Butter is an ingredient widely used in many recipes, which sometimes calls for the butter to be soft or melted. That's when you need a butter warmer! Butter warmers are charming and practical devices designed to keep butter at the perfect temperature for spreading or drizzling over your favorite dishes. In this guide, we will review the best butter warmers of 2024, highlighting their features and how they can enhance your meals. This set of warmers from PREPWORKS offers high-quality builds and even heating, resulting in butter at the perfect temperature, adding a touch of melted goodness to every bite.

Butter warmers are one of those kitchen devices that seems odd at first. A metal stand, with a ceramic pot on top, and a candle for heating can look out of place in modern kitchens. So, do you need a butter warmer? No, not really. You can replicate a warmer’s functions with some small pots and a few tools most kitchens already have. But, will a butter warmer be more efficient and effective? Yes, and more than you might initially think.

Uses of a Butter Warmer

Here are a few of the many uses for butter warmers in a typical home kitchen.

To warm up butter

The most common use for a butter warmer, predictably, is warming butter. Many seafood dishes, lobster, in particular, pair exceptionally well with butter. However, trying to use room temperature, solid butter degrades the experience, and you can't just mix the lobster and butter beforehand like you would pre-mix toppings or sauces for other dishes. Butter warmers solve this issue by keeping melted butter warm, preventing it from solidifying. Although there is no temperature control on a basic warmer, butter is still kept at a comfortable temperature for eating.

To warm up maple syrup

Maple syrup on pancakes is one of the simplest breakfasts and it is particularly satisfying in winter. Unfortunately, winter’s low temperatures and maple syrup don't mix well. Cold syrup hinders its taste and doesn't have the comforting effect of warm, easy-flowing syrup. A butter warmer filled with warm syrup next to your plate of pancakes makes perfect sense. It makes for easy pouring and a more delicious experience.

To melt chocolate

Let's say you're baking a cake and want to decorate it with chocolate-covered strawberries. You only need a small amount, so using a pot to melt the chocolate wouldn't be effective. The chocolate would cool too quickly before you can finish decorating the cake. The solution? A butter warmer. It will keep the chocolate warm enough to stay liquid but cool enough to ensure it properly hardens after covering the strawberries.

Reheat your leftover coffee

This use isn’t just about coffee but any hot drink you don't finish before it gets cold. Everything from espresso to hot chocolate can be gently reheated with a butter warmer. Keeping a warmer beside your work desk will keep your drink warm without having to visit the kitchen. 

Buying the Right Butter Warmer

So, you've decided to purchase a butter warmer. Here's what you should consider before making a final decision.

Material of the pot

Most high-quality butter warmer pots are made from ceramic, which is the ideal option. You can find warmers with metal pots claiming to be better than ceramic due to higher conductivity. However, ceramic pots distribute heat evenly, preventing butter from burning or melting inconsistently.

Construction of the stand

A butter warmer’s stand is critical to its operation. Look for a warmer with a sturdy metal stand. The issue with a lot of inexpensive butter warmers is a non-uniform stand. Inconsistent welding can lead to crooked stands not functioning as intended. Also, make sure the stand is stable when the pot is filled with butter or any other liquid. The last thing you want is melted butter all over your dining table.

Spout or no spout

The majority of butter warmer pots are plain on all sides. This is not a big issue when the warmer is used for just dipping. However, if you intend to pour a liquid from the butter warmer pot into another container, you should opt for a butter warmer with a spouted pot.

Price of the butter warmer

The last, and arguably most important, factor when buying a butter warmer is the price. Luckily, butter warmers are not overly expensive. You can find a high-quality warmer for as low as $6. If you have to buy more than one warmer, look for sets containing multiples.

Top Picks

• Best Overall: Prepworks Ceramic Butter Warmers
• Best Value: Artestia Black Ceramic Butter Warmers
• Elite Design: Norpro White Ceramic Butter Warmers
• Great Versatility: Steel Helmet Butter Warmer Set
• Extreme Efficiency: Rachael Ray Enamel Butter Warmer

Reviews

Best Overall

Prepworks Ceramic Butter Warmers

Pros	Cons
High-quality construction Functionality-focused design Heats butter evenly	The cups may be smaller than expected

Check on Amazon

Best Value

Artestia Black Ceramic Butter Warmers

Pros	Cons
Stable metal construction  Striking black color Pots can be used for multiple purposes	The candle holder is hard to access

Check on Amazon

Elite Design

Norpro White Ceramic Butter Warmers

Pros	Cons
Unique pot and stand design Handle and spout for easy pouring Ideal for seafood	Pots are not secured to the stand and may fall

Check on Amazon

Great Versatility

Steel Helmet Butter Warmer Set

Pros	Cons
Comes with a boiler and a scraper Stable warmer stands  Can be used to spice up melted butter	The scraper is too small

Check on Amazon

Extreme Efficiency

Rachael Ray Enamel Butter Warmer

Pros	Cons
Durable porcelain and enamel construction  Gorgeous red and maroon color Completely non-stick interior Oven safe up to 350F	Cannot be used for serving at the table

Check on Amazon