Manual vs. electric: To use a manual pepper mill, you'll fill a chamber and then turn a portion of the mill to grind the pepper. For electric grinders, you’ll fill a hopper and then push a button to grind. An electric grinder can be a good choice for those with dexterity or hand-strength issues, as the repetitive motion of grinding can get tiring with manual models. 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. 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 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. 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.

Creation Consumer Finance Ltd is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register no. 311518). 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.Cleaning Electricals - Steam Cleaners - Vacuums & Sweepers - Hard Floor Cleaners & Polishers - Carpet Cleaners chevron_left Previous chevron_right Next zoom_in Hover over image to zoom swipe Swipe for more media Large items (delivered by two people, such as appliances and furniture) can be returned using our Home Collection service. 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. Salt and pepper grinders are every cook's staple, but we've tested the most popular from Joseph Joseph, Le Creuset, ProCook, Peugeot, Salter and more, and found a big difference in how easy they are to fill and operate. We tested salt and pepper grinder sets that are popular and sold at major retailers. We bought and paid for every mill set we tested. 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. While the thought of freshly ground salt or pepper at the press of a button might sound appealing, the reality can be different.Home Electricals - Dry:Soon Heated Airers - Heated Blankets & Mattress Protectors - Fans & Heaters - Coffee Machines - Kettles - Toasters 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 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

Finished in stylish steel and acrylic, the salt mill looks the part, as well as performs it. A simple twist of the collar adjusts the coarseness depending on whether you’re seasoning a dish or wanting a crunchy, salty garnish. Our tests found that if you like even grains on both coarse and fine settings and grinders that aren't a fiddle to fill, it's generally worth paying more. Best salt and pepper grinders from our testWe 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. Capacity: Mills are often sold with a height measurement listed. Generally speaking, a 12-inch mill will hold more peppercorns than a 6-inch mill. This affects how often you need to refill, the storage space required and how comfortable it will feel in your hand. Larger mills and grinders are often heavier as well, so if you have limitations, you might opt for a smaller model. Some salt and pepper grinder sets don’t include the actual spices. You’ll need to buy your salt or pepper separately. Electric grinders may require up to four AA batteries each, which means you’ll need eight batteries per set. John Lewis plc, registered office: 171 Victoria Street, London SW1E 5NN. Authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (Register no. 724309) for the purpose of introducing the credit provided by Creation Consumer Finance Ltd, registered office: Wellington Buildings, 2-4 Wellington Street, Belfast BT1 6HT.