Why does a Butter Bell need water?

Why does a Butter Bell need water? The answer remains in whether you keep your butter on the bench or in the fridge? The butter bell and it's butter keeping technique was developed before refrigeration as a way to keep butter fresh.  Back then (and what is becoming more and more common today with home cooks)  butter was made from fresh cream and salt. Without a fridge to keep the butter fresh, the water in the bottom of the butter bell as a 'seal' to keep bacteria out. 

How Long Does Butter Last in a Butter Crock?

Butter stored correctly in a butter crock stays fresh at room temperature for up to 30 days. That is the short answer. The longer answer — and the more useful one — depends on a handful of factors: the type of butter you use, the temperature of your kitchen, how diligently you change the water, and whether you are working with salted or unsalted butter. This guide covers everything you need to know about butter freshness in a crock, what affects shelf life, how to tell when butter has gone off, and how to get the full 30 days out of every fill — including practical advice for Australian kitchens, where our warmer climate changes the equation somewhat. How Long Does Butter Last in a Butter Crock? Under ideal conditions — a kitchen temperature between 18 and 21°C, water changed every two to three days, and good quality butter packed correctly — butter in a crock will stay fresh for up to 30 days.