Good job on making budder. I use to make budder when I worked at Wal-mart some years ago. I'd bring a few special cookies made with budder, and I'd be flying all day. I just laughed at kids all day.

1. Yes, they have to be dry to achieve maximum success. When they are dry, it loosens the trichs up, thus making them fall off better.
2. Hmmm....I'm not sure about the veg.oil. I've never tried that before, so I don't know. I'd just stick with the butter or margarine.

I only make budder with my scraps from grows. Good luck!