I was looking for a proper way to store butter at room temperature. This butter crock is just perfect. I wish it had come with instructions, but I was able to look those up online. It will hold a stick of softened butter in the cup, which is the lid. So you put a little cold water in the bottom portion. There is a line marking the amount. Then you press the softened butter stick into the cup and then press it make sure there are no air pockets. I left a little room at the top so the rim of the butter cup would be the only part sitting in the water. Then flip over and place on top. The water makes an airtight seal and keeps the butter fresh and perfectly soft you just replace the water every 2-3 days. I love the simplicity of this butter crock and the design is nice and clean. I leave it out on the counter and it looks very nice.