Salt shaker for kosher salt?

[BobB]

Anybody seen a salt shaker with larger holes for use with kosher salt? I prefer to use kosher for most things but the big cardboard container can be inconvenient or inelegant to use at the table.

I've considered getting one of those restaurant-style grated cheese shakers, but would prefer to find something smaller, more like a regular salt shaker.

[Uncle Bob]

Inexpensive Salt Shaker ~~ Ice Pick ~~~ You're in business :)

[BobB]

Clever - I like that, thanks! Though I'd probably use a fine-tipped drill instead of an ice pick, perfectionist that I am.

[danieljdwyer]

I'm not sure if this is bigger than you would like, but I use a sugar bowl instead of a shaker - I think sugar bowl is the right term, the little guy with the lid that comes in a set with a creamer or in a tea set. I find that this along with a demitasse spoon for scooping it out not only avoids the issue of the holes in a shaker being too small, but allows for more precise salting than a shaker does.

[BobB]

That's a thought. But I'd be too concerned with guests (or even my wife or I in a moment of distraction) putting a spoonful into a cup of coffee by mistake. I actually did this once at a friend's house - not fun!

[TomSwift]

I use a device that Alton Brown uses, a glass container with a metal holder and a flip top hinged lid. They're available in many cooking stores. I followed Tom Keller's advice and practiced using my fingers to do the salt, measuring how much I pick up with thumb and one finger, thumb and two fingers and thumb and three fingers, until I got it consistently each time. This is much more accurate than a shaker.

[goodhealthgourmet]

i like those salt cellars when it's just me, they're very handy for grabbing a pinch...but i'd rather not have every random person who eats at my table sticking their fingers in my salt :)

[TomSwift]

Totally agree. At the table with guests we use individual salt cellars.

[rainey]

I've really grown to like pinching and sprinkling my salt from cooking from a lidded salt box on the hood over my cooktop. My family doesn't so I have a grinder on the table.

I really like salt but I don't know that I'd want coarse kosher salt at the table.

[wolfe]

What about a ceramic pepper mill set to a course grind?

[DGresh]

I have a salt grinder that matches my pepper grinder. Only for the look of course, as there's no need to "grind" salt. But it solves the problem.

[just_M]

I give my kosher salt a couple of pulses in the blender to bring it down to size. I only do a little at a time though as its humid where I live and the salt will cake after a while.

[wolfe]

After pulsing, rice.

[just_M]

Thanks will definitely try.

[chowser]

I bought one at World Market (Cost Plus) that has various hole sizes where you twist the top to adjust. It's steel and works great at the table.

[souvenir]

chowser- do you have one of these styles?
http://www.worldmarket.com/product/in...

I have something similar that I brought back from France several years ago, and have wanted a couple more jars. So glad you mentioned them and that they are still available.

I really like this style because of the various hole sizes AND that you can completely cover up the holes.

[BobB]

Those look perfect, and at 4 for $4 the price is right. Unfortunately I'm in Boston and the closest World Market is in Virginia. But maybe I can find enough other stuff on their Web site to qualify for free shipping ($50 minimum).

[chowser]

No, the one I have is all steel. There are various size holes in the top, getting larger as you rotate the top but it's along the idea of those tops. I just online looked quickly and couldn't find it but if I do, I'll post.

[souvenir]

Ah, funny. I misinterpreted because of what I already had.

I'll look for the all steel ones when I go in to buy the glass and steel version. For salts, I like the glass and steel, but for some other spices, I would like the all steel version better.

[chowser]

Okay, this is the closest I could find to the one I have:

http://www.amazon.com/Stainless-Steel...

I like mine better because the size changes gradually around as you turn the top but this is pretty close.

[chowser]

Even closer:

http://www.amazon.com/Grill-Friends-S...

[Mother of four]

Currently unavailable.

[scubadoo97]

I use a recycled plastic spice/herb container that has a snap on cover with large holes and a screw on top. Most of you may have many of these in the pantry. Works well for my kosher salt. Not something I want on the dinning room table but while cooking it's fine. As functional as all the other spice containers.

[Monch]

Penzey's has a salt shaker that is designed for kosher.

I have a shaker/pepper grinder set that I love.

Just go to www.penzeys.com and seach on "shaker".

[tomishungry]

I've got six of these ceramills for spices at the tables. One of them holds either kosher or sea salt, depending on what I've got around.

http://www.amazon.com/WMF-Trend-Ceram...

[honeybea]

At dean & deluca today (on b'way and prince), I saw the perfect salt shaker with large holes. It looks like an old fashioned sugar shaker but smaller. Glass bottom stainless top... very simple. I almost bought it until I remembered- I don't need this, @BobB does.

[jeremyn]

From your cardboard box reference, I'd guess you're using Mortons. One option is to switch to Diamond Crystal. Those containers have small holes you can shake out of. I like the consistency of Diamond Crystal better anyway.