What Is a Butter Bell, and How Does It Work?

The Danish time period “tandsmør” interprets to “tooth butter,” and refers to butter unfold so thick on a chunk of bread that each chunk leaves tooth marks. By no means earlier than have I felt so deeply linked to a different tradition. I bake numerous bread, and each morning I goal to attain good tandsmør the one method I understand how: with spreadable butter immediately from a butter bell. 

What’s a Butter Bell?

Whereas there’s proof that stoneware crocks have been used to retailer dairy for hundreds of years, the precise origins of the butter bell stay murky; a wide range of web sites vaguely date its beginnings to someday between the Sixteenth- and Nineteenth-century in France. However no matter when it was first created, the way it works is slightly clearer: softened butter is packed into the bell-shaped lid, which is then inserted within the cylindrical crock {that a} small quantity of water positioned within the backside. The bell form then creates an hermetic seal in opposition to the water.

Is a Butter Bell Protected to Use?

As a result of the fats content material in butter is so excessive, it received’t take up the water that it is available in contact with. This additionally implies that the butter isn’t uncovered to air, supposedly stopping butter spoilage. There may be one wrinkle on this principle, nevertheless. 

The USDA doesn’t even point out meals security issues concerning room temperature butter, solely that butter will go rancid…finally. However rancidity is outlined by a bitter taste that happens when fat start to oxidize, and doesn’t really correlate to food-borne pathogen progress. I used to be shocked to see this 2014 paper set up that butter saved at 77ºF to 95ºF had an estimated shelf lifetime of 109 days earlier than it could spoil, though butter saved at that temperature would seemingly be thought of rancid after solely six days. 

The opposite tough factor a couple of butter bell is the addition of moisture. Micro organism and mildew require moisture to develop, and butter by itself has a low sufficient moisture content material to stop pathogen progress. With the butter now sitting in direct contact with water, there’s really an opportunity {that a} butter bell can speed up pathogen progress. With that in thoughts, it’s essential to swap out the water each few days, and to make use of the butter inside about 10 days, in any other case you may be disenchanted with the outcomes. To check these limits, I left butter within the butter bell and out on the counter to see which might spoil quicker. After eleven days, I discovered wispy strands of mildew floating across the water within the backside a part of the crock. The butter itself hadn’t turned, however I nonetheless threw it out to be protected. The butter left alone on the counter was high-quality, displaying that the launched moisture in a butter bell creates extra potential for spoilage if the water isn’t modified repeatedly. 

Lastly, there’s the query of the air pocket beneath the bell. The extra butter you utilize, the deeper into the bell you go, and the larger the air pocket between the floor of the butter and water turns into. That air is then trapped in opposition to the floor of the butter, risking oxidation quicker than a easy coated butter dish. 

What’s the Finest Approach to Use a Butter Bell?

Although it has a doubtlessly spotty file on butter preservation, the place the higher bell really shines is in preserving your butter at a wonderfully spreadable temperature. Ceramic retains temperatures effectively, and the addition of water turns a butter bell right into a warmth sink. Critical Eats considers 60ºF to 65ºF to be the perfect temperature for softened butter. So, within the winter, when my kitchen is 66ºF to 68ºF, the butter bell retains my butter spreadable and smooth at room temperature. In the summertime, when my kitchen can high out at 80ºF, the water can really maintain the butter temperature cooler, even when the temperature barely exceeds the perfect vary. 

In the summertime, I like to recommend altering the water in a butter bell daily. The typical temperature of a chilly water faucet is between 45ºF to 55ºF, and a day by day water change will forestall the butter from going rancid quicker whereas preserving the butter from changing into too melty. Within the winter, the water could be modified each three to 4 days as a substitute, since room temperature will maintain butter within the completely spreadable vary by itself. 

So far as filling the bell, first soften the butter by leaving it on the counter for at the least quarter-hour, then use a knife or spoon to calmly unfold it round a bowl or a plate, making it extra pliable. Pack the butter into the bell tightly and, utilizing the identical knife or spoon, unfold the butter out to the sides of the bell in a smearing movement to eradicate all air pockets. When you add chilly water, the butter will agency up, and if there are any air gaps between the butter and the ceramic, it’d fall into the water. If that does occur, don’t sweat it. Pat the butter dry with a paper towel, and re-smear it into the bell, just a bit firmer the subsequent time. 

Is a Butter Bell Value It?

Whereas it may need a really particular activity and restricted preservation skills, I eat a lot bread and butter that I can’t think about not having a butter bell. Whereas bakers are higher served by planning forward, a butter bell is right for snackers in all seasons, albeit ones who’re diligent about altering the water.

A Couple of Butter Bells Value Contemplating 

A Traditional Butter Bell: L. Tremain Unique Butter Bell Crock

This butter bell has a easy ceramic design with a large, flat deal with so it will probably relaxation the other way up on the counter, giving you quick access to the butter inside. It is available in a wide range of colours to match your kitchen. 

One other Fashionable Possibility: Sawyer Ceramics French Butter Keeper

As a result of a butter bell is designed to remain out in your counter, you need it to look good. As wheel-thrown stoneware, this mannequin has a extra rustic, fashionable look than a regular butter bell whereas nonetheless providing the identical performance. 

FAQs

What’s the greatest butter bell?

Whereas we’ve not formally examined butter bells, the L. Tremain Unique Butter Bell Crock and Sawyer Ceramics French Ceramic Butter Keeper are two Critical Eats workers favorites that work effectively and look good on any kitchen counter.

How lengthy does butter final in a butter bell?

Any butter saved a butter bell needs to be used inside 10 days. The water within the crock introduces moisture, which might trigger mildew progress to occur quicker than if butter is overlooked on the counter. If the water is modified day by day, nevertheless, the butter would possibly final for much longer than 10 days.

How usually ought to I alter the water in a butter bell?

Producers recommend altering the water each three to 4 days. Nevertheless, in the summertime altering the water daily may help maintain butter cooler and spreadable with out melting, and protect the butter for an extended time period.