How often do you wish that your pepper has a finer texture? Perhaps you favor a finer particle spicing up your meals. Whichever category you fall into, a pepper mill gives you the control and capacity to produce pepper in the texture and consistency you prefer, all at a low cost.
Pepper mills, unlike what the name sounds like, are extremely small devices, usually with a design that lets you use them in just one hand. They have a grinding mechanism that typically crushes small balls of dry pepper and other spicing, delivering strong fresh flavors to your meals.
Here we will be giving you our top 7 picks of the best pepper mills in America’s Test Kitchen, after a careful selection process. We will also let you in on our thought process to help you choose the perfect product for you.
See also:
Reviews of Best Pepper Mill In The World
Table of Contents
Here are the top-rated pepper mills in 2020.
#1 – COLE & MASON Derwent Pepper Grinder – Copper Mill
The Cole and Mason Derwent pepper grinder comes in a sleek, acrylic, hour-shaped bottle in 3 metallic colors: gunmetal, copper, stainless steel as well as wood. The different color variants have slightly different prices.
Other than the high-quality design, the advanced carbon steel mechanism featured in the mill makes the grinder one of the best in the market. The system does not just simply crush your peppercorns but, its machine-cut mechanism strips the individual layers of the spice and grinds it in succession, delivering a fuller, keener flavor.
The best pepper mills give you control over six grinding levels that lets you choose the texture you prefer for your pepper. From coarse to finer textures, you can easily adjust the output of your table mill.
Pros:
- Impressive design and durability
- Incredible grinding precision
- Adjustable grinding settings
- Can be easily refilled
Cons:
- – Product is quite expensive
#2 – Peugeot (23447) Paris U’Select Peppermill
This French-made pepper mill offers a unique design. It has a body framework that closely imitates the pawn/rook chess piece. The product is available in chocolate color as a 5-inch-high mill, although other variations are available from the producers.
The Peugeot U’select pepper mill features six different predefined levels that enable you to adjust the coarseness of your grind. The mill is extremely easy to use, a quick twist on the ring at the base is used to preselect the grind size you want. With clockwise direction leads to a finer grind while a turn on the opposite gives you a coarser grind.
The grinding mechanism has two different stages, tagged as the burr-style system. The process involves a helix-shaped groove guiding individual peppercorns through double-row teeth that grind them into a consistent size, releasing a fresh, untainted flavor of spice.
Pros:
- – Easy to refill
- – Efficient grinding mechanism
- – Pre-defined grinding levels
- – The mill is very easy to use
Cons:
- – The size is small
- – The opaque container makes it challenging to track the level of content
#3 – Kuhn Rixon (25550) Salt and Pepper Mill
The Kuhn Rixon 25550 is an impressive mill. It has a pretty different approach to processing your pepper, with a gear-like ratchet handle that makes grinding fun.
The mill comes in several different colors, depending on what you need. It is a versatile tool that can just as easily grind coarse salt. In fact, this is the recommended means of cleaning the internal grinding system by the manufacturer – occasionally using it to grind coarse salt.
The ratchet handle is very ergonomically designed and makes the product a fantastic choice for users who don’t want the trouble of twisting or turning rings on small containers. The mill has lesser grinding levels, as you can only choose between coarse or fine grind. The mills open to the anterior with a front door to refill.
Pros:
- – Amazingly easy to refill
- – Unique dispensation system
- – Ergonomic handle
- – Ceramic, non-corrosive grinder
Cons:
- – Not very durable breaks easily
- – Less texture settings
#4 – Bazaar Anatolia Turkish Grinder, Pepper Mill, Spice & Pepper Grinder
From Bazaar Anatolia, this pepper mill features a traditional design that is reminiscent of the Ottoman style, with beautiful carvings that highlight several exciting patterns. It is both elegant in design and functional in its workings. The grinder is available in six metallic colors.
The mill works well with processing a variety of other models other than simply peppercorns. The screw on the cap is used to adjust the grind size. The device features a short handle that is used to release its content. The Turkish hand mill is responsible for the even consistency the mill produces.
Packaged in a cute little bag for delivery, this Turkish grinder adds elegance to your countertop and dining table, bringing grinding efficiency with it.
Pros:
- – Elegant and traditional design
- – Incredibly easy to use
- – Very versatile
- – Impressive durability
- – Very affordable
Cons:
- – Very small in size
#5 – KSL Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder
A lean electric grinder that is distinct from the majority of its counterparts. Most pepper mills operate manually, with the user having to twist, turn, or rotate parts to bring about the desired motion or output. With the KSL, you can grind your peppercorns in one touch.
The pepper mill is very efficient; it has a large capacity for spices, which means you don’t have to refill ever so often. And when you need to, you simply need to unscrew the cap on the base. The see-through region is illuminated by an LED light that lets you keep track of the content.
The appliance features a powerful motor that produces consistent granules of pepper of even sizes. You only need to push the button on the top of the mill to activate the grinder.
Pros:
- The electronic grinder that runs on batteries
- Impressive efficiency
- Easy to clean
- One-touch grinding
- Very versatile usage
Cons:
- You will have to buy replacement batteries
#6 – Oxo (2154200) Pepper Grinder
Oxo is popular in making kitchen utensils and appliances. They are mostly known for delivering great quality at affordable prices. Their pepper grinder is no different. With a doting design and an easy-to-use grinding system.
The grinder is made from ceramic, which delivers the needed toughness and strength needed to make fine particles of your peppercorns. The material is also resistant to corrosion which would otherwise be a problem for metallic grinders. In addition, ceramic does not absorb the flavors of your pepper; hence, the same grinder can be used for different spices.
Five different grinding settings are available, giving you more options to choose your preferred texture. These settings can be navigated with a rotating tab at the top of the grinder. The device is refilled using a screw cap.
Pros:
- – Impressive versatility
- – Does not corrode
- – Very affordable
- – Transparent body
Cons:
- – Poor construction
- – Inefficient grinding levels
#7 – Cole & Mason (H594298GU) Derewent Salt & Pepper Mill: Best Expensive
This 7.6-inch pepper mill is one of the most expensive in the market, and it is from none other than Cole & Mason. The design features an acrylic transparent body with a wood-colored cap and base.
The grinding system features a diamond-cut mechanism that is optimized for precision. Both with ceramic and carbon steel parts that give a euphoric grinding experience. Six preset grinding levels are available, each with precise consistency.
The device is easy to refill, only requiring unscrewing the cap. It has a great diameter, which makes the process of pouring in peppercorns smooth and seamless. It also cleans very easily.
Pros:
- High-quality materials
- Impressive precision and consistency
- Highly durable
- Efficient grinding mechanism
Cons:
- Incredibly expensive
How To Choose The Best Pepper Mill Brand?
A number of factors have to be considered in choosing a pepper mill, and we will be highlighting the most vital of them.
1. Grinding Mechanism
Different grinding mechanisms are available in most of the products since they are manufactured independently. However, a basic pepper mill should be able to withstand daily use without wearing it out.
It should be able to deliver consistently and even granules specific to the grinding level. It should also be adjustable to give different textures, a good preset range between fine and coarse results will give you more options and control on the quality of your pepper.
2. Material
Speaking of the material, the quality of the pepper mills is directly tied to the nature of the material. For the grinder, ceramic is very durable, tough, and dependable. It is the material we often look out for in pepper mill grinders. However, it often increases the price of your mill, and most people default to buying more affordable mills.
Steel and zinc are good as well and produce very similar qualities. They are just not as durable as they are susceptible to corrosion. However, proper management would significantly increase the lifetime value of steel of zinc-made grinders, which is avoiding water in the appliance. Stay away from nylon!
3. Ease of Use
It goes without saying that anyone would want their pepper mill to be simple to use. To be clear, a high-quality mill should be light, and you should be comfortable. On the one hand, refilling should be an easy process, open, fill, and close. Anything more complicated than that should be avoided.
Electronic pepper mills are by far the easiest and one of the best pepper mills, although they will cost more in replacing batteries. They often feature more precise grinding levels with one-touch grinding controls. Buyers with carpal tunnel syndrome or arthritis are better suited to electronic mills.
4. Versatility
You most likely want to use your mill to process other spices other than pepper. The most common culprit is often salt. In this case, choose a versatile appliance that is capable of delivering consistent results in other products as well.
Alternative Video: How To Use Salt and Pepper Mill?
Why Should I Grind Peppercorns Instead Of Buying Pre-ground Pepper?
The main reason for grinding your own pepper is for the flavor and quality. The flavor of peppercorns weakens after they are ground and the oils are released. According to McArthur, as the powder is exposed to heat, air, and light, the flavor fades even more.
According to Frisch, it is also easier to falsify the quality and origins of pre-ground pepper. “Most pepper in the supermarket has been through so many steps that tracing it is impossible.”
Not only will freshly ground pepper make your food taste better, but you’ll use less of it because freshly ground pepper has a stronger flavor. You can also change the coarseness of the grind to suit your taste or what you’re cooking. Grinding your own pepper, especially with one of the mills we recommend above, is a simple way to become more involved with your food.
Can I Put Salt In My Pepper Mill?
Because salt corrodes metal over time, it can only be ground using a ceramic grinding mechanism. You can put salt in your pepper mill if it has a ceramic mechanism.
This guide does not include salt grinders. According to Alex Wilkens, spice expert at The Spice House, grinding your own salt at home allows you to control the texture, but the flavor will be the same as pre-ground salt from the grocery store.
Conclusion
With a home pepper mill, fresh, unadulterated flavors are instantly available to you. After going through our review, the choice for the best pepper mills should not only become less daunting. It should become exciting. Since you are now armed with practical knowledge of what makes a valuable and economical grinder.
In conclusion, we should warn that you should not choose solely on the design and cost as functionality and durability are vital aspects to look out for.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Peugeot Paris u’Select Pepper Mill has long been a favorite of professional chefs and design enthusiasts alike, thanks to its razor-sharp, case-hardened steel grind mechanism, and sleek appearance. (In 1874, Peugeot introduced its first table pepper mill.)
A word of caution: Never use salt in a pepper grinder or pepper in a salt mill. The salt will corrode the metal used in a pepper mill’s grinding mechanism, and the metal in the salt mill is not hard enough for peppercorns.
Large-grained salt crystals make up coarse salt. Most coarse salts work best in a grinder, making it simple to serve freshly ground sea salt with all of your meals. Because coarse salt is less moisture sensitive than finer-grained salt, it resists caking and is easily stored.
