 -0700 2008 3585647 24075 onefineleo 3 4230380 I know it's been a while since this thread was active, but I just got a Le Creuset butter bell at the outlet store (for 40% off, I figured I could try it.) I've smushed a rectangle of Kerrygold into it, filled the water to the 1/3 cup, and insert it, but it didn't make the "airtight seal" that the box said. Is it a tight seal, or just a seal around the butter? I'm keeping it in a cooler, dark place in the kitchen until I see how it performs. Mon Dec 08 14:45:57 -0800 2008 3586828 83766 brendastarlet 4 4230420 hey thanks for giving this thread a bump-- had new neighbors over for dinner the other day and they were marveling at our BB-- handmade local pottery, warm mottled brown glaze, very tactile. we were expounding on all the benefits WRT zero spoilage, soft butter etc, but one of them piped up-- "i suppose it also takes care of the whole 'cat factor'" (!!!) ;-P so yeah, i guess that protecting soft butter from felines could be another benefit-- although my cat doesn't get to jump on the table & live. . . Mon Dec 08 14:58:33 -0800 2008 4230380 46030 soupkitten 4 4233552 It isn't really a seal, but rather the water separating the air and the butter. So though the lid might not seem like it is on tightly, as long as there is water it will be fine. Tue Dec 09 14:35:28 -0800 2008 4230380 144892 Dan G 1 4230453 We use one all the time. I've had several of the straight-sided ones and they will actually let the butter slip out into the water when it's warm. We're currently using the Emile Henry one that is more attractive (I think) and has the advantage of a cone shape that makes the base of the butter mass too wide to fit through the top opening. A much more effective design I think. Mon Dec 08 15:10:30 -0800 2008 3583076 17969 rainey 1 4244690 I had one and I hated it because it was messy to use and the butter was either too hard, too soft or wet, so I sold it on eBay. Sat Dec 13 16:28:19 -0800 2008 3583076 248284 taos