Versatility: Consider the material of the grinding mechanism. If it doesn’t absorb odors (ceramic, for example), you may be able to switch between pepper and, say, cloves without mixing or tainting flavors. (But our pros recommend dedicating the grinder to pepper to ensure clear flavor.) Be careful when using a pepper grinder for salt — salt can be corrosive, and some salt-specific grinders are a better choice for the task. Some salt and pepper grinder sets don’t include the actual spices. You’ll need to buy your salt or pepper separately. Freshly ground salt and pepper delivers a more intense and true flavour and enhances the taste of food. A fine grind gives an even flavour and is perfect for sauces, while a coarse grind is ideal for marinades or steaks. Below are a few options to consider when choosing your salt or pepper mill. Manual crush grinders Thanks to its compact and intuitive design, this grinder performed well in our Lab tests. Though the fine setting was not the finest in our testing, we liked that there is a differentiation between the fine and coarse grinds. The five settings to choose the grind size are clearly marked and easy to select. It holds 62 grams (about 1/2 cup) of peppercorns, which is an efficient use of space for a grinder of this size.

Electric grinders may require up to four AA batteries each, which means you’ll need eight batteries per set. If you need or prefer to push a button rather than use a twisting motion, this electric grinder is for you. It's d esigned with two chambers so you can keep salt and pepper ready for use. The unit is rechargeable: Simply store it in the charging base — which includes a removable crumb tray that catches loose grounds for easy cleanup — and an indicator light will let you know the grinder is ready. The grind size is adjustable from fine to coarse, but the dial does not include preset grind sizes. We rated each mill on how easy it is to use with oily hands and dry hands. It tend to be the pricier grinders that are easy to use if you have oily hands. Time to grind a teaspoon While the thought of freshly ground salt or pepper at the press of a button might sound appealing, the reality can be different. Ease of refill: Some mills and grinders have a narrow opening that makes it harder to smoothly funnel peppercorns into the chamber. Look for models with a large and easy-to-open access point.With its grinding mechanism on top, this OXO Good Grips Salt Grinder won’t spill salt all over the dining room table, and our customers love it.

It’s good practice to use a dry brush or cloth to fully clean out your grinders before refilling them.

The perfect salt and pepper grinder set would be able to produce both fine ground and coarse ground spices, be easy to fill, durable and easy to use. Ease of filling We tested two electric grinders and were surprised at how many batteries were needed (eight for each set) and how difficult the batteries were to fit. With its ceramic grinding mechanism on top, this pepper mill won’t leave a ring of ground pepper on your surfaces every time you put it down. A simple twist of the collar adjusts the coarseness depending on the recipe of the day.

We assessed whether there was a differentiation between the size of the fine, medium and coarse grinds for each as well as how the sizes compared across models. Finished in stylish steel and acrylic, the OXO Good Grips Pepper Mill looks the part, as well as performs it.

These give a better fragrance and release a real burst of flavour. They also enable you to select the coarseness of grind. While one of the electric grinders did produce both fine and coarse grains consistently, we felt the ease of use benefits were spoiled by poor test results on other factors. 2. Most grinders can't do both coarse and fine grinds very well If you buy a quality mill set, you'd expect it to be able to produce super fine grains for delicate seasoning and chunkier grains for marinating. Many of the grinder sets could only do one or the other well. Look for a grinder with multiple coarseness settings, as some of your guests may prefer their salt or pepper finely grounded, while others like it a bit more coarse. Typically, grinders offer between two and three adjustable settings, with the third being a medium coarseness. We tested 15 pepper mills for this story. We filled each grinder to determine its maximum capacity and noted the weight of the full grinder. We compared the performance by grinding each mill for a controlled amount of time on the fine, medium and coarse settings. We weighed the output of each setting to help gauge how long it would take to season foods and measure for recipes.

Some modern designs proved easier to use if you have oily hands from cooking and there was also a big difference with how easy the coarseness setting is to adjust. Consider the size and design of the salt and pepper grinder set. Smaller models take up less room but will require frequent refilling unless you live alone or have just one roommate. When it comes to design, you want a glass or clear acrylic base. This allows you to keep an eye on the amount of spice left in the grinder. Glass is a better choice when possible, as it doesn’t stain or retain odors. We set each mill to its finest and coarsest setting, then assessed the size and consistency of the grains on each. The best mill sets are brilliant at both, but most favour one size of grain over the other. Accuracy But our recommendations above did produce consistent fine spices or coarse grains, and it's easy to adjust the settings to the desired level. 3. Traditional style grinders are hard to use with wet and oily handsWith plenty in our kitchenware range, you can create a dining room to show off with pride. Start with our table cloths—from plain and understated to bold and beautiful, we offer cloths for various occasions. We also have wipe-clean options—perfect when little ones make a mess. Make sure you have plenty of placematson hand to minimise spillages to the table. They also keep hot plates off the table, helping protect sensitive tabletops. It has six fixed grinding settings that are easy to select and clearly labeled on the base of the mill. The grinding action was smooth. But it was somewhat difficult to refill, since it's designed with a center post to drive the grinder, and you must add the peppercorns around it.