If you have tried melting butter in the microwave before, there is a high possibility that you ended up with a lesser portion of the butter than the one you started with.
This is due to the butter splatters that caused a mess on the walls of your microwave.
How do you melt butter in the microwave without causing all this mess and still retain the butter’s quantity?
Here is how to melt butter in microwave.
Place a reasonable amount of butter on a transparent microwavable bowl, loosely cover the bowl with parchment paper or paper towel and place it in the microwave. At the lowest power, heat the butter for 30 seconds.
Use a potholder to get hold of the bowl and begin to tip from side to side, or simply stir the butter. Suppose the butter is still in solid or semi-solid form; consider microwaving at 10 to 30 seconds increments. Remove the bowl from the microwave when the butter has fully melted.
This article contains detailed guidelines on how to melt butter in the microwave. Helpful tips have also been provided for the reader to prepare them for the process. Finally, the author also speaks of the frequently asked questions about melting butter in the microwave.
Can you Melt Butter in the Microwave?
Yes, you can melt butter in the microwave; just like explained above, a microwave will melt butter in seconds.
Below is a step-by-step procedure that will guide you in melting butter in the microwave successfully without creating a mess.
Requirements
- A transparent microwavable bowl.
- parchment papers or paper towels
- Potholder or kitchen towel.
- Butter
Procedure
Step One: Put Some Butter on a Microwavable Bowl
Place a reasonable amount of butter in a transparent microwaveable bowl. You may also consider using a glass bowl to monitor the butter’s melting progress.
Step Two: Cover the Bowl
Use parchment papers or paper towels to loosely cover the bowl containing butter since the butter tent explodes and splatters as it melts.
Covering the bowl will contain the mess that the melting butter might cause in the microwave.
Step Three: Microwave to Melt the Butter
Place the bowl in the microwave, ensure the microwave is set on its lowest power, and Microwave for 30 seconds.
Melting butter at the lowest power in the microwave slows down the melting process and prevents butter explosion.
If your microwave is installed with a “melt butter” function, then the process becomes even easier. With such a function on a microwave, the butter will not explode or splatter.
Step Four: Stir the Butter
After melting the butter for 30 seconds, take a spoon and stir. When you stir, heat spreads through the butter, melting other areas yet to melt evenly.
You may also use a kitchen towel to hold the bowl and tip it from side to side.
Step five: Reheat the Butter
This step only comes in handy if the butter did not melt entirely with the first four steps mentioned above.
You may return the bowl to the microwave and reheat the butter for 10 to 30 seconds. Also, keep an eye on the butter, stop the microwave and remove the bowl from the microwave immediately after you notice the butter has melted.
How Long to Melt Butter in the Microwave?
Melting butter in the microwave takes 30 to 60 seconds. The time varies depending on the type of microwave you use and how high your microwaving power is.
However, you are always advised to melt butter in the microwave at the lowest heating temperature for 30 seconds. After which, you stir the butter before returning it to the microwave to reheat.
As you stir, the butter will melt, which eventually might not need the additional melting time. If the butter is still in solid form after stirring, that is when you return it to the microwave and heat at 10 to 30 seconds increments. Always keep an eye on the butter as it melts to remove it from the microwave when you notice it has completely melted, so you need a transparent or microwavable glass bowl.
Best Way to Melt Butter in Microwave
The best first step is to place the butter in a microwave-safe bowl and heat it first for 30 seconds. The best bowl is a transparent one that can be monitored.
The other best precaution is to ensure to loosely cover the bowl with a paper towel to prevent splatter of the butter on the microwave walls.
Melt butter in the microwave at the lowest power possible. Low power slows down the melting process, reducing the ability to explode in the microwave. If you must continue melting butter for more than 30 seconds, ensure to do it in 10 seconds increments so as not to overheat it.
How to Melt Butter in the Microwave Without it Exploding?
Preventing an explosion in the microwave while melting butter requires a few precautions.
Microwave at the Lowest Heating Power
Melting butter at the lowest power in the microwave slows down the melting process and prevents butter explosion.
Do Not Over Microwave
For a start, microwave the butter for 30 seconds. If the butter is yet to melt completely, consider stirring the butter for even heat distribution.
As you stir, you may notice that the butter is still melting. It may melt to your liking. If not, return to the microwave to reheat at 10 to 30 seconds increments.
Cover the Bowl with Parchment Paper or Paper Towels
Loosely cover the butter bowl since the butter will explode and splatter as it melts. Covering the bowl will contain the mess that the melting butter might cause in the microwave.
Make use of a “melt butter” function on the microwave
If your microwave is installed with a “melt butter” function, it is better to use it to achieve evenly melted butter without any splatters in the microwave.
Helpful Tips to Guide you When Melting Butter in the Microwave
Use a kitchen towel or potholder to hold the bowl from the microwave
Melting butter in the microwave tends to overheat the bowl carrying the butter. If proper care is not taken while removing the bowl from the microwave, it may cause severe burns to your skin. Therefore, it is important to use a clean kitchen towel or potholders while removing the melted butter from the microwave to the kitchen counter.
Chop the Butter into Smaller Pieces
For easier and faster melting of the butter, ensure to chop big sticks of butter into smaller pieces that can easily absorb microwave heat and melt faster.
Do Not Underestimate the Need to Stir the Melted Butter
Just because the butter did not completely melt the first time, it does not mean you should return it to the microwave and reheat it immediately. Take a spoon and stir the butter; as you stir, the butter continues to melt, and eventually, you might not even need to return it to the microwave for a reheat.
Cover the Bowl
Use parchment paper or paper towels to cover the bowl loosely. When you cover melting butter in the microwave, you minimize the splattering of the butter inside the microwave.
Faqs On How to Melt Butter in Microwave
Why shouldn’t you microwave butter?
It would be best not to melt butter in the microwave because of an explosion. The water molecules in the butter turn into steam when butter is microwaved.
The more the butter is heated, the higher the steam pressure, which eventually explodes, sending the fat molecules flying over the microwave’s walls.
How do you melt butter quickly?
The quickest way to melt butter is in the microwave. Place a reasonable amount of butter on a transparent microwavable bowl, loosely cover the bowl with parchment paper or paper towel and place it in the microwave.
At the lowest power, heat the butter for 30 seconds. Use a potholder to get hold of the bowl and begin to tip from side to side, or simply stir the butter.
Suppose the butter is still in solid or semi-solid form. Consider microwaving at 10 to 30 seconds increments still at the lowest power.
Why is butter exploding in the microwave?
The main reason butter explodes in the microwave is the increasing steam pressure in the butter, which eventually explodes, sending the fat molecules flying all over the microwave’s walls.
What happens if you melt the butter instead of softening it?
In melting butter, the milk and the fat in the butter begin to separate. The fat floats on top of the mixture while the milk stays at the bottom.
On the other hand, softening butter creates tenderness in the solid butter spaces between sugar, milk, and fat.
How do you heat butter to room temperature?
Take a proportional amount of butter and place it on a plate. Place the plate on the kitchen counter and let it stay for 1 to 2 hours.
Ensure the butter is not anywhere close to any heat source like a stove or a window that lets in a lot of light.
How long can butter sit out?
Butter should only stay out at room temperature for only two days. Anything longer than that will only see the butter turned into an unpleasant rancid texture with no flavor.
What is the best way to soften butter?
The best way to soften butter without melting it is by chopping it into small pieces and letting it stay at room temperature for about 15 minutes.
Is it safe to leave butter on the counter?
Butter is safe at room temperature on the kitchen counter. However, it should only stay out at room temperature for two days.
Anything longer than that will only see the butter turned into an unpleasant rancid texture with no flavor.
Conclusion
In conclusion, melting butter in the microwave only takes 30 seconds. In those rare cases where more time is required, keep a close eye on the melting process.
Also, consider using a transparent or glass microwavable bowl to easily monitor what is happening to the butter as it melts.
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