When you’ve never seen freshly diced a best pepper mill or salt before, you might wonder how you’d want to do all the work on Planet to season your food. But once you’ve tasted the appeal of freshly ground salt and black pepper, you’ll never go back to pre-packaged spices.
Pepper, in fact, loses its taste and strength when already ground. It’s going to stall and lose the bite easily. Salt can also have a special taste when you grind it fresh—especially if you’re using sea salt and a grinder that lets you determine how fine you want it to be.
The best pepper mills and salt scrapers last for a lifetime. They are made of high-end steel or ceramic gears that grind your spices as finely or as grossly as you want them to be. Mills too should be easy to fill and beautiful enough to grace your dining room table or kitchen counter.
Before I eventually decided on the right package for my needs, I tried several different labels. The options in this guide are focused on personal testing and analysis into the best grinders and mills you can purchase.
How We Checked The Best Pepper Mill?
Like you would imagine, the research was pretty straightforward—we ground a lot of pepper. We tested 18 manual grinders for the first time. In practice, we first used each mill to grind a pile of pepper together in the Epicurious Test Kitchen. Then, we took the crushers home and used them for a couple of weeks to see how they held up after repeated use.
Even, this wasn’t a full way to assess durability, so we did external analysis into how these models keep up, based on user feedback on Amazon and testing on other pages. We’ve also refilled every mill to measure the simplicity of filling machines with peppercorn—with limited spilling. If available, we checked the adjustable roughness settings to see how successful they were. We haven’t tried electric pepper mills, as we find manual ones are better suited to most home cooks.
Peugeot 32470 Stainless Steel Pepper Mill
Our pick
Not only is this an effective and adjustable pepper grinder, but it’s also traditional with a polished stainless steel finish that can stand up to the use of the kitchen and yet sit pretty on our table. No need to kid the finish—stainless steel can quickly stand up to kitchen spills and eventual washing. This mill cracks first then grind the peppercorns with the best taste.
You can select one of six settings from fine to rough, or you can choose between settings for reliable grind power. Peugeot mills are manufactured in France and each mill is checked before it leaves the factory. As a result, you are likely to see peppercorns or ground pepper in the mill when it comes, so you can be confident that the process will operate just as it should.
Pros:
- This pepper mill has been built with a metal exterior, that’s a big plus for us. It’s going to last, and it’s going to last longer than those plastic ones.
- We love that this pepper mill has stainless steel grinding mechanism. It can grind any type of pepper, even dried ones.
Cons:
- It is very difficult to use, especially for the elderly.
- The grinding mechanism is very noisy.
OXO Radial Pepper Grinder – Best Pepper Mill America’s Test Kitchen
Our pick
This easy grinder has a budget tag, but it’s filled with features that are sure to make it your favourite kitchen. It’s easy to fill and keep more pepper than you can think, while the plain face of the filler door lets you see how much pepper is left. It’s also quick to open the door and shake a couple of peppercorns when you need them for a recipe.
The handle is simple to manage when you need a big amount of pepper than twist tops that can be a little tiring, as well as the top knob is easy to carry. The base retains ground pepper for you if you don’t want to grind directly on the food, which leaves your counter neat, since errant pieces of pepper won’t leak from the bottom of a grinder when it’s not in operation. This has a ceramic grinding mechanism, so you can use it for some sort of peppercorn, or even for grinding coarse salt.
Pros:
- It is dishwasher-safe and comes with a convenient brush that you can use to get rid of the pepper residue inside the container.
- A nice feature of the OXO Radial Pepper Grinder is that it can be adjusted to a specific grind size.
Cons:
- The mill is too heavy. The problem with the weight is that it is not balanced. The bottom part is too light and the top part is too heavy.
- It’s hard to clean the transparent part of the mill. If you want to clean it you have to unscrew the top part from the bottom part and then clean the transparent part.
Best Wooden pepper mill – Zassenhaus Speyer 5.1-Inch Dark Stained Beech Pepper Mill
Our pick
Wooden pepper mills look classical, evoking old-world craftsmanship and high-end steakhousesThis wooden grinder does have a vibe and looks like it’s going to be right at home next to the family cuckoo clock since it was made in a 100-year-old style in Germany. But all old is new again and can look just as comfortable in a contemporary atmosphere. It’s made of sturdy beechwood, lathe-turned, and works with a metal crank.
Within, there is a very modern ceramic grinding machine that has been in operation for 25 years. This grinder has six positions to adjust the grinding grossness, so you’ll get just what you want from good to rough. The filling is simple to unscrew the button and remove the top.
Pros:
- The grinding mechanism is made of high-quality ceramic.
- They are available in attractive dark-stained beech wood and come with a lifetime warranty.
Cons:
- The grind is inconsistent.
- This means that the smell of the wood can be unpleasant when grinding black pepper.
Trudeau 6″ Seville Pepper Mill – Best pepper Mill in the world
Our pick
If you want a more economical pepper mill and don’t mind a smaller one, we prefer the Trudeau Seville Pepper Mill. The big nut at the top of this model made it easy to change the scale of the grind. Its carbon steel grinding system has been able to yield very finely ground pepper, but the pepper is not as fine as the Peugeot and Fletchers’ Mill grinds. The Trudeau showed off very little pepper dust when it was placed on a plate.
Pros:
- It has a ceramic grinding mechanism, which means that you don’t need to worry about any motor replacements.
- It also has 6 settings, which are adjustable according to your pepper grinding needs.
Cons:
- It is quite expensive
- Not adjustable
Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set – Pepper Grinder
Our pick
Most people would be happy using our low-strength quick-output picks. However, if you’re part of the electrical mills, the best one we’ve tested was the KTUDY Battery Powered Pepper Plant. As in most electrical versions, fine settings take longer to grind. However, the ceramic grinding mechanism provides consistent results by pushing a lever. Four AA batteries needed make it slightly too heavy, but our testers have always found it easy to carry.
Pros:
- KTUDY’s battery-operated pepper mills turn up in all situations, with no fear of running out of power or needing to charge them up.
- They are also perfect for use in the kitchen, as they’re completely safe for use by children and the elderly.
Cons:
- You have to manually refill the batteries.
- It requires 4 batteries to operate which can be expensive.
The Best Pepper Mill For Sheer Maximum Pepper Output: Unicorn Magnum Pepper Mill
Our pick
The Unicorn Magnum has legions of enthusiast fans all over the internet, and it’s the pepper mill we use in our Epicurious test kitchen. Though the thickness adjuster a thumbscrew at the bottom of the grinder is clunky and takes some time to get used to it, the pepper production of this grinder is remarkable—it actually produces more ground pepper per crank than all of the others we reviewed! We really love its sleek style, which makes it an accent piece for new kitchens.
It’s just so easy to carry and use due to its smooth, streamlined material. And it’s far simpler to refill than any other model—you flip it on its side and then you open a circular door that’s wide enough to accommodate a regular teaspoon no mini-funnel needed. It smartly comes with a similar coaster for the mill to nest while it’s not in operation, which helps keep the little pepper dust that is so often gathered on the countertop.
Pros:
- It is very durable and long lasting
- It is made from the highest quality materials and is built to last.
Cons:
- Very large in size.
- Very loud.
The Best Pepper Mill for Precision and Tidiness: PepperMate Pepper Mill
Our pick
Anyone who occasionally has to weigh their freshly ground black pepper knows how tiresome it can be to use a regular pepper mill. The PepperMate Pepper Mill deserves special appreciation because it grinds directly into a pocket that is connected to its base. You can conveniently pop off the compartment and scoop out of a jar filled with ground pepper with a teaspoon, making it the perfect pepper mill to weigh the precise quantity of freshly ground pepper. And because the base is conveniently removed, you can prefer to grind without it and grind the pepper directly over a plate or skillet anytime you don’t want to weigh the exact volume.
It even receives bonus points that it’s the perfect pepper mill to keep things clean. No stray pepper left behind on the counter every time we set it down. It’s by far the simplest pepper mill to refill. Although the roughness change (a twisting knob at the top of the machine) is a little frustrating at first it is intuitive quite easily, and the roughness settings give a wide variety of consistent grinds.
The grinder blade is ceramic rather than standard stainless steel, which ensures that it is likely to dull quicker than its metal counterparts, but the grinder comes with a lifetime warranty.
Pros:
- It is constructed using a solid stainless-steel body.
- The PepperMate mill comes with a clear plastic lid that makes reloading its chamber a snap.
Cons:
- It has a plastic body
- It can only hold about a teaspoon and a half of pepper.
Latent Epicure Salt and Pepper Grinder Set – Best Pepper Mill UK
Our pick
The twisting motion required by manual pepper mills can be performed on the forearm, while some cooks choose to apply pepper to the dish while stirring. Latent Epicure solves these issues with single-handed, battery-operated grinding. The Latent Epicure package comprises a similar salt grinder and a transparent tray that keeps all items together, acting as a catch-all for the fine salt and pepper dust that usually accumulates on the table. The change button at the bottom of the mill makes an adjustable grind scale.
The grinder structure is ceramic rather than conventional metal; this is an essential aspect in wet regions or when grinding peppercorns with a higher moisture content because the ceramic does not rust. The mill works with one click of a press, and the built-in LED light illuminates food to avoid over-seasoning. Cooks would need to buy non-rechargeable batteries—each mill needs four AA sizes—for the Latent Epicure parts to work.
Pros:
- The grinders are heavy, which means stability and durability.
- The grinders are easy to fill, with a twist locking mechanism that is easy to use, without being too loose.
Cons:
- There is no marking to indicate the amount of salt and pepper
- The amount of time it takes to grind the salt and pepper.
Pepper Mill Imports Atlas 10” Pepper Grinder – Best Pepper Mill Cook’s Illustrated
Our pick
The Atlas 10″ Pepper Grinder is manufactured in Greece using conventional methods from centuries past. At first sight, the Atlas looks like a work of art with its engraving, brass, and copper design. The heavy-duty burr grinder doesn’t smash the peppercorns, it really grinds them. This results in a smoother grind and restricts the Atlas to a fine-medium grind selection, such that cooks looking for crushed peppercorns or coarser grinds will not find this method useful.
The accuracy of the fine mill not to mention the good looks makes this mill an ideal choice for cooks interested in a more refined taste.
Pros:
- These grinders are hand-crafted and are made from hardwoods.
- It has a strong magnetic top that keeps the top on the grinder.
Cons:
- The mechanism for grinding the peppercorns does not have a cover.
- It is not easy to use.
Norpro Metal Pepper Mill – Best Salt and Pepper Mill
Our pick
The Norpro Pepper Mill is a tiny powerhouse for those who want a portable model. Often smaller examples may be a challenge since they need to be refilled too much, but this one is so easy to refill that the tiny scale of 4 1/2′′ is not a problem. The robust aluminum case has a sleek metal appearance with little chance of corrosion and is incredibly lightweight.
Expertly made with a metal burr grinder and a front loader, this model provides classic styling. Stamped on the filling hopper to signify whether it contains pepper or salt. For a smaller unit, the Norpro comes in at inexpensive end, but the longevity provided by the French family-owned firm guarantees years of usage for this small tool.
Pros:
- This pepper mill is easy to use and has an excellent design
- Wide opening to refill and adjust
Cons:
- It is a messy product
- It grinds unevenly and too coarsely.
Your mills pricing is good i bought it
nice but you need to more improve your content and add more products for choice i think is not enough for brought the mills thanks
Its good but you have add premium or expensive pepper mills in your reviews
I think you have add more mills on your review, may be not enough for me thanks
usefull review for brought the paper mills, you have gave good choices thanks