Pepper Mills Buying Guide

Cracked pepper is the perfect finishing touch to a salad,  entrée, or whatever dish you deem in need of some extra zest. A pepper mill  not only enhances a dinner dish, but many models add to the style or dècor of a kitchen  or dining room. 

How to Choose a Pepper Mill

• Consider your needs. Do you want one pepper mill that stands alone as a conversational piece, or do you want a set of two grinders,  one for pepper and one for salt?
• Some pepper mills have the ability to grind both salt and pepper. These two-in-one pieces are great space savers, though they are often more expensive than most other types of pepper mills.
• Think about materials. Different materials convey different styles, but some materials may be more practical than others.
• Stainless steel  is durable and looks nice in a contemporary or classically styled home.
• Depending on the design, wood  can be stylish, traditional or even rustic. Keep in mind that wood is porous, thus it absorbs oils and liquids, which makes cleaning difficult to impossible.
• Plastic  or acrylic is the most common material used to make pepper mills. It's not the most durable and it can easily crack, however, it is are easy to clean and inexpensive.
• Choose a size that is most appealing to you. Make sure you read the description of the pepper mill before buying online, because some photographs may make a pepper mill seem much larger or much smaller than it really is.

Popular Types of Pepper Mills

Turkish Pepper Mills  Perfect for grinding pepper or coffee.  Adjustable to grind course pepper or coffee. The brass design makes it sturdy and it will last longer than many other models. The crank is stylish and conveys charm.	Peugeot Pepper Mills  This type is best for grinding extremely fine pepper. Talk about durability: Peugeot pepper mills come with a lifetime warranty. You'll find a one of these pepper mills to suit nearly every taste and preference. Peugot also makes salt mills.	Combination Salt Shaker and Pepper Mill  Keeps your salt and pepper in one place. Perfect for dinner tables.  Be careful! Don't put salt in a pepper mill unless the directions say it is all right.	Cordless Pepper Mill  Rechargeable and battery operated models are available. Some mills are capable of grinding fennel,  salt,  and other spices.  Can be adjusted depending on how coarse the seasonings are.   Fastest and easiest way to grind pepper.

Pick A Pepper

Now that you've chosen your pepper mill, check out the different types of peppers that can be used to flavour your meals.

Black Pepper  This is typically the type of pepper that is used in a grinder. When the pepper plant is dried, the remaining product is called a peppercorn. Peppercorns can be black or white and are often used to add spice and flavour to many dishes around the world.	Jalapeño Pepper  This is a particularly hot brand of chili pepper  that is used in various Mexican dishes and is usually for spice lovers only. This pepper is so hot that it can even cause skin irritation in some people, so eat with caution!	Bell Pepper  This is a popular type of chili pepper that comes in green,  red,  yellow  and orange  with flavour varying according to colour. Unlike it's jalapeno cousin, it does not produce an intense spicy taste but rather a refreshing combination of sweet and bitter.	Cayenne Pepper  This is a hot chili pepper that is often ground and used to flavour certain dishes. It can also be used whole and is popularly utilised in hot sauces.

More Options

Besides pepper mills, there are other grinders out on the market designed for all different types of spices. Check out some ideas below!

Mortar and Pestle  If you want to use your own two hands to grind your peppers and spices, consider a mortar and pestle. It may require some extra manpower but it is an equally effective way to grind up your seasonings.	Electric Herb/Spice/Tobacco Grinder Pollinator  These grinders are powered by electricity and grind at top speeds in mere seconds. These models can even be used on tobacco  and can whittle any substance down to a fine powder.	Spice Mill  This grinder can be used with various herbs and spices, not just salt and pepper. It can be made out of various materials including plastic and stainless steel.	Wet & Dry Spice Grinder  This is a heavy duty grinder that can chop everything from onions  to breadcrumbs  to coffee beans.   It comes with a powerful motor and can usually be cleaned right in the dishwasher.

 

Related Guides

Coffee Grinders	Gadgets for Specific Foods	Flour and Seed Mills	Graters	Spice Racks

External Links

• eHow.com: This article explains how to buy the highest quality of salt and pepper to grind at home.
• ChefTalk.com: This forum thread focuses on what makes a good pepper mill.