This is the quickest, cleanest way to fill your French butter dish. -Take a cold stick of butter from the refrigerator, unwrap it, and place it on its end in your butter dish cup. Place the wrapper on top. Walk away. :) The next time you walk by (10+ minutes later), the butter has softened enough to easily press into the cup. Use the wrapper to press the butter to the bottom to insure no air pockets remain. - Leave your butter dish on the counter our enjoy soft, fresh butter whenever you want. - Change the water whenever you add butter, or about once a week. Dishwash the whole thing periodically to maintain freshness.