Best Overall
Joey’Z Salt And Pepper Shakers
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Upgrade your kitchen essentials by replacing your worn-out salt and pepper shakers with style and functionality in mind. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore some of the most popular options and essential features to consider when selecting your new spice dispensers. Not only do these shakers add flavor to your dishes, but they also serve as stylish table décor. Despite their importance, finding durable and aesthetically pleasing salt and pepper shakers can be challenging. That's why our team of experts has meticulously researched and curated a list of quality options, focusing on functionality, durability, and aesthetics. Among our selection of the best salt and pepper shakers, JOEY'Z stands out for its unmatched craftsmanship and timeless design, making it a perfect addition to any dining table.
The Best Salt and Pepper Shakers: A Buyer’s Guide
Benefits of Salt and Pepper Shakers
Salt and pepper shakers have remained an essential kitchen accessory since the 1870s. These spice dispensers with perforated tops let you sprinkle small quantities of spices easily over your food. Spice shakers have compact, portable builds. Using them saves you time and energy. When you’re in the middle of cooking a dish, you don't need to get the large jars of salt or pepper out of the pantry to adjust flavors. Just grab the shaker from the table and shake the salt or pepper in! Modern salt and pepper shakers also feature adjustable lids that help control the flow of spice, allowing you to pour low, medium, or high quantities onto your cooked meals and even while you’re still cooking. What's more, by placing salt and pepper shakers on the dinner table, you give your diners easy access to flavor-enhancing spices. Lastly, stylish salt and pepper shakers can add to the aesthetic appeal of the table. You can improve your tablescape by selecting a shaker set that aligns with the rest of the cutlery design. And, if you’re especially fond of a particular set, salt and pepper shakes are an amazing gift!
Different Types of Shakers
Salt and pepper shakers are classified into three types: vintage, modern, and novelty. Each offers its own pros and cons. Here’s a quick breakdown:
Vintage
The vintage salt and pepper shaker has a smaller, compact build. Its simple design makes it easy to use and clean and the traditional-style lid allows for a steady spice flow. However, it has comparatively less capacity than other types. Nevertheless, it's best for people who value reliable functionality and love its retro look.
Modern
Modern salt and pepper shakers are the most commonly used today. These tall shakers have a stylish design with a brushed stainless steel and glass exterior. They also come in a variety of colors. These shakers often offer a large capacity and require minimal refills. Plus, the adjustable flow settings provide you with better control.
Novelty
The novelty salt and pepper shakers are unique, quirky, and sometimes fall into the category of collectible. These shakers come in different shapes, sizes, and capacities. For instance, you’ll find shakers shaped like animals, famous characters, interesting structures, and more. Since each style is unique, these shakers can be more expensive than traditional shakers.
How to Choose the Right Salt and Pepper Shakers
When choosing salt and pepper shakers, most people consider only the aesthetics and outward design. However, while appearance matters, it often has little to do with functionality. What’s the point in having a cute salt shaker that spills every time you use it? In hopes of guiding you through this dilemma, our team has compiled this detailed guide to help you choose the perfect salt and pepper shakers. We hope, after reading this, you'll be able to purchase shakers that do much more than merely look nice on the table.
Material
There are four fundamental materials used in salt and pepper shaker construction, including:
- Stainless steel
- Glass
- Ceramic
- Plastic
Each of these materials provides the shakers with different properties. For example, glass and ceramic shakers are attractive but also breakable. These might not be the best choice if you have young children at home. Plastic shakers are cheap, unbreakable, and portable. However, plastic is not an eco-friendly option and could contain harmful chemicals. The safest option for you and our planet is stainless steel shakers, which are sturdy, easy to clean, and often stylish. Unlike glass shakers, one downside to stainless steel spice shakers is that they don’t allow you to see the contents inside. Many shakers on the market today are made of more than one material. In this case, the stainless steel and glass combination is a great option.
Capacity
Typically, taller and wider shakers have the largest capacity. However, this doesn't mean you should pick the tallest and widest option available. Instead, consider your needs and preferences. If you use salt and pepper frequently, you might want to go with large-capacity shakers and vice versa if you only use these spices occasionally. Going with a larger capacity option will reduce the number of refills required. Please note, that most shakers have a holding capacity between 2 to 4-ounces. These are suitable for everyday use. However, you may also find shakers with up to 8-ounces of capacity, making them ideal for industrial kitchens or heavy use.
Moisture protection
Moisture is the greatest enemy of spices. It causes the spices to clump and get stuck to the underside of the shaker's lid. If this happens, you won’t be able to shake the contents out. You’ll have to clean the shaker and refill it before you’re able to use it again. Because of this, you should choose shakers with lids that close. These shakers create a barrier between the spice and moisture in the air. Shakers that have a sealed lid are less likely to have issues with clumping.
Flow control
The most advanced salt and pepper shakers offer multiple flow settings. This allows you to choose a setting, letting you pour the desired quantity of spice. However, these shakers have delicate lids that require careful handling. Alternatively, flow can be controlled in regular shakers by the number and size of the holes. If you prefer low flow, opt for shakers with two to three small holes. If you prefer higher flow, choose shakers with larger holes or shakers with a higher quantity of holes.
Holder
Holders allow you to place each spice shaker neatly side by side and they make storage efficient and space-saving. As an added bonus, having a spice holder reduces the chance of misplacing one of the shakers. Holders can also help you conveniently carry the shakers from one place to another. If being able to easily move your spices around your kitchen is important to you, it's best to choose a salt and pepper shakers set that include a matching holder.
How to Wash Salt and Pepper Shakers
Most of us make do with simply wiping the exterior of the salt and pepper shakers when it comes time to clean them. However, these dispensers require a thorough cleaning, both inside and outside. This is why you should give your salt and pepper shakers a deep clean bi-weekly or monthly. Because salt and pepper shakers do not get regularly washed like forks and knives, when you do clean them, you need to give them a proper, effective cleaning. Here’s how to do it:
- Add dish soap into a pot of hot water.
- Soak the shakers in it for 10 to 15-minutes.
- Remove and rinse using warm water.
- Use some cotton swabs to remove any leftover residue. Rinse again.
- Place the washed shaker on a clean towel to air dry. If needed, create a paper towel cone and put it in the shaker. It will absorb moisture and ensure complete dryness.
Top Picks
- Best Overall: Joey’Z Salt And Pepper Shakers
- Best Design: Modetro Salt And Pepper Shakers
- Longest-Lasting: Sp Home Goods Salt And Pepper Shakers
- Best Stainless Steel Option: Juvale Salt And Pepper Shakers
- Most Versatile: Home Ec Salt And Pepper Shakers
- Most Sturdy: Bnyd Salt And Pepper Shakers
- Most Convenient: Lonffrey Salt And Pepper Shakers
Reviews
Best Design
Modetro Salt And Pepper Shakers
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Longest-Lasting
Sp Home Goods Salt And Pepper Shakers
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Best Stainless Steel Option
Juvale Salt And Pepper Shakers
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Most Versatile
Home Ec Salt And Pepper Shakers
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Most Sturdy
Bnyd Salt And Pepper Shakers
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Most Convenient
Lonffrey Salt And Pepper Shakers
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FAQs
Are salt and pepper shakers different?
Yes, salt and pepper shakers are different depending on the culture and health policies of the market. US-manufactured salt shakers have fewer holes than pepper shakers because more salt is harmful to their diet. Meanwhile, it's the opposite in shakers found in Europe.
However, you will also notice that shakers manufactured for generic audiences have an identical design. They will have the same structure and number of holes, allowing you to use either one for salt or pepper.
How many holes do pepper shakers have?
Different shakers have different numbers of holes. Typically, pepper shakers have three holes, and salt shakers have two holes. But you can switch them depending on your diet preferences.
How do you fill a salt shaker?
Fill or refill a salt shaker by opening the container, pouring in the salt, and screwing on the lid. Wide shaker openings make this process mess-free and easy. However, if your shaker opening is narrow, we recommend using a funnel.