The 5 Best Butter Warmers of 2025

 

Butter warmers are specialized kitchen tools that are designed to melt and keep butter warm at a consistent temperature. And although it may not seem like a totally necessary kitchen gadget, Meggan absolutely loves her butter warmer! She finds it super handy for making recipes that require melted butter, like Roast Turkey, Eggs Benedict, and Hollandaise Sauce. The convenience of perfectly melted butter at your fingertips makes our top picks for the best butter warmers anything but an impulse buy!

The best butter warmers eliminate the guesswork, providing even heat distribution to prevent the butter from separating into oil and solids, ensuring a smooth, creamy texture. Once the butter is melted, the warmer keeps it at a steady temperature, perfect for serving with dishes that need warm butter ready to go, like seafood or vegetables.

If you don’t have a great butter warmer, you’re working too hard in the kitchen. To help you find the best one, here’s a guide to the top butter warmers you can buy, including Meggan’s absolute favorite from Farberware! 

Our Top Picks: 

1. In Meggan’s Kitchen: Farberware Classic Series Stainless Steel Butter Warmer – $12.99 at Amazon
2. Also Great: Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer – $48 at Food52
3. Best Stainless Steel Butter Warmer: Made In Stainless Clad Butter Warmer – $79 at Made In
4. Best Ceramic Butter Warmer: Norpro Ceramic Butter Warmers – $13.53 at Amazon
5. Best Butter Warmer for Microwave: OXO Squeeze & Pour Silicone Measuring Cup – $14.50 at Amazon

Reviews of The Best Butter Warmers 

1. In Meggan’s Kitchen: Farberware Classic Series Stainless Steel Butter Warmer

Meggan got her Farberware Classic Series Stainless Steel Butter Warmer back in 2003 after she graduated from college. At the time, it was perfect for her budget, and she thought it would work well “for now.” It turned out to be one of the best value buys, and she still uses it to this day!

“I love having a super small, sturdy pot,” Meggan says. “It’s especially great for making clarified butter or reheating small portions of soups, stews, and sauces.”

Besides being the one Meggan uses in her kitchen, this butter warmer is our top pick because it has a thick aluminum core surrounded by stainless steel that provides rapid, even heating. It also has a handy spout on the rim that makes it easier to drizzle melted butter over a big bowl of popcorn. 

Since Meggan has had it for more than 10 years, it’s definitely made to last without costing you too much.

The Specs:

•  Material: Stainless steel
•  Capacity: 11.2 oz.
•  Care: Dishwasher safe; oven safe up to 350°F

What I Like:

• Affordable 
• Has a pour spout
• Comfortable handle
• Easy to clean
• Doesn’t take up a lot of space
• Durable

What I Don’t Like:

• Not the most aesthetically pleasing

What Others Are Saying:

The Farberware Classic Series Stainless Steel Butter Warmer has a 4.6-star rating from more than 5,300 reviews on Amazon.

Buy the Farberware Classic Series Stainless Steel Butter Warmer:

2. Also Great: Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer

This cute little guy is a favorite among all the butter warmers on the market. It comes in 6 cheerful enamel colors and features a pretty wooden handle to match your kitchen decor. Unfortunately, because of the wooden handle, this means it’s hand wash only, but the wood also makes sure you won’t burn your hand. We think this is a fair tradeoff for how lightweight it is and how small it is at just 19 ounces. 

It also makes small jobs like warming up milk for hot cocoa easy on the wrist. The small base is about 4 inches wide and it tapers toward the top so it retains heat better with less surface area to keep warm. Just make sure to not let it boil over!

While cooking, the bright white interior makes it easy to check the progress with just a quick glance. The small pour spout also helps you get accurate pouring so you won’t dribble and make a mess. As an added bonus, since the spout doesn’t stick out very far, it nestles into other pots and pans for easy storage. 

The Specs:

•  Material: Enameled carbon steel with wood handle
•  Capacity: 19 oz.
•  Care: Hand wash only; not safe for use in oven

What I Like:

• Spout makes for drip-free pouring
• Teak handle stays cool
• Lightweight
• Easy to store

What I Don’t Like:

• Prone to boiling over

What Others Are Saying:

Wirecutter and Epicurious both featured this butter warmer. 

Buy the Dansk Købenstyle Butter Warmer:

3. Best Stainless Steel Butter Warmer: Made In Stainless Clad Butter Warmer

Made in Italy, this butter warmer by Made In is crafted from high-quality stainless steel. This means that it’ll be super durable, rust-resistant, AND offer top-tier heat distribution, preventing hot spots. Each time you use it, you’ll be met with perfectly smooth melted butter without any burning! 

Even though it’s primarily designed for melting butter, this warmer can also be used for heating sauces, chocolate, or other small quantities of ingredients. The convenient pour spout makes it easy to transfer all sorts of recipes without spills and the heat-resistant handle makes it safe and comfortable to hold. 

The sturdy construction and elegant design also make it a stylish addition to any kitchen — we love the five-ply construction, and it’s even oven-safe up to 800 degrees F! And while it’s pricier than our top pick, it’s worth the extra cash if you want something versatile and fail-proof that you’ll have for a long time.

The Specs:

•  Material: Stainless steel
•  Capacity: ¾ quart
•  Care: Dishwasher safe, oven safe up to 800°F

What I Like:

• Stay-cool handle
• Handy size
• Even heat distribution
• Works with induction stoves
• Oven safe up to 800°F

What I Don’t Like:

• Expensive
• Some other options are more aesthetically pleasing

What Others Are Saying:

The Made In Stainless Clad Butter Warmer has a 5-star rating on Made In from more than 980 reviews.

Buy the Made In Stainless Clad Butter Warmer:

4. Best Ceramic Butter Warmer: Norpro Ceramic Butter Warmers

If you’re the hostess with the mostess, you’ll love this butter warmer by Norpro. It’s practical and stylish and is perfect for serving butter at the table, especially because the ceramic design is similar to a cute little Dutch oven. The built-in pour spout makes it easy to use without spilling all over your guests and even adds a tiny bit of elegance to your meal. 

All you have to do is light the tea light candle underneath, and the ceramic dish will do the rest, maintaining the heat without any scorching or curdling. It will keep melted sauces at even temperatures that are ideal for serving, and it’s easy to keep an eye on while you’re dining.

You’ll have to make sure to store all of the pieces together so you can find them and you’ll have to remember to keep tea candles on hand, but you can wash everything in the dishwasher, cleanup is quick and easy. 

Plus, at less than $15, you receive two, which means it’s a great option for large holiday dinners or big celebrations! 

The Specs:

•  Material: Ceramic
•  Capacity: 3 oz.
•  Care: Dishwasher safe

What I Like:

• Maintains heat without burning
• Convenient pour spout
• Quality and durable materials
• Good gift 
• Set of two

What I Don’t Like:

• Lots of pieces to store
• Requires you to keep tea lights on hand

What Others are Saying:

The Norpro Ceramic Butter Warmers has a 4.5-star rating from more than 1,500 reviews on Amazon. 

Buy the Norpro Ceramic Butter Warmers:

5. Best Butter Warmer for Microwave: OXO Squeeze & Pour Silicone Measuring Cup

This silicone measuring cup ended up on our list of the best butter warmers because it’s solely used in the microwave. It’s available in various sizes ranging from 1 to 4 cups, has a flexible silicone construction, and has a neat squeeze-and-pour function that allows for precise pouring without drips or spills. The squishy sides are great for pouring ingredients into hard-to-reach places, like the bowl of a stand mixer.

The flat base provides stability while the honeycomb pattern dissipates heat and keeps your hands protected. You might be surprised by how many applications it has and how many times you’ll reach for it to make cooking that much easier! 

The Specs:

•  Material: BPA-free silicone
•  Capacity: 1 cup
•  Care: Microwave- and dishwasher-safe

What I Like:

• Easy to use with minimal cleanup
• Even warming
• Honeycomb pattern prevents your hands from burning
• Can be used in the microwave

What I Don’t Like:

• Does not maintain heat 

What Others Are Saying:

The OXO Squeeze & Pour Silicone Measuring Cup has a 4.8-star rating from more than more than 13,500 reviews on Amazon.

Buy the OXO Squeeze & Pour Silicone Measuring Cup:

Other Butter Warmers to Consider

Le Creuset Signature Saucepan

If you’re a diehard Le Creuset fan, then by all means, go for it. It’s technically a saucepan, so you can use it for a lot of things in the kitchen, but the price is high for a butter warmer if you don’t think you’ll warm butter often. Plus, the heavy weight makes it less than convenient for pouring. The Le Creuset Signature Saucepan is available at Amazon for $224.95.

Sur La Table Butter Warmer

This butter warmer from Sur La Table is darling and would look great on a table, (especially for a late night when the flicker of candlelight adds to the ambience) but it’s tricky to get the votive in and out. Plus, you have to worry about having votives on hand all the time. The Sur La Table Butter Warmer is available at Sur La Table for $14.95.

Dash Electric Butter Warmer and Sprayer

While we had high hopes for this butter warmer, customers have negative opinions about its spray control, charging, and ease of cleaning. Some of the issues mentioned are that it sprays all over the place, it clogs, and the battery dies quickly, so it definitely doesn’t perform very well. The Dash Electric Butter Warmer and Sprayer is available at Amazon for $69.99.

To create this list of the very best butter warmers, Meggan and I chatted about which models she and I have used and what we love most. I then hit the internet to research highly recommended models and read hundreds of online reviews to find the best butter warmers that can make heating up butter and keeping it warm easier. From there, we compared them side by side and rated them on performance, ease of use, and overall value.

Everything to Know Before Buying a Butter Warmer

What to Consider Before Buying a Butter Warmer

A butter warmer is a handy kitchen tool for melting and keeping butter warm without burning it. With various options available, it’s important to choose one that best suits your needs. Here’s a detailed guide on what to consider before purchasing a butter warmer:

Material: Stainless steel butter warmers offer even heat distribution and are typically dishwasher-safe. Ceramic butter warmers are more aesthetically pleasing at the table, maintain warmth, and are safe to use in the microwave, but they’re more fragile. 

Size and Capacity: Think about how much butter you typically melt or how much sauce you’ll need to prepare. Smaller warmers are sufficient for individual servings or small meals, while larger ones are better for family-sized portions or entertaining.

Design Features: A pour spout comes in really handy for transferring butter without spilling it. These features are great for baking or hosting. You’ll also want to look for a butter warmer with a high-resistant handle that stays cool to the touch. 

Heating Method: Most butter warmers are designed for stovetop use, including gas, electric, and induction. If you prefer the convenience of melting butter in the microwave, make sure the butter warmer you choose is microwave-safe. 

How Do You Warm Butter to Room Temperature?

Meggan says the easiest way to bring butter to room temperature is to simply plan ahead and leave it out overnight or for several hours before you need it. Just make sure to cover it to protect it from dust, contaminants, or family pets who might want a taste.

If you don’t have that much time, she says you can also soften it in your microwave, but do it at 20% power and in 10-second intervals so you don’t completely melt it. If she’s baking or cooking on the stove, she just keeps the butter near that area and says it’ll warm up to room temperature in no time, thanks to the residual heat.

What is a Butter Warmer Used For?

A butter warmer is a versatile tool that can be used for various culinary purposes, from melting butter for cooking to serving warm condiments or sauces at the dinner table. It can also be used to clarify butter or infuse it with herbs, spices, or aromatics. 

Its compact size, precise heat control, and easy pouring make it a handy add to your kitchen. 

How Do You Warm Butter In the Microwave?

Warming butter in the microwave is a quick and convenient method, but it requires careful attention to prevent the butter from melting unevenly, becoming too hot, or burning altogether. 

It’s best to chop it up into pieces so it can heat more evenly. After placing it in a microwave-safe bowl, you should use low power and set it in short intervals, about 10-15 seconds at a time. If the butter starts to soften unevenly, stir it or turn it over to ensure even heating. This will help distribute the heat evenly throughout the butter.

Pro Tips:

• Consider covering the bowl to spare yourself the mess of any buttery explosions.
• Start with shorter intervals and gradually increase the time as needed to avoid overheating the butter.
• Be cautious when handling the dish or bowl after microwaving since it may be hot.
• If the butter starts to melt too much or becomes too hot, let it cool slightly before using it.

Can You Put Butter Back in the Fridge After Warming?

Yes, you can put butter back in the fridge after warming it, but there are a few considerations to keep in mind to maintain its quality and freshness:

• Allow the warmed butter to cool down to room temperature before returning it to the fridge. Placing warm butter directly into the fridge can create condensation inside the container, potentially leading to moisture buildup and affecting the butter’s texture.
• If the butter was warmed in a dish or container, make sure to cover it securely before placing it back in the fridge. This helps prevent the butter from absorbing any odors or flavors from other foods in the fridge.
• While it’s safe to refrigerate warmed butter, keep in mind that the texture may change slightly after cooling. The butter may become firmer or harder compared to its original consistency, especially if it was melted completely.

The Best Buttery Recipes

Once you’ve chosen the best butter warmer, try out some of our favorite recipes! You’ll be amazed at how much easier it is to make these dishes, sauces, and snacks when you don’t have to worry about keeping your butter at the perfect temperature:

• Hummus with Za’atar Butter
• Hollandaise Sauce
• 3-Ingredient Homemade Biscuits

Prices were accurate at time of publication.