Maths problem

[Helsbells]

I wonder if anyone mathematically minded might be able to help me with a problem.
I want to know if it is financially viable to churn my own butter. I don't want to make my own butter if it works out more expensive than buying it. So here are the figures:

150g of organic butter costs £1.50
300ml organic double cream costs £1.25
2.4 litres (4 pints) double cream makes 1kg (2 1/4lbs) butter.

Hope someone can help!

[marshlander]

You said that to make 1kg of butter you need 2.4 ltrs cream which is 8 pots. (8 x 300ml = 2400ml = 2.4 ltrs) 8 x £1.25 = £10.00 per kg

You also said you but butter in 150g packs which is an odd size. If correct it works out at £10.00 per kg (1kg= 1000g div. by 150 = 6.66 packs. then 6.66 x £1.50 = £10.00) but I think you probably mean 250g standard packs @ 4 per kg = £6.00per kg

Don't forget you will have buttermilk left over which is the best thing with which to make scones and has lots of other uses.

[EcoSam]

If you can buy your double cream in bulk from a wholesaler (if such a thing is possible) you could save a little money I guess.

[marshlander]

You know I was thinking about that after I posted. We used to buy raw milk that had a fantastic thick, deep, head of cream on it from Plaw Hatch when we lived in Sussex. They also sold cream you could stand a spoon in. Do you have any local farms HB?

[gregorach]

How do you want to cost the time and effort spent churning butter? Will you need to buy any equipment?

[oldjerry]

The only equipment you need is a wide necked glass bottle with a secure screw top,and patience.

[diggernotdreamer]

I think you mean 250grm butter? I think I worked it out your butter costs you 17p per oz to make it with the cream would cost you 27p per oz

250 grm is 8.81 ozs 1.50 divided by 8.81 is .17p
8 pots of 300 ml cream is 2400 ml cream which is £10
£10 divided by 36oz is 0.277 p

total cost per 250 grm is 2.44

[Helsbells]

Oh year 205g is correct sorry. That is how bad I am at maths, I can't even transfer the numbers correctly from my head to the computer!
So does that mean that it WOULDN'T be cheaper to make my own butter? (time not included)

[diggernotdreamer]

Why don't you ask lovely Chris and Jo at True Food if they can get butter in bulk, it usually has a good life on it, you can also freeze butter, I have done this before, I used to buy my butter in bulk, say hello to them for me,

Best wishes, Lyn

[Thomzo]

Well, that required a spreadsheet but I now agree Marshlander's figures. Buying it costs £6 per kilo. Making it costs £10 so it is cheaper to buy it.

Zoe

[Milims]

When making butter it's better to use older cream, so why not buy reduced to clear cream when ever it costs a few pence and make butter with it but buy the rest of the time? As to equipment, I make it successfully and quickly in my old kenwood chef with the "K" beater.

[Helsbells]

I do shop at the true food co-op Lyn, but there butter is even more expensive than supermarket, something like £1.70 per 250grams
Thanks everyone for helping out, it is a shame that it isn't cheaper to make your own
I will look out for cream on sale though, good idea.