# Butter: fridge or counter? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [December 13, 2013, 3:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243 "2013-12-13T15:21:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 19\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Cheez\_Whia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/d26b3c/32.png) [@Cheez\_Whia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cheez_Whia)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 10:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/21 "2013-12-13T22:06:24Z")
> [@Sicks\_Ate](#): > > Cat tongues make the neatest little designs in butter though. Yeah, but replacing my Fiesta Ware butter dishes is expensive, especially when she breaks a retired color. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![Weedy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/weedy/32/301_2.png) [@Weedy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weedy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/22 "2013-12-13T22:20:01Z")
Mostly out, but on hot days it has to go in the fridge or it gets too soft. ---
**Author:** ![ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/e9bcb4/32.png) [@ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ComeToTheDarkSideWeHaveCookies)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 10:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/23 "2013-12-13T22:29:44Z")
Out, but it has to be covered, preferably in crockery vs plastic. Iā€™d just leave it out on a dedicated plate if we didnā€™t share the house with Mango The Butter Licking Cat. ---
**Author:** ![Chefguy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chefguy/32/138_2.png) [@Chefguy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chefguy)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 10:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/24 "2013-12-13T22:33:03Z")
> [@saje](#): > > I started this to prove to my husband that Iā€™m not a wacko and that we wonā€™t die if the butter dish lives on the counter. I think Iā€™ve just about got him convinced that room temp butter spread on your toast is much better than cold gobs clumped here and there šŸ™‚ > > And yes, the main stash rotates from freezer to fridge, but the daily use butter is FINALLY allowed to stay out in itā€™s butter dish. > > And allā€™s right in the world again šŸ˜› Youā€™re not a wacko. Butter takes a goodly while to go rancid. We leave the stick weā€™re using on the counter by the toaster. If it was going to be out for more than a week, Iā€™d likely refrigerate it, but it never lasts that long. You could always make and use ghee instead. It can be stored on the counter in a jar with a lid almost indefinitely, and has a nice browned flavor to it. ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/25 "2013-12-13T22:49:57Z")
Always out. We have a really pretty potter butter dish. In the summer when itā€™s really warm we sometimes put it in a bowl because it gets very soft, but we still leave it out. ---
**Author:** ![minionkat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f05b48/32.png) [@minionkat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/minionkat)\ **Post date:** [December 13, 2013, 11:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/26 "2013-12-13T23:24:05Z")
Fridge in the summer, counter in the winter. If you are my Dad, you keep it in [here](http://www.alfille.co.uk/) year round. He loves that butter dish more than anything. Itā€™s my fault. I thought it was ridiculous, he thought it was brilliant. So I got him one. ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/27 "2013-12-14T00:32:18Z")
> [@RealityChuck](#): > > We keep one stick out for spreading, but the rest in the fridge This. ---
**Author:** ![harmonicamoon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/65b543/32.png) [@harmonicamoon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/harmonicamoon)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/28 "2013-12-14T00:40:27Z")
It lives out and with a pastry brush. So much easier to apply to bagels, toast, etc. ---
**Author:** ![gazpacho](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6f9a4e/32.png) [@gazpacho](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gazpacho)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/29 "2013-12-14T00:46:57Z")
I leave it out for toast in one of those butter crocks that you put in water. ---
**Author:** ![SeaDragonTattoo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df705f/32.png) [@SeaDragonTattoo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SeaDragonTattoo)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 1:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/30 "2013-12-14T01:08:39Z")
I just donā€™t have the counter space for a butter dish/keeper. I also donā€™t really do the toast thing and use it for mostly cooking where itā€™s not a big deal to cut of a cold piece and let it melt in the dish/pan. Iā€™d totally keep it on the counter if I did more spreading things with it, though. ---
**Author:** ![boytyperanma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/4491bb/32.png) [@boytyperanma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/boytyperanma)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 1:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/31 "2013-12-14T01:55:16Z")
In a busier household, on the counter during cooler months and fridge during hotter ones. As it is right now I might take 2-3 months to use a stick of butter so I leave it in the fridge. I have the back up sticks in the freezer. ---
**Author:** ![zombywoof](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/9e8a1a/32.png) [@zombywoof](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zombywoof)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 2:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/32 "2013-12-14T02:13:33Z")
A stick at a time in the fridge, with the rest in the freezer - itā€™s easy enough to soften some for the occasional ā€œspreadingā€ application. ---
**Author:** ![urban1a](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/e47c2d/32.png) [@urban1a](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/urban1a)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 2:54am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/33 "2013-12-14T02:54:42Z")
Always on the counter until a few years when the ā€˜spreadableā€™ butter concept came along. Youā€™ve probably seen it; it is mixed with canola oil (and in the better brands, nothing else but salt). The problem I have always had with it is that it melts after being left out so it has to be kept in the fridge. I have recently gone back to the butter dish (2 stick version) and the counter top for storing my butter. Itā€™s great that way. Bob ---
**Author:** ![Kyrie\_Eleison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kyrie_eleison/32/7682_2.png) [@Kyrie\_Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyrie_Eleison)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 3:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/34 "2013-12-14T03:38:18Z")
On the counter, covered, in a butter dish. Backup butter sticks in the fridge. I tried using a butter keeper for a while, but it was just too much trouble. ---
**Author:** ![Rushgeekgirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rushgeekgirl/32/3715_2.png) [@Rushgeekgirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rushgeekgirl)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/35 "2013-12-14T03:42:55Z")
I usually keep it in the fridge by the stick, but Iā€™ll cut off a few pieces I know Iā€™ll use in a day or two, or Iā€™ll dump that and wash the dish. I sometimes use Imperial margarine and that always stays on the counter by the stick. ---
**Author:** ![DummyGladHands](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/49beb7/32.png) [@DummyGladHands](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DummyGladHands)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 3:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/36 "2013-12-14T03:42:55Z")
Fridge. I love chunks of cold butter on a hot potato or even toast. ---
**Author:** ![Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Springtime\_for\_Spacers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Springtime_for_Spacers)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/37 "2013-12-14T04:19:29Z")
> [@notfrommensa](#): > > On the counter. > > In the winter, when temps in the house are in the 60ā€™s, i use full sticks at a time. I store it the North facing cabinet, the temperature in those cabinets are in the 50ā€™s > > In the summer, I usually cut the stick in half (or smaller) and leave it on the counter. House temps are in the mid 70ā€™s. > > If there is a recipe that needs softened butter, I put the stick in a bowl and leave it front of LCD TV. Those TVs put out a lot of heat. Pretty much what I do but thanks for the tip about the TV. ---
**Author:** ![Seanette](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/seanette/32/9139_2.png) [@Seanette](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Seanette)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 4:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/38 "2013-12-14T04:24:26Z")
> [@saje](#): > > Does your butter or butter substitute live in (the fridge), or out (counter or table)? We donā€™t go through butter fast enough to leave it out (it goes bad), canā€™t stand trying to spread cold hard butter, so I concoct DIY spreadable butter which stays in the fridge. ---
**Author:** ![DMark](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@DMark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMark)\ **Post date:** [December 14, 2013, 9:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243/39 "2013-12-14T09:14:58Z")
Letā€™s just say that butter on the counter in Las Vegas in the summer is probably not a wise idea. We usually keep in fridge, but will take it out to soften up if needed for baking or whatever. Doesnā€™t take long to go from hard to soft - and the same goes for butter. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/butter-fridge-or-counter/676243.md?page=1)