Which butter warmers are best?
One of the most versatile and common ingredients in the kitchen, butter is so delicious that it can be used as a dipping sauce without any other ingredients being added. It has to be melted and kept warm to fully enjoy, however, which is where the usage of an excellent butter warmer comes in.
What to know before you buy butter warmers
Why a butter warmer?
Butter warmers have many benefits that tend to make them better than, say, using a microwave. Chief among them is the increased efficiency thanks to their smaller size; with less area to heat than a small saucepan, your butter warms faster with less energy used. They also greatly decrease the chance of messes, especially as butter is prone to “popping” when overheated in the microwave. Depending on the size they can also reheat other liquids like soups and sauces or even be used to melt delicate foods like chocolate and cheese.
Types of butter warmers
Butter warmers are available in either stovetop or candle forms:
Stovetop: These are the biggest options and use the heat of a stove to warm butter or most any other type of liquid. They are usually larger than candle warmers, and most can be placed directly on the table after being heated on the stove.
Candle: Candle warmers are best for providing an individually sized portion of butter and frequently come in sets to allow for enough warmed butter for two or more people. They typically sit in wire racks over a tea candle on the table.
Size
Most butter warmers are sized by the above types of warmer. Stovetop warmers are frequently large enough to serve multiple people or warm enough liquids like milk for drinking or melt cheeses. The candle warmers are rarely capable of holding more than a few tablespoons, which can be an excellent way of limiting your butter intake.
What to look for in quality butter warmers
Material
Each type of butter warmer uses a different possible set of materials. Stovetop butter warmers generally use stainless steel or enameled cast iron to withstand the heat of the stove and may include nonstick coatings. Candle butter warmers are usually ceramic to withstand the heat of a small open flame and to retain more of the heat provided by that flame.
Handle
Stovetop butter warmers need handles to allow you to move them from stovetop to table once heated. They should be large enough to grip easily and preferably oven-safe to allow for stashing in the oven to keep the contents warm instead of left on the stove where it can more easily burn. Candle butter warmers rarely have or need handles.
How much you can expect to spend on butter warmers
Generally, a single stovetop butter warmer can be found for between $20 and $60, depending on the quality of construction and the brand, but sets of warmers that use tealights or other heating methods can cost anywhere in the same range while including any number of warmers and additional accessories.
Butter warmers FAQ
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Source:: The Mercury News – Entertainment
