What is a Salt Pig & Why You NEED One?!

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Why a salt pig is the best addition to your kitchen.

People are very selective when they are buying things for their homes, and rightfully so. You want something that isn’t just functional but transforms your home into a more welcoming space.

The kitchen is a space where we need to pay extra attention to aesthetics and functionality. While the larger appliances are understandably essential, more minor additions can often be instrumental too.

The salt pig is one such small addition that can make your cooking journey much more effortless.

Salt is the single item that we use almost every day or more frequently than any other item. It balances and enhances, or it can even add texture when mixed with additional spices.

It makes sense why you need your salt to be within your reach at all times. However, most of us keep our salt stashed away in the spice cabinet or a frustratingly slow shaker.

So, the best option is a dedicated salt pig to keep your salt within reach always. If you’re interested in learning more about this beneficial yet straightforward container, keep reading below.

You will learn what is a salt pig and what is a salt pig used for.

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What Is a Salt Pig?

salt pig for kosher salt

Simply put, a salt pig is a container to store your salt in. It makes it very easy to access salt to add to your dishes.

Manufacturers use many materials to make salt pigs, but mostly they are available in ceramics, porcelain, clay, and earthenware. Salt pigs have a wide opening for easy hand access.

They come up with lids too, but sometimes they are lidless. It is a simple yet handy tool that can make cooking much simpler.

Why You Need One

Immediate access to salt is crucial because it is the most frequently used item in your kitchen. Primarily people store the salt with other spices in kitchen cabinets or in sealed jars which is way too inaccessible.

Would it make any sense you dig it out each time on your shelf and use it? Your salt needs a prime spot where it is easily accessible at all times.

The humble salt pig is just designed for this purpose. Salt pigs often have a wider opening that let you scoop out as much salt as you need easily.

Salt pigs also have curved openings, which helps to prevent a bit of debris and dust from getting into your salt.

Where to buy a Salt pig

You can buy these salt pigs from any kitchenware store or home and kitchen store. You can also purchase these items online. We bought this one for flaky salt and this one for kosher salt from Amazon and we are suppy happy with the overall build quality. 

They are available in many materials and many colours. Furthermore, they are also available in different colours and different price ranges.

You can easily find a le Creuset salt pig that looks perfect on your kitchen counters without getting in your way.

salt pig

FAQs on Salt Pigs

Would it work for sugar?

Your salt pig can work perfectly for sugar as well. Just make sure it stays in a dry area to avoid clumping.

The inside should not be glazed so that it doesn’t gather moisture and lead to contamination.

Why is it called a salt pig?

If this is the first time you hear of a salt pig, you might wonder why it is called a salt pig.

Salt pigs are rounded and have a pig snout-like opening, which led to their name.

However, an investigation of the old Scottish language reveals that ‘pig’ was a common word for an earthenware pot.

They are roughly cylindrical looking – somewhat like an old-fashioned helmet with a round top and a knob at the top and a wide circular opening at one side.

The opening on one side provides quick access to the salt. Furthermore, the top-lipped opening keeps dust and debris from setting in.

Le Creuset salt pig

Can you leave salt uncovered?

Salt crystals are a pretty uninhabitable environment for germs. Salt kills anything and everything.

More bacteria can live in hot water than can live in pure salt. So there’s no need to worried about leaving salt uncovered.

However, you can throw a lid or something on to keep the dust off.

But if that’s not the case, it’s you can leave your salt uncovered too with any worries; it can’t expire.

Are salt cellars sanitary?

Salt cellars can be lidded or open, and they are available in a wide range of sizes, from large to small.

The best container for your salt is a raw container. So a salt pig made of ceramic or porcelain is the best option for storing salt at your kitchen counter.

Ceramic and porcelain salt cellars can keep your salt dry and in perfect sanitary conditions.

sea salt

How does a salt pig keep salt dry?

Salt pigs constructed of earthenware can help keep the salt from clumping in humid weather or kitchens.

Whatever your salt pig’s shape is, unglazed ceramic is usually the most popular material used to make it. The ceramic helps absorb any moisture to keep the salt dry.

The old classic design of the salt pig keeps the salt dry even in humid weather and steamy kitchens.

However, if you are using other containers for keeping salt, you can put a little bit of rice in the bottom of your salt container to keep salt dry.

Conclusion

Salt is a critical ingredient in our kitchens, and you need it in everyday cooking. It enhances your food taste unlike anything else, and a dish without salt can seem bland no matter what else you add.

So, it’s evident why you need to keep your salt within reach at all times to make each dish taste perfect.

When you place this essential item on your countertop near your stove, you can grab it quickly and put it in your desired dish.

Salt pig is the only container for salt, safe, handy, and available in different sizes and colours. Salt pigs also come with spoons, which allow you to control the amount of salt in your food.

So, go with this beautiful looking convenient item for your kitchen.

Andy Canter

Andy

Ever since I started cooking I’ve been fascinated by how different people’s techniques are and how they best utilise the ingredients around them. Even the person living next door will have their own unique way of frying an egg or cooking a salmon fillet.

This fascination led me on a journey across the globe to discover the countless practices and traditions the world of cooking has to offer. I thought you’d enjoy and find value in sharing that journey with me so I created Cooked Best!