TechGearLab

Our lead tester is a self-professed Francophile, and if he had it his way, the Butter Bell Crock would be at the top of this list. A modern take on the classic French "beurrier," this special design requires that you pack softened butter into the lid, pour cold water into the base, and place the lid &#40;butter side down&#41; into the water. This helps to keep butter at a Goldilocks-like consistency &mdash; not too hard, not too soft — and can keep butter perfectly fresh for an astounding period of time &#40;many claim to keep butter at room temperature in these crocks year-round&#41;. The thick, heavyweight ceramic creates a better seal than others we tested, which is reflected in the ideal consistency it keeps the butter.
This style of dish requires one small bit of maintenance — the water in the base should be replaced from time to time. It also has a smaller capacity than some dishes. The cup of the Butter Bell only fits one stick of butter &#40;equal to 4-ounces, or half of a European block.&#41; But for those seeking the ideal dish to keep butter at room temperature, look no further for validation than the fact that Julia Child used a butter keeper.

America's Test Kitchen

The large, easy-to-grasp knob on the lid of this model gave it an edge over other butter bells. The water formed an airtight seal, so butter remained a uniform and sunny color throughout testing. The butter also remained free of off-flavors and was soft and easy to spread.

Butter Crock Comparison