The 7 Best Olive Oil Dispensers of 2024

A side-by-side selection of olive oil dispensers — Photo:
Food & Wine / Joy Kim

Also called cruets, olive oil dispensers are a must-have kitchen item. These containers are a stylish alternative to a plastic bottle, equipped with pouring spouts that allow you to easily drizzle your favorite fat into a frying pan or Dutch oven or over a plate of grilled meats. The best olive oil dispensers can also be set on the dinner table to keep flavor within reach.

But the olive oil dispenser also serves a practical purpose. "When choosing a container to decant olive oil, selecting a container that offers the greatest protection from light, heat, and the air is essential," says Lisa Pollack, an olive oil specialist and education ambassador for Corto Olive Oil. Too much exposure to these elements can make your oil go rancid.

Our list of the best olive oil dispensers includes products that will provide protection and precise pouring for any cooking task. These models come in all sorts of materials, designs, and colors to match any kitchen aesthetic.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Emile Henry Oil Cruet at Amazon $50

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Best Value:

Aozita Glass Olive Oil Dispenser at Amazon $9

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Best Value Ceramic:

Sweejar Porcelain Olive Oil Dispenser at Amazon $20

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Best Splurge:

Revol Ponsas French Porcelain Olive Oil Dispenser at Williams-Sonoma $70

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Best Stainless Steel:

SALE

Flyboo Olive Oil Dispenser at Amazon ~~$23~~ $16

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Best Decorative:

Rachael Ray Stoneware Olive Oil Dispenser with Spout at Amazon $20

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Best Copper Finish:

Olipac Olive Oil Dispenser at Amazon $37

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Best Overall

Emile Henry Oil Cruet

PHOTO: Amazon

$50 at Amazon $57 at Food52 $57 at Sur La Table

Pros

Durable ceramic material and colorful glaze make this French dispenser an eye-catching heirloom.

Cons

It's quite expensive.

From its pie pans to its pizza stones, Emile Henry is one of France's most renowned manufacturers of ceramic kitchenware, so it's no surprise that its olive oil cruet is our top choice. Made of high-mineral clay fired at extra-high temperature, this 13.5-ounce bottle is ultra-durable. Its glaze stands up well to daily wear and tear and comes in bright colors or soft muted tones. The thing is even dishwasher-safe!

The bottle comes equipped with an anti-drip pourer, so you don't end up with a greasy oil ring on your countertop after drizzling oil into your sauté pan or over your favorite pasta bowl. Our only complaint is that it's quite expensive.

Dimensions: 2.9 x 2.9 x 6.9 inches | Material: Glazed ceramic | Capacity: 13.5 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Value

Aozita Glass Olive Oil Dispenser

PHOTO: Courtesy of Amazon

$9 at Amazon

Pros

This inexpensive set has a large-capacity bottle and lots of accessories.

Cons

The glass material doesn't protect oil from light as well as something opaque.

For a wallet-friendly option that does the job well, turn to Aozita's affordable dispenser. It holds 17 ounces and is made from shatter-resistant glass. It also includes a surprisingly extensive set of accessories: a small funnel for spill-free filling, two different spouts (one with a flip top and one with a removable dust cover), two plug-in stoppers, and two screw caps for longer-term storage. You could use this same bottle for vinegar, salad dressings, cocktail syrups, or any liquid ingredient you need to dispense with precision.

To clean, you can place the bottle and spouts in the dishwasher, but be sure each piece is dry before refilling. Though we love the price of this set, we generally prefer an opaque material like ceramic for holding olive oil. Any exposure to light will slowly oxidize and degrade oil, even if it's stored in UV-blocking amber glass like this.

Dimensions: 3.2 x 3.2 x 12.2 inches | Material: Glass | Capacity: 17 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Value Ceramic

Sweejar Porcelain Olive Oil Dispenser

PHOTO: Courtesy of Amazon

$20 at Amazon

Pros

This simple, inexpensive ceramic bottle is available in multiple sizes and colors.

Cons

It might not be as sturdy as pricier ceramic models.

If you like the functionality of ceramic but want a more accessible price point, consider this model by Sweejar. It comes in more than 20 colors (including ombré gradient patterns), so there's almost certainly an option that goes with your kitchen aesthetic. You'll get two different pouring spouts — with a flip cap or a removable cover — and all the pieces can go in the dishwasher for easy cleaning.

If you're an olive oil fanatic, there's also a larger 24-ounce version for only five bucks more. Our only concern is that the ceramic might not be as heavy-duty as a pricier material; be careful not to drop this bottle on the floor or smack it into the side of a stainless steel skillet.

Dimensions: 2.8 x 2.8 x 9.3 inches | Material: Ceramic | Capacity: 15.5 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Splurge

Revol Ponsas French Porcelain Olive Oil Dispenser

PHOTO: Courtesy of Williams Sonoma

$70 at Williams-Sonoma

Pros

This hand-glazed French porcelain jug is destined to become an heirloom.

Cons

It's quite expensive, and only available in one size and color.

This farmhouse-style olive oil dispenser is made by Revol, a family-run French brand that's been in business for over 200 years. The porcelain is strong and beautiful, and the design features a handle for easy carrying and maneuvering. It's also fully glazed inside and out, making for a durable cruet that can handle the rigors of the dishwasher with no problems. The included stainless steel spout allows you to control how much oil you pour at once, but you can also remove it and pour directly from the vessel itself, pitcher-style.

The Ponsas container is of exceptional quality and can last for many years, and because of that, it's pretty expensive. It's even pricier than the Emile Henry above, though it's also bigger. Another downside is that it only comes in grey, with no other options for size and color.

Dimensions: 3.75 x 3.75 x 9 inches | Material: Porcelain | Capacity: 26 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Stainless Steel

Flyboo Olive Oil Dispenser

PHOTO: Amazon

Orig. $23 $16 at Amazon $35 at Walmart

Pros

A screw-on lid and wide mouth make this oxidation-protecting container easy to fill.

Cons

The spout is quite large and offers less control over pouring than other models,

Durable, rust-resistant, and easy to clean, stainless steel cookware and kitchenware are built to last. It's great for holding olive oil, as it offers complete protection against light and won't shatter even if dropped on the floor, and Flyboo's steel dispenser also has a couple of additional helpful features. The pour spout screws off to reveal a wide mouth that's easy to fill, and there's a pop-off spout cover that keeps everything free from dust and insects. The half-liter size linked here is plenty spacious, but there are also 750-milliliter and 1-liter options if you use a lot of oil.

The spout is the only part of this dispenser that gives us a little pause. It's shorter than many other models, and the wide mouth can pour out oil more quickly than intended.

Dimensions: 2.87 x 2.87 x 8.66 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 16.9 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Decorative

Rachael Ray Stoneware Olive Oil Dispenser with Spout

PHOTO: Courtesy of Amazon

$20 at Amazon $22 at Wayfair $20 at Walmart

Pros

This sculptural bottle looks great on the counter, without a huge price.

Cons

It's really large, in both capacity and footprint.

This fun dispenser from Rachael Ray is a sculptural addition to your kitchen counter. Available in a rainbow of 16 colors, its built-in handle gives you plenty of control to drizzle your favorite EVOO over pasta, poached fish, or your favorite bruschetta recipe. It's also completely dishwasher-safe. (Just make very sure all the water has evaporated out of the interior nooks and crannies before you fill it up.)

This gadget holds up to 24 ounces of oil at once so you won't have to refill as often, but the downside is that it takes up a lot of room. It's designed as a conversation piece more than a space-efficient oil dispenser.

Dimensions: 4.5 x 4.5 x 9 inches | Material: Ceramic | Capacity: 24 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Best Copper Finish

Olipac Olive Oil Dispenser

PHOTO: Amazon

$37 at Amazon $25 at Sur La Table

Pros

This large-capacity dispenser marries an old-fashioned look with easy care.

Cons

The spout is prone to drips.

This kettle-style dispenser has the old-school look of shiny copper, but it's actually made of food-grade stainless steel that's easy to maintain and can even go in the dishwasher. In other words, no need to hand wash or maintain its patina. It's an impressive piece of tableware, and its long straight spout helps you deliver a steady and controlled flow to finish dishes or bathe focaccia dough.

However, that spout will likely hold on to oil and drip on your counter or table. Wipe it down with a paper towel or soft dish towel after every use to solve that problem.

Dimensions: 6 x 6 x 7 inches | Material: Stainless steel | Capacity: 23.7 ounces | Dishwasher-Safe: Yes

Our Favorite Olive Oil Dispenser

Our top pick is the Emile Henry Olive Oil Cruet because of its durable construction, top-notch performance, and 10-year warranty. It's a beautiful and functional piece that will keep your olive oil tasting fresh and look lovely on the counter or table.

Factors to Consider

Material

Olive oil dispensers come in many materials, including glass, plastic, metal, and ceramic. These all have unique looks, but the material is more than just an aesthetic choice. "Any additional amount of light speeds up the inevitable oxidation of the oil," says Pollack. An opaque container protects the oil from UV rays that cause deterioration of flavor much better than anything transparent. If you do want a see-through material, Pollack recommended dark-tinted glass, which offers more protection against light than clear glass.

Spout Design

Pollack recommends having the option to cap your dispenser completely so that the oil doesn't come into contact with as much air when it's not in use. "Avoid pouring spouts that are continuously open to the air unless you are actively cooking," she says. Look for a spout that seals, either with a flip-top cap or some kind of rubber or silicone topper to keep air out. She also suggests keeping multiple pour spouts on hand so they can be replaced and washed often. The oil that gets stuck in the spout will degrade more quickly than what's inside the dispenser.

Size and Capacity

Pollack has some counterintuitive advice when it comes to olive oil dispenser size: "The smaller, the better." You'll want to pick a capacity that allows you to go through your decanted oil quickly, lessening the amount of time it's exposed to air, heat, and light, all factors that will decrease the lifespan of your olive oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why use an olive oil dispenser?

Olive oil comes in bottles that are hard to pour from and too big to be practical next to the stove — especially if you buy your oil in money-saving bulk. An olive oil dispenser will help you keep a more manageable amount on hand to finish dishes, oil a sauté pan, or use on the table as a condiment, while the rest of your supply stays in long-term storage.
How often should you wash an olive oil dispenser?

"If you're unsure if a container needs cleaning, we recommend that you smell and taste it," says Pollack. "You can recognize rancidity if an oil smells or tastes like wax, Play-Doh, wet cardboard, or stale nuts, and feels greasy or thick in the mouth." If your oil or container begins to smell unpleasant, it's time to clean it.
How do you clean an olive oil dispenser?

It depends on your container. Always check the manufacturer's specifications to see if the vessel is dishwasher-safe before running it through a wash cycle. Otherwise, you can clean your dispenser by hand with hot, soapy water and a non-abrasive sponge, or a long bottle brush for a deep container with a narrow neck. Thoroughly rinse and dry your container before refilling it.

Our Expertise

Bernadette Machard de Gramont is a Los Angeles-based freelance writer specializing in food, wine, and kitchen products. After a two-year stint at Williams Sonoma headquarters in San Francisco, she now researches and tests a variety of cookware, bakeware, and wine tools, and interviews field experts for their insight.

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