Butter is one of those ingredients that the world is better because it exists. If you love butter as much as I do, I assume you understand the disappointment that comes when butter is not kept clean or at room temperature for a quick bite. If this is you, then let’s look into the world of butter dishes so we can improve our snacking experience.
What to Look For in a Butter Dish?
As you begin looking for a new butter dish, you should consider what you need or want from your butter dish. There are a few features and factors that every butter dish has and that every person shopping for one should think about. These are:
Color
Butter dishes can be stylish and can make your kitchen and your table settings look great. Because of this, you should definitely get a butter dish in the color that suits your style.
Maintenance
How easy is a butter dish to clean? Very, when you find one that is dishwasher safe. Give your hands a break and select an item that can be machine cleaned, unless, of course, you prefer washing them by hand only.
Material
Butter dishes are made out of many different types of material, some more durable than others, some more stylish than others. Depending on how your kitchen runs, you may want a durable plastic butter dish instead of the cute and stylish ceramic butter dish. But, whatever you choose, just make sure you get what you need.
For a little extra on what these materials are, here is a short reference guide:
Ceramic
Pros:
- Available in a wide variety of colors, sizes, and styles
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Breakable
Glass
Pros:
- Easy to clean
- Available in many different sizes
- It makes it easy to view the butter
Cons:
- Breakable
Plastic
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Durable
- Available in many different colors
Cons:
- Not microwavable
Stainless steel
Pros:
- Not a very common item
- Easy to clean
- Reasonably priced
Cons:
- Only one color option
- Some might have sharp edges
Wood
Pros:
- Stylish
- A rare item
Cons:
- Hand wash only
Price
This kitchen item will range in price from low to high, depending on the material and the style you select. Remember, you can always find a good butter dish at a reasonable price, so there is no reason to overspend on one.
Size
Be sure to get a butter dish that holds all the butter you need it to. If you have a large family that consumes a lot of butter, it is best that you get something that will hold a lot of butter. However, if you rarely use butter, then don’t buy something extravagant.
What Products are the Best?
Now that we know all about what features to look for in a butter dish, we can begin looking at some of the best products on the market. To make our selections, we will use the following as criteria:
- Material
- Price
- Ratings and Reviews
- Style
The Best Budget Butter Dish – Chef Craft Select Plastic Butter Dish
This is a very basic butter dish for everyday use. It will hold only one stick of butter, but it is inexpensive enough that you won’t be upset if it gets a crack in it.
Pros:
- Inexpensive
- Dishwasher safe
- See-through design allows you to view the butter
Cons:
- Breaks easily
- The lid does not rest on the dish very well
The Best Butter Dish for Durability – Rubbermaid Standard Butter Dish
This is a great butter dish that is extremely durable and can even be transported to picnics and gatherings outside of your kitchen.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- The lid is designed to fit securely
- It comes in a set of two butter dishes
- Reasonably priced
- As of the writing of this article, 83% of the customer reviews for this item are 5-star
Cons:
- Some customers have commented that the dish is not big enough for their butter
The Best Butter Dish Overall – Dowan Butter Dish
This is an amazingly stylish and practical dish. The bottom portion is made from ceramic, while the lid is made from wood. It looks great, and it works great for both east coast and west coast butter sticks.
Pros:
- Designed with an air-tight acacia wood lid
- Large bowl design to hold plenty of butter
- Made from lead-free ceramic
- Dishwasher safe bowl
- Available in six different colors
- Customers love this dish because it is beautiful and practical
Cons:
- Some customers have had issues with the lid seal not being properly attached
The Best Ceramic Butter Dish – KooK Ceramic Butter Dish with Lid & Handle
This may be a simple butter dish, but it does everything you need it to. Its basic design and style are going to make it fit into any kitchen or dining room.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Freezer safe
- Microwave safe
- Designed to be durable
- Handle makes it easy to remove and replace the lid
- As of the writing of this article, 87% of the customer reviews for this item are 5-star
Cons:
- Not airtight
- Some customers have had issues with the bottom of the dish scratching their countertop
- Easy to chip
The Best Extravagant Butter Dish – LeCreuset Stoneware Butter Dish
If you need something fancy for your tableware, then look no further than LeCreuset. This brand name in kitchenware is known for its excellent designs, great colors, and quality products.
Pros:
- Dishwasher safe
- Safe for use in an oven and a microwave
- Non-stick surface
- It comes with a limited 5-year warranty
- Designed to resist cracking
- As of the writing of this article, 89% of the customer reviews for this item are 5-star
Cons:
- Some customers have commented that the lid doesn’t fit the base very well
The Best Glass Butter Dish – Kangaroo Store Glass Butter Dish with Cover
This is as basic as a butter dish can get, and yet, it is completely wonderful. Customers are raving for this butter dish because it has all the features they want without the fluff.
Pros:
- As of the writing of this article, 78% of the customer reviews for this item are 5-star
- Reasonably priced
- Dishwasher safe
Cons:
- Some customers have found that the butter will stick to the inside of the lid since it is narrow, while other customers have chosen to flip the dish upside down and use the lid as a bowl and the plate as a lid.
- The manufacturer does not provide a lot of details about the dish.
The Best Ornamental Butter Dish – HAOTOP Store Whale Ceramic Butter Dish
You don’t have to have to get a dull dish to serve butter properly. Have some fun with your table, and use this cute whale-shaped butter dish to store and serve this condiment.
Pros:
- Available in two different colors
- Reasonably priced
- Dishwasher safe
- Safe for use in a microwave
- As of the writing of this article, 89% of the customer reviews for this item are 5-star
- Customers love how large and how cute this butter dish is
Cons:
- None
The Best Plastic Butter Dish – Butterie Flip-Top Butter Dish
This butter dish is amazing, and customer ratings confirm that it is worth the money. Its design is meant to keep the butter looking great, easy to slice or scrape off, and messes at a minimum. The features that make this possible are flip-top lids that keep the butter from touching the lid and a no-mess edge.
Pros:
- Invented by women
- Available in eight different colors
- Includes a matching spreader
- Dishwasher safe
- Shatterproof
- Made from BPA-free plastic
- Made from food-safe materials
- At the time of writing this article, 77% of the customer reviews for this item are 5-star
Cons:
- Some customers have found that butter gets in to all the cracks of this dish
The Best Stainless Steel Butter Dish – Norpro Stainless Steel Double Covered Butter Dish
This is a nice and neat butter dish that can be used for everyday meals or dressed up for a fancy dinner. It measures 7.5” long by 4” wide by 2.5” tall and should be able to hold two sticks of butter or a block of cream cheese.
Pros:
- Reasonably priced
- Durable and doesn’t break
Cons:
- Some customers have commented that the edges of this dish are sharp
- Fingerprints will show up on the lid
In Conclusion
After looking at all the wonderful options for butter dishes and the many styles and materials they are made in, I have to say I prefer the simpler designs. When I get a new butter dish, it will certainly be from this list.