Melting butter in the microwave can make you feel things like frustration and confusion when you do not know the proper way to go about it.
Have you ever tried it before?
Yes, I have. I know the plot like the back of my hand: the butter makes loud sounds of ‘pow!’ –tiny explosions like something straight out of a Jackie Chan movie is happening in your microwave. And you don’t know what to do.
There is nothing entertaining about this. If anything, it leaves you with extra work you’re not in the mood to do; burnt butter, wiping oil splatters off the microwave, re-measuring the butter to make up for the wastage, and so on.
For all the trouble I went through in my experience, you’d think I would just let things be, but I had to keep on trying until I got the right formula.
What if I told you there was a way to melt butter in the microwave, without the chaos? What if I gave you my secret formula in quick and easy-to-follow steps? Would you still shy away from melting butter in the microwave?
Well, let’s find out.
CAN YOU MELT BUTTER IN THE MICROWAVE?
Yes, you can melt butter in the microwave, and you can do it without stress, chaos, and worry. The key thing to remember is that butter melts at a low temperature, so be careful not to overheat to prevent exploding and loss of protein value.
We’ll discuss the details in a few minutes. Just keep reading.
One key reason that most people cite for not melting their butter using the microwave is that it might explode. The worst-case scenario is getting injured when the hot oil touches your skin. So, a lot of people consider it such a risky venture that they’d rather try other methods.
But anyone who has ever tried to melt anything in the microwave knows that things can go from 0 to 100 really fast. It is either the butter becomes extremely hot (that it begins to burn) too quick, or it takes forever to melt.
That is why it is so important to be careful because butter is made up of fat and water, that’s why it’s so susceptible to exploding.
Let me explain.
Butter is 80% fat and 20% water. Water and fat both have different heating temperatures. When butter gets heated, the water moves away from the fat (it looks like oil when melted). You know what they say, oil and water do not mix.
When overheated, it is as though the fat (oil) cannot stand the water anymore. It begins to throw tantrums in the microwave and starts hurling itself around. God forbid you to open the microwave and it hurls itself at you and scalds your skin. Pretty crazy, huh?
Thankfully, there is a safe way to melt butter using the microwave and, in a few moments, I will let the cat out of the bag. All you’ve got to do is keep reading.
How to Melt Butter in Microwave
Dice the butter into cubes of about ½ inch size. Place the chunks of butter in a microwavable bowl and cover with a paper towel. Microwave at 10-second intervals. After that, allow the radiant heat to finish off the melting. Stir it to make sure your butter is fully and evenly melted.
If you’re going to melt your butter in a microwave, you have to make sure your microwave is very clean. Because if it’s greasy from last night (for instance) that could make your butter burn. Trust me, you don’t need that.
However, you need to defrost your butter first, especially if you’re melting a large quantity, and then slowly increase the power setting. This is more efficient as it will give you a little more control of the process, which can help you avoid overheating.
The microwave melts from outwards to inwards. So, if you want your butter to melt fast and evenly, you better chop that butter and spread it. You don’t want to lump it together. That’s just sending a message to the microwave that you want your butter melted in SOME places and not in others.
How do I prevent the butter from exploding in the microwave?
You can’t. At least, not completely. What you can do though, is cover the butter with a paper towel. This will help contain the splashes.
Since the major cause of microwave explosions is how rapidly it heats the food and causes separation or burning, you’ll do well to dissolve your butter on low or defrost setting for about 10 seconds, then increase the heat to medium-high for another 10 seconds.
Here’s something that will shock you:
Butter melts at a pretty low temperature of between 82 degrees Fahrenheit and 97 degrees Fahrenheit. So, when you’re tempted to use high heat and get the task over and done with, remember that every 10 seconds can make a huge difference, even if your butter is ice cold.
If you’re not sure you can do this without making mistakes….
Here are a few more creative ideas you can try:
Melting butter in the microwave with water:
Take your butter and put it in a microwave-safe bowl that is filled with hot water. Make sure the water drowns the butter—heat on low power for about 1 or 2 minutes. Remove the water and proceed with your recipe. This method is best suited for when you have a huge quantity of butter to melt.
Melting butter in a sealable bag:
Put the butter in a microwave-safe plastic bag. Seal it, but create a small opening on the side (preferably at the top). Microwave on low power for about 10-30 seconds. When it melts, proceed with your recipe.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO MELT BUTTER IN THE MICROWAVE?
It takes 45 seconds to melt butter, but it is better to microwave at 10-second intervals. This is a general answer, but there’s no one-size-fits-all. Microwaving time is dependent on many factors from the strength of the microwave to how cold and large the butter is and what power level you heat on.
The microwave is the fastest and easiest way to melt butter, but you can further quicken the process by grating the butter and leaving it on the kitchen counter to soften before microwaving it.
Butter does not have a high melting point, so be careful to not overheat. It is easier to melt butter in the microwave than it is to not succeed at it. So be mindful of that.
ALTERNATIVES
If none of the above methods is your jig, and you don’t care how snail-slow or stressful the old-fashioned way can be, let’s take you through that track, shall we?
Melting butter on the stove:
Place the butter in a non-stick pan and turn on the stove. Cook on low heat until the butter starts melting. Flip the butter to the other side and keep cooking. When the butter is almost melted, take it down and stir for an evenly melted butter.
Melting butter in an oven:
First, you need to pre-heat your oven to about 200 degrees Fahrenheit. Then leave your butter in the oven to melt. It’s not magic. It’s not going to abracadabra itself to the perfect melting point, so you’ve gotta keep checking so that it doesn’t overcook. This method is best suited for when your entire recipe is oven-based.
Tips for melting Butter in a Microwave
Now, melting butter in the microwave is fast and easy to do, but that does not mean it cannot be complicated. Here are some tips to help you melt your butter in the microwave without any issues. Think of them as lifelines.
- Cut the butter into smaller pieces.
- Stop microwaving before it is completely melted. This is a good trick for avoiding overheating.
- Cover the butter with a paper towel or parchment to confine the explosions.
- A cool trick to reduce microwave explosions: place a small bowl of water in the microwave, along with the butter.
- Defrost your butter first. Room-temperature butter is easier to melt than ice-cold butter.
- Don’t use any metal utensils in the microwave. It could be dangerous. Only microwave-safe material should go into the microwave.
- If you have a large amount of butter to melt, divide it into two portions. Having too much butter in the microwave could result in an overflow.
- If the butter turns brown and starts to bubble or smell, you should stop microwaving immediately and don’t use that butter.
FINAL THOUGHTS
Whether you are melting your butter for a quick dinner or movie night popcorn, I hope you can follow the simple and full-proof steps laid down in the article.
Go melt your butter, save time. And don’t make a mess.
FAQ
How do you melt butter?
Melting butter on the stovetop is traditional, but it can also be melted in a microwave safe dish or bowl. To quickly melt butter, cut it into small pieces and place them in a microwave safe dish with 1-2 tablespoons of water. Microwave on medium power for 30 seconds at a time, stirring between each interval until the butter has completely melted.
What are some tips to soften butter without melting?
Softening butter without melting it requires patience and precision to get the desired results. Start by cutting the butter into cubes, then leave it out at room temperature for several minutes until it begins to feel soft when touched. If desired, you can use a hand mixer to further break down and soften any large chunks of butter that remain. Additionally, adding warm liquids such as cream cheese or milk solids may help speed up the softening process as well.
Is microwaving safe for melting butter?
Yes, microwaving is an effective way to melt butter quickly and safely if done correctly. When microwaving butter make sure to use a microwave safe bowl or dish that’s large enough for all of your ingredients plus about 1 inch in height and width more than what is needed (to avoid splatter). Make sure not to fill more than half full as this could cause your melted butter to explode in the microwave!
How do you melt butter quickly?
To melt butter quickly, it is best to use a microwave safe bowl or dish and heat it in the microwave for 10-15 seconds at a time. Be sure to keep an eye on it to avoid any butter splatter or explosions. Additionally, unsalted butter works best for melting as it will not have milk solids that can burn easily.
What type of container should be used when heating butter in a microwave?
When heating butter in the microwave, make sure to use a microwave-safe bowl, plate, or container so that it won’t explode or splatter in your oven.
What are some tips for using softened butter?
When using softened butter, take out of the refrigerator 30 minutes before working with it so that it reaches room temperature. This will make creaming ingredients like sugar and cream cheese easier and help create a fluffier texture. Softened butter can also be melted if needed by microwaving them in 10-15 second increments until desired consistency is achieved without having to worry about damaging your microwave from explosions or splattering due to its low temperature compared to melted butter.
How to Soften Butter in the Microwave?
To soften butter in the microwave, place a stick of cold butter on a plate or microwavable bowl. Heat it in short intervals of 10-15 seconds each time, and check on it after each interval. Stop heating when the butter is softened to your desired consistency.
How Long Does It Take for Butter to Melt at Room Temperature?
Depending on room temperature and type of butter used, it typically takes 30-45 minutes for cold butter to melt completely at room temperature without using any additional heat sources such as microwaves or stoves.”
What are some other ways to soften or melt butter?
In addition to microwaving, there are several other ways to soften or melt butter including using a double boiler, placing a cold stick of butter in its own wrapper into a preheated oven at 200F for about 10 minutes, leaving at room temperature for approximately 30 minutes before using, grinding with a cheese grater so that smaller pieces soften more quickly, using an electric mixer on low speed for 1-2 minutes (butter must be soft first), and submerging sealed packages of softened butters in hot water until melted.