A butter dish is essential if you want to keep your butter fresh for a longer time as well as ensure its softness so that it can be spread easily. In early ages, when there were no refrigerators, people used to keep the butter in earthenware pots which were sometimes immersed in water. Now, the butter dishes are available which can be used for storing the butter at room temperature and thus you do not have to refrigerate it anymore.

In this article, we will see some mistakes which must be avoided while using a butter dish as well as some other vital points. 

Things to keep in mind while using a butter dish 

Almost all of us have been thinking since childhood that keeping the butter at room temperature will spoil it. So, we have been continuing to store it in our refrigerators. But the fact about butter is that you can store it at room temperature since it constitutes 80% fat with very less water content compared to the other dairy products. This prevents the growth of bacteria in them, unlike the other dairy products which get spoilt once you keep it at room temperature for some time. 

Here are some of the mistakes that must be avoided if you want to avoid the butter from turning rancid when storing it in a butter dish at the room temperature: 

1. When you are leaving the butter out, it is not the right type of butter: When you have decided to bake something recently then you can leave the unsalted butter on your kitchen counter at room temperature but if it remains unused for a longer duration, it will turn rancid. To avoid this situation, you need to make it salted as this will prevent the growth of bacteria in it.
2. Store it in the right container: If the butter is turning rancid, then the two primary reasons for this is its exposure to light and air. This is the reason why you need to be very careful regarding the container in which it is being stored at room temperature.
3. Do not leave it covered up in a plastic wrap or the same wax paper that was there while opening the packet. The right way is to opt for a suitable butter dish, butter bell or butter keeper which will ensure that it remains airtight as well as unexposed to light. In such containers, the butter remains smooth enough to spread it easily at room temperature.
4. Keeping the butter in the kitchen which has a higher temperature:This is applicable even when you reside in a region which has a higher ambient temperature or warmer summer seasons when it is consistently above 70°F. In such a scenario, the butter gets spoilt sooner, and therefore it is advisable to store it in a refrigerator for longer durations.
5. Not sticking to the minimum period for which butter can be kept out in the right condition: You can leave the butter at room temperature for 1-2 days as per the recommendation of USDA but when the butter crocks are used for storing it, this can remain unspoiled up to 2 weeks. Therefore, it is a good practice to avoid taking out small quantities and store it in a butter dish and the rest in the refrigerator as you may not be able to finish the whole amount soon. Once it gets over, you can restock your butter dish by taking out another portion from the refrigerator. This will prevent any chances of the butter turning rancid. 

Here are the types of butter dish which you can purchase from ellementry and make a wonderful addition to your existing crockery: 

1. Butter dish made up of clear glass with wooden base: It is a classy butter dish with an amazing fusion of wood and glass that can grab the attention of anyone easily. This beautiful product of 19 cm x 11.5 cm x 10.25 cm instantly enhances the charm of your dining table.

   You can maintain this sustainable and handcrafted product easily by washing the glass with warm soapy water using a sponge. Make sure to avoid any kind of abrasive materials for this as it can cause scratches in the glass and thus deteriorate its appearance. Do not hold it in slippery hands, to avoid any risk of breaking it.

   
2. Butter dish made up of ceramic, having a wooden lid: This product is available in two colours, i.e lemon, and blush which increases the desirability of serving the butter. The wooden lid adds a rich texture. The blend of the modern and traditional styles in this butter dish of 11.5 cm x 11.5 cm x 10.75 cm, creates an amazing aesthetic on your dining table. It requires the least effort for maintenance as you need a little warm water and some mild soap to clean it with a soft sponge. You can even use a clean damp cloth for wiping this sustainable handcrafted product.
3. Silver brass square butter dish: If you love to own silverware in your kitchen then this butter dish can be a wonderful option for you. This is a simple and classy product with dimensions 9.5 cm x 9.5 cm x 3.75 cm, has good durability. Your guests are going to fall in love with its elegant silver lacquering. For maintaining this sustainable butter dish, all you need to do is rinse it with warm water, and mild soap using a soft sponge and dry it using a paper towel or cloth. Make sure to avoid putting it in the dishwasher.
4. Butter dish made from ceramic, with polka dots and wooden lid: It is available in blue colour and if you want some kind of variation in the butter dish in terms of its design then opt for this as the hand-painted polka dot pattern is going to add a unique charm to your dining table. This is also an amazing option for someone who loves to own products having a blend of urban and traditional styles. Just like the other butter dishes, it can also be cleaned easily using a soft sponge with warm water and mild soap.

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