Why do you have to fill the butter bell crock with water
46345
It provides a seal to keep air away from the butter and it will last a long time before it spoils.
46346
It is what keeps the butter fresh. Also during the hot months you need need to for sure replace the water every couple of days or the butter will mold. I learned that from experience. :-/
46347
Evaporative cooling and water acts as a heat sink, absorbing cool night air and retaining an average cooler-than-ambient temperature. Kind of like how a pool in Arizona can be cold in 110 degree heat because at night the temps drop.
46348
Cool water in the reservoir is what keeps the butter fresh, keeps it from spoiling or getting moldy in a warm room, and still spreadable.
305140
I am having this same problem. I use real butter, have tried mashing in hard, semi-hard and soft butters but when the room gets too warm, the butter falls out into the water. I think I may try wrapping the bottom with plastic wrap and see if that helps.
824523
We clean our weights with hot water and a clean dish cloth, placed in area so they get air .... we lay them in a pie pan in a drawer. Do not leave them in a clean crock ... Because they will get moldy...do not ask how I know! Before we add our veggies to the crock we pour boiling water in the crock to rinse then boiling water over the stones. Hope this helps!
201364
While I only use real butter I do not see why not. The idea of a butter bell is to keep butter soft without the spoilage. Just make sure to pack it firmly into the bell and change the water every few days.
935139
I actually do keep my butter without water and it is soft and doing okay without. There doesn't seem to be much space to put the water in. Therese
1328714
According to Hamilton Beach it acts as a vent, the steam has to go somewhere and not back into make your food more diluted like the old slow cookers. It was recommended for older ones to put a towel underneath the cover to absorb the extra moisture/steam collecting on lid. It also stated that it should not be plugged up with anything either as it could cause problems.
439992
You take your butter, hopefully real salted or un salted butter, and press it into the dome part of the keeper. Then you put some water, not a lot, just enough to form a seal and put it in the cylinder of the keeper, then turn the dome back into the cylindrical part. It's the best. Sometimes I have not pressed enough and when I open the keeper the butter is floating in the jar. I just scoop it up, press it tighter and keep on going. Naturally, if you live in an area that is normally very warm, I'm not sure how it will react. I live in Maryland. Hope it works for you. We love ours.
879860
I don't think the water actually is supposed to contact the butter. The water's function is to create an air-tight seal so that air cannot flow over, under, or around the butter. It is actually moving air, or exchange of air, that causes food to go stale, or, in this case, to warm via convection. The seal also keeps out bugs, pet tongues, and dust.
879863
I don't think the water should touch the butter for reasons of breeding germs...I only put ice or water in it when I have it setting out for a long duration to help keep it cool. I keep it dry and in the fridge if the butter won't be used within a few hours...I do let it out overnight if I am going to use it in the morning, but I only have a couple of ice cubes in the bottom so it won't be enough to touch the butter. I think it really depends on how quickly you use the butter. I hope this was helpful.
1921937
Mine does when I first fill it but after the first swipe of the butter it doesn't get wet. I love my two that I used daily!
578797
The water doesn't touch the butter. It is just a way to keep the butter cooler so it doesn't melt.
176649
You have to plug it in to warm the food. You take the insert home, fill with food that can be reheated such as soup, and other canned meals and then place in the crock pot to heat. The base stays at work or school, but you do need to plug the base in.
288895
None, we used a plastic bag filled with water and then a board (larger than the crock) layed on top with some weight to hold the board down.
1180583
Yes, check the outside of the crock for tiny hair line cracks. They are very hard to see and you might here a sizzling sound after awhile. For some reason the crocks don't last very long. Hope this helps
1455631
Apparently, it's to collect condensation, and drip it back to that fantastic stew/soup. Sorry it took a while to answer, happy cooking :D
1921939
No you only place a small amount of water in the base and the butter is sealed but held above the water. It really works quite well. It keeps the butter fresh and it is always ready to spread. rkeithr
1160832
Because you don't have to add water to it, otherwise it would be a powder or cream and you would have to add water to it. Means you don't need to add water to use it.