Friday, January 27, 2012

Found: FBC

I found my FBC.  Do you have one?

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In the olden days you might have used it.  It might have been on your table and never moved off until it had to be washed and refilled.

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Give up?  Need  a different view?

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A French Butter Chest dates back to the 18th Century.   It was a way to keep your butter from becoming rancid.  The inner cup holds 1/4 pound of butter.   You put enough water in the larger outer cup so that it is 3/4 full.  Invert the butter filled inner cup into the water filled outer cup.  The unglazed inner cup will hold the butter in place whilst upside down.  You add more water as the butter is used..and change the water weekly.  A marvelous way to store butter before refrigeration!

My French Butter Chest was a gift from my Baby brother and his wife a long time ago..they must have been thinking of me and how I like quirky gifts.

I found this in the back of a cupboard yesterday..I can report that all the cupboards have been rooted out and everything inside washed and disinfected.  I must wash the exterior of the last bank of cabinets..and then I am done.  The end is in sight! :)

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25 comments:

That Janie Girl said...

I've never seen one of these! That is awesome!

rkbsnana said...

New one on me.

Gail said...

Let me know what vitamins you take, I could use that energy!!!

I have never seen one of these, very interesting. I remember Mom and Granny Pruett discussing rancid butter. Granny always wanted to use the oldest first, Mom wanted to use some fresh because she said be the time we ate the racid the fresh would be old, too.

I don't remember who won. Sometimes the butter tasted funny, sometimes it didn't.

Rae said...

I've been on the lookout for a butter keeper. They are hard to find anymore. My grandmother had one. I can still envision it sitting on her table many years ago.

DJan said...

I never saw one before, never even heard of it. It makes sense and would work except when it's really warm, I think.

Muffy's Marks said...

Isn't it interesting what you find in the back of those top shelves of the cupboards, besides dust and grime!! Have a great weekend, now that your kitchen is spotless.

linda m said...

That is definitely something to put in my "I learned something new today" book. Glad you found it.

MTWaggin said...

I actually have a more recent version of this. I love it! Keeps the butter softer than in the fridge but not too soft.

Anonymous said...

I'd been thinking about buying one of those. As butter last so long in our house. Ann

Dreaming said...

Hah! I guess right! I've seen some before, but for the life of me, I don't remember where.
So... are you going to use it, or but it back in the cupboard?
You are making great progress! I also like that I'm not feeling guilty for not doing that... but since my cabinets have only been inhabited by stuff for 6 months, there really hasn't been enough time for the stuff to breed and deliver offspring!

Shirley H. said...

Maybe in the old days the water was colder because it came from a well. Otherwise I can't understand how water would keep the butter "refrigerated".

Country Gal said...

They have new kinds out now but I have never seen one like that cool ! We dont use butter on a daily basis we are Bacel margarine people ! WOW! what energy I am yet to find the energy to start my spring cleaning lol It will get done though ! Have a wonderful day !

Sam I Am...... said...

I thought it was used to hold pipes and tobacco! Ha! Ha! I leave my butter out all the time and it never gets rancid. I must eat it too fast! LOL! In the time it took you to clean your whole kitchen inside and out I've managed to only clean my counters. I better take more vitamins and drink more coffee! I can't keep up with you!

LindaG said...

Didn't have a clue what it was. Very interesting and a great story!

Linda said...

I don't know if mine's french but its a butter crock and its blue and green.

laurie said...

i had one of those a long long time ago. wonder if it's still in the back of a cupboard somewhere?

Nancy/BLissed-Out Grandma said...

Never heard of that before! Congrats on your kitchen-cleaning achievements! That task is somewhere in my future, though I'm not sure a toothbrush will be involved. :-)

Rita said...

Always wanted one just because they look so cool, but then they do look like a bit of work to fill. This one is very nice!

You really do a thorough cleaning, that's for sure. Glad you are seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. ;)

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

Now this is just too cool. Ya gotta display this beauty girl!!! I've never seen one before. We had the little cut glass square butter containers for the ice box.

Woohoo....ya see the light!!! Bet it feel great!

God bless and have a terrific weekend!!!

Anonymous said...

Very Beautiful piece! Thanks for sharing! I wonder where we can buy them??? LD

Red said...

Reminds me of the canvas bags used to carry water and keep it somewhat cool. The evaporation from the bag worked to keep your water cool. Now I know you'll go out and find one!

Terry and Linda said...

You will have to celebrate ... having my house clean is wonderful!


Linda
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com

Terra said...

That is new to me.

Emma Rose said...

A company called Butter Bell still makes those. We have one on our counter and use it everyday! Ours is just ivory colored though. It's not very interesting to look at :)

Kisses,
Emma Rose

Pamela said...

never heard of it. ingenious