A good cruet does one small job. It puts oil and vinegar on the table in a bottle you can pour from without flooding the salad. Anyone who has tried to drizzle from a big supermarket bottle knows why that is worth a few inches of table space.
This guide sticks to table bottles in glass and stainless steel, sold singly or in pairs. For kitchen bottles and sprayers, see our oil dispenser spray guide. The first question here is how you pour, because the spout matters more than the shape.
Julia’s earns a commission on purchases made through links on this page, at no cost to you. Recommendations are based on what a restaurant kitchen looks for, product specifications and verified buyer reports.
Quick verdict: which oil and vinegar cruet to buy
For most tables, the pick is the OXO Good Grips Precision Pour Glass Dispenser Set: two matched bottles with a spout that drizzles or pours depending on how far you tip it, and parts that come apart for the dishwasher. For a restaurant look with a holder, buy the Winco Square Glass Cruet Set. For a single traditional bottle, buy the Anchor Hocking Presence.
Five cruets compared
One pick for each kind of table, with sizes as the listing gives them. All eight cruets are covered below.
| Cruet | Best for | Capacity | Pour | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday pouring control | 12 oz each, per the listing | Two-speed spout | View on Amazon | |
Winco 6 oz Square Glass Cruet Set with HolderBest with a holder
|
A caddy that stays on the table | 6 oz each | Lidded tops | View on Amazon |
Anchor Hocking Presence Glass CruetBest classic cruet
|
A traditional single bottle | 10 to 11 oz, per the listing | Glass stopper | View on Amazon |
| Bread dipping and small tables | 8.5 oz oil, 2.7 oz vinegar | Cork stoppers | View on Amazon | |
Cole & Mason Henley Stainless Steel Oil and Vinegar PourerBest stainless steel
|
Keeping light out | Not stated | No-drip spout | View on Amazon |
We list no prices because they change. Check each listing for the current one.
Our picks for the best oil and vinegar cruet
Every pick below is glass or stainless steel from an identifiable maker. They are in order of how well we think they suit most tables.
1. OXO Good Grips Precision Pour Glass Dispenser Set – Drizzle or Pour by Tilt
Most cruets have one speed, and it is usually too fast. A narrow neck helps, but tip the bottle a little too far and a salad gets a flood. The OXO set solves that in the spout. According to the listing, tipping it a little gives a controlled drizzle and tipping it further gives a steady pour, so the same bottle can finish a plate of sliced tomatoes or dress a big bowl of greens.
You get two glass dispensers with stainless steel accents, one for oil and one for vinegar. Amazon lists the size as 12 ounces. OXO sells the line in 5 and 12 ounce sizes, and its page for the 12 ounce bottle describes a seal in the lid that keeps oil off your hands and the bottle.
The dispensers come apart for cleaning and are dishwasher safe, which matters more than it sounds, because old oil left in a spout goes stale. OXO does warn that this design is for thin liquids such as oil, vinegar and soy sauce, and that thicker condiments and dressings may clog it. If you shake up your own vinaigrette, look at the Anchor Hocking or Quattro Stagioni bottles below.
Why we like it
- Two flow speeds, set by how far you tilt
- Drip-free spout, per the listing
- Comes apart and is dishwasher safe
- Sold as a pair, so oil and vinegar match
Key specifications
| Model | 11289100 |
|---|---|
| Material | Glass with stainless steel accents |
| Capacity | 12 oz each, per the listing |
| Count | 2 dispensers |
| Closure | Two-speed drip-free spout |
| Size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
If you want one set for both the stove and the table, and you mostly pour thin oil and vinegar, this gives you the most control of anything on the page.
Skip it if you make thick dressings. OXO says they may clog the spout.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Drizzle and steady pour from one spout
- Parts separate for washing
- Matched pair
Cons
- Not for thick dressings
- Clear glass gives oil no shelter from light
- More parts to wash than a stopper bottle
2. Winco 6 oz Square Glass Cruet Set with Holder – The Restaurant Table Setup
Winco sells this set for restaurant service, and it looks the part: small square cruets in a chrome-plated wire holder, the kind of pairing you expect beside the salt and pepper at a diner. The listing is direct about why it is built this way. The glass resists holding on to flavors, you can see what is in each bottle, and the holder keeps everything together.
Six ounces is a table size, not a pantry size, and that works in your favor. Small bottles get emptied and refilled often, so you are not leaving a half-full bottle of oil out for months. Square cruets also make good use of a holder’s footprint. The listing gives the set as about 5.4 by 2.6 by 7.1 inches.
Amazon’s listing does not state the number of cruets outright. Restaurant supply retailers list model G-104S as two cruets with lids plus one holder, and describe the lids as stainless steel. We could not reach Winco’s own page when we checked, so that detail comes from those retailers. We saw no dishwasher guidance for this set, so we would wash it by hand.
Why we like it
- Chrome-plated holder keeps the pair together, per the listing
- Square glass resists flavor retention, per the listing
- Lids help prevent spills
- Compact enough to leave on a table
Key specifications
| Model | G-104S |
|---|---|
| Material | Glass cruets, chrome-plated holder |
| Capacity | 6 oz each |
| Count | 2 cruets and holder, per retailers |
| Closure | Lids |
| Size | 5.4 x 2.6 x 7.1 in, per the listing |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
If you want the bottles to live on the table and travel as one unit, this is the set. It suits anyone who likes the plain, working look of a restaurant setup.
Skip it if you cook with a lot of oil. Six ounces will not last long at the stove.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Holder included
- Small bottles get used up quickly
- Saves table space
Cons
- Small capacity
- Care not stated
- Plain restaurant look
3. Anchor Hocking Presence Glass Cruet – The Classic Shape, Stopper Included
This is what most people picture when they hear the word cruet: one clear glass bottle with a glass stopper in the top. Anchor Hocking is a long-standing American glass brand, and its Presence cruet is as simple as that description sounds.
The listing is not fully consistent on size. It gives 10 ounces in one field and says the bottle holds 11 ounces in another, so plan on about that. It also describes an airtight glass topper and recommends hand washing. A glass stopper covers the bottle between meals, but it gives you no help pouring, so the control comes from your wrist.
Buy this one for a vinegar, a homemade vinaigrette or a bowl-side bottle of oil. With no spout parts to take apart, there is little to clean: warm soapy water and a bottle brush will do it. Dry it fully before you refill it, because water left in a narrow bottle is hard to shake out once oil goes in.
Why we like it
- Traditional cruet shape with a glass stopper
- Airtight topper, per the listing
- No spout parts to clean
- Nothing narrow to clog with a vinaigrette
Key specifications
| Model | 980R |
|---|---|
| Material | Clear glass |
| Capacity | 10 to 11 oz, per the listing |
| Count | 1 cruet |
| Closure | Glass stopper |
| Size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Hand wash recommended |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
If you want one good-looking bottle and do not need a spout with a mechanism, this is the plain classic.
Skip it if you want a pair. You would need to buy two, and even then you have no holder.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple to clean
- Traditional look
- Glass stopper covers the top
Cons
- Hand wash recommended
- No pour control beyond your wrist
- Loose stopper can be dropped
4. Bormioli Rocco Officina 1825 Glass Bottles, Set of 2 – Italian Glass with Steel Spouts
Bormioli Rocco is an Italian glassmaker, and the listing says this collection is designed for bars, restaurants and caterers as well as the home. These are two cut-style glass bottles with stainless steel pouring spouts, sized at 270 ml each, or about 9 ounces.
The listing says the spout pours easily and not too fast. It has no two-speed trick, so it pours one way, but that makes it simple to live with. The bottles measure 63 mm across and 190 mm tall, or about 2.5 by 7.5 inches, and they are dishwasher safe.
Our olive oil dispenser guide covers a single 9 ounce bottle from this same collection. We list the pair here for a practical reason: a cruet set should give you one bottle for oil and one for vinegar, and this listing gives you the matching two.
Why we like it
- Italian glass made for professional and home use, per the listing
- Stainless steel pouring spouts
- Dishwasher safe
- Two matching bottles
Key specifications
| Model | BRR.GW090192 |
|---|---|
| Material | Glass, stainless steel spout |
| Capacity | 270 ml (about 9 oz) each |
| Count | 2 bottles |
| Closure | Stainless pouring spout |
| Size | About 2.5 x 7.5 in each |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Italian glass, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
If you want a pair that looks good on a table and goes in the dishwasher, this set has the most character of the simple spout bottles here.
Skip it if you want a bottle that seals. The listing shows a pouring spout and no cap.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Handsome cut glass
- Dishwasher safe
- Good everyday size
Cons
- No caddy
- One pour speed
- Open spouts let air in
5. Bormioli Rocco Quattro Stagioni 13.5 oz Oil Dispenser, Set of 2 – Bigger Bottles, Self-Closing Spouts
Quattro Stagioni is Bormioli Rocco’s embossed Italian glass line, and the listing for the single bottle describes a beehive and produce motif. These bottles add a metal pour cap to that body. The result is fuller than a typical cruet, and at 13.5 ounces each they are the largest bottles on this page, which suits a household that goes through oil quickly.
The cap has a weighted spout that opens as you tip the bottle and closes when you set it down, according to the listing, and the metal cap forms a tight seal that helps block dust. That matters between meals, because the spout does not stand open. The listing states that the glass is lead free. The single-bottle listing says the jar and steel top are dishwasher safe.
At 7.5 inches tall and 3.25 inches across, these take up more room than the slim bottles here, and they read as country kitchen rather than formal table. The set listing also suggests them for syrup and cocktail mixers, so a spare has other jobs to do.
Why we like it
- Weighted spout opens and closes on its own, per the listing
- Lead-free glass, per the listing
- Thick Italian glass
- The largest bottles on this page
Key specifications
| Model | 365642GBI02199 |
|---|---|
| Material | Lead-free glass, per the listing; metal cap |
| Capacity | 13.5 oz each |
| Count | 2 bottles |
| Closure | Weighted pour spout |
| Size | 7.5 x 3.25 in each |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes, per the single-bottle listing |
| Made in | Italian glass, per the listing |
Why we recommend it
If you want a bigger bottle that closes itself, buy these. The weighted cap suits a counter where a bottle gets used all day.
Skip it if you want something slim and formal for the table. These are big and casual.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Largest capacity here
- Spout closes itself
- Easy to see the contents
Cons
- Takes up more space
- Casual look
- No holder
6. Tablecraft 8 oz Glass Bottle with Stainless Steel Pourer – A Simple, Dishwasher-Safe Single
Tablecraft is a familiar name in restaurant supply, and this is about as plain as a cruet gets: a clear soda lime glass bottle with a stainless steel pourer. The listing gives it 8 ounces of capacity and a size of 3 by 3 by 7.75 inches, and says it is easy to clean and dishwasher safe.
There is no stopper, no caddy and no two-speed mechanism, and that is the point. It is a working bottle, the kind you can run through the dishwasher and fill again without thinking about it. Sold singly, it lets you buy only what you need, whether that is a second bottle for sherry vinegar or a spare for the counter.
Tablecraft makes other bottles in this style, and a green-tinted one appears in our olive oil dispenser guide. This is a different model in clear glass, which lets you see at a glance how much is left. For oil you will not use soon, keep it in a cupboard rather than on a sunny counter.
Why we like it
- Soda lime glass and stainless steel, per the listing
- Easy to clean and dishwasher safe
- Sold one at a time
- 8 ounces is a useful table size
Key specifications
| Model | H608416 |
|---|---|
| Material | Soda lime glass, stainless steel pourer |
| Capacity | 8 oz |
| Count | 1 bottle |
| Closure | Stainless pourer |
| Size | 3 x 3 x 7.75 in |
| Dishwasher safe | Yes |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
If you only need one more bottle and want it to survive the dishwasher, this is the sensible choice.
Skip it if you want a set that matches. You would have to buy two and find your own caddy.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple construction
- Dishwasher safe
- Clear glass shows the level
Cons
- Sold singly
- Open pourer lets air in
- No holder
7. Fox Run Bubble Design 2-in-1 Oil and Vinegar Cruet – Two Liquids in One Bottle
The two-in-one cruet is an old idea and still a clever one. An inner chamber holds the vinegar, an outer chamber holds the oil, and each has its own opening, so one bottle does the work of two. Fox Run’s version runs the inner chamber through three bubbles, so the vinegar loops through the oil without the two ever touching.
The listing gives 8.5 ounces for the outer chamber and 2.7 ounces for the inner one, and that ratio makes sense for dressing a salad or setting out bread for dipping, since you use more oil than vinegar. The bottle weighs 6.4 ounces and stands about 8.75 inches tall, with a clear glass body and cork stoppers.
It is more of a table piece than a working tool. Two narrow openings mean a small funnel helps. Cleaning the inner chamber takes patience, and the listing does not state care instructions, so we would rinse it by hand and let it dry fully. Corks do not last forever either, so expect to replace them eventually.
Why we like it
- One bottle keeps oil and vinegar apart
- Inner chamber holds 2.7 oz, outer 8.5 oz
- Cork stoppers on both openings
- A conversation piece on the table
Key specifications
| Model | 7053 |
|---|---|
| Material | Clear glass, cork stoppers |
| Capacity | 8.5 oz outer, 2.7 oz inner |
| Count | 1 bottle, 2 chambers |
| Closure | Cork stoppers |
| Size | 3.5 x 4.75 x 8.75 in |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
If table space is tight or you like setting out oil and vinegar for bread, this is the most compact way to do it. It also makes an easy gift.
Skip it if you go through a lot of vinegar. The small inner chamber will need frequent refills, and it is the awkward one to fill.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Saves a bottle on the table
- Sensible oil-to-vinegar ratio
- Eye-catching design
Cons
- Inner chamber is hard to clean
- Care not stated
- Funnel helps with filling
8. Cole & Mason Henley Stainless Steel Oil and Vinegar Pourer – Keeps Light Off the Oil
Every other pick on this page is clear glass, which is good for seeing what is inside and poor for protecting it. Light is a real concern for olive oil. Joseph R. Profaci of the North American Olive Oil Association told Food Network that “light and air are olive oil’s main enemies.” A steel body deals with the light half of that.
Cole & Mason, the kitchen brand best known for its salt and pepper mills, makes the Henley from brushed stainless steel. The listing describes a classic cafe design, a no-drip spout and a clog-free filter system, and says it suits a wide range of oils, vinegars and pourable sauces.
The listing does not give the capacity, so check that before you buy if size matters to you. It also does not state dishwasher care, so hand washing is the safer choice. Since you cannot see into it, you will not know how much is left without lifting it, and you should wash it now and then rather than just topping it up.
Why we like it
- Brushed stainless steel keeps light out
- No-drip spout, per the listing
- Clog-free filter system, per the listing
- Will not shatter if it gets knocked over
Key specifications
| Model | H221917 |
|---|---|
| Material | Brushed stainless steel |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Count | 1 pourer |
| Closure | No-drip spout |
| Size | Not stated |
| Dishwasher safe | Not stated |
| Made in | Not stated |
Why we recommend it
If your bottle lives on the counter near a window, or you have broken a glass cruet before, this is the one to buy. It also takes more knocks on a patio table.
Skip it if you like to see the level at a glance. Steel gives you no way to tell how much is left.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Blocks light
- Will not shatter
- Suits oil, vinegar and pourable sauces
Cons
- Capacity not stated
- You cannot see the level
- Care not stated
How to choose an oil and vinegar cruet
A cruet is a simple object, so the choice comes down to a few plain questions about how you pour, wash and store it.
Decide how much control you need
A stopper bottle pours as fast as you tip it. A pourer slows the flow to one steady speed. A two-speed spout such as the OXO gives you a drizzle and a stream from the same bottle. For finishing a plate, slower is better. For dressing a big bowl, a faster pour saves time. Our oil sprayer guide covers the other end of the range, when you want a thin coat and not a pour at all.
Match the size to how fast you use it
The North American Olive Oil Association’s Joseph R. Profaci told Food Network to use oil within two to three months of opening. That is a good reason to buy small. A cruet of 6 to 9 ounces, refilled from a larger bottle, keeps the rest of your oil sealed and out of the light. Vinegar is more forgiving of a long stay on the table, so a smaller bottle is fine there too.
Be honest about clear glass
Clear glass shows you the color of the oil and how much is left, but it does nothing to stop light. Profaci’s advice in the same article is to keep oil “in a cool, dark place with the lid on tightly.” If your cruet sits by a window or next to the stove, either fill it with only a few days’ worth or choose steel. Our olive oil dispenser guide covers tinted bottles, which are a better choice for a sunny counter.
Look for parts you can really wash
Oil turns stale, and a film of old oil in a spout will spoil a fresh fill. Food Network suggests cleaning a dispenser every few weeks or every month with frequent use, and always before changing liquids. Choose a mouth wide enough for a bottle brush, or a spout that comes apart. Dry everything fully before you refill it.
Pick a material you can check
We kept this list to glass and stainless steel. If you are drawn to glazed ceramic or crystal, look for the maker’s own lead-free statement before you buy. Our oil dispenser guide covers some ceramic bottles, with notes on what their makers say.
Think about what goes with it
Cruets rarely live alone. A holder keeps them from getting lost among the other bottles, and a matching pair looks tidier than two different bottles. If yours will sit beside the salt and pepper shakers, measure how much room you have on the table first.
How we chose these eight cruets
We have not used these bottles ourselves. We started from what a kitchen asks of a cruet: pour cleanly, wash easily and stay out of the way. We looked at oil and vinegar bottles sold on Amazon in the United States by identifiable makers, and checked that each was in stock with a new lead offer.
We kept to glass and stainless steel, and we dropped bottles that were low in stock, including an OXO single and listings from Libbey, Cuisinox and Emile Henry. We also left out a Luigi Bormioli pair because one retailer calls its glass crystal and we could not reach a statement from the maker. Details come from the Amazon listings and, in places, from OXO and restaurant supply retailers.
Independent reviews are thin here. Our searches turned up many affiliate roundups but no test of these exact bottles from a publication we would cite, and Food Network’s test of 19 dispensers does not list them. So these picks rest on established makers and their listings, and we say so plainly. Food Network’s article is our source for storage and cleaning advice only.
Oil and vinegar cruet questions, answered
What is the difference between a cruet and an oil dispenser?
A cruet is a small table bottle for oil or vinegar, often with a stopper or simple spout and often sold in pairs. A dispenser is a broader word for any bottle made for pouring oil, including larger kitchen bottles. Most olive oil cruets are dispensers, though not every dispenser is a table piece.
What is the best olive oil cruet for a sunny counter?
Clear glass is a poor choice there. Steel keeps light out, so the Cole & Mason Henley is our pick on this page. A tinted bottle from our olive oil dispenser guide is another option.
Can I keep olive oil in a cruet all the time?
You can, as long as you fill it with what you will use soon. Food Network’s expert suggests using oil within two to three months of opening and keeping it cool and dark, so a small bottle refilled from a larger sealed one works best.
Can I put homemade vinaigrette in a cruet?
Yes, in a bottle that will not clog. OXO warns that thick dressings may clog its spout, so use a stopper bottle like the Anchor Hocking. Make it in small amounts and wash the bottle between batches.
How do I clean an oil and vinegar cruet?
Follow the maker’s care note. The OXO, Tablecraft and Bormioli Rocco listings say dishwasher safe, and the Anchor Hocking listing recommends hand washing. For narrow bottles, use warm soapy water and a bottle brush, then let the bottle dry completely before you refill it.
Our first choice for the table
Buy the OXO set if you want the most control, the Winco set if you want a tidy restaurant caddy, or the Anchor Hocking if a single classic bottle is all you need. For more ways to get oil out of a bottle, see our guide to the best oil dispenser spray, and for what the dressing goes on, our salad bowls and salad servers guides.
When you would rather let someone else make dinner, see our menu and call to order.