Pepper and salt mills: types, brands, selection and operation

The mere sight of how salt grains and pepper grains are ground, turning into a fragrant powder, can improve appetite. And if you add that the ground spices have a unique taste and aroma, then the need to buy a mill for them becomes obvious. How to choose a kitchen accessory, what to look for and how to operate it correctly?

The salt and pepper mill is a kitchen accessory that allows you to get crushed, fresh and aromatic salt and pepper. This is possible due to the fact that spices are chopped right before they are used in the dish. The description of the device usually comes down to the mention of cases and millstones, which grind spices, salt.

The main advantage of the mills is the opportunity to get a more aromatic, tasty seasoning and fine salt. Undoubtedly, this improves the taste of the prepared dishes. As you know, peppers and other condiments are best discovered when grinding. Buying even the best prepared spices, you can not get a similar effect. Therefore, the mill is the choice of gourmets, as well as people who care about their health.

Mills also protect pepper and salt from mixing with odors, moisture.

It is these accessories of suitable sizes and design that look much more attractive on the table than the usual salt shakers and pepper shakers. By the way, you can distinguish household, serving and professional models. The mill will prevent spilling of spices and salt on the table - even if the device falls, they will not spill out.

Finally, grinding pepper and coarse salt is cheaper than purchasing a finished chopped product. In addition, freshly ground spices have a more pronounced taste palette, they are more aromatic, which means that their consumption will be less.

Mills are disposable and reusable. The first is a plastic product with pepper, salt or other seasoning sprinkled with it by the manufacturer. You can bring the accessory into working condition by twisting the lid. Usually the volume does not exceed 30-50 g. The low price, usability and variety of spices make the product popular. But, when salt or pepper is over, the mill will have to be thrown away. Cannot reuse containers.

Reusable items are usually sold without spices inside. These models are disassembled and consist of a container where salt or pepper is poured, millstones, a container where the ground product accumulates, an external case and a lid.

Mills for salt and pepper may vary in the material of manufacture of the body, size and design, as well as the type of drive structure.

The mill is operated manually by turning its movable part or a special handle. In this case, the teeth of the device also rotate, grinding the contents.

Such an action is simple, and many even jokingly call it meditative. The only thing is that too dense grains (for example, Himalayan salt) are difficult to grind manually. Some models equipped with a function for adjusting the degree of grinding (by tightening or loosening the cover screw). Manually, you can more accurately measure the required number of spices.

A similar work is carried out without any effort on the part of a person by electric drive. Just press the button to get salt and pepper of the desired grinding. These models work on battery or battery. They are recommended for grinding a large number of spices, cope with the grinding of even dense sea salt.

In electrical devices, it is possible to adjust the degree of grinding by setting the indicators on the scale as necessary. Undoubtedly, the “pluses” of an electronic device are the ability to quickly and easily grind more pepper and salt. However, the cost of such devices is higher than mechanical analogues.

However, there is also a professional hand mill. It is usually distinguished by a larger volume for falling asleep salt or pepper, a sturdy case and metal millstones.

Speaking about the varieties of this accessory, it is worth highlighting a model that allows you to grind immediately 2 types of spices or spices and salt. Double sided mill it looks like an hourglass, a separate type of spice is poured into each of the hollow parts, they can be grinded without mixing.

The case of the mill is most often made of acrylic, stainless steel or wood.

Plastic models Usually made from a transparent food grade. Thanks to this, the accessory case is light and transparent. It should be noted that in such models plastic millstones are most often used. This, of course, reduces the cost of the mill, but there is no question of durability and long-term operation.

Acrylic Models can have a bright design, becoming a real decoration of the kitchen. They are easy to maintain - they can be washed under running water or wiped with a damp cloth. Acrylic is harmless to humans, is allowed for food storage.

The product is also easy to care for, but you should protect it from prolonged contact with water, wipe it dry after washing.

A tree is a pleasant tactile sensation, a noble appearance. If you plan to use the accessory also as a decorative element of the kitchen, then in the best way it will fit into the classic interior. The surface of the wooden mill can be matte or varnished, in the first case It is important to protect it from pollution, the appearance of oily traces, since it will not be easy to remove them.

However, analogues are more reliable and durable. from ceramics and stainless steel. Naturally, a mill with such millstones has a higher price. Ceramic millstones can last up to 5-7 years, metal - up to 10 years.

If you want to buy a mill that will last a long time, will appreciate the grinding quality and stylish design, you should find out about the most popular brands that produce this accessory.

The main advantage of the products of this manufacturer is the presence of special millstones. They are made of stainless steel according to the patented formula, have a double-row gear mechanism.

Thanks to this, the accessory will cope even with dense salt, it will serve for more than one year. However, some users do not like the fact that the case is made in wooden and acrylic versions. The first absorbs odors, regarding the second there is an opinion that acrylic is not too durable.

Traditionally, the rating of such accessories is led by manufacturers from Italy. The combination of high quality and stylish design is the hallmark of pepper mills of this brand.

Another product of the Italian manufacturer, an accessory that can be called a work of art. The mill body is made of ash and porcelain. However, external attractiveness is not the only plus. The device is equipped with durable metal millstones located in 2 rows. This minimizes the amount of waste during grinding and guarantees long-term operation of the accessory.

It is worth paying attention to the products of this brand if you want to buy a mill for salt and pepper once and for a lifetime. The manufacturer gives a lifetime warranty on the grinding accessory. The body of the product is made of plastic and metal, the design is impressive: stylish, modern, ergonomic.

The brand collection has models that allow you to grind salt and pepper at the same time. The case is made of transparent glass and steel; the millstones are ceramic.

The home mill with an electric mechanism is enclosed in a beech case soaked in vegetable wax. This emphasizes the natural texture of the wood and protects the casing from adverse effects. It works from the network, demonstrating a grinding speed of up to 100 gr. / minute.

Electric mill for salt and pepper in a stainless steel case with metal grinders, sharpened by a laser method. The model demonstrates strength, reliability and durability.

For use in the evening there is a backlight. The device runs on 4 batteries.

Hand mill made of glass and with a metal top. It is convenient to hold in hands, looks stylish in the kitchen. At a time allows you to load up to 100 grams. spices.Metal millstones and the ability to adjust the degree of grinding are a few more points in favor of this model. A good option at an affordable price.

Another type of mechanical accessory in the middle price category. The case is made in 2 versions. It has a small glass insert made of steel, which gives the design of the device an elegant appearance. In addition, there is a wooden counterpart. In addition to the material of manufacture, they differ in shape, size. The millstones are the same in both models - ceramic. There is an adjustment of the degree of grinding.

When buying, you should be guided by several criteria.

The choice of a particular product depends on the operating conditions. Metal models can become rusty if placed in places of high humidity. A wooden analogue will quickly lose its attractiveness and functionality in such conditions. In addition, wood absorbs odors, so products with such a body cannot become universal, that is, in the same mill you can grind only the same kind of pepper, for example.

Glass and ceramic accessories are quite fragile; they may break if hit or dropped. Besides, they must not be washed in too hot water, exposed to contrasting temperatures.

The main mechanism of the mill is millstone. It is better to immediately abandon the purchase of products with plastic elements due to their fragility. However, if the accessory is disposable, then there is no point in overpaying for more durable teeth.

For reusable products, ceramic or metal millstones are preferred.. The latter are the best option. Pay attention to the features of millstones - ideally, they should have teeth arranged in 2 rows. Only with this approach can high-quality and non-waste grinding be achieved.

For grinding large volumes of salt and pepper, grinding dense sea or Himalayan salt, it is more reasonable to purchase an electronic version. Its use will save time and effort. The best case - metal, plastic cracked from vibrations that occur during operation.

If there is no need to grind such products, then a manual model is sufficient.

Such a mill should be comfortable in the hand, not be heavy, not pop out. Millstones should move easily and evenly. If at one time you need to grind a fairly large number of spices, then it is better to choose models with a handle.

For home use Do not purchase an overly voluminous device. Hands will quickly and unjustifiably get tired, it is much more convenient if necessary to fill up a new batch of peas of pepper or grains of salt. Optimum height - 30 cm or capacity 80–100 gr.

The degree of grinding is an additional feature available in expensive hand-held and in almost all electronic models. You can change this indicator, setting the value on a special scale (electronic version) or tightening / loosening the screw on the accessory cover (hand mill).

They may have unreliable plastic millstones or even be completely without them. This may also be a double mill, in fact having only one set of millstones. It is logical that using it for 2 types of spices will not work.

Before buying, you should try the mill in action: a quality accessory will not jam or scroll.

Using the mill is easy.If this is a one-time model, just open the accessory and turn the wheel. Spices or salt sprinkle from the mill. Once they are in sufficient quantities in the dish, you must stop turning the wheel, turn over and close the mill.

On the Internet you can find tips on how to open and refuel a disposable mill. In principle, it’s possible but do not flatter yourself - after 2-3 times of repeated "unauthorized" use, the millstones of the mill grind, the device starts to jam.

After that, you need to start turning the knob or starting the electromechanism. When ground pepper and salt are enough, stop these steps.

It is important to use the mill only for its intended purpose, not trying to grind coffee, cereals, and also oily ingredients (seeds, nuts) in it.

Reusable mechanical mills should be washed after each emptying. The millstones are rinsed with cool water and dried thoroughly. Metal, plastic and acrylic cases can be washed without fear under running water. The main thing - then wipe dry. Wash wooden counterparts only in case of emergency.

In addition, such a mill cannot be universal, since the material absorbs odors, that is, if one type of pepper is ground in it, you should not use it for another spice even after complete emptying.

See pepper and salt mill for an overview.