To properly melt the butter, slice it into four or five pieces and place it in a heavy pan or double boiler if you have one. Turn the stovetop heat on low and watch the butter until the pieces are almost entirely melted, stirring occasionally. To prevent browning or burning, remove the pan from the heat and continue stirring until all the butter is melted. You can also easily melt butter in the microwave. It's much quicker, but also has more risk of burning. Slice the butter into several smaller pieces and place in a microwave-safe dish. Cover the dish with a paper towel to prevent splattering. Then, heat the butter for just 5 to ten seconds on low or defrost. Remove the butter from the microwave and stir. Place it back for 5 to 10 seconds until fully melted.