Pepper mill" and a "pepper grinder" are both terms for the same type of product, but mills and grinders are two different types of machines in the larger food production world. Grinders process foods the way most of the pepper mills outlined here do. Food mills, on the other hand, process food by pressing it through a sieve to puree and strain it (without necessarily grinding it first). Most of the pepper mills outlined here have coarseness options that are provided by an internal strainer of sorts that only lets the correct pepper coarseness through. Basically, most pepper mills are actually grinders with strainers, but the terms can be used interchangeably in this scenario.

To fill, you simply unscrew the entire grinding mechanism from the body of the grinder so you have a wide opening to pour in the salt or pepper, and because the body of the grinder is clear acrylic, you can see at a glance how much salt or pepper is left. We were very impressed with how the simple press of a button yielded a generous amount of pepper in a satisfying radius. That said, we sometimes struggled to adjust the coarseness because the dial isn’t labeled. A fun gift for friends who cook, this mill comes with interchangeable pods so one grinder can handle different types of peppercorns—or other types of whole spices that require grinding. It’s battery-operated, so it’s great when you need a lot of spice, and also ideal for one-handed use (though batteries are not included). Dreamfarm Ortwo One-Handed Pepper Mill: Dreamfarm, known for clever and quirky product names, calls its pepper grinder the "Ortwo" because it can be used with one hand or two. While we love the idea, we found the innovative pepper mill incredibly top-heavy and awkward to hold. While it is easy to fill, thanks to the wide glass mouth on the container, said container does not adequately attach to the handles. As a result, the pepper-filled glass container is always a small nudge away from crashing down.These little grinders are ready to travel, whether it’s to work, on a road trip, or just to Grandma’s house to surreptitiously add some flavor to lunch. They’re also adorable to put at each place setting for a party and to give as party favors when dinner is done. They’re easy to use one-handed, so they’re great in the kitchen, too, to add a finishing touch to plates as they’re headed to the dining room. These are clear, making it easy to see which is salt and which is pepper, and they come with a clear stand to keep them neatly in place wherever they rest. Sara Tane wrote the Buying Guide portion of this article. She has written for numerous food publications and has contributed to The Spruce Eats since October 2020. She not only holds a dual bachelor's degree in food studies and global studies from UNC, Chapel Hill but also earned a culinary degree from the Institute of Culinary Education. Peugeot mills are made in France, and each mill is tested before it leaves the factory. As a result, you’re likely to find peppercorns or ground pepper in the mill when it arrives, and you can be sure the mechanism will work exactly as it should. With testing, we found that the grinder excelled at fine and medium grinds, producing very consistent ground pepper. The coarse grinds were not as uniform, but still acceptable.

The Oxo Good Grips Pepper Grinder is professional-looking, efficient, and affordable. While most grinders have their grinding mechanism on the bottom, this one has the grinder on top, which means you won’t leave bits of ground pepper behind when you set the grinder down—a design feature that makes this model a standout.Though it can technically be set for as many as 33 different grind sizes from fine to coarse, we noticed that it’s not clear what setting you’re on without a little trial and error—a pro and a con all at once. For convenience, the pepper mill also has a pop-out grinding mechanism that makes it easier to clean if that's ever necessary.

Effortless grinding with simple button operation. Enjoy the satisfaction of seeing the operation taking place without strenuous manual handling on your part Ditch the batteries as the Cuisinart Seasoning Mill is fully rechargeable. With up to 20 minutes use on a full charge, there’s plenty of time to see you through your cooking and seasoning at the dinner table. Looking good on your worktop, the compact charging station will also catch any loose grinds to help your surfaces stay clean too. Whether you're entertaining a dinner party or just in need of an everyday kitchen companion, Le Creuset's reliable and beautifully crafted pepper mill is the winner. Cavaletto Duo Salt & Pepper Mill Sophisticated electronic salt and pepper mills adds a touch of class when seasoning your favourite meals Easy to fill clear acrylic chambers with large capacity make this elegantly designed duo salt and pepper mill a must-have accessory on your dining table, providing seasoning for all your favourite meals. To fill simply unscrew the mill. You can keep an eye on the level of your salt and pepper using the clear acrylic as an ideal viewing windowSince the chamber is the entire length of the pepper mill, it holds almost 1/2 cup of peppercorns. Also nice: This beautiful pepper mill is available in several different stains, and the company makes smaller pepper mills as well as salt mills to suit every dining table. Electric pepper mills can be pretty divisive. Peppercorn purists might argue that relying on a button, rather than grinding or cranking by hand, can take some of the magic out of fresh pepper. Electric mills tend to be heavier and have a slower output than if you were to do it by hand, produce inconsistent grinding sizes, and are more susceptible to breaking down or needing repair. Not to mention, you’ll not only need to replenish peppercorns, but you’ll need to stay on top of batteries. They also tend to be a bit noisier than manual mills. Some electric models have coarseness settings, so you may need to tinker with them a little before you start grinding to find your desired coarseness. It’s easy to add a dash of salt, pepper, herbs or spices to your food with Cuisinart’s Rechargeable Seasoning Mill. With a removable container at either end, just fill with your seasoning, adjust the ceramic grinders between coarse and fine, and press the button to add flavour to your food. For your convenience, the mill is easy to use with a simple one button push system on each side for effortless salt or pepper seasoning. Requires 6 x AA type batteries (not included) Pepper mills work by using a combination of gravity and sturdy mechanisms that grind the peppercorns. The best pepper mills are made of either ceramic or high-carbon steel because they’re strong, will not flake into the food, and aren't subject to corrosion like stainless steel. Ceramic will also stay sharp ten times longer than a stainless steel blade (ceramics are second to diamonds when it comes to sharpness), and you likely won’t need to replace it. When it comes to the consistency of grind, ceramic produces a slightly less consistent grind than steel because of the grinding mechanism.

Just note: The small profile coupled with the long crank arm may feel a bit cumbersome and awkward, particularly at first. However, we found that the dial being made out of rubber made for an easier and more comfortable grip. We also highlighted how durable this pepper mill was—it survived several drops from the counter and felt long-lasting. The outside of the peppermill should be wiped down regularly. Use a warm, damp cloth and a vinegar/water mix. "For cleaning, I never use water to clean the mechanical parts," says culinary instructor Sylvain Girard. "Use compressed air occasionally if you have that option. Water can ruin the grinding mechanism if not dried properly." What is the difference between a pepper mill and a pepper grinder? Tower is an iconic British brand boasting over 100 years of quality in manufacturing and design excellence. Tower is the UK’s fastest growing SDA & Housewares brand loved by millions of households. Pepper mills can and should be cleaned regularly, ideally after every peppercorn refill. To clean a pepper mill, open the pepper mill, and dump any leftover peppercorns, shells, and residue. With a very small dry brush or pipe cleaner, you can wipe out any remaining residue. If the pepper mill is very dirty, it can be rinsed out with warm water. Allow the pepper mill to dry thoroughly to prevent pepper caking and rusting before adding new peppercorns and reassembling.

Providing superior seasoning, this duo mill features an adjustable grinding function offering fine and coarse seasoning to suit your family’s preferences Presented in a stylish grey coating with matte finish and modern rose gold accents, perfect for a contemporary kitchen. Complement your kitchenware with co-ordinating designs from our Cavaletto collection There’s also a handy measuring cap that attaches to the mill for when you need precise amounts, so you can accurately measure a teaspoon of seasoning to add to your cooking.