Those fans of the kitchen who like to always highlight the best flavors and offer their loved one’s dishes that will make them enter a world of sensations, there are cooking utensils that can never be missing. In this comparison, we are going to show you the best pepper mills, which will help you give that special touch to your dishes so that they are perfect.
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Black, green, white, pink, red … no matter what type of pepper mills you like the most, being able to find a grinder that is really useful and does not get stuck can be the best option to inspire you even more in the kitchen.
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What are the best pepper mills (both electric and classic) in the market?
After several hours of research, I finally made my selection of the 5 best pepper mills among more than twenty models available at the moment.
The choice was difficult, but if I had to buy one, I think it would be the Oxo Good Grips Shaker. I was tempted to settle for traditional pepper mills, which are very satisfying. But I appreciate the small improvements made by this model: the transparent glass, the easy-to-use mechanism, and the very clear markers to adjust the grind. In addition, you can also use it as a salt mill!
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You will also find at the end of this article a buying guide to help you make the best choice of pepper mills for your table or kitchen.
Cole and Mason Capstan
This Capstan mill, from the British brand Cole and Mason, has a classic and clean design, made of dark beech wood. The size is small (12 centimeters high) and it is mainly intended to be used at the table.
Its mechanism is a bit peculiar: instead of grinding peppercorns like most mills, it is equipped with blades that cut the grains in successive layers. The manufacturer assures that this technique allows “to release a maximum of flavor and aromas”. Note that the mechanism is guaranteed for life by the manufacturer.
Made of high-carbon steel, this mechanism is perfect for pepper, even larger grains, but is clearly not suitable for salt. This brand also produces mills for salt, with ceramic mechanisms and stainless material.
The fineness of the grind is adjustable by a conventional system of adjusting the screw at the top of the mill. In terms of ergonomics, this mill is practical, with a firm grip, and pleasant.
A good little mill is solid and compact so that does not detract from your table. At this price, it is very reliable and efficient.
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OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder
This is another best pepper grinder in the market right now. It has a ceramic mechanism that is efficient and stainless, and the pepper compartments recharge more easily than it seems: just remove one to fill the other.
I also appreciate the setting of the grind, then intuitive that on traditional models: you just turn the mill according to 5 markers clearly marked on the base.
The design is nice too. We can admire the content, which is not only aesthetic but also practical to know their level of filling.
Important detail, the pepper can be sensitive to the light and lose taste qualities if it is exposed there … avoid therefore storing this mill in full light.
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Russell Hobbs Electric Salt & Pepper Mill
The third place in the list of our comparison of the top home mills for pepper is occupied by a classic style pepper grinder such as this model Russell Hobbs with which we can also have a matching salt shaker. One of the features of this device is that both utensils are made of high-quality material made of stainless steel, which offers a high resistance that allows easy and comfortable cleaning. In addition to this, this model offers great versatility so in addition to pepper, we can grind other types of spices and herbs to keep them fresh at all times.
They are very good quality, the grinder is great and has very clear and effective graduation, the light at the base seems silly but it is very useful to see what you are really throwing … Both of them are big, but not too much. They carry 6 AAA batteries, notice!
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Cole and Mason Kew Salt and Pepper Mill
We find the brand Cole & Mason, and this time, upscale requires, I have selected a real two-in-one, so a mill for pepper as for salt!
Of course, you can also use the compartments to have different peppers or different salts … Ah, and it is an electric mill (battery). No need to tire your wrists, just press a button, well located under the thumb, to activate it, and use it with one hand!
It is divided into two separate tanks (obviously), each with its button and each their settings grind by dials below. The ceramic mechanism works well with all grains, pepper,
This mill is a beautiful object with a contemporary design in aluminum and clear glass. Keep in mind that pepper loses quality when stored in the light. To top it off, it comes packed!
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Urban Noon Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
This model of Urban Noon is a complete set of salt and pepper shakers of an automated nature with which you will not have to move anything but your finger to get freshly ground pepper. For this, you only need to mount three AAA batteries in each model, load the product with your pepper or your favorite mix and enjoy the moment of the result.
This product is manufactured in a stainless steel body that helps to clean it comfortably while resisting the harsh treatment that is often given in the kitchen. The best of all is that this model has an adjustment system that allows you to establish the degree of intensity of the grind, to adapt it to your culinary needs.
An excellent product that is known as the best pepper mill of the moment according to users.
In the kitchen, it is ideal to have a pepper grinder. The technology has developed electric models that facilitate its use, however, there are still those who prefer conventional models.
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How to choose your pepper mill?
You may think that choosing your pepper mill is easy and that all models are pretty much the same. Well, not at all!
Efficiency, reliability, adjustments, or design are all criteria that can vary, and you should take them into account to make the choice that suits you. Because buying a good pepper mill can be a very useful investment.
So rather than catch the first mill come, or settle for pre-filled disposable mills, make the choice of quality: invest in a real mill, adapted to your use. Your kitchen will thank you!
The use
The first question to ask is about the use of the pepper mill. If you have a large family, think about the capacity. If you want to use it at the table, the ideal design will probably be different from a mill for your kitchen. And catering professionals will, of course, have to choose even more carefully. All that being said, let’s move on to the different criteria of choice.
The type of mill
Traditional mills
These are the mills that we find most in our kitchens. It consists of a body and a mechanism, from which we can obtain ground pepper, simply by turning it.
Electric mills
The most modern mills can be electric, working with batteries or a
Some electric mills are equipped with an additional accessory: a light to illuminate the plate. It’s up to you to see if it interests you: some people consider that they see nothing without lighting. Others find it useless or dazzling.
Both in one
The last improvement, some mills can serve as both a salt mill and pepper mill, to save space and simplicity. If this feature is of interest to you, check that the mechanisms are distinct, each adapted to the grains it will have to grind!
The mechanism
This is probably the most important element of a mill: its milling mechanism of peppercorns. A mill works simply thanks to gravity: the grains come down naturally, and when we turn the mechanism, they fall naturally in, before moving to your plate.
The type of mechanism
Most mechanisms are based on rows of teeth that grind the grains as they pass, reducing them to a more or less fine powder. The effectiveness of the mechanism depends on one model to another, as well as its reliability. The Peugeot mechanism is a model of its kind.
Some mills, rather than grinding, cut the grains into thin slices, which is supposed to release more flavor, but may be less reliable over time.
The material
The mechanisms are mainly manufactured) from one of the following materials: steel, ceramic, carbon, or acrylic. I say straight away, acrylic mechanisms are the worst at all levels and do not deserve to dwell on them.
The classic material is steel, hard and durable, perfect for grinding efficiently while ensuring maximum durability. Even better, but more expensive, we can find some versions with carbon mechanisms.
Another material that has become democratized is ceramics. Non-oxidizable and very hard, it is a material of choice. Its only potential drawback is that more brittle, the ceramic is theoretically less durable, but unless you are a professional, the difference is anecdotal.
Durability
The durability of the mechanism (and the mill in general) is an important criterion for such a purchase. Nobody wants to buy a pepper mill every year!
Do not hesitate to put the price on a mill of superior quality, proven mechanism, and in the material adapted to your use.
The settings
Most mills worthy of the name offer a setting at the level of the fineness of the grind, to grind the pepper exactly as you want, small pieces of fine powder. One criterion that seems important to me is the presence and reliability of benchmarks to judge the degree of grinding you choose. Traditional mills often have the defect of being unclear at this level.
The body of the mill
The second element of the mill is its body, which encloses the mechanism. Size, appearance,
Size
The size of the mill is of course an important criterion. It affects both the capacity, the appearance, and the grip.
The smaller mills can be a bit difficult to handle, especially if the mechanism is not the best. Regarding capacity, attention: big mill does not necessarily mean big capacity.
The material
There are four main choices: wood, plastic, glass, and metal.
Wood is the traditional raw material, often very aesthetic, soft to the touch, and durable. But it can be a little harder to clean.
Plastic is strong, inexpensive, and easy to clean, but it can suffer over time. On the other hand, they are the lightest models.
The metal, reserved for high-end, is very durable but a bit heavy. It is usually used in combination with other materials.
Finally, glass is an aesthetic solution, sometimes a bit heavy but durable thanks to the thick glasses used. However, avoid storing a transparent glass mill in the light, since it can affect the taste of pepper.
Design
The design is an aspect not to be underestimated: it determines not only the appearance of your mill but also the ergonomics and ease of use. Choose a model visually adapted to the room in which you want to use it, and whose shape suits your hands, especially on mechanical models.
Electric models can focus on an original design, often modern, transparent glass, or metal (or a combination of both).
Filling
Do not hesitate to check how the mill fills. Traditional entry-level models are often refilled with a simple hole in which it can be complicated to pour the pepper quickly without putting it anywhere.
More modern or higher-end models generally benefit from more practical systems.
The pepper
Mills usually work with most commercially available peppers, which are rarely more than 5 or 6 millimeters in diameter. Above you may damage the mechanism.
Pepper and berry mixes are also often compatible with conventional mills. It’s when you want to grind other berries or salt, that it’s important to ask yourself the question of compatibility.
For example, salt mills can use completely different mechanisms and materials to account for the corrosive properties or moisture of certain salts.
Warranty
Warranties can range from a minimum of one year to the ideal: lifetime warranty. In some cases, the mechanism and the mill itself may be covered by different guarantees.
Conclusion
In this way, we finish our comparative analysis of the different models of pepper grinders available in the current market. We hope that this analysis has been to your liking and that can help you decide on the grinder that best suits your own tastes and needs.
If you have any kind of doubts, question,s or suggestions you can send them to us through the comments of this article or our contact form as well as through our different social networks where we will be happy to answer you as soon as possible since we are at your entire provision.