crazy this poll is so compelling!

me too, I like cold butter on piping hot toast. Who cares if it comes in chunks? It's a rare indulgence, but yum yum.

summer in the fridge, winter on the table...but those water cooled containers look interesting. I never knew about this. Thanks folks.

The poll brought back the memory of my then toddler aged daughter gnawing on a cube of butter... can't recall if it was from the counter or the fridge but it sure was funny. She STILL loves butter!

A

Keep in fridge. Set on counter upon initiating meal prep. It's just that easy! Return to fridge after meal consumed.

@fixeruppergirl : I agree. I like this saying, "Pick your battles" (forgot the source)

In the fridge; take it out 30 minutes before the meal starts. If butter causes too many arguments, try margarine.

Le creuset butter crock on the counter. Keeps the butter fresh!

We keep it in the fridge and covered. We don't use a lot of butter so keeping it covered and in the fridge increases it's shelf life for us. Plus to be honest I really don't like taking any chances with dairy products left out all the time. We don't mind taking it out of the fridge a bit before we use it.

Why are your cats roaming the counters? ugh

I keep mine in a butter bell on the counter.

okay, folks...if you want to leave your butter on the counter just make sure you buy the "salted butter". for "unsalted" keep refrigerated.

Butter is a dairy product, and should be refrigerated. Take out 20 min before use. Leaving it out a couple of hours will not hurt.

I live in Namibia and it's sinking hot here, butter will melt in seconds, so you can drink it instead of spread it on your bread.

Butter is in the bread cupboard to keep it soft but not to warm....and also , because if I leave it on the counter, my dog is going to eat it...she loves butter !

Always on the counter, even here in the South in the summer. It's never gone bad in 23 years of keeping it there.

Nancy Travisinteriors...not all dairy products need to be refrigerated. Hard cheeses such as Romano, Parmesan, Cheddar do not need refrigeration. I keep my butter on the counter.

In the fridge. It spoils outside in a day or two, and it takes not so much time for it to become spreadable if we need it.

In the fridge. I'm not a big toast with butter person. Mostly use it for oiling the griddle when making pancakes/crepes, bechamel sauce, or baking.

Do you fridge people have a butter dish in the fridge or just keep it in the paper?

Oh my! I had no idea people leave butter out. If I found someone used the butter and it stayed out of the fridge for more than an hour I would throw it away. I use butter on bread occasionally, but that is about it. When baking I use canola oil. Since I don't use much butter I only buy it when absolutely necessary. I was really surprised when I met my husband to find that people put butter on vegetables or rice. Yuk. He does not do that anymore. Just straight veggies or rice nothing on them. Unless it is a dry ingredient once opened it goes in the fridge.

if butter and cheese spoiled on the kitchen counter, everyone in europe would be dead.

I voted both. I like hard butter for some things and soft for some things.

I agree, we've gotten a bit fanatical about refrigerating everything and supposed spoilage, and much of the modernized Western world exclusive of the States would have food poisoning as a chronic condition if it were all so crucial.

Just saw this cool new "Butter Boss" dispenser gadget. Check it out. ( : The Butter Boss... by Goose : ) on @Kickstarter http://kck.st/1F6koa9 #innovation #butter

Soft spread in the refrigerator for toast, blocks of butter in freezer for when needed.

We we keep it in the fridge because it would melt if we didn't.

We keep our butter on the counter. I hate hard butter. Never had a problem!

Really depends on where you live. In warmer climates, butter can get nasty fast if not refrigerated. But whenever possible, on the counter. Hard butter is awful.

Well, I live in a hot climate (Texas) but it's always 72 degrees in my house!

Wow. I thought butter was always supposed to be in the refrigerator. Now I won't feel bad for keeping it out to soften for more than an hour. Good to know.

When I lived up north, I kept it out, but now that I'm in S. FL, I keep it in the fridge. It gets too soft on the counter.

Butter on the Bread - BUTTERBROT !

Now that we're in Florida, it stays in the fridge. After discovering the mostly melted stick all over the counter and floor. Just too warm here!

well, if you are going to put butter on the bread, then you need a box of hagelslag to go with it.

Fridge in Summer, bench in Winter.

I also live in Florida (central gulf coast) and I take it out in the morning so it can get room temp and usable, but store in in the frig overnight. I've not had a problem with the butter melting on the counter, but we keep our A/C at 77. My cat likes butter so I can't forget to cover it (she's a cat, what can I say?).

Salted butter will not spoil on the counter for up to 3 weeks. It's lucky if one stick is not used up in my house in three days. Not to worry, just enjoy. I do keep it covered so it does not pick up odors.

I grew up on a farm and we never refrigerated the butter or the eggs. I do refrigerate eggs now as in the US we wash them and take a protective covering off them but in while in France we do not refrigerate the eggs either as France does not wash the eggs before selling. Butter is over 80% fat - hard to grow bacteria. And if butter becomes rancid - believe me you know. I am in my 70's and never have I become sick from butter soft from the butter dish sitting on the counter.

Hey Emily you come up with the best poll questions! Anyway I like to put my butter in the fridge where it won't melt.

Where do you find it in the store? Thats where you should store it. Besides, its a dairy product - do these people store their milk on the counter too? Ewww!!!

In the cabinet.

I LOVE j mi's answer, so logical!

They make spreadable butter now, you can have it both ways. Store the spreadable butter in the fridge :)

Fridge - & then I can slice it thick like a lil piece of cheese! For me it's a taste experience preference as I know it keeps fine out - love a cool chewy bite on bread

Three adults, 1/4 pound+ used per day. In my "breadbox cabinet" on the counter (else the dog will get it). Huge mug of bacon grease in fridge.

Hate the taste of soft butter. I like it in a thick slice on toast. Cold.

It's a major pet peeve to try to spread the butter, and instead crush your bread from having to push so hard. I'll leave it on the counter unless it's hot outside.

We make our own butter. Doesn't keep long so it stays in the fridge. After 3 days it is made into ghee.

Two days ago I poached a large chicken breast, intending to make at least two meals of it, just for myself. After cooling it in the poaching liquid, in the fridge, I cut off a large chunk and added some unsalted, organic butter that had been sitting on the counter for at least a week. As the chicken was already cool, the butter didn't melt. VERY interesting flavor! I usually use the "counter butter" for just-cooked vegetables and toast, so of course it melts immediately. Now I understand why some of you prefer cold butter on toast, for example. Good butter has a wonderful flavor, even when cold. Thanks!