Spend a lot of time in the kitchen? Known by your friends for having a great stack of cookbooks? Always looking forward to trying out that new recipe?
If you answered "yes" to any of the above, you're probably someone who appreciates the finer things in life when it comes to kitchenware. Which means, if you don't already have a salt cellar on your countertop now might just be the time to treat yourself to one.
"But why do I need a salt cellar when I have a perfectly good salt shaker?" you ask. The answer? Threefold.
For a start, a salt cellar offers easy access to that flavour-packed sprinkle of salt that adds the perfect final touch to whatever you're cooking up. It allows you to quickly and easily grab a pinch of the crystals without having to open a container or hunt down the salt shaker.
A salt cellar is also an essential purchase if you're buying good quality salt that you want to last. Salt cellars are designed to keep salt dry and prevent clumping, which can easily occur when it is exposed to moisture. If you're cooking for hours on end, chances are the rest of your kitchen is going to feel the heat, too.
It's also a more sustainable option than buying endless plastic salt packets. Choose a salt cellar and swap out those plastic tubs for something that's a little more refined. Trust us: you'll never look back.
We've rounded up all of the best salt cellars.
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Rick Stein Bone China Salt Cod Jar
Not all salt cellars are created equally and this kitsch blue number is definitely an unexpected talking point. Inspired by Rick Stein’s love of all things fish, this cod-shaped container is designed to hold sea salt flakes to use by the hob when cooking. Need a pinch of salt? Reach into the fish’s mouth and grab a few flakes for seasoning. It’s dishwasher-safe so also makes cleaning simple.
Buy now £27.00, John Lewis
jalz jalz Salt Box
This Jalz Jalz Salt Box promises to elevate your salt and pepper experience in the kitchen from the second you open its box. A contemporary option made from natural marble and wood, its sleek minimalist design comes with an airtight lid that ensures your salt stays fresher for longer and a wide opening for easy access. It’s also dishwasher safe and easy to maintain, making it ideal for kitchens where there may be wandering hands accidentally knocking things over a lot.
Buy now £23.99, Amazon
Garden Trading Salt Cellar
The minimal design of this salt cellar makes it a great choice for all kinds of kitchens, no matter your decor style. This ceramic storage jar has a simple, modern design and is made from high-quality stoneware, with a glossy white glaze finish and an airtight (removable) lid for added freshness. Ideal for those who may not reach for the salt too often, its interior has a ridged base that helps keep the salt dry and preventing clumps from forming.
Buy now £17.12, Amazon
Dolomite Ceramic Salt Cellar
This classically-styled salt cellar comes in a few different pastel shades, making it easy to blend in with the rest of your kitchenware. Its pale pink coloured glaze and textured, embossed design promises to add a unique touch of style to any countertop. The versatile design allows you to store not only salt but also spices, herbs or other kitchen staples if need be. It’s also one of the larger salt cellars around, so the kitchen staple is ideal for families who spend a lot of time cooking.
Buy now £14.87, Amazon
Jonathan Adler porcelain salt and pepper cellars set
You may not set out to spend the best part of £100 on a salt cellar. But when you’ve admired the sheer creativity and artistic flair of this particular piece, you’ll likely reconsider. The Jonathan Adler Eve Porcelain Salt and Pepper Cellars Set is a sophisticated addition to any kitchen or dining table. Crafted from fine porcelain, this set features two cellars in contrasting shades: one in a classic white and the other in a subtle mottled grey.
Buy now £85.00, Selfridges
Alessi stainless steel salt cellar and spoon
Another fish-themed number that definitely deserves all of the attention over dinner, this Alessi salt cellar and spoon set is made from stainless steel and will likely have you asking “can you pass the salt?” a few times more than usual. The elegant design of this salt cellar features an eye-catching fish form with intricate detailing, adding the touch of sophistication that you didn’t know you needed when salting your dishes.
Buy now £60.00, Selfridges
Georg Jensen stainless steel salt cellar and spoon
“Equal parts functional and aesthetic, Georg Jensen’s homeware embraces the flowing lines of the Art Nouveau movement” - something you’ll announce proudly as you offer the salt around during your next dinner party. This suave set is a stylish yet practical addition to any kitchen with an accompanying spoon to make salting your dishes both seamless and hygienic. Finished with a classy mirror shine, this is a salt cellar that goes the extra mile to impress.
Buy now £54.00, Selfridges
Marblous Krafts stylish marble salt cellar set
You get two of these stylish marble bowls in a set, which means you’re free to use one for salt flakes and the other for pepper or a different spice. In contrasting black and white shades, they’re best suited to a prime position next to your hob or on your kitchen table, depending on who’s coming for dinner and what you’re cooking up. The marble nature of these pots ensures the salt inside stays at the perfect temperature without any clumping in sight.
Buy now £23.85, Amazon
Emandmceramics Hand-Thrown Stoneware Salt Cellar
Like the name suggests, each of these Emandmceramics Hand-Thrown Stoneware Salt Cellar are crafted by hand, which means no two pieces are identical. Great for adding a touch of personality to your cooking process, they’re designed with a secure lid to keep your salt stored away safely and finished with a glaze of either blue or white. A great gift for anyone who loves to cook, this salt cellar can also be customised with names or any other phrases.
Buy now £28.00, Etsy
Claylicious Pomegranate salt cellar
A little different from your usual salt cellar, this Claylicious Pomegranate salt cellar is as eye-catching as it is functional. Perfect for adding an extra touch of style and elegance to your dinner table, this salt cellar comes in two different sizes with a gorgeous blue and white finish. Its pomegranate shape makes it an extra talking point when you’re serving up the next dish, too.
Buy now £68.72, Etsy
Verdict
This fish-shaped salt cellar is a little more interesting than the usual but doesn't set you back a fortune. The Rick Stein Bone China Salt Cod Jar will have you salting your dishes with a little more vigour than usual.
