Buying guide for Best butter warmers
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Delectable butter is the perfect pairing for a wide array of foods. Its rich flavor and oily texture are the ideal coating for bread and, of course, seafood. The fatty taste of butter complements the delicate flavors of lobster and shrimp. A lobster feast is nothing without miniature warmed vats of butter, ripe for dipping.
Perhaps you’re looking to don your next table setting with individual butter warmers for your guests. Or, if you’re not interested in such a specialized kitchen accessory, perhaps you’d like a stovetop butter warmer instead — you can use it to melt large quantities of butter as well as for heating sauces. That’s right, butter warmers aren’t solely for butter: you can also use them to melt chocolate or cheese for a romantic fondue or to heat up stock for a cozy dinnertime hot pot.
To learn more about butter warmers and which type might be right for your culinary setup, just keep reading.
Why buy a butter warmer?
You may be wondering why you couldn’t just use a microwave to melt butter. In fact, you could. However, using a butter warmer is more efficient and a lot less messy! Furthermore, it’s easier to melt butter gently using a designated warmer. You’re less likely to burn your butter if you melt it this way.
Butter warmers are versatile in the kitchen, too. As mentioned, you can use a butter warmer to melt chocolate or cheese, two foods which require gentle heat in order to preserve their quality and taste. You can also use a butter warmer to reheat sauces, soups, and other liquid foods. If you’d rather avoid hauling out and dirtying a large saucepan, a compact butter warmer could be ideal.
Key considerations
Types of butter warmers
There are two types of butter warmers on the market: candle warmers and stovetop warmers.
Expert Tip
Wash anything with a wood handle by hand to protect the integrity of the wood and the joints of a pan.
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Butter warmer size
As mentioned, single-serving butter warmers are great for dinner parties. You can place one for each guest for a chic table setting. A large stovetop model, however, allows you to melt butter quickly or reheat liquid foods like broth, chocolate, or cheese for a crowd.
Your dinner plans
The choice between candle warmers and a stovetop warmer comes down to your dinner plans. Are you serving up lobster as a treat for you and your partner? If so, a set of two tabletop warmers would do just fine. Do you need to reheat sauces or melt a lot of butter quickly for your dinner guests? In that case, a stovetop warmer would provide rapid results.
If you regularly find yourself in the kitchen and love to cook, consider adding a stovetop butter warmer to your collection of pots and pans. If you’re also enchanted by the idea of having candle warmers on the table, you may want to invest in several of these as well.
Did you know?
The difference between a butter warmer and a traditional saucepan is size. Stovetop butter warmers are the smallest saucepans you can buy.
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Butter warmer features
Material and design
Most stovetop butter warmers are made of stainless steel or enameled cast iron. A model with a thick base can help prevent burnt butter. A nonstick model prevents food from sticking and is easy to clean.
Individual tabletop ramekins are typically made of ceramic, which retains heat well, so even if your flame goes out, the butter remains warm for a while. Avoid flimsy ramekins with thin bases to prevent liquids from burning.
Handle
Tabletop butter warmers typically don’t have handles, but stovetop butter warmers should have thick and comfortable handles that make them easy to grip. A grippy handle prevents accidental drops as you transfer melting or reheated foods from stovetop to table. A butter warmer with an oven-safe handle can be stored in the oven to keep the liquid warm and out of the way.
Generally speaking, try to avoid stovetop warmers that have plastic or plastic-coated handles.
Dishwasher safe
Some butter warmers are dishwasher safe; you can easily pop them in the dishwasher for quick cleanup. For convenience, some tabletop warmers have dishwasher-friendly ramekins and bases. Of course, you could always wash your butter warmer by hand, too.
Expert tip
Always use unsalted butter (which is fresher than salted) in your warmer and season it yourself with salt or other seasonings if you like.
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Butter warmer prices
An inexpensive set of four ceramic tabletop warmers shouldn’t cost more than $25. Most of these include tea lights, but you’ll need to buy additional votives for future use.
You may also find elaborate tabletop warmer sets that include accessories like lobster crackers, knives, and crab forks. Expect to pay at least $25 for a warmer set with seafood tools.
Stovetop warmers are not sold with accessories. The price for this type of butter warmer typically ranges from $20 to $60. However, some brand name stovetop butter warmers may cost even more.
Tips
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Don’t leave your stovetop butter warmer unattended. Butter and other liquids may burn, even in a vessel with a thick base.
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Use caution around candle-operated butter warmers. Long sleeves and clumsy movements could inadvertently knock over your open flame.
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Consider investing in a set of small fondue forks for dipping.
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Use flavored butter instead of plain butter for an interesting twist. You can flavor it on your own or purchase ready-made versions, such as chive or garlic butter.
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Consider a stovetop model with a spout for easy pouring.
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Having a dinner party? Outfit your table with individual butter warmers, but have melted butter on the stovetop at the ready in case your guests run out of their liquid gold.
- You can also use ceramic ramekins apart from their metal stands to serve cold sauces or oil blends for dipping bread.
Expert Tip
Make sure to buy unscented tea lights and/or Sterno when using a tabletop warmer. The smells from the flame might disrupt guests trying to enjoy your food.
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FAQ
Q. How long will my candle butter warmers keep butter warm?
A. This largely depends on the tea light used. Most standard tea lights should last for a couple of hours, which should be sufficient for most meals. Ceramic ramekins are ideal for multiple-course dinners thanks to their propensity for heat retention. Remember never to leave a lit candle unsupervised.
Q. Can I cook foods with a stovetop butter warmer?
A. It’s not recommended. You can use a stovetop warmer to reheat and melt foods, but it’s not the right cookware for other types of food prep. Butter warmers don’t hold a whole lot of food, and the shape is not ideal for cooking most foods.
Q. Will butter burn if I keep it warm for too long?
A. Butter and other foods are likely to scorch if left on a stovetop butter warmer. However, a quality tabletop butter warmer should keep your butter warm without burning it. The tea light should be far enough from the flame that it doesn’t touch the ramekin base, and the vessel should be thick enough to prevent overheating.
Q. Is butter unhealthy?
A. Butter is a calorie-dense, fat-filled food, but that doesn’t mean you should completely eliminate it from your diet. It’s filled with essential nutrients, including vitamin A and vitamin E. As with all foods, enjoy butter in moderation.
