You’ll find the butter scraper spoon in many older kitchens. It has a long curved shape and small metal fins located within the bowl area of what seems to be a typical spoon. When you see one lying in an old kitchen drawer, you likely think it’s some sort of oddity from the past.

But, let’s take a closer look at how it got to be in your kitchen today.

What is a Butter Scraper Spoon?

When you initially look at a butter scraper spoon, it appears to be a flawed design. Because the spoon part of it is curvaceous and the inside of the bowl is lined with multiple, parallel metal fins. Although not aesthetically pleasing, it serves a particular function.

The butter scraper spoon was developed to remove cold, hard butter from a block and divide it into smaller, softer portions that could be easily spread. The ridges act somewhat similar to a miniature grater. In order to curl or scrape off very thin layers of butter. When the butter is cold and hard from being stored in the refrigerator. Prior to margarine tubs and soft-spread butters, this was a helpful item to have in your kitchen.

A Tool from a By-Gone Era

Butter scrapers were most commonly found in the middle of the century in the United States . Primarily during the time that butter came in large, cold blocks rather than in precut sticks or tubs. People would use these items both at the dinner table and for preparation prior to baking. The ridged portion of the spoon made it possible to obtain the exact amount needed. Without having to cut it with a knife or wait for the butter to soften.

Even if you ask a grandparent, he/she will probably remember seeing a butter scraper spoon in a drawer somewhere, however, it is rarely seen in modern day kitchens. Many home cooks are unfamiliar with this type of utensil which makes it a true relic of the past.

More Than Just For Butter

Interestingly, the butter scraper spoon also served other purposes. Families would often utilize this item to skim the scum (or foam) from the top of hot soups or jam. The curved edge made it easy to slide along the surface of the liquid and the ridged portion helped to trap impurities.

Some people have reused the butter scraper spoon as a cheese scraper for soft cheeses. While others have utilized it as a tool to shave chocolate when preparing baked goods. While the multi-purpose design of this item may not have been entirely recognized during its original time, for families trying to save money on the cost of replacing cooking utensils, tools such as this one were expected to earn their own value.

Why It Is Important To Remember

While today’s kitchen drawers contain numerous high-end gadgets to perform specialized tasks (such as avocado slicers and herb strippers), few hold the nostalgic appeal of the butter scraper spoon. The butter scraper spoon represents a time when tools were built to last. They were created with the intention of being used more than once.

Discovering an item such as this creates a connection between the way you cook now and the way your parents and grandparents cooked. It is not merely about using the butter scraper spoon for butter. It is about the traditions, the creativity and the individual characteristics that made each day slightly more enjoyable.

Found One? Save It!

If you happen upon a butter scraper spoon at a thrift store or in your grandmother’s drawer, do not discard it. As these vintage tools become less frequent, they continue to serve their original purpose well. Additionally, they can provide a fun talking point with friends who come to visit.

There is something special about incorporating a piece of the past into your current-day kitchen.