English term (edited): churn top

I think that the author was referring to "Churn top", not "Chute top".

Maybe this is a typo!

Both devices are tubular in shape. He meant one meaning but used accidentally those two names.

"Churn" is mentioned previously in the first paragraph and is well-known to the audience of that age.

Please, read through the whole paragraphs and compare the meaning.

"Churn" is previously mentioned here in the first paragraph.

So, consequently, the sequence of the events moves to clarify that:

Quote: " What does Dee say or do that reflects a growing interest in preserving her heritage? How is the butter churn used to contrast Dee’s relationship with her heritage with Maggie’s? Is there anything ironic about Dee’s connection to her heritage?"

https://www.gradesaver.com/everyday-use/q-and-a/what-does-de... ​

The second paragraph contains the mentioned typos: "Chute".

It should be "Churn".

Dee threw a plate to cover the churn because she took its cover "top" and used it as a centerpiece for her alcove table.
************************
This link contains an intensive explanation and critical analysis for the whole novel:

https://sites.google.com/site/mboretz/mothers

والله أعلم
******************************
"I knew there was something I wanted to ask you if I could have." She jumped up from the table and went over in the corner where the churn stood, the milk in it crabber by now. She looked at the churn and looked at it. "This churn top is what I need," she said. "Didn't Uncle Buddy whittle it out of a tree you all used to have?" "Yes," I said. "Un-huh," she said happily. "And I want the dasher, too." "Uncle Buddy whittle that, too?" asked the barber. Dee (Wangero) looked up at me. "Aunt Dee's first husband whittled the dash," said Maggie so low you almost couldn't hear her. "His name was Henry, but they called him Stash."

"Maggie's brain is like an elephant's," Wangero said, laughing. "I can use the chute top as a centerpiece for the alcove table," she said, sliding a plate over the chute, "and I'll think of something artistic to do with the dasher."

https://www.coursehero.com/file/p4ttio3/Oh-Mama-she-cried-Th...
*************
https://books.google.com.eg/books?id=9sdmCgAAQBAJ&pg=PA24&lp...
*************
https://www.ebay.com/b/Collectible-Butter-Churns/50786/bn_31...
**************
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&channel=tro...
**********************
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V2tSL3iMXXc

والله أعلم

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 3 hrs (2019-08-19 10:46:43 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

The second paragraph contains the mentioned typo: "Chute".