11 Best Butter Warmers for Adding Flavor to Your Cooking
Is there anything a little melted butter can't fix?
Comforting mashed potatoes, popcorn, fresh seafood, corn on the cob … very few things aren’t improved upon by adding melted butter. Essentially liquid gold, it’s a necessity for everything from savory cooking to sweet baked goods. And the best way to make it? With a butter warmer!
Available from most top kitchenware brands, butter warmers are designed to quickly heat butter without burning it, leaving you with luscious melted butter for all your dipping, pouring, and slathering needs. Drooling yet? Then keep reading to learn more about the best butter warmer for your kitchen!
11 Best Butter Warmers for 2021
- Best Dansk butter warmer : Dansk Kobenstyle Butter Warmer
- Best Le Creuset butter warmer : Le Creuset Signature Saucepan
- Best All-Clad butter warmer : All-Clad 42006 D3 Stainless Butter Warmer
- Best ceramic butter warmer : Neoflam Butter Warmer
- Best enamel butter warmer : Staub Mini Saucepan
- Best stainless steel butter warmer : Hestan NanoBond Butter Warmer
- Best copper butter warmer : Hestan CopperBond 1.5-Quart Saucepan with Lid
- Best butter warmer on Amazon : Farberware Classic Series Stainless Steel Butter Warmer
- Best butter warmer from Walmart : Rachael Ray Cucina Hard Enamel Nonstick Butter Warmer
- Best butter warmer with a lid : Zwilling Clad CFX Nonstick Saucepan
- Best butter warmer for seafood : Hiware Ceramic Butter Warmers
What Is a Butter Warmer?
Typically on the smaller side, butter warmers are like mini-saucepans made from the best heat-conducting materials. They’re great for melting butter quickly (who wants to wait for melted butter?), but can also be used to melt chocolate, caramel, and pretty much anything delicious! Many recipes call for brown butter these days, like this New York Times recipe for pasta with brown butter and parmesan, or these mouthwatering brown butter blondies from Food52. And don’t forget movie theater-style popcorn drenched in butter, or homemade butterscotch for ice cream sundaes! Whether you go sweet, savory, or both, butter warmers are a helpful tool to have in your kitchen.
In terms of size, butter warmers usually have a capacity of less than one quart, making them perfect for melting the amount of butter often needed for adding to mashed potatoes or serving with lobster. However, if you want to melt larger quantities of butter, there are a range of butter warmer sizes to choose from.
You might be thinking, “Do I need a butter warmer?” From our perspective, melted butter is the kind of wonder ingredient that can transform most any meal. It adds richness, creaminess, and depth of flavor, making it an indispensable ingredient worthy of its own vessel. And even if you don’t cook with butter very often, butter warmers are also excellent for heating milk to add to your morning tea or coffee. We love butter warmers for this use because we don’t need to dirty a whole pot or pan just to warm up a small quantity of liquid. Plus, they’re kind of adorable!
What is the best butter warmer?
To find the best butter warmer for your cooking and baking needs, think about what you’ll be using it for. Maybe you plan on melting butter to pour over popcorn for movie nights, in which case you should look for one with a spout (we love this classic butter warmer from Dansk). Looking to serve melted butter to guests at your next seafood boil? These ceramic butter warmers come as a set of four, and use tea-light candles to heat individual portions of butter. If you love the nutty notes of brown butter, this super-mini Staub butter warmer has a textured interior for optimal browning.
And, don’t forget uses beyond butter! If melting chocolate is on your agenda, this gorgeous Hestan copper pot offers precise heat control for more temperamental ingredients. Want to use your melted butter as a base for gravy, sauces, or butterscotch? This 1.75-quart saucepan from Le Creuset gets the job done as smoothly as, well, buttah.
There are plenty of options to choose from, and we’ve narrowed down our 11 favorites. Keep scrolling to shop our picks and find the best butter warmer for you!
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The Best Butter Warmers for 2021
Dansk Kobenstyle Butter Warmer
Best Dansk butter warmer
Why we like it:
- Stylish wooden handle
- Coated with 3 layers of enamel
- Chic, minimalist design
When you think of butter warmers, it’s highly likely this sweet yet sturdy Dansk pot comes to mind — and for good reason. Beloved for its modern Scandinavian design, easy-to-clean enamel coating, and signature wooden handle, this popular mini pot is the perfect size for melting butter (or chocolate, or caramel — you get the idea!). We love the teak handle, which stays cool to the touch while adding a rustic look to your countertop. You won’t want to hide it away in your cabinet!
Happy customer: “Love this pot! It’s cute enough to leave out on the stove and also incredibly well made. Totally nonstick and durable. Added bonus is that the wooden handle never gets too hot to touch.”
Le Creuset Signature Saucepan
Best Le Creuset butter warmer
Buy from Sur La Table, $194.95 (originally $250)
Why we like it:
- Two coats of enamel for durability
- Comes in 3 colors
- Made of cast iron for even heat distribution
It’s no secret Le Creuset is one of the world’s most high-end cookware brands, but this workhorse of a saucepan is worth the splurge. At 1.75 quarts, it’s on the bigger side for a butter warmer, but it’s great for melting larger quantities for, say, making ghee. It can also double as a simmer pot to cook up delicious sauces, gravy, and stocks — meaning you’ll get more bang for your buck. Made with heavy-duty cast iron and a double coat of enamel, you can be confident this pot was built to last. And, in keeping with Le Creuset’s French origins, it’s available in red, white, and blue — ooh-la-la!
Happy customer: “A wonderful addition to my collection. This saucepan works perfectly! Beautiful color, incredible design, and impeccable quality.”
All-Clad 42006 D3 Stainless Butter Warmer
Best All-Clad butter warmer
Why we like it:
- Sturdy 3-ply stainless steel and aluminum construction
- Oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (without lid)
- Flared rim for easier pouring
In search of a butter warmer that can go from stovetop to oven in a pinch? Then this half-quart stainless steel beauty might be the tool for you! Made of 3-ply stainless steel and aluminum for top-notch heat conductivity, this small but mighty butter warmer can stand up to oven temperatures reaching 600 degrees Fahrenheit (just be sure to remove the lid first!). The outward-curving rim helps prevent spillage, while the long handle allows for safe transportation.
Happy customer: “The quality of this butter warmer is top-notch and it holds slightly over eight ounces when full. Perfect for boiling water for a cup of hot chocolate, for example. I’ve used it to warm butter and wing sauce, reheat leftovers, and boil water several times a week. It’s super easy to clean and didn’t discolor when reheating pasta sauce in it.”
Neoflam Butter Warmer
Best ceramic butter warmer
Why we like it:
- Has natural Ecolon ceramic coating
- Available in 5 fun colors
- Comes with 2 pour spouts
If you’re looking to add a little color to your kitchen, this pastel collection from Neoflam is sure to brighten up any cooking space. While the Easter egg hues are lovely to look at, this pan offers more than just aesthetics. With handy pour spouts on each side, you’ll avoid spilling your melted butter or other hot ingredients. Plus, the cast aluminum construction makes it a great lightweight alternative to cast iron. Best of all, the nonstick ceramic coating is a breeze to clean — it’s even dishwasher-safe!
Happy customer: “I love this pot! It’s sturdy and the ceramic coating is fantastic. This pot is the perfect size for small jobs such as melting butter, chocolate, and gelatin to add to other recipes, and clean-up is a snap! I am very pleased with it and highly recommend this product.”
Staub Mini Saucepan
Best enamel butter warmer
Buy from Sur La Table, $99.95 (originally $143)
Why we like it:
- Made of strong, pre-seasoned cast iron
- Slightly textured interior for better browning
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Not only is this quarter-ounce (!) butter warmer adorable, it’s also a highly versatile vessel. Use it to serve up individual portions of soup, macaroni and cheese, and fruit cobbler, or to heat butter, milk, and chocolate. The interior has a bit of texture to promote browning (hello, toasty brown butter!), while the snug lid traps in moisture and flavor. This enamel-coated cast iron pot also comes with a lifetime warranty, so you know it’s worth the price tag.
Happy customer: “If you do not have a fondue pot, this is an excellent substitute. It’s great for melting cheese, chocolate, caramel, and butter. This is the mini I use for lobster and crab cocktail. As you would expect, it will heat quickly and evenly and stay hot longer. The long handle is a bonus. Excellent pot!”
Hestan NanoBond Butter Warmer
Best stainless steel butter warmer
Buy from Bloomingdale’s, $120 (originally $150)
Why we like it:
- Can handle temperatures up to 1,050 degrees Fahrenheit
- Safe to use with metal utensils
- Comes with a lifetime warranty
Whoever coined the term, “turn up the heat” likely also invented this seemingly indestructible butter warmer, which can withstand temperatures up to a whopping 1,050 degrees Fahrenheit! Made of titanium and stainless steel, this heavy-duty pot is tough enough to use with metal utensils (whisk away!), and has an aluminum core for rapid heating. It has a 3-quarter-ounce capacity, making it the perfect size for heating small-batch soups, reducing sauces, and thickening jam. It’s no surprise it comes with a lifetime warranty, but the fact that it’s also dishwasher-safe? Yes, please!
Happy customer: “We have been using this for incredible sauces, sides, and it’s just right for warming that popcorn butter. If you think you have all the sizes covered, don’t forget you really need this little all-purpose pot in the kitchen for small jobs. We can’t say enough about the amazing quality and craftsmanship of the Hestan butter warmer.”
Hestan CopperBond 1.5-Quart Saucepan with Lid
Best copper butter warmer
Buy from Nordstrom, $199.95 (originally $260)
Why we like it:
- Beautiful two-tone finish
- 5-ply construction includes copper for precise temperature control and durable stainless steel
- Secure lid keeps moisture in
In the market for some copper cookware? This stunning, two-tone saucepan would add a luxe feel to any kitchen. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, it’s also a great multipurpose pot. At 1.5 quarts, it’s contained enough to melt butter, but roomy enough for making tomato sauce, toasting nuts, and cooking down fruit. Its copper and stainless steel construction is well-suited for heat retention, and is oven-safe up to 600 degrees Fahrenheit. No worries if your kitchen lacks storage space — this is one pot you’ll want to display at all times.
Happy customer: “I am very happy with this pot … I love the size … I need less heat to cook with it, the handle stays cooler than my other pots, and the lid is very well designed and snug. I’ve made rice, cooked frozen broccoli and hot cereal, and everything came out great.”
Farberware Classic Series Stainless Steel Butter Warmer
Best butter warmer on Amazon
Why we like it:
- Lightweight (weighs less than 1 pound!)
- Thick aluminum core for efficient heating
- Over 2,500 five-star ratings on Amazon
Lightweight? Check. Under 20 dollars? Check! This nifty little butter warmer is a great, affordable kitchen basic to have on hand. It’s gotten over 2,000 five-star ratings on Amazon, and it’s easy to see why. Its thick aluminum core conducts ample heat for melting butter, heating syrup, and warming milk, and a convenient spout makes for easy pouring. Plus, it’s oven and dishwasher-safe, and comes with a lifetime warranty. What a steal!
Happy customer: “I love this little melting saucepan! I use it so frequently to melt butter, heat syrup, make chocolate syrup, etc. It’s a perfect size for those purposes … cleanup is easy with soap/water; no residue or pitting, and I’ve had mine for two years now.”
Rachael Ray Cucina Hard Enamel Nonstick Butter Warmer
Best butter warmer from Walmart
Why we like it:
- Rubberized stainless steel handle
- Oven-safe up to 400 degrees Fahrenheit
- Made of durable aluminum
If there’s one thing Rachael Ray knows about, it’s effortless cooking, and this pretty, teal-hued butter warmer is proof of that. Equipped with an ingenious, heat-resistant rubber handle (butterfingers, rejoice!), this nifty tool protects your hands while you melt your butter, and anything else you plan on heating up. The spout is perfect for pouring butter over mashed potatoes and popcorn, adding hot milk to tea or coffee, or drizzling homemade hot fudge over a bowl of ice cream. As Rachael would say, “Yum-O!”
Happy customer: “Who else but Rachael Ray could come up with this nice weight butter warmer? Works great, and on low heat can melt a stick of butter in no time. Love it.”
Zwilling Clad CFX Nonstick Saucepan
Best butter warmer with a lid
Buy from Sur La Table, $69.95 (originally $87)
Why we like it:
- Tempered glass lid locks in moisture
- Built-in spout and strainer for easy pouring
- Can be used on any cooking surface
A pot and strainer all in one? Sign us up! This multi-use, one-quart butter warmer features a built-in strainer perfect for boiling potatoes and cooking pasta, as well as making oatmeal, rice, soups, and sauces. The tempered glass lid lets you check on your food as it heats up, while also locking moisture in, and the sleek stainless steel gets an easy-to-clean boost from nonstick ceramic coating. This saucepan also features a flared rim and spout for mess-free pouring, and a heat-resistant handle to keep hands safe.
Happy customer: “Perfect for cooking up a quick batch of just about anything, and the beautiful ceramic nonstick interior makes it a breeze to clean! The pour spout sides and lid are wonderful added bonuses that are hard to find, quality was not spared!”
Hiware Ceramic Butter Warmers
Best butter warmer for seafood
Buy from Amazon, $17.99 (originally $23.99)
Why we like it:
- Set comes with 4 individual butter warmers
- Made of heat-retaining ceramic
- Includes 16 candles
Seafood lovers, rejoice! This cute set comes with four individual ceramic butter warmers, and 16 (count ’em, 16!) tea light candles to provide heat and a bit of ambient lighting. Whether you’re serving lobster, shrimp, mussels, or any seafood, really, these little warmers heat up quickly and stay warm, meaning your guests will be able to enjoy melted butter throughout their meal. Bonus: the ramekins are also great for serving individually-portioned dipping sauces, and even fondue if you’re feeling fancy!
Happy customer: “We had a seafood boil and these were needed for our garlic butter. They were PERFECT! The packaging was very secure and the ceramic bowls were wrapped to avoid cracking/breaking. Each bowl comes with four tealight-sized candles that can be lit and keep your butter sauce warm and tasty throughout your dining experience. This was a great purchase. If you are a regular seafood connoisseur, these are a must!”
