Butter Warmers

Butter Servers: What You Need to Know

Putting open flames near your customers might sound risky, but with our carefully crafted butter warmers, you don't have to worry. These pieces have secure holders for a small candle that heats a butter dish, providing warm melted butter for use with seafood or anything else you can think of. This category also contains butter melting pans – small pans with a pouring spout on one side for drizzling the delicious melted liquid wherever you need it.

We carry several designs of butter warmers for seafood, both stainless steel and ceramic, so operators can find a set that matches their existing décor. You can also find replacement ramekins and butter dishes here if you need to replace a broken piece. Melted butter requires gentle heat to prevent burning and will congeal quite quickly if it isn't kept warm; our candle-heated units find the perfect balance of constant, gentle heat to keep your butter at the perfect consistency for drizzling on a piece of seafood.

Common Questions About Butter Warmers

Do these butter servers come with candles?

Not all of our warmers come with candles, but they are made to fit common candle sizes. Many will fit standard tealight candles, or votive candles, which can be purchased in bulk at low cost. Consult the product specifications page for each individual warmer before purchase to determine if the piece comes with a candle or not. Even if the warmer includes a candle, you'll need to purchase a large supply of tealight candles to continue serving, as these small candles will not last very long.

What type of establishment needs a butter server?

Operators typically serve melted butter with seafood dishes, but seafood may not hold enough heat to melt a pat of butter the way other proteins might. Quality cuts of seafood are often served with melted butter and a slice of lemon, and placing a butter warmer on the table ensures butter stays an appropriate consistency for drizzling. However, not every restaurant is going to need something as stylish as a candle-lit butter warmer. Casual restaurants will not be expected to provide butter warmers for seafood, and any establishment not inside a permanent structure, such as a food truck, is exempt as well. Fine dining establishments, especially those that pride themselves on seafood, would do well to have these on hand, though. The candlelight provides a pleasant ambiance, and the butter can add a touch of richness to seafood to put your dishes a step above the competition.

Should I get stainless steel or ceramic?

Stainless steel and ceramic are the two most common options for butter servers, and while the difference between the two is mostly cosmetic, there are some practical variances as well. Not all of these warmers will be able to stand up to the heat of a commercial high-temp dishwasher. Consult the product specifications page for the unit you're considering to see if the butter warmer can stand up to repeated dishwashing.

The most important facet, though, is which version would best fit your aesthetic. If one of the styles would look better on your table, that's the one you should likely go with. Check the sale quantity before purchase, as some items come individually and some come in larger quantities.