Noteworthy Features:

• Carefully Fitted, Solid Oak Construction
• Stainless Steel Loops
• Heavy Steel Crank With Oak Handle
• Removable Hardwood Dasher
• Heirloom Quality

Comments:

Considered a radical improvement in butter churn design when first introduced in the late 1800s, the 'Cylinder' Churn was quickly embraced as a far more efficient means of making butter than the traditional 'Dasher-Style' vertical churn. I suppose that by alternating between the two types one could not only create some mighty tasty butter, but achieve impressive upper body strength and derive the benefits of a first class aerobic workout as well (not that farmers lack for either).

Whether it is your intent to make homemade butter (I envy you your energy), produce your own aerobics video, or that which is, perhaps, most probable—tastefully adorn your home, this butter churn is certain to delight. It will, indeed, add a tangible warmth, homey ambiance, and country charm to virtually any room.

Condition:

There exists absolutely no need for either elaboration or amplification here. This Amish-crafted butter churn is New in every sense of the word. Donated by a dear friend who commissioned its fabrication as well as that of several others, it has neither been used for its intended purpose, nor has it been placed on display. It is really most sincerely New.

Warning:

In the event that you are truly possessed of an unquenchable desire to create the perfect butter and are a novice to the mechanics involved, then it is only fitting and proper that I make known to you the undeniable fact that wooden churns may and oft times do leak. Regardless of how well-crafted and painstakingly fitted, it is virtually impossible to, with perfection, forever provide a waterproof joint between the individual pieces which comprise the finished churn. By its very nature, and not unlike the human body, wood is affected by temperature and humidity variations. While seasoned wood will react to a lesser extent than its unseasoned counterpart to such environmental factors, it is not immune to seasonal variations.

Although there exist a plethora of waterproofing solutions, glues, caulks, and other agents which will readily solve this problem, none, to my knowledge, have been proven safe for human consumption. All, however, is not lost. There are two methods, both tried and true, which will either eliminate completely or drastically reduce the possibility of a leaking churn.

Method One: The interior of the churn may be coated with beeswax with particular attention paid to the joints. This has proven a quite effective and long-lasting means by which a waterproof seal may be effected.

Method Two: The churn may be filled with warm water and allowed to stand for approximately 30 minutes. By so doing, the wood will swell slightly, thereby greatly reducing or eliminating entirely any gaps or spaces between the boards. It is this property which made possible the wooden water and pickle barrels.

The beeswax may well be the more effective of the two methods, yet I prefer the water-based solution. While nontoxic, it seems to me inevitable that some, however tiny, portion of the beeswax will eventually dislodge and make its way into the butter, thereby rendering it somewhat aesthetically displeasing and/or unappetizing. The choice is, of course, yours to make.

Notes:

Before you make a mad dash to your local dairy farm in order to purchase a cow and/or in the event that you are possessed of an inquisitive nature and seek far more detailed information where butter churns and the process of making butter are concerned, then I know of no more informative sources than those which follow.

WebExhibits presents Making Butter

Walton Feed presents Making Butter

Specifications: 1