I don’t know about you but I’ve always liked extra pepper in my meal. That’s why I keep two separate salt and pepper mills both in my kitchen and dining table.
But that’s not the point. For a long time, I’ve been using manual pepper mills. I still like how they work but there was always a little spark in me that wanted to try other salt and pepper mills.
So, I went on to the internet and started nitpicking the various products available. After hours of review, here I am with a list of the best salt and pepper mills at your doorstep.
From crank-style manual grinders to easy-to-operate electric ones, this list has everything. Most importantly, it’s got an information-rich buying guide, that’ll help anyone to buy the right salt and pepper mill.
So, without stretching this any further ado, let’s see what’s in the store-
Editor’s Recommendations: Top 5 Salt and Pepper Mills from the List.
10 Best Salt And Pepper Mills
1. KSL Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
The KSL is the perfect addition to your dining table for adding a dash of romance. Along with a number of helpful features, the modern and sleek design makes it one of the top-notch salt and pepper mills in the market.
While many brands don’t offer pre-included batteries, this one steps up their game with something extra. Other than the batteries, you get a fine-looking spice spoon.
On top of that, it boasts a gentle and bright blue LED light to let you see what you’re doing. Whenever you turn on the grinder, the lights automatically turn on to bring out a romantic atmosphere. Whether you’re enjoying dinner with your loved one or family, it’s going to set the mood right.
Even though these electric salt and pepper grinders, the weight isn’t concerning. Somehow they managed to keep it under control even with the batteries. If you’re thinking of taking it to a picnic for seasoning, you don’t have to suspect it for dragging all the weight.
And it goes without saying that the coarseness is adjustable with 6 settings. From peppercorns to Himalayan salt, everything will do just fine.
To things even better, it comes in a premium-looking box, making it perfect for a gift item. That being said, I’d buy this easily refillable salt and pepper grinder any day. Even if you have hand pain, using it shouldn’t be a problem.
What We Like
- 6 adjustable coarseness settings
- Comes in a premium box
- Convenient one-hand usage
- Easily refillable
- Lightweight and portable
What We Don’t Like
- The batteries aren’t rechargeable
2. Latent Epicure Battery Operated Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
Back to back electric or battery-operated salt and pepper grinders. So, what’s the scoop on this one? Well, one thing’s for sure is that the Latent Epicure is more affordable than the KSL. On top of that, you get a mill tray right in the box. When you think about it, the value of money is all over the place.
And that’s not everything. Apart from the mill tray, you also get 8 AAA batteries, meaning there are 2 pairs of extra as it only needs 2 pairs to run.
Similar to other electric salt and pepper mills this one is also easily operable with one hand. All you have to do is push one button and the grinder takes care of everything else.
Other than that, there are 6 types of coarseness settings from coarse to fine. To let you see everything in the dark, there are red LED lights. Whether it’s Himalayan Pink salt or blocks of Wet Sea salt, this electric grinder is going to take care of everything.
Overall, I’d go for this salt and pepper mill if I were looking for something in the middle. It’s got durability and quality construction while keeping an affordable price tag. While it’s not cheap, it’s great for what it’s offering.
What We Like
- Ceramic grinder material
- Comes with a mill tray
- Several coarseness settings
- Modern design
What We Don’t Like
- The reservoir could’ve been better
3. Urban noon Electric Salt And Pepper Grinder Set
The urban noon is the perfect example of modernism in salt and pepper grinders. With its sleek and unique design, it manages to bring out the beauty of your kitchen. And there’s the ceramic core to ensure a durable mechanism perfect for both salt and pepper.
On top of that, it comes in a tasteful premium box, making it perfect for a gift item. Inexpensive yet useful electric salt and pepper mills make a great gift if you get the right one.
Speaking of the right one, this top-grade grinder set is easily operable with one hand. If you’re getting one for someone who has arthritis, they won’t have any hassle using it. Because of the lightweight build, it’s even easier to use.
And like the previous two products, this one also comes with a built-in LED light to let you see what you’re doing. Thanks to the bright lights, you’ll never overseason your food as you’ll be putting the right amount of spices every single time.
On top of everything, it boasts a wide neck to make refilling easy and fun. I for one am guilty of creating a mess when refilling pepper mills. So, I know how useful this is.
All in all, this is an amazing salt and pepper mill for the price you’re paying. Although I would’ve liked it better if the batteries were rechargeable.
What We Like
- Packs a luxurious box
- Wide neck for easy refilling
- Easy one-hand operation
- Affordable
What We Like
- Doesn’t come with batteries
4. Urban noon UN1 Set Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
Another salt and pepper grinder from urban noon? What’s the difference from the previous one other than the model number? Well, there’s more to it than that. The most significant difference you’ll see is the size.
The UN8 model has a dimension of 2 x 2 x 8.1 inches, while the UN1 comes in 2.17 x 2.17 x 9.06 inches. While that might not seem like a small deal but it’s great to know there’s a model with better capacity.
Although I would’ve liked it better if the brand specified this information somewhere. I don’t keep my salt and pepper mills but I know there are people who have to go through refilling every single day. For those people, having better capacity is great as you can go on for longer.
And there’s the unique and premium-looking box from urban noon. Whether it’s for a gift or personal usage, the unboxing experience will no doubt be quite elegant.
Other than that, the coarseness adjustments and grinder material are the same as the previous product. Thanks to a ceramic grinding mechanism, you can expect it to last for many years without any kind of malfunctioning or rust.
Finally, I’d say this one’s a perfect grinder for you if you want that extra capacity. But keep in mind that extra space means extra weight.
What We Like
- Modern design
- Durable ceramic grinding mechanism
- Bright LED light
- Elegant packaging
What We Don’t Like
A bit heavy
5. Willow & Everett Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
The Willow & Everett Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set is the perfect combination of modern and classic design. The tall and elegantly designed salt and pepper mill come with a stainless steel stand that’s just as good good-looking as the grinders.
The main body is mostly made out of glass so you can see how much pepper or salt is inside it. This way you know exactly when to refill the spices. And the good news is you don’t have to refill very often. Thanks to the tall design, it can hold quite a good amount(⅓ of a cup) of salt and pepper.
The grinder part of the body is made from brushed stainless steel. But they opted for ceramic as the blade material.
Even though ceramic can give out inconsistent grinds, when it comes to durability, it’s an absolute champ. Moreover, you need ceramic blades if you want to grind salt without causing rust on it.
In fact, ceramic blades are better when you’re thinking about keeping the mills odor-free. This means you could also grind other spices while that’s not something I prefer to do.
Another point is it comes with a set of caps. It helps to not create a mess at the dining table or the kitchen. Some people don’t like caps as they think it wastes time to open them and everything. But that’s up to you.
What We Like
- Transparent and elegant design
- Comes with a lightweight and tasteful stand
- Durable ceramic core
- Doesn’t require frequent refilling
What We Don’t Like
- The caps aren’t useful as the grinding mechanism is at the top
6. Trudeau 7-Inch Easy Grind Pepper Mill
Coming off with a unique design and innovation, the Trudeau 7-Inch Easy Grind Pepper Mill is an amazing choice for people who want premium and quality products.
From the name you can guess that the pepper mill is not really affordable. Even though it comes with a simple crank-style manual mechanism, the price is quite high when you compare it with other electric salt and pepper mills.
Speaking of salt and pepper mills, it doesn’t come with a separate salt mill. All you’ve got is the 7-inch pepper mill itself.
However, they didn’t just put up a hefty price only because of the brand value. The internal mechanism is as precise as you’d want it to be. In addition to that, the overall build quality speaks for its sturdiness.
Although some people might not go for the crank style mechanism. It varies from person to person. Some say these aren’t as efficient as knob twist models. While it might be true to some extent, you can’t say that for this model.
Trudeau claims that their pepper mill is 4 times easier to use than other pepper mills. It might not be 4 times but there’s no doubt about the efficiency of the grinding mechanism.
What We Like
- Carbon steel grinding mechanism
- Comfortable soft knob
- Easier grinding experience
- Huge capacity
What We Like
- Doesn’t come with a salt mill
7. Chew Fun Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
The Chew Fun Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set is a unique set of grinders. From first glance, you’ll know that this isn’t like every other salt and pepper mill in the market.
It comes with a BPA-free acrylic body and a set of ceramic blades. But as you can see the body isn’t entirely made out of acrylic. The top part where the motor and everything stays is made out of stainless steel.
The top lid is also made out of the same material. In fact, there’s a screw that holds on to the wide opening. And as you can guess, the refilling mechanism is as easy as it can get.
This powerful grinder lets you operate it with one hand. It makes for a perfect kitchen tool if you’re someone who likes to keep both of your hands busy when you’re cooking.
And of course, there are multiple coarseness adjustments depending on what you’re grinding. Besides all this, the grinder itself is quite lightweight thanks to a combination of different materials.
Sure it would’ve added a bit more premium feel if they added a glass vessel. But then it wouldn’t have been lightweight. Overall, I’m a big fan of the design and the functionality of this awesome grinder. By putting the right materials in the right place, offers an excellent package.
What We Like
- Convenient refilling mechanism
- Fashionable design
- Multiple coarse settings
- Lightweight and durable build
What We Don’t Like
- Needs 6 batteries to run
8. COLE & MASON Derwent Pepper Grinder
Packed in a premium black cardboard box, the COLE & MASON Derwent Pepper Grinder is an amazing product with top-notch durability and performance.
With a combination of different materials, the pepper mill is made to last while making it convenient to use. The grinding mechanism is also different from what you’d expect.
Every peppercorn goes through two stages of grinding. The first one cracks the peppercorns while the second one gives it a nice finish by shaving it. This helps in two ways.
One, you’re getting the full flavor of the spices. Second, it helps the grinders to prevent any kind of blockage. Like every other pepper mill on this list, it also comes with 6 different coarseness settings.
The only thing that was bugging me was the hefty price tag. Even though it’s a manual pepper mill, it’s much more expensive than other battery-operated pepper mills. On top of that, you’ll be paying the money for only one of the mills.
That being said, there’s no doubt this is a premium product with precision and quality being the top priority. If you’ve got your wallet by your side, you can go ahead with one of these. The performance and design will satisfy you for a long time.
Otherwise, there are other affordable salt and pepper mills with half the price. So, if you’re worried about leaving a hole in your pocket, don’t worry as there are other options.
What We Like
- The two-stage grinding process delivers perfect flavor
- Impressive precision control
- Reliable and heavy-duty pepper mill
- Visible indicator for coarseness settings
What We Like
- Quite expensive
9. Flafster Kitchen Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
The Flafster Kitchen Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set are made from high-quality stainless steel that fits right in with every type of kitchen. The modishly designed packaging box also makes it perfect for gifting on any occasion.
Thanks to being battery-operated, using the salt and pepper mill couldn’t get easier to use. Simply push the top button with your finger and it’ll start running. It’s a life savior for people who suffer from arthritis or any kind of wrist pain.
Like every other stainless steel electric salt and pepper mill, it also comes with ceramic blades for that enhanced durability. Even after years of usage, the blades should be able to keep their sharpness, unlike steel blades.
Other than that, it boasts a bright and gentle LED light to assist your dark conditions. The light isn’t the brightest one in the world, but it’s more than enough to let you see what you’re doing.
However, what I liked most about it was the stand. I mean the performance and other factors were kind of similar to other products. But this is where it ‘stands’ out. With a combination of wood and metal, they made the perfect stand. Although I would’ve liked it better if it had a better design.
What We Like
- Easy to operate
- Provides an excellent stand
- Constructed with brushed stainless steel
- Trouble-free refilling
What We Don’t Like
- Not that lightweight
10. AmuseWit Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
For a quick and trouble-free grinding experience, there aren’t many products like the AmuseWit Gravity Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set. While other battery-operated salt and pepper mills require you to push a button, this one cuts that step.
All you need to do is turn the grinder upside down and it’ll start doing its thing. Using the help of gravity and motor power gives you freshly ground spice offering the best flavors and aroma.
On top of everything, the effortless usage makes it ideal for people who suffer from wrist pains. However, you do need to keep in mind that it’s not a lightweight model. Like every other electric salt and pepper mill, there’s going to be some weight, but it’s nothing to worry about.
Although the large capacity plays a big role in increasing weight. And the best part? It’s transparent, letting you see exactly when to refill it. Besides that, the top lid opens a wide opening making refilling much easier. Most importantly, you don’t have to worry about spilling peppercorns all over the place.
What We Like
- Doesn’t require twisting or pushing any buttons
- Comes with 5 coarseness settings
- Bright white LED light works well
- Large storage leads to less refilling
What We Don’t Like
- Not great with fine grinding
Ask Yourself Before Buy a Salt and Pepper Mill
You might think buying a salt and pepper mill is something you could do in a minute. Well, that’s only true when you really know what you want. Unsurprisingly, most people don’t get deep into these things.
However, when you want to get yourself the perfect mill that suits your every kitchen needs, you need to ask yourself a few questions.
What Are You Going to Use Grinder for?
You’re obviously going to use it for grinding salt and pepper. But that’s not what I meant. What I meant was whether you’re going to buy it for your home or a restaurant/catering service.
Even if you are getting one for your personal use, how big is your family? Because that’s when you have to consider the size. I guess I don’t have to elaborate on how awkward a 24-inch pepper mill will look on your dining table.
Are You Planning on Grinding Both Salt and Pepper?
If you’re going to use the same mill for grinding both salt and pepper, things get a bit complicated. First, you have to ensure the machine is capable of doing that.
Moreover, you need to confirm whether the mill absorbs scent or not. If it does, then you’re going to need separate mills or a different mill.
Does It Need to Be Industry Grade?
This one is kind of similar to kind to the first question. I guess I could’ve focused the question around durability. But then again, who doesn’t want durable products? So, ask yourself how much it’s going to be used. Because without a heavy-duty mill, it’s not going to last for long.
Do You Want to Match it with Your Other Kitchenware?
The design isn’t a big deal for most people. But if you can match it with the rest of your kitchenware, then there’s no point in not doing it.
How To Choose The Best Salt And Pepper Mills?
When you think about it, grinders or mills are relatively simpler machines consisting of a few moving parts. Most people don’t even think that much before buying one.
But you do need to give it some thought. Because this is something you’ll be using on a regular basis. So, it’s crucial that you buy something that suits your preferences.
Material, Used In The Best Salt and Pepper Mills
Grinder Material
Salt and pepper mills take help from gravity and a simple grinding mechanism to do their job. As simple as the grinding machine may be, the materials can get a bit confusing.
Ceramic
Ceramic is considered the best material for pepper mill grinder material. Being a superior material to stainless steel it’ll last longer. And it goes without saying that they cost more than steel models.
However, they’re not the best choice when you want a consistent grind. Sure it’s the second sharp material in the world next to diamonds. And they’ll survive for many years without losing their sharpness. But these won’t offer you a consistent grind because of their inferior grinding mechanism.
High-carbon Steel
High-carbon steel or stainless steel is the ideal material for grinding peppercorns. Thanks to their sharpness and flawless grinding mechanism, they provide a nice and consistent grind every time.
But they tend to lose their sharpness over the years. Although this isn’t something you have to worry about for a few years. In fact, there’s one other factor you should worry about more.
Turns out, you can’t grind salt on stainless steel pepper mills. As salt is a purely corrosive material, putting it into a steel mechanism is kind of like suicide for your pepper mill. This is where ceramic mechanisms take the trophy.
Acrylic and Plastic
Stay AWAY from acrylic grinding mechanisms. These are the cheap pepper mills you’ll often find in most super shops. Apart from giving out an inconsistent grind, they’re not that good in terms of durability.
Body Material
The body or vessel is where you store the salt or the peppercorns. Similar to grinder material this also comes in 3 different materials. Although manufacturers don’t make a ceramic body.
Wood
For generations, wood has been a classic choice as a material for the body. In fact, wood might be the oldest material for this purpose. To this day, it’s a customer favorite and it’s for good reasons.
You see, wood is less prone to breaking or bending than steel. Even if it falls from your countertop, there’s little to no chance that it’ll break.
Metal
Wood pepper mills are great but they give out an old-school vibe to some people. That’s where metal salt and pepper mills come in. Along with a modern design, they rock when it comes to durability.
However, these grinders are heavier than they look. Some of these models weigh more than 2-3 times more than wood pepper mills. But they’re excellent when you want to add a dash of modern vibe to your kitchen.
Plastic and Acrylic
When it comes to body material, plastic and acrylic is a safe and affordable choices. They don’t rust and their weight is lighter than every other material.
If you do get one of these, at least ensure the grinder material is made out of steel.
Types of Salt and Pepper Mill. Manual or Electric?
Salt and pepper mills mainly come in two types, manual and electric. While both of them have their advantages and disadvantages, if it were up to me, I’d go for the manual ones. Here’s why-
Types of Manual Salt and Pepper Mills
Knob Twist
Knob twist mills are the most common type of salt and pepper mills you’ll find. From wood to steel, they come in many different materials. Along with ease of use, they also boast a simple mechanism.
As the name suggests, there are mainly two parts to this. When you twist the knob, the internal gears go against each other, resulting in freshly ground peppercorns.
When it’s about precision and control, knob twist pepper mills lead the pack. You can stop twisting whenever you want. Sprinkling the exact amount of spices couldn’t get easier with these. On top of that, you don’t have to go through any lag time.
Other than this, there’s no chance you’d ever run out of batteries(duh). However, they do require you to operate with two hands. They might feel good to use but when you think about efficiency they can hurt.
For example, some cooks like to stir when they’re sprinkling the spices. This is something you can’t do with knob twist pepper mills or any manual salt and pepper mills for that example.
Crank
As you can guess from the name, crank pepper mills come with a crank. They might enhance the beauty of your kitchen but they’re not that efficient. Mostly because these can’t grind that much pepper per crank.
Why Should You Use Electric Salt and Pepper Mills?
Electric salt and pepper mills are sorts of a grey area for many people. You’ll often find peppercorn purists arguing that letting a battery-operated machine do all the work diminishes the magic. But that’s not something to worry about.
What you do need to worry about are the weight and maintenance. Electric pepper mills tend to get heavy as they have electrical components inside. On top of that, there’s the weight of the batteries.
So, you might wake up everyone if you accidentally drop one of these on the floor. And there’s also a chance of it getting broken.
In comparison to manual salt and pepper mills, electric ones require a lot more maintenance. But they’re no doubt quite easy to use.
Even though it might take some for you to figure out all the controls. But once you get a hang of it, you’ll know the right coarseness settings and everything.
If you’ve your wallet by your side and you don’t want to go hard on your wrist, you could grab one of these. But remember, even the cheapest electric mills cost more than manual mills.
Coarseness Setting
From 2 settings to 6, the high-end pepper mills offer a number of coarseness settings. Having multiple coarseness settings allows the cook to ensure the right fineness in their spices. From ultra-fine to roughly split, you could go for any setting you want.
This is all great. But what should you look out for when checking the coarseness setting of pepper mills?
Check if it comes with proper markings. That’s what makes your job easier. You don’t have to guess every time you use the grinder.
Ease of Use
You know about carpal tunnel syndrome, right? If you don’t, it’s a condition where you get numbness or weakness in your hand. And there’s a good chance you could very well get it if your salt and pepper mill takes all the strength in your body to twist.
What you need is a comfortable and knob that twists without trying too hard. Apart from saving your wrist from pain, this also increases your efficiency in the kitchen.
Capacity
Home cooks don’t have to worry about the capacity. I mean if your family can go through ⅛ cups of peppercorn every day, then sure. But that’s a rare case.
However, restaurant or catering chefs do go through more than that. And keep in mind that ⅛ cups of the bare minimum capacity of smaller models.
Larger models go up to 1½ cups easily. But they come with their weight especially if you’re opting for an electric model.
Nonetheless, home cooks don’t do just fine with small to medium-sized models. It’s because spices are prone to losing their flavor over time. So, it’s better not to leave them inside the mill for long. Whereas restaurants should go for the larger models as they have to go through bulk amounts of spices every day.
Refilling Mechanism
The refilling mechanism depends on the model you’re getting. While some go for screw-off tops, others prefer a chute that opens from the side. Some people like the chute more because you don’t have to open the entire top like screw-off models.
If it were up to me I’d go for screw-off tops just because I like classic items. But you could do some experiments with the newer models.
Accessories Related to Salt & Pepper Mills
Salt Mill
A lot of brands offer a salt mill along with their pepper mill. When you want freshly ground salt, this is a perfect addition. Although the taste of salt doesn’t differ like how it does for spices.
But if you might like freshly ground salt anyway. And that’s completely fine too. I like them that way too.
Peppercorns
Some manufacturers include some peppercorns right in the box. Don’t use those unless you know for sure that it’s fresh. And frankly, there’s no way to know for sure. So, use your own separately bought peppercorns.
Tray
This one’s completely optional and there are only a few brands that do it. It’s a simple tray to station your salt and pepper mills. If you have accidental falls too often, getting one of these might help you.
But they satisfy the design aspect more than the functional one. So, it’s up to you.
How to Choose The Best Salt and Pepper Mill
The buying guide is there to help you look out for the big factors. But here are the tiny details you need to keep an eye out before buying salt and pepper mills.
Tight Seal
Check whether the salt and pepper mill you’re buying has a tight seal or not. Without a tight seal, you won’t get to keep the peppercorns fresh and dust-free.
Cap
A cap can be a life savior whether you use it on your kitchen or dining table. It’ll enhance the aesthetics while limiting the pepper mess.
Built-in LED
This one is only for electric salt and pepper mills. But they help you figure out the exact right amount. It’s quite handy if you like mood lighting on your food.
Gift Idea
Compact, useful, and affordable, a salt and pepper mill can be perfect for everyone. Some mills come with attractive boxes too.
Pre-included Batteries
Not all electric salt and pepper mills come with pre-included batteries. If that’s the case, you need to buy those yourself.
Non-odor Absorbing
If you plan on grinding a lot of different spices in your pepper mill, you need to make sure it doesn’t absorb odor. Otherwise, the taste can get messed up really bad.
Do Pepper Mills Ship With Peppercorns Already in Them?
Most manufacturers don’t do that. The main reason is you never know how long a product is going to be sitting on the shelf or in the warehouse. The longer it waits, the more quality the peppercorns lose.
Will My Grinder Work for Both Pepper and Salt?
It entirely depends on how the grinder was made. For example, you shouldn’t use it if the grinder is made out of stainless steel. Ceramic blades are fine as they’re not prone to rust or corrosion.
Can I Wash my Pepper Grinder in the Dishwasher?
It’s a BIG NO whether it’s made out of wood or metal. You should never submerge your pepper mill in water. Instead, use a combination of damp and dry cloth to clean out the exterior and interior of the grinder.
What is the Best Way to Free a Grinder Jam?
The easiest way to solve this is to turn the grinder upside down and gently give a tap on the bottom. But that might not always work. If that’s the case, you could take help from a toothpick or soft cloth.
Final Verdict
My ultimate purpose was to give you a complete roundabout knowledge about the best salt and pepper mills and what to look out for when buying one. I get that some of the products might look similar but it’s a salt and pepper mill. There’s not much the brands can do about that.
Nonetheless, if you’re still confused about what to buy, comment below and I’ll figure out something special for you. After all, everyone has different requirements.
That’s all for now. Adios!
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I Eat and Review Products.
Joshua is one of the best product reviewers. He reviews products in such a way a lawyer asks a question to an accused. You can find him doing machinery work in his little lab. His dad was a machinist in Toronto. Probably Joshua gets his affection for the gadgets from his dad. Joshua’s mother was a home cook. She made him really tasty food. Joshua once said in an interview, ” I probably fall in love with cooking when i was just 12 years old.”