Why Every Kitchen Needs a Salt Cellar
Professional chefs keep salt in open containers, not shakers. An open salt cellar lets you pinch salt between your fingers, feel the grain size, and control the amount precisely. It is the most intuitive, efficient way to season food. A handmade pottery salt cellar adds warmth and craft to this daily ritual.
Salt cellars are also excellent pottery projects. They are small enough to throw or hand-build in one session, require basic skills, and produce immediately useful results. They make wonderful gifts for anyone who cooks.
Salt Cellar Designs
Open Salt Cellar
The simplest design — a small bowl, about four inches in diameter and two inches deep, with no lid. Open cellars give the easiest access to salt. The wide mouth lets you reach in with two or three fingers to grab a generous pinch. Throw on the wheel or pinch from a ball of clay.
Salt Pig
A salt pig has a distinctive curved opening — like a small jug turned on its side with the mouth facing forward. This design shields salt from splashes while keeping it accessible. The curved hood keeps moisture and debris out while still allowing easy finger access.
Lidded Salt Box
A more formal design with a fitted lid. The lid keeps salt clean and prevents clumping in humid climates. Throw the box and lid as separate pieces. The lid should fit snugly but lift off easily with one hand.
Design Considerations
Size and Capacity
A salt cellar should hold about half a cup to one cup of salt. About four inches in diameter and two to three inches deep is ideal. The opening must be wide enough for adult fingers — at least two and a half inches across.
Glaze and Surface
The interior should be glazed for easy cleaning and to prevent salt from absorbing into the clay. Use a food-safe glaze in a light color so you can see the salt easily. The exterior can be glazed or left unglazed for texture.
Learn from Stephen Jepson
Stephen's pottery video lessons cover the throwing and hand-building techniques needed for salt cellars and all kitchen pottery. His teaching emphasizes functional design — making pieces that work as well as they look. One-time purchase, lifetime access to all lessons.