How to make your own Ceramic Butter Keeper
I love handbulding and there's something especially satisfying about making a butter keeper. They are popular with my customers and a practical piece that can be used every day, while also giving you plenty of scope to explore form, proportion and surface decoration.
Whether you prefer a clean, contemporary style or a more rustic finish, a well-made butter keeper is a rewarding project for potters of all skill levels. One of the most important parts of the design process is getting the dimensions right.
A butter keeper needs to comfortably fit a standard 250g Australian block of butter, while allowing enough clearance for easy use and accounting for the shrinkage that occurs during drying and firing. The guide below provides recommended finished dimensions, along with wet clay measurements for Keane Toast stoneware, to help you create a butter keeper that is both functional and well-proportioned.
Choosing the Right Size for a Handmade Butter Keeper
One of the most important parts of the design process is getting the dimensions right. A butter keeper needs to comfortably fit a standard 250g Australian block of butter while allowing enough clearance for easy use and accounting for the natural shrinkage that occurs during drying and firing.
The guide below provides recommended finished dimensions together with wet clay measurements based on Keane Toast stoneware, which has an average fired shrinkage of approximately 14%.
Butter Keeper Dimensions
The following measurements are designed to fit a standard Australian 250g butter block (approximately 10 × 5 × 5 cm). Greenware dimensions allow for an average firing shrinkage of approximately 14% when using Keane Toast stoneware.
Tray
| Feature | Finished Size | Greenware Size |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Length | 15 cm | 17.5 cm |
| Outside Width | 10 cm | 11.5 cm |
| Tray Wall Height | 1.5 cm | 1.7 cm |
| Slab Thickness | .7cm (est) | 1 cm |
The tray is designed to comfortably hold a standard Australian 250g butter block while providing a stable base for the lid.
Lid / Cover
The lid dimensions may vary slightly depending on slab thickness and construction. Before cutting the lid, measure the inside dimensions of your tray to achieve a snug fit.
| Feature | Finished Size | Greenware Size |
|---|---|---|
| Outside Length | 13 cm | 15 cm |
| Outside Width | 8 cm | 9 cm |
| Overall Height | 7 cm | 8 cm |
| Slab Thickness | .7cm (est) | 1 cm |
Building Tips
- Build the tray and lid as separate pieces using the same clay body.
- Allow both pieces to reach a firm leather-hard stage before checking the fit.
- Test the fit regularly during drying, as both pieces should shrink at the same rate.
- Leave approximately 1–2 mm of clearance between the tray and lid to allow for glaze thickness and ensure the lid can be removed easily after firing.
- A tray height of around 2 cm gives the butter keeper a clean, elegant appearance while making it easy to remove the butter.
- Lightly soften all exposed edges before firing to improve both comfort and durability.
- Use food-safe glazes on all surfaces that will come into contact with butter.
Finished Butter Keeper
A rectangular butter keeper is an excellent slab-building project for beginner and intermediate potters. It combines accurate measuring, clean slab construction, neat joins and precise lid fitting while producing a beautiful functional piece that can be used every day.
Once you've mastered the basic form, experiment with different handle designs, textures and glaze combinations to create a butter keeper that's uniquely your own.
