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scrapsuzy
ScraPEA Suzy the Purr-ple Pea
PeaNut 67,643
February 2003
Posts: 16,191
Layouts: 77
Loc: Peachtree City, GA
 |  Posted: 11/24/2010 6:23:48 PM
If you use your stick butter every day, do you refrigerate it?
I grew up doing so, and so did my sister, but her dh's family did not. They used butter every day, we did not (I'm a Parkay kid.)
Now, my sister uses her stick butter every day, and she keeps it in a dish on the counter (covered). When I've done the same thing here, my family freaks out.
Soooooo, do you or don't you?
(I'm not asking for what "should" be done... just what do you do.) | |
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reality_junkie
PeaFixture
PeaNut 361,843
February 2008
Posts: 3,535
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 6:25:11 PM
I've always refrigerated it. | |
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tania7424
Who am I kidding? Too tired to drink tequila
PeaNut 110,613
October 2003
Posts: 13,514
Layouts: 28
Loc: Port Coquitlam, BC
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 6:26:28 PM
Ok, I'm weird about this. We use a non-hydrogenated margarine on toast, veggies, etc, so that's in the fridge. But I always have a pound of butter at room temp on the counter for baking. I bake that frequently. And a back up pound in the fridge. And more in the freezer.  | |
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lucyg819
pearl-clutching nitpicker
PeaNut 201,774
April 2005
Posts: 14,450
Layouts: 15
Loc: gone to chemo with BethAnne
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 6:26:44 PM
I keep my butter out of the fridge except during the hottest days of summer. | |
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In Focus
Wishing I was in Ireland
PeaNut 227,405
October 2005
Posts: 9,559
Layouts: 74
Loc: Minneapolis, MN
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 6:26:44 PM
We leave it out, covered. My family refrigerated it growing up; DH's did not. I always hated rock hard butter! | |
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gryroagain
PeaAddict
PeaNut 463,630
April 2010
Posts: 1,377
Layouts: 0
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 6:26:50 PM
I refrigerate it, but my parents never did, just a covered butter dish.
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*christine*
Putting Lanus off with her blinding beauty
PeaNut 139,174
March 2004
Posts: 16,946
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:28:27 PM
We don't use butter very often but I keep it in the fridge. I microwave it if I need it softened to room temp for a recipe. | |
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GVJ
Frozen Pea wandering around GA
PeaNut 60,092
January 2003
Posts: 6,771
Layouts: 2
Loc: Atlanta, GA
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:29:01 PM
My stick butter that I use for buttering toast, sandwiches, frying eggs, etc. stays on the counter in a covered airtight butter dish.
My extra butter is in the fridge. | |
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*KAS*
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 408,684
January 2009
Posts: 6,833
Layouts: 0
Loc: Georgia girl
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 6:29:44 PM
I do - but I didn't know it was an option not to....
You learn something new every day around here!  | |
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Annabella
Leads a Charmed Life
PeaNut 43,843
July 2002
Posts: 42,331
Layouts: 46
Loc: East Coast
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:31:23 PM
I never knew you could leave it on the counter until I came here. I will only leave it on the counter if I'm baking that day, otherwise it stays in the fridge. It takes me forever to get through a stick of butter because I rarely use it. Don't eat toast because I don't buy bread. Don't put it on my vegetables. | |
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sketchy-pea
BucketHead
PeaNut 483,474
October 2010
Posts: 597
Layouts: 0
Loc: Sacramento, CA
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 6:31:27 PM
Covered on the counter. Haven't had it go rancid ever. | |
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Paisleys Garden
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 464,263
April 2010
Posts: 2,850
Layouts: 8
Loc: MinneSNOWta
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:34:07 PM
Always in the fridge unless I'm softening it for baking. I think cold butter tastes much better. | |
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ShelleyE
PeaAddict
PeaNut 17,644
June 2001
Posts: 1,389
Layouts: 0
Loc: Columbia, MD
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 6:36:57 PM
On the counter with a covered dish with an extra pound in the fridge and several in the freezer. I must think I'm going to run out of butter some day because I always have at least 3 pounds in the freezer at any given time. Or it could just be that butter can get really expensive and I always buy some when it is on sale. | |
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Sarah*H
Bring me that horizon!
PeaNut 239,162
December 2005
Posts: 27,943
Layouts: 413
Loc: The final frontier
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:40:33 PM
I had no idea butter did not have to be refrigerated. | |
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libis
This Pea Can Finally Pee!
PeaNut 111,477
October 2003
Posts: 16,419
Layouts: 335
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:41:14 PM
The currently being used stick is out on the counter (except in the summer, when it gets hot enough that it melts, so then we put it in the fridge)
I used to have one of those "butter bell" things, but it was a PITA and kept sloshing all over the counter, so now it's just in a dish on the counter. | |
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Gizzard
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 179,066
November 2004
Posts: 2,582
Layouts: 17
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:44:03 PM
I'm of the "if it was refrigerated in the store, refrigerated it is" camp. I grew up with a jar of grease drippings on the counter.  | |
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sheltieluvr
PeaFixture
PeaNut 414,014
March 2009
Posts: 4,257
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:46:13 PM
I have never heard of leaving butter out on the counter!! When I first read the title my thought was "do you refrigerate your butter or freeze your butter?"
I have lived in Texas my whole life so maybe that's why I've never known anyone to do this.
Boy, the things you learn here from the peas!! | |
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gmcwife1
SamFan
PeaNut 33,625
March 2002
Posts: 8,104
Layouts: 0
Loc: Washington State
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:53:55 PM
Covered on the counter with more stock in the fridge and freezer.
~ Dori ~ | |
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mytwoandras
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 204,991
May 2005
Posts: 2,969
Layouts: 95
Loc: New Jersey
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:55:07 PM
My butter is always in the butter dish on the counter. The extra sticks are in the fridge. I have never heard of freezing butter, lol. We always kept our butter out when I was a child. My dh used to have a stroke about the butter being out because he was sure we would all be sick. After a few years he realized it is much easier to use when it is soft and that we hadn't died yet, so he is ok with it now. | |
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stampcrazychick
PeaFixture
PeaNut 328,112
July 2007
Posts: 3,114
Layouts: 0
Loc: Utah
| Posted: 11/24/2010 6:58:25 PM
There's always a stick of butter in the butter dish on the counter. The only time I put it in the fridge is during the hot part of summer. I can't stand wanting to butter toast and having rock-hard butter! | |
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cmpeter
PEAceful Pea
PeaNut 14,521
April 2001
Posts: 34,593
Layouts: 31
Loc: Washington State
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 6:59:14 PM
No, we keep it in a butterdish on the counter. Sticks that we aren't actively using go in the fridge. | |
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ScrapperCandy
PeaAddict
PeaNut 238,559
December 2005
Posts: 1,525
Layouts: 30
Loc: Off in Neverland!
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:01:12 PM
The currently being used stick is out on the counter (except in the summer, when it gets hot enough that it melts, so then we put it in the fridge)
I used to have one of those "butter bell" things, but it was a PITA and kept sloshing all over the counter, so now it's just in a dish on the counter.
This is us exactly. I even have two butter bells collecting dust somewhere. | |
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BoSoxBeth
Working for SHALOM
PeaNut 44,871
August 2002
Posts: 17,136
Layouts: 8
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:11:59 PM
Fridge | |
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libis
This Pea Can Finally Pee!
PeaNut 111,477
October 2003
Posts: 16,419
Layouts: 335
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:15:41 PM
I'm of the "if it was refrigerated in the store, refrigerated it is" camp.
So if it's not refrigerated in the store, do you refridgerate it at home? Ketchup, jelly and mayo all come to mind...
(And yes, I know some people don't refrigerate their mayo ) | |
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TraceyS/FL
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 231,917
November 2005
Posts: 2,448
Layouts: 5
Loc: Central Florida
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:18:19 PM
Counter. Extra in the fridge, i might have just bought enough i should throw some in the freezer....
I hate hard butter! | |
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ChirpingCricket
Will I ever get to Buckethead?!
PeaNut 474,960
July 2010
Posts: 402
Layouts: 0
Loc: Somewhere in the Sunny South
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:35:05 PM
I'm a big fan of the butter bells. I can't imagine leaving butter out on the counter -- even covered, how does it not go bad? I guess if we ate more butter, y'know, faster, I wouldn't worry. As it is, I'll rely on that nice, protective vat of clean water every three days to keep my butter both soft and safe to eat.
--Cricket | |
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Burning Feather
I conceived but I can't see you
PeaNut 158,336
July 2004
Posts: 36,302
Layouts: 3
Loc: Ain't no black widow serial killer going to get between me and my man
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:40:27 PM
I keep about half a stick in a butter dish on the counter - just enough so that there is always a little soft butter for bread, toast, etc. The rest stays in the fridge or freezer. | |
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Ouiser
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 196,226
March 2005
Posts: 8,919
Layouts: 0
Loc: in the South
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:45:27 PM
Stick on the counter and the rest in the fridge. | |
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kimberly38
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 198,401
March 2005
Posts: 6,159
Layouts: 0
Loc: Wernersville, PA
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:49:03 PM
I don't keep it a stick per se, but I cut it up into pieces
to put into a bowl I keep on my kitchen counter and yes,
I keep it out every day.
When I put butter on my toast, I like it to be soft.
And it just does not taste the same if you microwave it for a
few seconds or it melts too much.
I have never had a problem with my butter by doing this.
We do go thru a stick or more a week, so I don't know if that
is it or not. I use this butter for making eggs, toast, my
dh likes it on saltine crackers, will use for cooking if needed,
etc. | |
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Velouria
Pixie Pea
PeaNut 41,800
July 2002
Posts: 12,739
Layouts: 641
Loc: Arizona
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:49:56 PM
yes | |
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fredfreddy
Alex told me to change it
PeaNut 120,522
December 2003
Posts: 19,106
Layouts: 543
Loc: never in one place very long (...in San Jose, CA)
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:52:13 PM
No, I can't stand spreading hard butter on toast, english muffins, or waffles. It just makes a hole in it. Room temp is the way to go.
ETA: A stick of butter lasts 4-6 days in our house. We all love toast, etc. | |
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Laurel Jean
generic pea
PeaNut 76,877
March 2003
Posts: 9,208
Layouts: 179
Loc: Michigan
| Posted: 11/24/2010 7:57:28 PM
I keep my butter out. I don't like rock-hard butter sitting on top of my toast. The only time it goes in the fridge is when it's so hot that the butter would melt.
My mom did the same thing, and no one ever got sick from it.
We do use salted butter, though, so maybe that makes a difference.
DH had a hard time adjusting to that. It took a long time to wean him from margerine (a.k.a. "axle grease", as my grandpa used to say) to butter. | |
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cropduster
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 250,388
February 2006
Posts: 5,723
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/24/2010 8:06:59 PM
We keep ours out on the counter in a covered butter dish. In fact, I bought two matching butter dishes so when my dirty one is in the dishwasher, I have a new stick in a clean butter dish ready to go.
I never used to keep it on the counter until I noticed a good friend of mine did that. My SIL about went into vapors when she saw my butter kept out. But by this time, I had been doing it for a couple of years and I told her, "Haven't gotten sick or died yet." | |
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Morellis Cupcake
He who laughs last didn't get it
PeaNut 87,510
May 2003
Posts: 12,306
Layouts: 1
Loc: Charlotte, NC
| Posted: 11/24/2010 8:09:46 PM
Ooh, a butter debate! That's new.
I refrigerate, always. But that's mainly because I don't like room temp butter. It's a weird thing of mine, I guess, but I'll put small pieces of ice cold butter on toast before I'd use spreadable room tep.
Growing up, my mom kept it out on the counter in a covered dish. | |
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Gizzard
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 179,066
November 2004
Posts: 2,582
Layouts: 17
Loc: Texas
| Posted: 11/24/2010 8:11:21 PM
Things that are "refrigerate after opening" in the directions go in the fridge, too. Ketsup, mustard, etc. Peanut butter doesn't and neither does syrup. | |
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Steph725
Sweet Tea Lovin' Pea
PeaNut 236,282
December 2005
Posts: 6,026
Layouts: 106
Loc: North Texas
| Posted: 11/24/2010 8:14:05 PM
Always in the fridge. If I will need it for baking, I put it out on the counter a few hours ahead of time. | |
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KarinMS
The pea currently in a state of flux.
PeaNut 2,874
February 2000
Posts: 5,315
Layouts: 6
Loc: I'll let you know when I figure that out.
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 8:21:39 PM
I always have a small amount in a covered dish for toast etc. Back to the butter bells. Anyone else care to share an opinion? | |
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UpNorth Scrapper
Seriously warped and appalling
PeaNut 99,963
August 2003
Posts: 12,913
Layouts: 0
Loc: Minnesota
| Posted: 11/24/2010 8:29:29 PM
I have one of those French butter crocks and I love it. | |
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a scrappin gal
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 208,960
June 2005
Posts: 2,476
Layouts: 12
Loc: Somewhere
| Posted: 11/24/2010 8:41:07 PM
Raising my hand in favor of a butter bell.
I have been using one forabout 15 years - AWESOME!!!!
If the water sloshes out - you have too much water in it.
The idea behind it is that you use cold water - maybe a 1/2" at best - it chiils the "bell", thus keeping the butter at a perfecr spreading state.
Never once has the butter ever gone rancid. I do change the water every other day or so - sometimes less, sometimes more - depends on the weather - it takes 2 seconds really. Sometimes I just pop in some ice chips when it's really hot out - perfect solution.
I will NEVER NOT use one!
I am also in the at least 1-2 # of butter in the fridge at all times - to us it's as essential as milk & bread. | |
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back to *pea*ality
PeaFixture
PeaNut 471,633
June 2010
Posts: 3,795
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/24/2010 9:18:41 PM
No. I keep it in a ceramic butter dish with a water reservoir that keeps the butter soft and cool. I bought it on QVC several years ago. I keep cooking butter in the fridge. | |
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SweetPeasMom
Ancient Ancestor of Pea
PeaNut 186,656
January 2005
Posts: 7,734
Layouts: 7
Loc: GRITS
| Posted: 11/24/2010 9:20:43 PM
I grew up with it both ways. Sometimes we put in the fridge, sometimes it stayed out (and not always covered). Dh freaks out if the butter is left out for any great length of time. So our's stays in the fridge. We don't use it everyday though. | |
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Chopped Liver *U*
Running from the drama llama
PeaNut 43,514
July 2002
Posts: 51,664
Layouts: 42
Loc: South Jersey
| Posted: 11/24/2010 9:25:04 PM
I keep mine in the fridge unless I know I will be using it. Tomorrow morning I will pull out 4 sticks. | |
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mstubble
PeaFixture
PeaNut 281,278
October 2006
Posts: 3,345
Layouts: 0
Loc: Northern Virginia
 | Posted: 11/24/2010 9:31:47 PM
Now, my sister uses her stick butter every day, and she keeps it in a dish on the counter (covered).
We refrigerate it. I've never know anyone to leave butter out. | |
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scoobers
Why, YES!, I am a princess.
PeaNut 417,049
March 2009
Posts: 12,869
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/24/2010 9:47:22 PM
I pet mine behind the ears......meet Butter {the basset hound} 
Sorry....couldn't resist | |
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mdoc
Peaing under the Radar
PeaNut 61,691
January 2003
Posts: 11,841
Layouts: 0
Loc: In the Middle
| Posted: 11/24/2010 9:52:37 PM
I refrigerate my stick butter, and we use soft margarine (also refrigerated, but soft and spreadable right out of the frig) for toast. Now that I see that so many Peas don't refrigerate, I may try that. I remember that my grandmother left her butter out, and she lived to be 97. | |
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Pea-T-A-Mom
Scrapmaven is stalkin my Kitteh!
PeaNut 159,334
July 2004
Posts: 13,508
Layouts: 0
Loc: Left Coast
| Posted: 11/24/2010 11:53:28 PM
Yes. We use actual Butter, not margarine, oleo, parkay, etc.
Real dairy butter needs to be refrigerated. | |
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*Maddie_Isabella*
PeaAddict
PeaNut 187,663
January 2005
Posts: 1,322
Layouts: 0
Loc: Down South
| Posted: 11/25/2010 12:01:11 AM
If it were meant to be kept at room temperature they would not sell it in the cooler. My understanding is the way they sell food is the way it is to be kept with the exception of things that weren't refrigerated that have to be once opened (like Parmesan cheese for example).
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nsarnic
BucketHead
PeaNut 430,131
July 2009
Posts: 786
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/25/2010 12:38:40 AM
After reading this thread, I am going to leave my butter out in a dish, covered. I don't think its any harm in the winter days. | |
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Addicted2Supplies
StuckOnPeas
PeaNut 123,855
January 2004
Posts: 2,392
Layouts: 272
Loc: North Texas/DFW
| Posted: 11/25/2010 1:09:37 AM
Grew up with it out on the counter and had to convince my DH that it was okay. I live in Texas and during the hottest parts of the summer we had to put it in the fridge, but then again, my parents didn't have central air. My mom is from Illinois so maybe it doesn't melt in the summer there? lol | |
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NZCricut
PeaNut
PeaNut 481,960
September 2010
Posts: 20
Layouts: 0
| Posted: 11/25/2010 1:12:47 AM
In NZ, we don't have "stick" butter (although I sometimes think that it would be easier for baking etc), but we do have it in pounds.
Most families in NZ use margerine, but I haven't used that in the last couple of years. I think it is foul evil stuff. We have butter. I cut about 200gm (about 1/2 l off and put it into a small ceramic container. In the summertime, I keep it in the fridge (we used to have butter conditioners for the butter, but these aren't around much anymore  ), but other times I keep it in the pantry. I soften it for about 30 seconds on med, to use as a spread on bread/toast. Most times it is used too quickly for it to start to turn yuckky. | |
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