Wednesday, February 27, 2019

How To Store Stick Butter Or Margarine - Is Tub Better?

    I haven't used butter in a while, been content with using tubs of margarine (some brands are WAY better than others in terms of flavor!). When traveling in an RV, it's easier to store opened butter or margarine that is in a tub with a snap on lid. That's pretty obvious. What if you like stick style? Sure, it's fine until you unwrap the stick, even partially. Then you have to find a place to store it in the fridge that won't fall and "dent" your stick. That being said, there are some distinct advantages for stick style butter or margarine. As long as you can figure out how to keep it in good shape without air getting to it and discoloring the surface after use. Take a look at what I found.

The Solution!
I like the way sticks look on the table at a meal. Whether it's breakfast, lunch or dinner,  there is something about a stick of butter on a dish that makes it feel, well, fancier somehow. Easy to do. Unwrap the stick, place it on a butter dish and place on the table. What could be easier than that? So, why not? Well, what do you do with the unused portion after the meal? No, even I don't use a whole stick at one sitting! You could attempt to put it back in the wrapper...but that usually doesn't work well and isn't really air-tight anyway. If you leave it on the butter dish and put it back in the fridge it will begin to turn a particularly ugly shade of yellow. That's because the surface is reacting with the oxygen in the air and changing the properties (Oxidation). What about a butter dish that seals tight to prevent this AND keeping the butter from getting all dented up in the fridge while you are underway? There are LOTS of these containers around, but I like to get a bit more for my buck so I chose this one. It's got an additional benefit as well.

A Simple Solution
While tub style is great, it's a pain to measure out tablespoons (or larger measures.) You have to find a measuring spoon (not hard) and then once it's measured, figure out how to get it OUT of the spoon and into your recipe. Of course, it also adds to "things that must be washed." Getting butter or margarine off of kitchen utensils without using an excess of water AND keeping the oily residue out of the grey tank is tough! Everyone KNOWS I hate cleaning. Stick butter, on the other hand, has a handy tablespoon scale printed on the wrapper and a simple cut will give you exactly what you need for your recipe. That's all well and good, but what if you have already used it on the table and the wrapper is gone?  Well, this one has measurements printed on the base and you can just pull it open cut what you need and put it back. Simple and with very little fuss.

On a vacation, I prefer to keep the fussing to a minimum (cleaning too!). If I have the extra room in the fridge, I'll likely take this along with me. Looks good on pancakes! A little pat will do ya!

Be Seeing You...Down The Road,

Rich "The Wanderman"

www.thewanderman.com

14 comments:

  1. The blue tablespoon graduations wash off

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Uknown,
      Hmm... How are you washing it? I haven't had that particular issue...

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
    2. Stop washing your butter dish in acetone... :)

      But really, why can't butter just stay in its wrapper (no, not eating the wrapper)? Maybe I'm gauche, but i don't transfer my butter to a dish for use and back into its wrapper again afterwards...

      Delete
    3. Wolfe,
      But you always eat the entire stick, so not a problem!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  2. Try a French butter dish. We started using one a couple of years ago in our rv as fulltimers & love it. The butter stays fresh because the water prevents air & odors from contaminating the butter & you don't have to refrigerate the butter, thus the butter is always soft for easy spreading. I will never go back to refrigerated butter or margarine.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Fred,
      Hmmm...It's all interesting and I could see the benefit. That being said, it's not for sticks! AND they all seem to be round with lids that just sit on top. Not really the greatest for RV fridges going down the road!

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
    2. The upside down butter-bell-in-a-bath thing looks very strange to me, and ceramic and water seems really inappropriate to an RV that moves. Worst, it still requires fully cleaning the dish each stick change. I don't see advantage?

      I do like an airtight butter "bin" that can optionally even be left warm. Think like a normal dish only upside down. If the butter ever gets TOO warm, the worst case is still neatly contained melted butter instead of a mess.

      Delete
    3. Wolfe,
      This one seals nice and tight so RV motion shouldn't be an issue.

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
  3. I use sticks and have not been traumatized by the perils of leaving the wrapper on the stick. It's almost like it comes in a wrapper for a reason...

    As a control test, I have intentionally dented several sticks of butter, and then eaten them all. They were still delicious, although maybe not healthy for ONE slice of toast...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wolfe,
      Trauma. Not to make light of it at all..but Butter PTSD could be a prime contributor to wanting to eat several sticks of butter WITH the wrappers. I would recommend seeking professional help!

      ;)

      Rich "The Wanderman:

      Delete
  4. Hey, the doc said i needed more fiber in my diet... Bah Dump!

    After eating a pound of butter the help I need may be a cardiologist...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Wolfe,
      If you listen very closely you can actually hear the arteries hardening! ;)

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete
    2. Doc said all this cholesterol will kill me...

      I said "Nah, I make sure to put a tablespoon of salt on every steak or egg... the high blood pressure will just blow any blockages clean through!"

      Delete
    3. Wolfe,
      just like an old school "Italian" Tuneup for car engines. ;)

      Rich "The Wanderman"

      Delete

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