Watch a line cook season a pot of frijoles and you will rarely see a salt shaker. The salt sits in an open container by the stove, and the cook takes a pinch with their fingers, feels how much is there and drops it in. That pinch is the most precise way to salt as you cook, and it needs a container you can reach into with one hand: a salt cellar.
This guide explains the kinds of salt cellar (boxes with swivel or hinged lids, open pigs, lidded jars), what each material asks of you, and which salt belongs inside. It names seven cellars worth buying, in bamboo, olive wood, acacia, marble, glass and lead-free-glazed ceramic.
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Quick verdict: which salt cellar to buy
For most kitchens the best salt cellar is the Totally Bamboo Salt Cellar with Swivel Lid: a 6-ounce bamboo box whose magnetic lid swings open with one hand and closes over the salt between pinches. America’s Test Kitchen names it its Best Buy and found it kept out moisture and mess nearly as well as its winner. If you want more salt on hand, the 8-ounce Berard Olive Wood Salt Keeper works the same way in a heavier wood.
Five salt cellars side by side
Our five standout cellars, one for each kind of kitchen. All seven are reviewed in full below.
| Cellar | Best for | Lid | Capacity | Buy on Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Totally Bamboo Salt Cellar with Swivel LidBest overall
|
Salt by the stove | Magnetic swivel | 6 oz | View on Amazon |
Berard Olive Wood Salt Keeper with Magnetic LidBest olive wood
|
More salt, heavier wood | Magnetic swivel, steel hinge | Up to 8 oz | View on Amazon |
Ironwood Gourmet Double Layer Swivel Salt CellarBest for two salts
|
Kosher and flaky side by side | Swivel, on each tier | About 1.9 cups total | View on Amazon |
| Seeing the salt level | Lid included; type not stated | 10 oz | View on Amazon | |
Mora Ceramic Salt Cellar Set with Lids, 10 ozBest ceramic
|
Dishwasher-safe pair | Lid and spoon included | 10 oz | View on Amazon |
Product images from Amazon. Capacities, finishes and care are as each maker or listing states them; glaze statements are the maker’s own claims.
Our picks for the best salt cellar
The seven cellars below cover swivel, hinged and lift-off lids, sizes from a single pinch bowl to two compartments, and every common material. Each review gives the maker’s or listing’s specifications, what the cellar suits in a kitchen that salts by hand, and one honest reason to skip it.
1. Totally Bamboo Salt Cellar with Swivel Lid – One Hand to Open, a Magnet to Close
This small round bamboo box is the salt cellar most kitchens should start with. The lid swivels sideways on a pin, so you push it open with a thumb, take your pinch and push it closed again, and a magnet holds it shut between uses. The listing describes it as made for one-hand use while cooking, which is exactly how a salt cellar earns its place by the stove.
It holds 6 ounces and measures 3.5 inches wide by 2.75 inches high, small enough to sit beside the burners or on a prep station. America’s Test Kitchen named it its Best Buy: its reviewers found the magnet lid easy to open, fill and use, and said it kept out moisture and mess nearly as well as the winning box. They also noted its two weak points: a small capacity of about three-quarters of a cup, and a light weight that makes it easy to knock off the counter.
Totally Bamboo makes it from Moso bamboo with a smooth finish and says to wipe it clean with a damp cloth, and not to soak it or put it in the dishwasher.
Why we like it
- ATK’s Best Buy salt container
- Magnetic swivel lid opens with one hand
- Compact enough for the stove side
- Kept out moisture well, per ATK
Key specifications
| Model | 20-2083 |
|---|---|
| Cellar | Round salt box |
| Material | Moso bamboo |
| Capacity | 6 oz |
| Lid | Magnetic swivel |
| Glaze/finish statement (maker) | “Smooth, warm-grain finish” |
| Size | 3.5 in wide x 2.75 in high |
| Care | Wipe with a damp cloth; no soaking or dishwasher |
Why we recommend it
It suits anyone who wants to start salting by the pinch, in a box that opens with the same hand that is about to season the pot.
Skip it if you cook in large batches and would rather refill less often; it holds less than a cup.
Pros and cons
Pros
- One-handed lid
- Good moisture protection, per ATK
- Small footprint
Cons
- Small capacity
- Light, easy to knock over
- Hand wipe only
2. Berard Olive Wood Salt Keeper with Magnetic Lid – Carved From a Single Piece
Berard’s salt keeper does the same job as the bamboo box with more room and more heft. Each one is carved from a single piece of olive wood, so the grain differs from keeper to keeper, and the listing says the wood comes from managed forests in Tunisia.
The lid swivels on a stainless steel hinge and closes with a magnet, so it opens with one hand while you cook. Berard says the round container holds up to 8 ounces of cooking salt, a little more than the Totally Bamboo box, which means fewer refills. The listing gives its size as about 4 to 4.5 inches across.
The listing does not give care instructions, so follow the leaflet that comes with it. We found no independent review of this keeper.
Why we like it
- Single piece of olive wood, per Berard
- Magnetic swivel lid on a steel hinge
- Holds up to 8 ounces
- Responsibly harvested wood, per the listing
Key specifications
| Model | 7490070 |
|---|---|
| Cellar | Round salt keeper |
| Material | Olive wood |
| Capacity | Up to 8 oz |
| Lid | Magnetic swivel, stainless hinge |
| Glaze/finish statement (maker) | Not stated |
| Size | About 4 to 4.5 in round |
| Care | Not stated on the listing |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who salt a lot and want a heavier, larger wooden keeper that will not need refilling every few days.
Skip it if you want written care instructions before you buy; the listing has none.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Larger capacity
- One-handed lid
- Each piece unique
Cons
- Care not stated
- Grain and color vary
- No independent review found
3. Ironwood Gourmet Double Layer Swivel Salt Cellar – Two Salts, Two Tiers
Many cooks keep two salts: a coarse one for cooking and a flaky one for finishing, or kosher salt and a chile-lime salt for fruit and rims. Ironwood Gourmet’s acacia cellar holds both, in two stacked tiers, each with a swivel lid; the maker gives the total capacity as about 1.9 cups.
The cellar measures 4 by 5 by 3.75 inches and is all wood, and Ironwood Gourmet notes that the grain pattern differs from piece to piece. The maker says the swivel lid closes tightly to keep the contents fresh, and the stacked design takes up less counter space than two separate cellars.
The listing does not give care instructions. Treat it like other wooden cellars: wipe it with a damp cloth, dry it, and keep it out of the dishwasher and away from standing water.
Why we like it
- Two tiers for two salts
- Swivel lids
- All acacia wood
- Small footprint for the capacity
Key specifications
| Model | 28577 |
|---|---|
| Cellar | Two stacked tiers |
| Material | Acacia wood |
| Capacity | About 1.9 cups total |
| Lid | Swivel |
| Glaze/finish statement (maker) | Natural wood; grain varies |
| Size | 4 x 5 x 3.75 in |
| Care | Not stated; wipe clean, no dishwasher |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who use two salts every day and want both within one reach without two cellars on the counter.
Skip it if you want a magnet to hold the lid shut; Ironwood Gourmet does not mention one.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Two tiers
- Compact footprint
- Looks good on the table
Cons
- No magnet mentioned
- Care not stated on the listing
- Wipe-clean only
4. Mora Ceramic Salt Cellar Set with Lids, 10 oz – Glazed Stoneware That Goes in the Dishwasher
Ceramic is the classic salt cellar material, and the one place we are careful: we only list ceramic cellars whose maker makes a clear statement about the glaze. Mora states on its listing that its glazes are lead free. That is the maker’s claim, and we have not seen independent test results.
The listing describes a set of two 10-ounce cellars, sold as a salt and pepper set, each with a lid and a wooden spoon. The opening is wide enough to take a pinch with your fingers, and Mora says its products are microwave, freezer, oven and dishwasher safe, which makes this the easiest cellar here to clean thoroughly. The glaze is described as all-natural and its color shifts with the light.
The listing does not describe a hinge or swivel, so expect to set the lid down while you season.
Why we like it
- Maker states the glazes are lead free
- Dishwasher safe, per Mora
- Two 10-ounce cellars with spoons
- Wide opening for pinching
Key specifications
| Model | Not stated (part no. 24-S1-FGDY-0161) |
|---|---|
| Cellar | Set of 2 lidded crocks |
| Material | Glazed ceramic |
| Capacity | 10 oz |
| Lid | Lid included (no hinge or swivel stated); wooden spoon |
| Glaze/finish statement (maker) | “Our glazes are lead free,” per Mora |
| Size | Not stated |
| Care | Dishwasher, microwave, freezer and oven safe, per Mora |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a ceramic cellar they can put in the dishwasher, with a maker’s glaze statement in writing, and who can use the second crock for pepper or a spice blend.
Skip it if you want a one-handed lid; the listing describes no hinge or swivel.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Written lead-free glaze claim
- Fully washable
- Two cellars in the set
Cons
- No hinge or swivel stated
- Glaze claim not independently verified
- Dimensions not stated
5. TableCraft Glass Salt Cellar with Lid, 10 oz – See the Level, Wash It in the Machine
TableCraft makes tabletop pieces for restaurants, and this clear glass cellar has the look of an old general-store salt jar, with “Salt” embossed on the side. Glass is non-porous, does not absorb odors and shows you when the salt is running low.
It holds 10 ounces and measures 3.75 by 3.75 by 3 inches. The listing describes soda-lime glass, a lid and dishwasher-safe care. TableCraft also sells a 9-ounce jadeite-green version in the same shape if you want color.
The listing does not describe the lid’s material or how it fits, and it mentions no hinge or swivel. Glass can chip or break if knocked off the counter. This is a newer listing and we found no independent review of it.
Why we like it
- 10-ounce capacity
- Clear glass shows the fill level
- Dishwasher safe, per the listing
- From a foodservice maker
Key specifications
| Model | 12908 |
|---|---|
| Cellar | Lidded jar |
| Material | Soda-lime glass |
| Capacity | 10 oz |
| Lid | Lid included; type not stated |
| Glaze/finish statement (maker) | Clear glass; no glaze |
| Size | 3.75 x 3.75 x 3 in |
| Care | Dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a cellar they can wash in the dishwasher and see into, and who like a vintage look.
Skip it if you want a lid that opens with one hand.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Non-porous glass
- Dishwasher safe
- Generous size
Cons
- Lid details not stated
- Glass can break
- New listing
6. Fox Run Marble Salt Cellar with Lid – A One-Pound Pot That Stays Put
Fox Run’s cellar is a small pot of white marble with a matching marble lid that has a handle on top. It measures 3 by 3 by 3 inches and weighs 1 pound, according to the listing. America’s Test Kitchen found that containers weighing around a pound were less likely to tip or be pushed around the counter than lighter ones, and this cellar sits right at that mark.
The listing says the lid fits closely to protect what is inside, and that each piece has its own marbling. Capacity is not stated; at 3 inches it holds less than the box cellars above.
Fox Run says it is not dishwasher safe, so plan to clean it by hand.
Why we like it
- Solid marble pot and lid
- Weighs 1 pound, per the listing
- Lid with a handle
- Small footprint
Key specifications
| Model | 3849 |
|---|---|
| Cellar | Round pot |
| Material | Marble |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Lid | Lift-off marble lid with handle |
| Glaze/finish statement (maker) | Natural marble; marbling varies |
| Size | 3 x 3 x 3 in, 1 lb |
| Care | Not dishwasher safe |
Why we recommend it
It suits a small kitchen or a table where a heavy little pot of flaky salt will not get knocked over.
Skip it if you want to know the capacity before buying, or want a hinged lid.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Heavy and stable
- Close-fitting lid
- Compact
Cons
- Capacity not stated
- Lift-off lid
- Hand wash only
7. Lipper International Acacia Wood Salt Box with Swivel Cover – Plain, Small and Practical
Lipper’s acacia box is the simplest swivel cellar here: a round box 3.5 inches across and 2.5 inches tall, with a swivel cover that protects the salt and swings aside when you need it. Acacia has a darker, more varied grain than bamboo, and the listing describes it as durable for daily use.
Lipper gives clear care instructions: hand wash with mild soap and water, do not soak, and let it air dry. The listing does not state a capacity or mention a magnet, so expect the lid to stay where you leave it rather than snap shut.
It is a good second cellar for a specialty salt, a chile salt or a spice blend you reach for often.
Why we like it
- Swivel cover
- Acacia wood
- Clear care instructions from Lipper
- Small enough for any counter
Key specifications
| Model | 1126 |
|---|---|
| Cellar | Round salt box |
| Material | Acacia wood |
| Capacity | Not stated |
| Lid | Swivel (no magnet mentioned) |
| Glaze/finish statement (maker) | Not stated |
| Size | 3.5 in diameter x 2.5 in tall |
| Care | Hand wash with mild soap; do not soak; air dry |
Why we recommend it
It suits cooks who want a plain wooden swivel box, or a second cellar for a finishing salt.
Skip it if you want a lid that clicks shut; the Totally Bamboo and Berard cellars use magnets.
Pros and cons
Pros
- Simple swivel design
- Attractive grain
- Clear care guidance
Cons
- No magnet mentioned
- Capacity not stated
Boxes, pigs and bowls: the kinds of salt cellar
Salt boxes with a lid
A box with a swivel or hinged lid is what America’s Test Kitchen recommends. The lid keeps out steam and splatter, which is what makes salt clump, and a wide top opening is easy to fill and to reach into. Every cellar in the comparison table is a box or jar of this kind.
Salt pigs
A salt pig is a hooded ceramic pot open at the side. It looks lovely, but ATK found pigs awkward to fill and use and said the open side lets in splatter and humidity. The unglazed clay pig it tried absorbed moisture and clumped the salt more than any other container, so we have left pigs off this list.
Open pinch bowls
A small open bowl works at the table or for a single cooking session, but by the stove it collects grease and steam. If you use one, cover it or empty it after cooking.
How to choose a salt cellar
A lid you can open with one hand. When the other hand is stirring, a swivel lid with a magnet, or a hinged flip top, is the difference between using the cellar and reaching for the box of salt instead.
Capacity. A 6-ounce cellar needs refilling often in a kitchen that cooks every day. ATK’s winner holds about 2 cups; most cellars here hold 6 to 10 ounces.
Weight. Light cellars get knocked off the counter. ATK found containers around a pound stayed put; marble and olive wood are heavier than bamboo.
Material and care. Wood should be wiped, never soaked, and kept out of the dishwasher. Marble makers such as Fox Run say to wipe it clean, not put it in the dishwasher. Glass is the easiest to keep clean, and glazed ceramic can go in the dishwasher if the maker says so. For any ceramic or stoneware cellar, look for the maker’s own statement about the glaze; we only list ceramic cellars whose makers state their glazes are lead free.
Where it will live. Next to the stove, choose a lid that blocks splatter. On the table, a heavy marble or glass cellar looks better and is harder to tip.
The best salt for a salt cellar
The best salt for a cellar is one you can pinch. Coarse kosher salt has large, flaky crystals that are easy to grab and to feel between your fingers, so you learn quickly how much a pinch holds. Coarse sea salt, sold in Mexican markets as sal de grano, works the same way. Flaky finishing salt is worth a second compartment for sprinkling over a finished dish.
Fine table salt flows too easily to pinch well and is better in a shaker; our salt and pepper shaker guide covers those, and our pepper mill reviews cover the grinder that usually sits beside the cellar. If you rim margarita glasses, the coarse salts in our guide to salt for the rim of a margarita glass also work in a cellar.
How we chose these seven cellars
We looked at salt boxes, keepers, pigs and servers from Totally Bamboo, Berard, Ironwood Gourmet, RSVP, Lipper, Fox Run, TableCraft, Mora, Swissmar, Le Creuset, Emile Henry, Zero Japan (Bee House) and others, and kept only those showing as in stock on Amazon when we checked. Specifications come from the Amazon listings.
We read America’s Test Kitchen’s review of salt storage containers and cite it where it covers a cellar we list. Its winner is the Bee House ceramic salt box; we left it out because we could not find a statement from its maker about the glaze, and we hold every ceramic cellar to that rule. We also left out the Le Creuset salt crock and the Emile Henry salt pig: ATK did not recommend either, and we could not find a lead-free glaze statement on either maker’s own product pages. We did not read or rely on Serious Eats or Wirecutter for this guide. We have not used these cellars ourselves.
Salt cellar questions, answered
What is the best type of salt cellar?
A salt box with a lid that opens with one hand, such as a magnetic swivel lid or a hinged flip top. ATK found lidded boxes kept salt drier and cleaner than open salt pigs.
Which salt cellar does America’s Test Kitchen recommend?
Its winner is the Bee House Salt Box, a 16-ounce ceramic box with a wooden flip lid, and its Best Buy is the Totally Bamboo salt cellar. It did not recommend the Emile Henry salt pig or the Le Creuset salt crock.
What salt should I put in a salt cellar?
Coarse kosher salt or coarse sea salt, because the crystals are easy to pinch. Keep fine salt in a shaker.
Is wood or ceramic better for a salt cellar?
Both work. Wood is light, warm and opens easily with a swivel lid, but it must be wiped rather than washed. Glazed ceramic can usually go in the dishwasher; choose one whose maker states the glaze is lead free.
How do I keep salt from clumping in a cellar?
Keep the lid closed between uses, take pinches with dry fingers, and keep the cellar out of the steam directly above the pot. A lid that closes snugly helps most in a humid kitchen.
The cellar we would put by the stove
Start with the Totally Bamboo Salt Cellar for its one-handed magnetic lid, or the Berard olive wood keeper if you want more salt on hand. Choose the Ironwood Gourmet double-layer cellar for two salts, the TableCraft glass jar if you want to see the level, and the Mora set if you want ceramic you can put in the dishwasher.
More for the spice shelf and table: measuring spoons.
A salt cellar belongs with the other stove-side basics in our guide to Mexican cooking tools, next to a spoon rest and a jar of Mexican spices. If you would rather let our kitchen do the seasoning, see the menu or call to order.