How long will butter stay edible at room temperature?

[Feanorcurufinwe]

If I keep it in the fridge, it's too hard to spread on the bread. But if I leave it out, I figure it will go rancid and I will die if I eat it.

What is the answer?

[supernova]

1. Room temp is fine

Just keep a cover on the butter dish so bugs won't get in it.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

2. Margarine

Most of them don't get too hard.

[trotsky]

3. I leave my butter out.

I've eaten butter that has been left out for at least 3 weeks and have had no ill effects! *urp*

Although it does start to taste a little different after about 2 weeks.

[NMDemDist2]

4. i leave my butter out as long as the house stays around 76 eom

[eyesroll]

5. It'll keep for quite awhile

Butter used to be one way of preserving cream.

I usually take the butter out about a half hour before I want to use it -- if I remember (which isn't always the case).

[Guy_Montag]

6. I've never had butter go rancid on me.

As soon as I start on a new pat - I take it from the fridge. Normally it's finished within a month, but I've left butter out while I've been away on holiday & still not seen any fusty bits when I've got back.

[cmf]

7. Get one of these:

It's a butter bell crock. You keep the butter upside down in water. The water makes a seal and keeps it cool. Keeps the butter fresh, but spreadable, even in warm temperatures. You just have to change the water daily.

[Missy Vixen]

9. Thanks for the tip!

A new butter bell crock (exactly like the one pictured,) is now on its way to our home.

Julie

[soothsayer]

8. French butter has a higher butterfat, so they can keep it out for a long

time without it going rancid. I don't know about our butter, but it won't last as long as theirs.

[Bertha Venation]

10. until it stinks or grows gray fuzz

that's the gauge I use anyway

[Donkeyboy75]

11. At least one month.

I always leave mine out. Hate trying to spread cold butter.