Oak Wooden Salt Pepper Grinder Set of 2. Wooden pepper grinder

Oak Wooden Salt Pepper Grinder. Set of 2

Oak Wooden Salt Pepper Grinder. Set of 2, the perfect addition to any kitchen or dining table. Crafted from high-quality oak wood, these grinders are not only durable but also exude a timeless elegance that will complement any decor.

The set includes two grinders, one for salt and one for pepper, each with a fully adjustable ceramic grinding mechanism that allows you to customize the coarseness of your seasoning to your liking. The clear acrylic window on each grinder allows you to easily see when it’s time to refill, while the screw-on lids ensure that your spices stay fresh and flavorful.

The ergonomic design of these grinders makes them easy to use and comfortable to grip, whether you’re cooking up a storm in the kitchen or adding a finishing touch to your meal at the table. And with their sleek and simple design, they make for a great gift for any foodie or home chef.

Upgrade your seasoning game with the Oak Wooden Salt Pepper Grinder. Set of 2, and experience the perfect balance of form and function.

Buy this elegant stylish salt and pepper grinder set to achieve a simple, easy but also wonderful kitchen life.

High Quality Oak Wood Salt and Pepper Grinder Set:

Oak wood salt and pepper grinder set comes with modern elegant design, a must addition to your lovely kitchen.

Perfect for grinding various spices. Use them to grind peppercorn, sea salt, himalayan salt or fresh spices and enjoy a delicious meal. Natural durable oak wood body, ceramic rotor, stainless steel screw cap, corrosion resistance and high strength.

Oak cap can be easily screwed off for easy refilling without mess.

Oak body (food grade) offers you nice touch feeling.

Ceramic Rotor allows you to achieve spice final crush, mill and grind without rust.

Size: 8″(H) X 2.1″(W). Large Capacity to Stop your annoying repeat refilling.

Adjustable Coarseness

Ceramic Rotor helps to achieve effortless working, no corrosion or rust.

Twist the nut on the top from loose to tight (anticlockwise for coarseness, clockwise for fineness.)

EASY RECOGNITION

Suitable for a wide variety of spices: peppercorns, salt (including sea salt and Himalayan salt), mustard seeds, fennel seeds and more.

Two different colors help you to differ different spice for easy recognition.

Refilling Instructions:

Screw the stainless steel nut on the oak wood top off,

Open the round wooden lid, revealing the wide opening.

Refill the salt and pepper grinder with spoons.

Put the oak wood top back on the right place

Cleaning Tips:

Oak wood grinders feature glaze out-looking, which make it easy to clean the grinders with soap water and a rag.

The salt and pepper grinder set comes with a cleaning brush for easy clean the wooden cap, grinder inside, and the ceramic rotor.

Separate all the part for cleaning is NOT recommended because some small component might be lost while washing.

• PREMIUM MATERIAL : this grinder set is made of natural oak, stainless steel, aluminum and ceramic rotor. It doesn’t matter which one you use for salt or pepper, BOTH GRINDERS are INTERCHANGEABLE.
• ADJUSTABLE GRINDING SETTING : ceramic grinding mechanism allows you to achieve spice final crush, mill and grind, ADJUST the coarseness from coarse to fine as your preference by TWISTING SLIGHTLY the nut at the top of the grinder from loose to tight (ANTICLOCKWISE for coarseness, CLOCKWISE for fineness).
• FRESHNESS KEEPER : Screw wooden top cap to keep away from moisture, protect your spice in grinder fresh for long time.
• EASY RECOGNITION : Oak wood grinders can store salt, pepper and other spice,two different colors help you to differ different spice for easy recognition.
• EASY TO CLEAN CAPACITY : this salt and pepper grinder is equipped with a cleaning brush gift for easy cleaning and a wood stand for easy storage.
• SIZE: 8″ X 2.1″.

NOTE: All orders are shipped from New Jersey. Please allow upto 2-3 days for processing.

Pepper Grinder Buying Guide: 10 Tips on How to Choose the Right Mills

Pepper is probably the most popular spice the world over, used for everything from adding a little kick to salad dressing, bringing a bit of bite to a barbecued steak, or simply adding a tad of tang to soups and sauces. There’s simply no doubt that pepper is the most versatile spice around, and coupled with a dash of salt it brings a one-two punch to almost all savory recipes.

How you buy your pepper is important. If you buy it pre-ground you simply can’t know for certain how long it’s been sitting on the grocery store shelf. Once the pepper has been ground it begins losing its punch, and as the weeks go by on the store shelf, its taste really suffers.

If you’ve used freshly ground pepper in cooking. you know there is just no turning back to pre-ground. But getting the most from freshly ground pepper depends largely on the right pepper grinder. Whether you’re a professional chef or you just keep your grinder on the dining room table so folks can add a little extra zing at mealtime, you know that fresh pepper is head and shoulders above pre-ground pepper that usually comes in a can. Freshly ground pepper brings a burst of fresh flavor to food each and every time.

In the same way, your coffee is affected by how you grind and brew it. your pepper’s taste is affected by the mill you use to grind it. In this article, we offer tips for choosing the best pepper grinder, one that’s sure to give you the finest taste and the freshest flavor.

Manual or Electric?

In this category, we include those grinders that run on rechargeable batteries or plug into a wall socket or manual ones such as mortar and pestle pepper mills. For simplicity’s sake, we’ll refer to these as manual or electric.

Manual pepper mills have plenty of advantages. They can be used virtually anywhere because they don’t require batteries or electricity. And they’re usually less expensive than electric models. However, they aren’t necessarily the right choice for someone who lacks dexterity, for example, someone who’s got Arthritis. On the other hand, electric grinders can also pose difficulties in this area, as they tend to be heavier. Furthermore, they take a little longer to use, may require as many as six batteries, and can be noisy.

So, whether you choose a manual or an electric pepper grinder depends entirely on your personal preferences – both types have advantages and disadvantages.

It’s important to note that there are such things as disposable pepper mills available today. However, they are damaging to the environment, so choosing one you can refill and reuse is the smarter ecological option. They last longer and you lessen your home’s carbon footprint – a victory on all counts!

Grinding Mechanism?

People sometimes neglect to check out what kind of grinding mechanism is in the pepper grinder they’re considering – is it steel, ceramic, or even plastic? The mechanism made from stainless steel, carbon steel, or ceramic can usually provide you with a lifetime of use.

• Sharpness: Steel grinders offer greater sharpness and exactitude. Therefore slicing and grinding are easier.
• Salt adaptability. Choosing a steel grinder means you cannot grind salt in it. If you make that mistake, unfortunately, the mechanism will rust because of the salt. That’s why most people shopping for a pepper mill decide to buy two grinders, one exclusively for salt and the other for pepper. You can buy two made of either ceramic or steel. They are often sold in sets and look great together on your dining table.

It’s important to remember that choosing a cheaper, plastic model of pepper grinder won’t provide you with durability or consistent grind evenness. Steel or ceramic is the way to go, as an inferior plastic type is likely to break or crack. It’s much better to invest in a quality pepper grinder that lasts so that you can use this essential kitchen tool for many years to come.

Where to adjust your pepper grinder?

This feature of a high-quality pepper grinder is vital, as it allows you to change the size of the pepper flakes in accordance with any recipe you’re following. Some recipes call for “coarsely” ground pepper – like barbecue meats. Others call for a “fine” grind, like certain soups and roasts.

• The top knob (or nut): For the top knob (or nut), you can adjust the size of the grind by either tightening or loosening it. For a larger grind, leave the knob fairly loose. For a more medium-sized grind, tighten the knob slightly. For a finer grind, twist the knob on tightly.
• The bottom wheel: The bottom wheel normally has a mark to let you know which direction – clockwise or counterclockwise – you can adjust the coarseness of grain. Normally, rotate the wheel clockwise for a finer grind, and counterclockwise for a coarser grind. Simply follow the arrows.

As you use your pepper grinder and become accustomed to how it works, you’ll know just where to place the grinding wheel or knob to achieve the precisely sized pepper flakes you need for any recipe.

Which is better, Pre-Setting or Stepless?

On the market now are some types of pepper grinders that indicate which way to turn the mechanism to achieve a certain size of a pepper flake. Following these pre-setting markers allows you to get the right grind size every time, with no guesswork. One drawback is that you can’t get the subtle changes in flake size unless you learn how to do it yourself, by gauging whether what comes out with each twist of the knob is what you want. If you prefer learning these subtleties for yourself, just ignore the markers and experiment!

For pepper grinders with the stepless adjustment, loosen the knob or turn the wheel on the bottom until you get the size of pepper flake desired. But if you usually prefer to grind the pepper to a particular size and leave the setting there, go for it! You can always alter it another time if a recipe calls for a particular grind size.

What size flakes can you get from fine to coarse?

Recipes call for different-size grinds – it depends on what you’re making. Anything pureed or blended, like a creamy soup, usually calls for small pepper flakes, ground very fine. Roasted or steamed vegetables usually ask for fine grind pepper as well. But others recipes, like the Cesar salad dressing we mentioned, call for coarser flakes, almost cracked in appearance. Many spice rubs and meats with peppercorns (like steak, for example) insist the pepper should be very coarse so that when you chew it, you can taste the texture of the pepper.

The larger the pepper flake, the more bite it has. That’s why it’s so important you follow the grind size recommended by recipes. Finely ground pepper has a subtle taste, as it distributes evenly in the food you’re preparing. Pepper that’s ground coarsely lends a burst of fiery heat with every mouthful, and your pepper mill is key to setting just the right size of grind for any dish you’re making.

Test a few different grind sizes into the palm of your hand, or onto a plain, white plate. By seeing just what size flake you get at different settings, you’ll know which one to choose for every meal you make.

Consistent grind size is important

Consistency is crucial to pepper grinding. Set your pepper grinder on a size that grinds the proper flakes for adding to dishes once they’re served to friends and family, a “middle of the road” size flake that adds bite but doesn’t overpower the food with heat.

You don’t want flakes of varying sizes – some small, some coarse. That’s not what you want or need for prepping food or letting folks add a dash of pepper to their meals. Give the mill a quick twist over the sink before you put it on the table. That ensures that any larger flakes caught inside are expelled before you put them on the right size grind for people to use when they’re eating.

This is an important feature to check as soon as you purchase your pepper grinder: are the flakes consistent, no matter what grind setting it’s on? Fine grind is usually right for the pepper mill you put on the dinner table, as it blends easily into foods. And who says you have to own just one grinder? If you like cooking with a coarser grind and most of your recipes call for that, buy a second one for use only in the kitchen!

If a grinder gets old, particularly if the grinding mechanism is made of plastic, it may crack or chip, and that affects your pepper flakes. Maintain your pepper grinder by cleaning it properly, according to the instructions that come with it. How you maintain it depends on whether you choose a ceramic or steel grinder, but keep those guidelines and follow them closely.

The body of the pepper grinder

Pepper grinders are made of a variety of materials, including wood, acrylic, marble, brass, steel, or glass. The one you choose depends entirely on your aesthetic preferences. However, the material the grinder is made of can occasionally impact its functionality.

Although it may seem beneficial to buy a glass or acrylic pepper mill because you can see at a glance how full it is, keep in mind that how you store this kitchen tool is crucial. If you want your pepper mill to always be close at hand, meaning it’s kept on a counter near the stove or fridge, a clear, acrylic, or glass one may not be ideal. That’s because peppercorns are affected by heat and light. and can go stale quickly if exposed to either one. Air and light may also affect the aroma of fresh peppercorns, so be aware of this when purchasing your grinder.

Pepper grinders come in a variety of styles, as well as different materials. For example, some people love the look of a tall, wooden pepper mill like the ones often on tables in Italian restaurants. But it’s important that you choose one that works perfectly, as well as looks right for your kitchen and dining room decor.

Consider Length and Capacity

As we just mentioned, some folks like tall, wooden pepper grinders. However, there is a wide array of sizes and styles available on the market – some are as small as three inches. How large a pepper grinder you buy should be determined, at least in part, by how often you use it. A tall one, say as big as 12 or even 36 inches, may not be right for someone who doesn’t grind pepper every day.

Remember to consider how much storage space you have as well. A 36-inch giant pepper mill looks great, but it may not fit on every shelf in the kitchen cupboards – you might need to store it in the pantry. Is that convenient? If not, purchase a smaller one that fits perfectly near your food prep area. And of course, the size affects how often you have to refill the body.

For most home cooks, a small or medium-sized pepper mill is the ideal choice. You don’t want peppercorns going stale, sitting in the grinder for weeks on end. You may need to fill it less frequently, but a large mill might let the pepper lose punch if it’s not used a lot.

Choose the pepper grinder style you like

As for the style you choose – well, that’s entirely up to you! There are antique-looking pepper mills available, some with crank handle, and sleek, modern ones, too. Choose one that aligns with your home’s decor. and that you like the appearance of. And remember to notice how the mill you’re buying feels in your hands. Is it comfortable? Does it feel like it suits you?

When you’re shopping for a new pepper grinder, hold a few models. inspect them closely, and you’ll soon discover the right one for you, your tastes, and your cooking methods.

Easy to use and refill

Easy to use and refill are important. Chefs who use a pepper grinder a lot may find they develop wrist strain from all the twisting, and you don’t want that! Give a few models a try in the store. And be sure to check how easy it is to remove the unit’s lid for refilling. Some mills have small openings that can make pouring peppercorns awkward.

In the end, its function, looks, ease of use, and ease of refilling are the most important factors you should consider.

Wrap up: Find the right ones to spice up your meals

Once you start grinding your own pepper, you’ll wonder how you were ever satisfied with those little pre-ground packets some restaurants offer. The flavor difference is like night and day! Nothing adds more punch and bite than a quick twist of freshly ground pepper.

Choosing the right pepper grinder – plus the right way to use, clean, and maintain – is bound to add a whole new level of fresh taste to all your savory dishes. Your cooking kicks up a notch immediately when you use freshly ground pepper, and that means your friends and family are going to be impressed with every meal you produce in your home kitchen.

The 5 Best Pepper Mills of 2023

We’ve found the best pepper mill for you, whether you’re a seasoned home chef or just someone who enjoys some fresh cracked pepper on their eggs. Our experts researched 24 of the top-rated pepper mills on the market, purchasing 9 of them for side-by-side testing. We ground a lot of peppercorns, carefully examining the consistency of the pepper flakes and ease of grinding. We also inspected quality of construction, how many peppercorns each design can hold, and considered the appearance of each mill. From stylish mills you’re proud to display on a dining room table to fully adjustable models to dial in just the right amount of spice, our review will help you find the perfect pepper mill for your kitchen.

Our team of culinary experts knows how to cook up a well-seasoned dish, and they also know that having the right tool for the job can make all the difference. Whether you’re looking for an heirloom-quality mortar and pestle to hand-blend spices, would rather speed up the process with an electric grinder, or just want to keep it simple with a set of the best salt and pepper shakers, our in-depth reviews have you covered for all of your cooking needs.

Best Overall Pepper Mill

Peugeot Paris u’Select

The Peugeot Paris u’Select won over our testers with its consistent grind, ease of use, and quality construction. Like many pepper mills, this one requires a funnel to fill. We used a coffee filter shaped like a cone that allowed the peppercorns to fall into the center shaft, which holds 1.2 ounces of peppercorns.

The Peugeot Paris u’Select was the only pepper mill we tested that featured a two-stage grinding mechanism. The case-hardened steel grinding mechanism first breaks open the peppercorns and then uniformly grinds it producing a super consistent grind each time. The grind size selector is on the base and simply requires a twist. We found selecting the grind size to be easy with both dry and wet hands. On each half rotation, the pepper mill dispensed a fraction of a teaspoon of pepper, allowing the user to precisely control the amount of pepper added. Our testers also appreciated the minimal pepper residue left behind after use, giving them less of a mess to clean up. If you’re looking for a well-constructed, easy-to-use pepper mill with a consistent grind size, look no further than the Paris u’Select.

Best Bang for Your Buck

Trudeau Seville 10-Inch

The top cap of the wooden Trudeau Seville 10-Inch pepper mill is easy to remove, so it was a quick and easy task to fill it with a funnel. It holds a little over an ounce of peppercorns. Our testers with various hand sizes all found the top knob easy to turn, and it doesn’t require much hand strength, making it a great choice for many users.

We found the carbon steel blades quickly and easily ground our black peppercorns in sizes running from fine to semi-coarse. However, we could never achieve a true coarse grind with this mill. Like most top knob pepper mills, once you change grind sizes, it can be difficult to obtain the same grind size again, but we found that we could repeat grind sizes more readily if we twisted the knob one-half turn at a time. For anyone on the hunt for a budget-friendly pepper mill, the Trudeau Seville 10-Inch is a solid choice.

An Excellent Value

Kitchen-Go Grinder

The Kitchen-Go Grinder is basic, with a glass peppercorn holder that screws onto a steel base containing a ceramic grinding mechanism. We appreciated the large opening of the glass jar, which makes filling it a bit easier than some of the taller and narrower models. The grind size adjuster is on the underside and produces a fine to semi-coarse grind, but the dial’s design makes it trickier to replicate the same grind after changing the settings.

This mill comes with a cap to cover the underside of the Kitchen-Go Grinder, which is great for catching any excess pepper that leaks out of the base. We found that this grinder is tough to use with greasy hands as they slipped on the glass jar. Overall, this model is quite basic and best for someone who will only use it occasionally.

Best with a Top Cap Grind Adjuster

Fletchers’ Mill Border Grill

Handcrafted in Maine, the Fletchers’ Mill Border Grill pepper mill is made from solid cherry and has a much more modern look than many grinders on the market. Our testers appreciate that the entire grind mechanism is removable for easy cleaning. Thanks to its shape, the top knob design is easy to turn for both small and large hands.

The Fletchers’ Mill grinder is easy to fill with a funnel but has the smallest peppercorn capacity of our test bunch; in a high-use kitchen, it will need more frequent refills. According to the manufacturer, its locking nut grind adjuster has 33 different grind sizes. We were not able to discern 33 different grind sizes but could find a variety ranging from fine to coarse. However, we were disappointed in how easily the finely ground pepper clumped when it came out. Once the grind size was set to coarse, we found it was not as simple as just twisting the locking nut back towards fine grind. To get back to a fine grind, we first needed to grind out the peppercorns in the grinding mechanism and twist the lock nut, repeating the process many times. If you prefer a top nut design for grind size adjustments, the Fletchers’ Mill grinder is worth consideration.

A Pepper Mill with Modern Flair

Cole Mason Derwent Grinder

The Cole Mason Derwent Grinder stands out as a more modern-looking pepper mill. It holds 1.8 ounces of peppercorns, making it one of the larger capacity pepper mills we tested. The top cap fits snuggly and requires a pull straight up to remove and is best done when there is a minimal amount of peppercorns remaining, as the force of the pull can cause them to eject from the top.

The Cole Mason preset grind size selector is located at the base and locks into place with a firm twist. For those with limited dexterity or strength, this could be problematic. The knob is fairly easy to grasp and twist for both large and small hands, and each rotation quickly grinds the peppercorns and produces a fair amount of pepper. Our testers did find on the finer grind settings that the pepper tended to clump some as it came out, making it a bit tricky to not over-pepper eggs. We also found that the peppercorns occasionally bound up in the grinding mechanism making it harder to turn. For someone looking for an updated design for their pepper mill, we recommend taking a deeper look at the Cole Mason.

Easy to Use

Kuhn Rikon Ceramic

The Kuhn Rikon Ceramic has a unique design where you ratchet the handle from side to side instead of twisting to grind the peppercorns. Though this design is noisy, it is incredibly easy to use, especially for those with limited hand strength or dexterity. This pepper mill is also fairly easy to fill, thanks to a door that acts like a chute placed higher on the body, allowing the peppercorns to fall to the base.

The grind size adjuster knob is located on the underside where the peppercorns come out, so any adjustments to the grind size you’ll want to make with clean and dry hands. The grind size knob lists fine to coarse, but no matter where we rotated the adjuster to the grind, the consistency came out somewhere between the two.

An Awkward Design

OXO Good Grips Radial Grinder

The handle on the OXO Good Grips Radial Grinder was easy to turn, despite it sticking a bit each revolution in the same spot. We appreciated the large handle on the grind size adjuster that makes changing the grind size easier, despite its location on the underside of the pepper mill. On the coarse setting, there were quite a few semi-whole chunks of peppercorn falling through, which depending on your preference, could be positive or negative.

Our testers were frustrated by the design of the door on the OXO pepper mill, which made filling it quite difficult. The door is like a chute but extends down towards the base of the grinder, meaning as the peppercorns fill the cavity, they block the door from closing. Our door also came unhinged during the filling process, causing us to have to empty it to put the door back in place.

Better Options Available

UMIKAkitchen Wood Grinder

The UMIKAkitchen Wood Grinder is one of the most affordable pepper mills in our testing, but it performed poorly compared to its similarly-priced counterparts. One of our biggest issues with this pepper mill is its lack of adjustable grind size despite having a top knob grind adjuster. No matter how tight or loose we set the adjuster, we continually had the same size pepper.

We were also frustrated with the amount of pepper that leaked out of the base when we were finished grinding, requiring more cleanup. This model leaked significantly more pepper than other mills tested. We suggest considering some of the other similarly priced products instead of the UMIKAkitchen grinder.

Pass on This One

Zassenhaus Speyer Beech Mill

The Zassenhaus Speyer Beech Mill is the most disappointing product in our testing. The handle is very hard to turn, and we continuously had problems with the grind size adjuster. It has preset settings ranging from fine (one) to coarse (six). On our first test, the selector dial worked well. However, we began to experience issues when we tried reversing the grind from coarse to fine. No matter the setting, the grind size would not change and continually came out at a two or three. Once we got the selector back to one, the pepper came out much coarser, like a four. We also found the peppercorns were binding up in the grinding mechanism.

Considering its price, we expected this pepper mill to be precise and consistent. Because of the grind size issues we continually experienced, we cannot recommend this pepper mill.

Why You Should Trust Us

We read about, researched, and cross-referenced 24 of the top-rated pepper mills to determine the best available. We then narrowed our selection to nine and began grinding ridiculous amounts of pepper, carefully evaluating the consistency, grind size, ease of use, and value of each pepper mill to help you find the best choice for your budget and cooking style.

For the past 20 years, cooking has played a significant role for lead tester Tara Reddinger-Adams. She has continually worked on refining her skills and frequently cooks meals that garner serious praise from clients on her all-inclusive mountain bike vacations. Before making a purchase, Tara enjoys extensively researching products and brings a critical yet practical perspective to her reviews.

Analysis and Test Results

To determine the best pepper mills, we considered the factors that make a pepper mill something you will want to use again and again. Pepper mills are notoriously difficult to fill, and almost all of them require a funnel to refill to prevent peppercorns from going all over the counter and floor. We began our testing by filling each pepper mill and then measuring how many ounces of peppercorns it held.

Next, we looked at grind size consistency. Some recipes call for a fine grind, while others require a coarser pepper, so having a consistent and adjustable grind size is important. After grinding all that pepper, we examined each mill to see if it leaked pepper after use (another pet peeve of frequent pepper mill users).

Since pepper mills are frequently used while cooking, we then considered how easy the mill is to operate with both wet and dry hands. We also looked at the location of the grind size adjustment and how easy it is to use.

Lastly, we considered the mills’ value, comparing their performances to those in a similar price range to determine the best pepper mills for a variety of budgets.

Construction

We examined the overall construction quality of each mill, the ease of filling, sharpness of the blades, if it leaks pepper after grinding, and its capacity.

To begin, we closely examined each mill’s construction quality. Six of the pepper mills tested are wood, a classic choice for pepper mills. Two are plastic, and one is glass and metal. To no surprise, the more expensive wooden mills had a better quality than the plastic mills. The Fletchers’ Mill Border Grill is handcrafted of solid cherry and features a removable mechanism allowing you to clean it thoroughly on the inside, the only mill tested with this feature. The OXO Good Grips Radial Grinder left our testers wanting in terms of quality; while filling, the door came off its hinge, causing us to have to pull it back into place. We also struggled to get the door closed after filling the grinder, which are issues we did not encounter with other grinders.

All of the pepper mills in our test required a funnel to fill. In our testing, the peppercorns continually jammed in our plastic funnel, so we constructed a funnel from a coffee filter. The easiest pepper mill to fill is the Kitchen-Go Grinder, which features a large glass jar that has a fairly wide opening. Due to their designs, the OXO Good Grips Radial Grinder and the Kuhn Rikon Ceramic were the most difficult to fill. Each has a chute-like plastic door for the peppercorns to flow into. However, instead of spreading out, we found this design caused the peppercorns to pile up, requiring us to tap the grinder continually during filling, not only to reach maximum capacity but also to close the door.

Next, we ground pepper in various grind sizes to determine the sharpness of the blades. Mills with hardened steel blades ground the black peppercorns faster and more consistently than those with ceramic blades. The Peugeot Paris u’Select and Cole Mason Derwent Grinder stand out for how quickly and efficiently they grind. Both mills easily and quickly crush the peppercorns resulting in a very consistent grind.

A pet peeve of many pepper mill owners is if the mill leaks pepper after use. Mills such as the Kitchen-GO Grinder and OXO Good Grips Radial Grinder come with a cap to catch loose pepper. However, this is also one more thing to keep track of. We set each mill down on the cutting board and the light-colored counter to see how much pepper leaked out after grinding. The Trudeau Seville 10-Inch left the most pepper residue on the cutting board after use, which makes it a poor choice for use at the dining table. The Fletchers’ Mill Border Grill, Kuhn Rikon Ceramic, and Peugeot Paris u’Select all had minimal pepper residue after use.

Lastly, we weighed how many ounces of peppercorns each mill held. Holding the most peppercorns at 3.7 ounces was the Kitchen-GO Grinder. This larger capacity means it will be quite some time before you need to refill this mill. The Kuhn Rikon Ceramic holds 2.4 ounces of peppercorns, despite its sleek design. While it looks large, the Fletchers’ Mill Border Grill only held.6 ounces of peppercorns, the smallest amount in our testing, which means more frequent refills. For someone who uses their pepper mill daily, this should be a consideration.

Grind

An important feature of a pepper mill is the ability to select the grind size and having a consistent grind. To test each pepper mill’s grind size, we ground our black peppercorns, starting with a fine grind and working our way to a coarse grind, then repeated the process three times. All of our pepper mills advertise an adjustable grind size. However, our testing showed that there wasn’t always much variation between the fine and coarse grind size, nor was the grind size consistent among the grinders.

The pepper mills had two types of grind size selectors, a dial with preset grind sizes and those without preset settings. The Cole Mason, Peugeot Paris u’Select, and Zassenhaus Speyer Beech Mill all feature six preset grind size settings ranging from fine to coarse.

Of all the mills we tested, the Peugeot Paris u’Select has the most consistent grind size. It features their u’Select mechanism, which stays firmly in place. Its case-hardened steel grind mechanism is two-stage, which first cracks and then grinds the peppercorns resulting in an incredibly consistent grind. During each turn, it also dispenses a nice amount of pepper that allows for more control over the quantity of pepper for a dish.

The fine setting on the Cole Mason came out much more clumped in comparison to the similarly-designed Peugeot. Periodically the grinder was also prone to bind up, making it hard to turn.

The remaining six pepper mills grind size selector is either a top screw or on the bottom where the peppercorns come out. There were two reasons why we found both of these designs to be imprecise. First, it was very difficult to get the same grind size after changing the grind size. Second, this design was prone to bind up with peppercorns, making it difficult to reduce the grind size back to fine from coarse.

Despite having a top screw to adjust grind size, the UMIKAkitchen Wood Grinder produces a fine grind no matter the knob adjustment. The same was true of the Kuhn Rikon Ceramic, whose dial is on the bottom and only produced a semi-fine grind regardless of being turned towards fine or coarse.

The biggest disappointment of all mills tested was the Zassenhaus Speyer Beech Mill, especially given its price. On the first use, the mill gave us a consistent grind as we adjusted the preset grind size from fine (one) to coarse (six). But once we tried to turn the dial back to fine, the initial grind size was more of a four as the peppercorns had bound up in the grinding mechanism. Once we got the grind size back to fine, we tried to repeat the process, working our way back up to coarse, just to find the grind size remained fine and did not increase in size.

Ease of Use

Some pepper mills are easy to turn, while others are much more difficult. In part, hand size and strength play a role in this, which is why we have also considered this when determining the ease of use of the mill. We also took into account the grind size selector’s location as an ease of use factor, as some mills are easier to adjust with wet or greasy hands.

As mentioned under the Grind metric, the pepper mills we tested either had a preset dial, top knob, or bottom dial to adjust the grind size. The Cole Mason Derwent Grinder and Peugeot Paris u’Select both have the preset grind size dial located towards the base of the mill. To operate each, you simply hold the shaft and twist the base. Even with wet or messy hands, this design is easy to use, and once the grind size is selected, both are firmly in place.

The shape of the knob on the Fletchers’ Mill Border Grill was quite easy to twist for both very small and large hands. Its grind size selector is a locking crown nut design, allows for 33 grind sizes, according to the manufacturer. While our testers were unable to discern 33 different grind sizes, we could produce a variety of grinds from fine to coarse.

In our experience, the pepper mills with a grind size dial on the bottom were more difficult to operate with wet or messy hands from cooking. Your hands can leave moisture in the area that causes the pepper to clump as it comes out. The Kitchen-GO Grinder was very hard to hold and grind with greasy hands because the glass jar slipped as we held it.

The Kuhn Rikon Ceramic is a unique design in that instead of rotating the head or a handle, you ratchet the handle from side to side. In terms of hand strength or dexterity, this design was the easiest to operate as it required little effort. However, the grind size selector knob is on the bottom, meaning wet or greasy hands will cause the pepper to clump as it comes out unless the area is completely dry and does not have a great variation in grind size.

Value

When considering the value of a pepper mill, we took into consideration the variety of grind sizes, its construction, and ease of use.

The Peugeot Paris u’Select is of a similar price to three of the pepper mills we tested. Despite costing more than some of the more affordable pepper mills we tested, it has excellent value due to its consistent grind size, overall quality, and ease of use.

For those looking for a more affordable pepper mill, the Trudeau Seville 10-Inch is a solid choice. Its wood construction is easy to grind with and can grind peppercorns finely to semi-coarse. We were never able to achieve a true coarse grind with it.

Conclusion

When searching for the right pepper mill for you, consider if you want to adjust the grind size or if a coarse grind size is something you even need. For those who use just fine ground pepper, a less expensive mill will get the job done. However, if you want a variety of grind sizes and the ability to adjust the mill with messy hands, we recommend looking at some of the slightly higher-end models with either a top knob or preset grind size selector. We hope our review helps you make an educated purchase decision for your next pepper mill.

The 8 Best Salt and Pepper Grinders

W e tested eight of the best salt and pepper shakers on the market today and selected Merazi Living as the best manual shaker. Beautifully designed from golden striated acacia wood, these sturdy grinders have high functionality and will make a visual statement in your kitchen or dining room. We chose AmuseWit as the best electric grinder. This gravity shaker operates merely by tilting it, and its striking copper housing is attractive and modern. For the best everyday salt and pepper shakers, the Smart Home set stands out for its build quality and bargain-basement price.

W e tested eight of the best salt and pepper shakers on the market today and selected Merazi Living as the best manual shaker. Beautifully designed from golden striated acacia wood, these sturdy grinders have high functionality and will make a visual statement in your kitchen or dining room. We chose AmuseWit as the best electric grinder. This gravity shaker operates merely by tilting it, and its striking copper housing is attractive and modern. For the best everyday salt and pepper shakers, the Smart Home set stands out for its build quality and bargain-basement price.

ProductTypePriceBuild QualityEase of RefillingEase of GrindingGrind AdjustmentOverall Rating

Types of salt and pepper shakers

Salt and pepper shakers — or salt and pepper grinders/mills — come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. The three most common are manual, electric (actually, battery-operated), and glass with stainless steel.

Manual grinders can be made from walnut, pecan, and acacia, an African tree with beautiful honey-colored, striated wood. Grind size is adjusted by loosening or tightening a top screw that attaches to the internal metal grinding mechanism that forces the salt crystals or peppercorns through two wheels with jagged edges.

Electric salt and pepper grinders are usually made with stainless steel (or stainless-steel trim) and a glass or acrylic jar for the salt crystals and peppercorns. Almost always, an electric grinder operates off of batteries — AA or AAA — while a few have a rechargeable lithium battery. Electric grinders work the same as a manual grinder, but they have a one-handed operation — pushing a button or simply tilting it — which makes them convenient when stirring a pot or turning a steak at the same time.

While manual and electric salt and pepper grinders can be used for everyday meals and dinner parties, standard salt and pepper shakers are more utilitarian, which doesn’t mean they’re unattractive. These are much cheaper than their fancier “cousins,” and are often nicely designed and can be for indoor and outdoor use.

Merazi Living: Best Manual

The Merazi Living wood salt and pepper mills are beautifully crafted out of honey-toned acacia wood. This is a solid set made of high-quality wood that for some might seem a little heavy. The grinding mechanism for the pepper mill is a sturdy piece of stainless steel, and for the salt mill, it’s ceramic. Both materials ensure years of everyday use.

The mills have wide mouths, so refilling them is a breeze, with or without a spoon. The set is 8-inches tall and each holds approximately 1/3 cup of salt or pepper. The Merazi Living mills has two types of grind — fine and medium-fine — and both grind effortlessly. These exquisite and well-made salt and pepper mills will make an elegant addition to any kitchen or dining room table.

AmuseWit: Best Electric

The AmuseWit gravity electric salt and pepper mills were made with convenience in mind. If you have copper cookware in your kitchen, this set with fit right in. The motor is housed in a sturdy acrylic cover that’s coated with a very thin sheet of copper that appears to have been treated to be smudge-free. Each mill runs off of six AAA batteries, and the only difficulty we had was attaching the motor to the jar that holds the salt and peppercorns, which needs to be precisely lined up to lock into place.

Refilling the wide-mouth acrylic jar is hassle-free, and it holds a generous 1/2 cup of salt crystals or peppercorns. Once you’ve got the mills set up, all you have to do is tilt them at a 45-degree angle, and three white LEDs light up and the grinder starts automatically. Grinding size is medium to coarse for pepper and a finer consistency for salt. Pepper accumulates in the ridge of the grinder, but a brush is included for cleaning.

Smart House : Best Basic Shaker

The Smart House salt and pepper shakers are simple yet well-made and are perfect for everyday use. If you’re the type of person who leaves your salt and pepper shakers on the table, this bargain-priced set is elegant and functional. Think of a salt and pepper shaker you see in a diner: a wide-mouth glass jar with a stainless steel top. The Smart House shaker jars hold 1/2 cup, covered by a stainless-steel sheath that leaves 3/4-inch of the jar visible.

The cap of the sheath revolves from closed to pour to coarse grind to fine grind. The cap can be removed to brush off salt or pepper that gets stuck between its grooves, but it does need to be snapped back on firmly or the cap will only turn clockwise. Other than that, the Smart House salt and pepper shakes are great for everyday or fancy dining.

Outgeek Seasoning Shakers

Simplicity and functionality make the OutGeek Seasoning Shakers one of our favorite salt and pepper shakers on this list. The set is made out of corrosion-resistant stainless steel, which makes them ideal for glamping, camping, or picnics. Their design is similar to a powdered-sugar duster, but instead of sifting holes, the OutGeek shakers have three different holes for fine, medium, and coarse seasonings that are selected by turning the shaker’s cap. The cap also seals the shaker shut, and a silicone lid is included for ensuring your seasonings are moisture-free and pest-proof.

Each shaker holds 14 ounces of salt or pepper, but you can use also use them for herbs and spices because you also get 126 preprinted labels for any herb and baking ingredient you can think of and 18 blank labels to customize the shakers yourself.

VanLon Pro

The VanLon Pro salt and pepper grinder set is made of acacia wood with a bit of stainless steel trim. The acacia isn’t a solid piece of wood, and the seams have been artistically hidden by using the natural grain of the wood. Its grinding mechanism is composed of lower-grade stainless steel and ceramic, which made grinding the salt effective but the pepper less so.

The grinders stand 8-inches tall and hold about 1/3 cup of salt or pepper. They have wide openings and can be easily refilled with a spoon or funnel. Like many of the wooden salt and pepper mills we tested, the VanLon Pro has two settings, medium coarse and coarse. Grinding is smooth, and if you prefer a heartier texture to salt and pepper, this handsome wood set is reasonably priced.

Urban Noon

Urban Noon is an electric salt and pepper mill set that has a sleek, modern aesthetic for kitchens with stainless steel appliances. Will all-metal bodies, the shakers have some heft and substance without being too heavy. Each is powered by four AA batteries that give plenty of power to the grinding mechanism, which is activated by a push-button on top of the shaker. Grind size is adjusted by loosening and tightening a bolt on the bottom; this is one of the few grinders we tested that actually delivered fine, medium, and coarse grinds.

A couple of design flaws prevented our recommending the Urban Noon shakers as our top pick for electric shakers. First, installation of the batteries is more difficult than it should be. The positive ends of the batteries fit too snugly against the inner housing wall, so it’s a struggle to get the push-button cap locked in. Second, the acrylic jar holds less than 1/3 cup, and the jar’s locking device limits how much salt and pepper you can get in with a spoon, which makes refilling time-consuming. Read more…

Corkle USB Rechargeable

The best feature of the Corkle gravity salt and pepper grinders is that it’s powered by a USB rechargeable lithium-ion battery. It takes about three hours to fully charge, and the charge lasts for about 200 grinds. The Corkle is similar in design to our top pick for electric grinders, AmuseWit, but it has a slimmer profile. Its large glass jar holds nearly six ounces of salt or pepper, and refilling the wide-mouth jars is a cinch. These are also gravity shakers for one-handed operation.

Build-wise, however, the Corkle isn’t as well-made as the AmuseWit shakers. The battery and motor housing, however, are plastic, sheathed in a very thin sheet of stainless steel. The plastic grind adjustment is made of flimsy plastic and doesn’t work in changing grind size, which for both salt and pepper is a medium grind. If you’re not particular about grind size, then the convenient USB recharging capability is the Corkle set’s selling point.

Belugahots Manual Grinders

The relatively inexpensive Belugahots manual salt and pepper grinders are made of good-quality acacia wood and have an ultra-slim profile accentuated by the beautiful graining of the wood. They’re lightweight, have an ultra-slim profile, and feel ergonomically designed to fit comfortably in your hand. You also get a nice acacia wood spoon for refilling the shakers.

The grinding mechanism is non-corrosive ceramic, which is more durable and has a longer life span than metal, and is usually effective in grinding finely. Despite the undeniable craftsmanship, however, the grinding adjustment only produces a fine-to-medium grind for both salt and pepper.

Gene Gerrard was recently voted as one of the top five personal chefs in Los Angeles. He created About.com’s Meat and Wild Game Cooking website and published hundreds of recipes, interviews, cookbook reviews and blog posts about food trends. Gene is also a professional magician, and when he’s not writing for Your Best Digs, he’s performing at the World Famous Magic Castle in Hollywood.

The Best Salt and Pepper Mills: 7 Top Picks Reviewed

Even with the freshest of ingredients and the best cooking tools and equipment, you still can’t get very far in many recipes without needing the basics: salt and pepper!

Although these staples are found on kitchen tables across the world, they are far from mundane when executed in the proper way.

How’s that? By using salt and pepper that are freshly ground!

Part of the reason that freshly ground salt and pepper are important is that, once they are ground, pepper begins to oxidize and quickly starts to lose its potency, while salt often includes anticaking agents that allow it to flow through the holes of a canister or shaker. This means you may need to use a larger amount of pre-ground ingredients, a waste of both product and your money.

But if you use freshly ground salt and pepper, you will often need less of them, potentially saving you money and protecting your delicious cooking from stale, old spices.

Higher quality grinders, unlike the disposable plastic ones from the grocery store, also give you better control over the grind size. They’re refillable too, making them a good investment.

Before spice mills became commonly available for household use, spices were freshly ground in a mortar and pestle, allowing the user to simply crush them by hand.

This is still an option today, of course. But unless you have your own prep cook or sous chef at home (we wish!), you may want to consider a manually operated or electric pepper or salt grinder instead.

Using a salt or pepper mill might seem a little inconvenient at first, especially when you can choose to buy bulk pre-ground spices, or standard shaker sets already filled with pre-ground salt and pepper.

But a grinder can bring excellent seasoning faster, with consistent results and less mess!

Making regular use of this type of tool for your coarse salt or peppercorns will provide efficiency in your cooking routine, as well as raising your standards for expert food preparation.

Freshly grinding dried spices like peppercorns allows the aroma and flavors to be released immediately prior to use, creating a fresher and fuller flavor that can elevate average, ho-hum cooking to the realm of flavorful gourmet meals. And having control over the specific grind size allows you to perfectly season or garnish your meals, with consistent results.

If this isn’t enough to immediately convince you to switch to a mill, we’ll make the decision even easier for you with this thorough review of our top choices.

As with any kitchen tool or appliance, finding the model that fits your preference is very much a personal choice.

Hopefully, our guide as well as our list of top picks will give you a clear direction as you consider which model will suit your needs!

Our Top 7 Salt and Pepper Mill Picks

Equipping your kitchen with a good set of salt and pepper mills will be a long-term investment for the future, and you can enjoy them every day for years to come.

There are so many options for salt and pepper grinders available than you might think. And all models are certainly not the same!

We cover a wide range of available types. Considerations for these salt and pepper mills were made based upon, among other factors, durability, ease of use, speed, style, and compactness.

Review our top finds, and determine if there is one among them that is the best fit for you.

Best Classic Reinvented – Peugeot Paris U’Select

Would you like to find a set of more traditionally styled wooden salt and pepper grinders that have been updated to perform better than the original?

Peugeot, a French company and manufacturer with a history dating back to the early 19th century, is one of the originators of the wooden pepper and salt mill shape, but that doesn’t mean they have simply rested on their laurels in the innovation department.

The Peugeot Paris U’Select Salt Mill and the Pepper Mill allow for six different grind settings that are adjusted right at the base of the shaft.

Peugeot Paris U’Select 9-inch Salt Mill, Natural, available on Amazon

The Paris U’Select incorporates a twisting knob at the base, which can be preset to six specific grind levels.

The milling systems are slightly different between the salt and pepper grinders.

For the Peugeot Paris U’Select Pepper Mill, the grinding mechanism is made from case-hardened steel that has a pair of differently sized grooves.

This two-stage process yields an effective grinding system. First, the bigger groove initially cracks the peppercorn. Then, the smaller-sized one grinds to the desired texture.

For the Peugeot Paris U’Select Salt Mill, the grinding mechanism uses stainless steel that is composed of several ribbed plates operating in tandem. First, they break apart then crush coarse sea salt to a uniform dimension.

The six grind settings on both the salt and pepper mills actually make a big difference. The extra-fine option creates a powder while the most coarse setting lands at about the mid-coarse level.

The Peugeot Paris U’Select wooden mills are made from PEFC-certified sustainable beechwood. Both the salt and pepper mills are currently offered in natural wood, antique cherry-stained wood, and chocolate-stained wood.

Additionally, you can buy lacquered options in various colors, like white, red, and black.

The availability of various stains and lacquers can vary, so we recommend checking online at the time of purchase to explore the most up to date offerings.

These also come in a variety of sizes, suitable for holding a range of salt or pepper quantities to meet your needs.

Peugeot Paris U’Select 5-inch Pepper Mill, Chocolate, available on Amazon

You can buy the smallest option at 5 inches tall, weighing about 6 ounces, if you prefer a demurely crafted compact grinder that can fit into smaller storage spaces.

But if you wish to impress your guests at the dinner table with a theatrical seasoning performance, Salt Bae won’t stand a chance when you whip out the 16-inch-tall, 1.2-pound mill, the largest available size, to add a final touch to a perfectly plated platter of pasta.

You can purchase the mills separately, or as a set.

Peugeot Paris U’Select 9-inch Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, Chocolate/Natural, available on Amazon

One main complaint about these concerns the process of refilling – you must twist the small knob located at the top to loosen and remove part of the handle. While simple to do, keeping track of a tiny piece of metal has proven to be an annoyance for some owners.

Another drawback for this is the company’s very specific requirements for what kind of salt and pepper to use, which can be frustrating when shopping if your local grocery store has limited options.

For the pepper, the company states you can use black, white, green, and red peppercorns, as long as they are 1/4-inch in size or smaller. You can use pink peppercorns as well, but this softer variety is best used when mixed with other harder peppercorn varieties.

For the salt, using coarse white rock salt is recommended. Use salt crystals that are 1/6 inch in size or smaller. The company advises against using sea salt, either dried or wet. With their higher moisture content, sea salts may corrode the stainless steel burrs.

If you are interested in a mill specifically for wetter salts, Peugeot also sells a wet salt grinder with ceramic burrs.

The U’Select models have a lifetime warranty on the grinding mechanism, and a 5-year warranty on the mill itself. Warranty coverage begins at the time of purchase.

Best See-Through – Cole and Mason Derwent Gourmet Precision

Here’s my biggest personal flaw: I never know when it’s time to refill my wooden grinder, until it’s too late.

When I’m rushing to make dinner, and cranking my grinder to season, the worst discovery is the realization midway through cooking that nothing is coming out.

Buying a see-through grinder solves that problem.

A clear grinder helps forgetful cooks to know when it is time to refill your spices!

Cole and Mason Derwent Precision Gourmet Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, Stainless Steel, available on Wayfair

Other than their practically designed storage area, clear mills offer a style that’s preferred by many home cooks, as their typically minimalist and modern design can complement sleek kitchen decor.

The Cole and Mason Derwent Precision Gourmet Salt and Pepper Grinder Set is not only made from attractive clear acrylic in a pretty hourglass shape with stainless steel accents, but this one also offers pre-set grinding levels for consistency of fineness or coarseness.

You can select from 6 grinding levels, in varying sizes from fine to coarse granules, on the pepper mill. For the salt mill, there are 3 sizing adjustments that can easily be used with rock salts and sea salts.

Coming in at 7.5 inches tall with a width of 2.36 inches, and weighing just under a pound, each grinder fits easily in the palm of the hand.

A laudable advantage for this brand’s products is that the pepper and salt grinders are crafted with separate materials to accommodate the differences between these two different ingredients.

Cole and Mason Derwent Precision Gourmet Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, Copper, available on Wayfair

The pepper grinder is crafted with a hardened carbon steel, and the salt grinder is made of ceramic.

Because the see-through design of this affordable model makes it possible for the peppercorns to be exposed to sunlight, and for wet salts to develop moisture buildup inside the acrylic canister if exposed to heat, you may want to store these inside a cabinet to keep them from losing their flavor too quickly.

Refills are easy to do – just unscrew the entire top of the grinder and add your seasonings. No small knobs to unwind that can potentially roll off your countertop!

There is some concern voiced by real world users in reviews about the markings for the grind settings rubbing off, so keep this in mind.

Some customers also wished there were just as many settings for the salt as the pepper, but most were pleased with the three settings.

Cole and Mason Derwent Precision Gourmet Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, Wooden, available on Wayfair

In addition to stainless steel accents, you can currently choose wood or copper accents.

The grinder mechanisms are covered by a lifetime warranty, and there is a 2-year warranty on the mill body and other parts. Cole and Mason is a UK-based company.

Find current prices, explore style options, and peruse customer reviews on Wayfair. Or find this product now on Amazon.

Best Compact Set – OXO Good Grips Accent

These cute ‘n’ chunky salt and pepper grinders from OXO are a great compact pick!

They are easy to turn, so much so that even a small child is capable of using these – and they can have fun helping in the kitchen!

They are designed to sit on the table or counter with the dispenser facing up, easily avoiding the whole issue of constantly needing to clean up stray spice particles.

They refill from the bottom, with a cap that is easy to unscrew, and flush with the base.

OXO Good Grips Accent Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, available on Amazon

Coated plastic on the base really does offer a good grip (hence the name) and we love the modern look with stainless steel accents and a clear canister that lets you know at a glance when you’re approaching time for a refill, rather than running out mid-grind.

The OXO mills are shorter in stature than those from many other brands and only weigh just over 1/2 pound each; however, many customers reported that they were surprised by how big they actually are in terms of capacity. Standing at 5.5 inches tall, they boast a large hopper that keeps refills to a minimum.

They aren’t without their flaws, though. Both the salt and pepper mill are fairly aggressive in their grinds and there is no truly fine setting, though they do offer five increments of coarseness.

Some customers have argued that these options are merely coarse and less coarse.

This tendency towards the coarse end of the spectrum is likely how they were able to make these mills fast to grind and easy to turn – by making the ceramic gear teeth more aggressive, with no difference in design between the salt and pepper gear mechanisms.

If you like your spices a bit more on the coarse side, this is a set to keep in mind when it’s time to purchase. In addition to the set, these are sold separately as well.

Like all products from the Good Grips line, these are covered by the company’s limited lifetime warranty from the date of purchase.

Find this set now on Amazon, or directly on the company website. Or consider purchasing the pepper grinder separately on Amazon, or directly from the company, as well as the salt grinder via Amazon or the OXO website.

Best for Efficiency – MANNKITCHEN Cannon

The Pepper Cannon from MANNKITCHEN, a US-based company, is quite the hunk that gets the job done!

It has a height of 7.25 inches, and weighs 1.07 pounds. It is about 2 inches wide at the top, and 2.2 inches wide at the base.

The cannon is made from aerospace-grade aluminum with an anodized black finish. The surface is durable and very easy to clean. The black finish is currently the only color option available.

MANNKITCHEN Pepper Cannon, available on Amazon

The burrs are made from hardened, high-carbon stainless steel, and are powered by a double-bearing drive shaft. And with dual spring plungers that keep the grind adjuster in place, you’ll get incredibly quick and consistent grinds with each twist.

You’ll end up with a lot of ground pepper in very few turns. The company emphasizes that you’ll get 10 times the output from this cannon as you would other top-rated mills.

The grind adjuster is located at the base of the cannon, and you can choose from an impressive grind range between 8 and 60 mesh for the pepper. (We’ll describe exactly what this means a little later in the article, so keep reading!)

Unlike some of the other grinders recommended here/available today, there are no clearly labeled markings for each distinct setting of grind level, other than “coarse” on one end and “fine” on the other. If you prefer to know exactly what level you are grinding at, this design decision may trigger a small complaint among users.

How do you replace the peppercorns? Easily. The push-button enabled top of the cannon offers a quick and effortless release, with no baubles to worry about losing. The main storage compartment holds up to 1/2 cup of peppercorns, or a little over 2 ounces.

A thoughtful feature of this particular grinder is the removeable base cup, which has a capacity of up to 1/3 cup, or 1.25 ounces. The storage area is perfect if you want to pre-grind your pepper for use in recipes.

This is a huge convenience for when you are seasoning raw meat or seafood, and don’t have two clean hands to spare!

You can grind your seasoning during your prep phase, and have it all ready to go when you need it, which means you don’t have to wash your hands midway through seasoning when you need to flip the piece of meat over to grind more for the other side!

This cannon is not designed for use with salt, though a salt grinder is available for sale directly from the manufacturer.

For more information, find the Pepper Cannon on Amazon now.

Best Unique Design – MENU

The Salt and Pepper Grinder Set from MENU definitely has set itself apart from other gadgets, both in style and use!

Never thought your humble salt and pepper grinders could be pretty enough to use as an interactive dinner table centerpiece? Think again…

MENU Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, Carbon/Ash/Walnut Wood, available from Amazon

And I know you’re curious to unveil the mystique of the design! Let’s learn a little more.

MENU is a contemporary furniture, lighting, and home decor manufacturer that partners with designers around the globe. The company is headquartered in Copenhagen, and the salt and pepper grinders were created by Danish designers.

Both grinders have the same dimensions, measuring 8.07 inches tall and 3.15 inches wide. They each weigh 1.26 pounds.

The overall shape looks like a bottle, which “cleverly tricks the user to encourage a more playful and experimental interaction,” as explained by representatives of the company.

With an inverted design, the grinder mechanism rests at the top when displayed and not in use, ensuring your countertop or table stays clean from any rogue salt and pepper pieces.

Each piece can hold up to 10 ounces of dry seasoning – this is a BIG capacity, if you like a larger storage space!

MENU Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, Nature Notes/Walnut Wood, available on Amazon

To refill, you pop open the canister at the seam in the middle. The seal can be tight and snug, so this can require more muscle power than you might think you need. You place the salt or peppercorns in the top half, not the bottom.

Don’t need too many different grinding strengths? If you like the no-frills ease of having just a few options, MENU limits the coarseness levels with only 4 available grind sizes. You set the coarseness level by adjusting the wooden topper.

To grind, you twist the base while keeping the half with the topper attached steady.

The salt and pepper set is available in a wide variety of materials, colors, and finishes.

The base can be made out of stainless steel, ceramic, or plastic with silicone, all depending on what color you choose. The tops of the device can be made from either beechwood or walnut.

If you prefer more discreet colors for your kitchen gadgets, you’ll be a fan of the color selections and pairings – the colors are soft and modest, and not overwhelmingly bright or bold.

MENU Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, Carbon/Ash/Beechwood, available on Amazon

And the grinding mechanism for both the pepper and salt grinder, no matter the color or style chosen, is made from ceramic.

It can be confusing at first to sort through all of the options (and the company continues to release new colors/materials regularly/periodically), so review the current in-stock choices carefully!

These items can be returned within 30 days of delivery for a full refund, and all of MENU’s products come with a 2-year warranty from the date of purchase. If a product is discontinued before the 2-year warranty is over it may not be replaceable, though you will still get a full refund.

Equipment Expert’s Guide to Pepper Mills

Find these sets available now on Amazon.

Best Electric – Latent Epicure

There’s a phrase that quietly echoes in every corner of a busy (or lazy…) home cook’s household:

Featuring at least one electric mill option in this review was a necessity for anyone who prefers the effortlessness of a battery-operated grinder!

The Salt and Pepper Grinder from Latent Epicure has that modern edge we can’t resist. A simple touch-button at the top grinds the salt or pepper for as long as you press it.

And while you press the button, you get one extra bonus: an LED light located at the bottom of each mill!

Latent Epicure Salt and Pepper Grinder, Single Mill, available on Amazon

If you’re seasoning in dimly lit conditions, or you’re struggling to watch the more finely ground flakes hit the food, the light is a nice touch that helps you to see exactly what you’re doing.

The grinder weighs 0.8 pounds, and is 8.66 inches tall with a width of 2.28 inches.

The grinding mechanism is made out of ceramic, a better material for grinding wetter salts like Himalayan pink.

There are 6 distinctly labeled coarseness settings on the bottom of each mill, ranging from coarse to fine.

Amazon Deal Salt and Pepper Grinder Set, Wood Pepper Mill and Salt Grinder

The canister is made out of stainless steel with a clear plastic storage area that can fit about 2 ounces of seasoning. Some customers were disappointed in the smaller storage size, but were fine sacrificing some storage space for the ease of use with an electric mechanism.

You’ll need 4 AA batteries for each grinder – you install the batteries in the top portion of the mills, while the salt or peppercorns go in the bottom portion.

The manufacturer recommends using alkaline non-rechargeable AA LR6 batteries for optimal performance, power, and resistance to potential battery corrosion.

Each mill also includes a black plastic cap that fits over the bottom to catch any residual flakes in storage.

You can purchase a single grinder, or buy a set of two. If you choose the set, an acrylic mill rest comes with your purchase.

If you’re on the fence about going electric – and these products do have their mechanical flaws, based on a few customer complaints of battery corrosion – the company’s warranty and return policy should ease the tension a little:

A 30-day, 100% money-back guarantee is included with purchase, as well as a 12-month warranty against defects to the grinding mechanism and body.

Check and read reviews now on Amazon.

Best Vintage-Style Hand Crank – Zassenhaus Speyer

If you adore decorative pieces that have a touch of historic splendor for your kitchen, but you still crave functionality, you and your dinner guests will be entertained by this pepper grinder from the German company Zassenhaus.

Designed and manufactured in Germany, this little beauty’s vintage design and dark beechwood exterior replicates the historic company’s 120-year-old antique German design.

Zassenhaus Speyer Pepper Grinder, available on Wayfair

But don’t let its delicate look and 1/2-pound weight fool you into only having it out on display! Its patented CeraPlus German ceramic grinding mechanism with stainless steel spindle is hard enough to crack through peppercorns in 6 different coarseness settings.

Including the handle, this mill has a height of 7.8 inches.

The settings are each clearly labeled and can be adjusted from the bottom of the grinder.

To refill, the top hand crank piece screws off, allowing you to pour in the peppercorns.

The pepper mill can be returned for a full refund within 14 business days from the date of delivery if customers are not completely satisfied. And the grinding mechanism has a 25-year limited warranty.

What to Look for in a Salt and Pepper Mill

While choosing a specific model may not sound like something that needs deep thought or consideration, it’s best not to simply grab the first one you see at the supermarket or on the department store shelf.

This is particularly true for the pre-filled devices because, not only might the unit be inferior, you also have no idea how old and stale the peppercorns inside are. These aren’t typically refillable either.

As a kitchen tool that you will use daily, it is important to purchase a product that is ideal for your intended use and preferences.

In the next few sections, we’ve outlined all of the major points you need to take into consideration when choosing the best salt and pepper mills for you.

The Questions You Need to Ask First

When deciding on a particular model, there are a few points to consider to be sure you are getting the finest product to suit your cooking needs and desires.

Asking yourself the following questions will help you prioritize which features are the most important to you when determining which grinder you should buy:

• Will this be used at home for the family? Will it be stored in the kitchen or on the dining room table? How much capacity do you need for your family?
• Are you using this for a catering company or restaurant? Is efficiency important over style?
• Do you need a large range of grind size options?
• Do you plan to use your grinders for salt, pepper, or both? What kind of mechanism will you need for each?
• Are you looking for a model that matches your other kitchenware, cooking tools, and/or home decor?
• How much use will the mill get and how durable do you need it to be?

Examining the quality of the grind mechanism, ability to set coarseness, capacity, ease of use, vessel material, and preferred stylistic details will take you far in deciding which mill is best for you.

Considering Salt Grinders

Grinding salt is a slightly different situation than cracking peppercorns, as salt is not as compatible with most types of metal. If you are planning to grind salt, a ceramic mechanism is likely to perform better than metal will.

However, a ceramic mechanism is not nearly as durable as stainless steel, and may not last as long due to potential shattering or breakage.

You may find that some companies offer a corrosion-resistant metal mechanism that may be effective for a short time, but it still will not be as long-lasting for the purpose of grinding salt as a ceramic mill would be.

Himalayan, pink, Celtic, or gray salts may contain more moisture and can cause the grinding burrs to get sticky, so it is helpful to store your salt grinder in a place that has the lowest humidity possible. You’ll also want to avoid storing in direct sunlight or near any heat source, like the stove.

Anatomy and Grinding Mechanism

Mills for grinding spices are fairly simple machines with just a few moving parts.

The main part is the vessel that holds the whole peppercorns or coarse salt. On the outside, the top of the unit will contain a manual hand (or electric) crank that attaches to a spindle, which turns the grinding mechanism inside the device.

When the crank is turned, the peppercorns are pulled onto a burr with teeth that rub together to force the spice to grind into small pieces.

This may also be arranged as a head that rotates and grinds the peppercorns or salt granules against a fixed ring. The space between the burrs or the head and ring determines the fineness or coarseness that the spice will have after it is ground.

A high-quality burr mechanism is essential for ensuring that the device provides a consistent grind for many years.

Some of the lower quality grinders use acrylic mechanisms, which are significantly inferior to a stainless steel gear system.

Poor quality acrylic options do not provide the durability and consistency of grind that is offered by high-carbon steel or ceramic varieties, leaving you with a lesser product that is much more likely to break. You’ll also have more of a mess, with the rate of salt you add to a dish often varying considerably from one grind to the next.

While many superior models are made with stainless steel mechanisms, ceramic also has a good history as a material that is very easy to clean, despite the fact that it is admittedly more delicate.

Coarseness Settings

A truly superior quality salt or pepper mill allows the user to change the fineness or coarseness of the grind, based upon the recipe requirements and the cook’s needs.

Mills with clear markings at each individual setting are the easiest to navigate and use. This allows for absolutely zero confusion as to what texture you’ve selected, a no-brainer design decision that puts the cook’s investigative mind at rest.

But not all coarseness settings are created equal.

Some devices that allow for altering the grind size may not have each individual setting marked, putting the consistency of your salt and pepper grind at some risk.

These products may only have markings for the finest and coarsest settings, with no markings in between that range. With this type of design, you are responsible for judging the texture of the grind between fine and coarse.

Another issue you might have is not knowing initially what size you’ll get with each setting. Most companies don’t describe exact size measurements for each grind setting. Usually, you’ll see a range of numbers representing coarseness, ranging from 1 to 6, for example, or a series of dots in graduated sizes from small to large.

Other companies may explain the spice, peppercorn, and salt coarseness levels more precisely, using the terminology of “mesh” sizes. Mesh size refers to the number of holes in strainers or sieves.

With a lower mesh number, the holes in the sieve are larger in size. And with a smaller mesh number, the holes in the sieve are smaller.

Translated to spices, if a single unit of ground peppercorn has a lower mesh number, it will be bigger in size and can only fit through larger holes in a sieve. If a single unit of peppercorn has a larger mesh number, it will be smaller in size and can pass through a sieve with a more intricate network.

Whole black peppercorns typically have a mesh size in the 6 to 8 range. Coarsely ground black peppercorns can have a range of 12 to 14, and fine table ground black peppercorns can range between 18 and 28.

Depending on the grinder’s capabilities, you can achieve a grind with a 60 mesh measurement!

It’s always a good option to do a few tester rounds before you start seasoning, just so you can get to know the range of coarseness levels available to you. To clearly see the texture, choose a large white platter or bowl for testing pepper, and a darker platter for testing salt.

Ease of Use

Cooks who spend any amount of time with a heavy grinder in hand could easily find themselves with a nasty case of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Making sure your pepper and salt grinders are easy to crank or twist will be a great favor to your wrists, as well as providing convenience and speed in the kitchen.

While a comfortable, ergonomically designed grip and smoothly twisting top or crank are important factors in choosing a new grinder, going electric may be the best decision if you don’t want to suffer any strain at all.

Cleaning

Generally, cleaning is simple for most grinders. A little common sense is all that’s required to maintain this type of kitchen gadget!

Most companies do not recommend washing the grinders in the dishwasher, and caution users not to submerge them, either partially or entirely, in water. Any traces of moisture can cause rusting. Specifically with the electric options, water is a danger to the charging area, and may cause an electric shock.

The best option to clean the exterior of any mill is to use a dry or slightly damp soft cloth, like a microfiber cleaning cloth. If it’s damp, be sure to dry the exterior immediately after cleaning.

We like these absorbent, lint-free microfiber cleaning cloths from Aidea, available on Amazon in a multipack of blue, green, and gray cloths for all your cleaning needs.

To clean the interior, use a soft and dry small brush to gently brush away any debris.

Don’t have one on hand? This six-piece set of nylon anti-static brushes from Elane should do the trick. They’re available on Amazon as well.

If you choose to store your grinders on the counter, they will develop some dust on the surface over time. You’ll need to occasionally dust and wipe the tops and sides.

Capacity

Although needing to refill your grinder often may not be a problem for the home cook, if purchasing for a restaurant or catering company, you will certainly want a larger capacity vessel.

Smaller devices usually range from 1/8 cup and up, and the largest model could potentially hold up to 1 1/2 cups of peppercorns.

A small to medium-sized mill is probably best for a home kitchen because dried spices tend to lose their flavor as they age, and you do not want to leave them sitting around for too long. For those working in bulk, a large capacity unit can be a great benefit.

Style

While performance is critical in ranking these grinding devices, style is also very important for many people, those of us at Foodal included!

Ranging from traditional wood to sleek and modern versions made from a variety of materials, style choice is very much based on personal preference.

Are you looking for something in a more vintage style? Or maybe you love a design that is clean, sleek, and modern? Do you need a set that will match your overall decor aesthetic for your kitchen or dining room?

Your artistic vision is equally as important as the other factors when choosing a device, and it will affect the final choice you make

Certain brands specialize in classic shapes, multiple color options, and a range of materials. Others stick to a certain design with limited aesthetic choices.

Because salt or pepper mills often last a lifetime, the best practice is to choose a timeless classic model that you are not likely to tire of quickly.

Materials

Other than the material of the burr, you also need to think about what material is used for the grinder itself.

Grinders come in a variety of materials, ranging from light to heavy and fancy to simple. Some traditional models are carved from wood and have a hand-crafted, simple look, while others are made from metal or manmade materials.

Wood

This is a fairly durable choice, as wood does not break easily when dropped accidentally or banged around in the kitchen. However, caring for wood to ensure that it is clean may be a bit more difficult then caring for models made from other materials.

Metal

This material is great for durability, but not so great if the chef has hand or wrist troubles and struggles to lift and twist a heavy unit. This type sometimes weighs up to three times what other similarly sized models weigh.

Steel, copper, or other types of metal grinders bring some shine to the kitchen, but mills made of metal may be heavier and could potentially rust, unless they are aluminum or stainless steel.

Plastic and Acrylic

The advantage of these materials is that they are quite durable and easy to clean, but they can become brittle over time and crack. These materials do, however, provide a lightweight option, they often come in a variety of bright colors, and they may be trimmed with stainless steel accents for a sleek, designer look.

Manual or Electric

A manually activated hand mill, whether operated by a crank or simply by turning the top, is typically the better choice for the kitchen.

However, folks who struggle with grip or hand strength can benefit from a battery-powered version. This may be particularly useful for bulk grinding in restaurants, for extensive prep work, or in other commercial venues.

In this case, look for a well-balanced battery-powered or rechargeable pepper mill that will provide ease of use by grinding quickly and steadily while also allowing for coarseness adjustment.

All Set? Get to Seasoning!

Since you have come to the conclusion that it is finally time to ditch those disposable salt and pepper shakers you bought on sale (but it was such a good deal at the time!), you know where to turn to next!

Embrace the heightened flavors that are brought to meals simply by making the switch to a proper high-quality mill in the dining room, the kitchen, or at your restaurant if you are a professional cook or chef.

Once you have gotten accustomed to using freshly ground salt and pepper in your kitchen, you will likely never be able to go back to those diner shakers.

And, while pepper and salt mills cannot promise to completely change your life, they will certainly add a new element of taste to your cooking – impressing your friends, family, or customers all along the way!

What style do you prefer? Do you love the look of a beautiful wooden mill, or would you rather display a modern set on your dining room table? We’d love to know what you’re thinking! If you have any additional questions or a model to recommend that wasn’t included here, leave a comment for us.

Love getting your hands on fun kitchen gadgets? Read more kitchen gear reviews on Foodal now, starting with these:

© Ask the Experts, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. See our TOS for more details. Product photos via Amazon and Wayfair. Uncredited photos via Shutterstock. Originally published by Julie Workman January 8, 2016. Last updated on July 6, 2022.

About Nikki Cervone

Nikki Cervone is an ACS Certified Cheese Professional and cheesemonger living in Pittsburgh. Nikki holds an AAS in baking/pastry from Westmoreland County Community College, a BA in Communications from Duquesne University, and an MLA in Gastronomy from Boston University. When she’s not nibbling on her favorite cheeses or testing a batch of cupcakes, Nikki enjoys a healthy dose of yoga, wine, hiking, singing in the shower, and chocolate. Lots of chocolate.