If you are looking for the best salt and pepper grinders you have come to the right place. An essential item in most kitchens, there is no better way to easily spice up a dish. And I’m sure that you like most people have at some point held that pepper mill over your spaghetti dish and pretended, for just a moment, that you were the best chef in the world; I know I have.
There is something both primal and comforting about grinding your own salt and pepper and you want to make sure you have the best salt and pepper grinder you can afford. In this article, we will walk you through the best salt and pepper grinders on the market, with pros and cons so that you can easily make your own informed decision.
Why Grind Your Own Salt And Pepper?
You might be thinking, why do I even need to worry about buying the best salt and pepper grinders? Apart from the fact that salt and pepper grinders are beautiful objects and make you feel like a top chef when you use them, there are benefits to using grinders.
When using a salt grinder it has been shown that you use less salt. Most food only needs a small dusting of salt and most people add far too much salt to food. A salt grinder takes more effort than shaking, so it is a good way to start to lessen your salt consumption.
With a salt grinder, you tend to get better coverage of salt on the food, therefore you tend to add less salt and consequently get a better flavor.
Some table salts have added chemicals in them; something you don’t find with rock salt or salt crystals
Since the salt is ground finer it tends to cling to the food more, giving it more of a flavor.
So making sure you get the best salt grinder really is important.
It has been said that pepper has many health benefits, from aiding digestion to fighting infections. When pepper is pre-ground it becomes oxidized, which damages the peppercorn and reduces the health benefits.
The taste of the pepper is better when milled as needed; this is due to naturally occurring oils in peppercorns which are released when the peppercorn is ground. These oils significantly add to the flavor.
This is why it’s important that you choose the best pepper mill and the best salt grinder for you and your family.
Things To Consider When Choosing The Best Salt And Pepper Grinder
There are many considerations when choosing the best salt and pepper grinder.
Aesthetics – for some people this is the most important thing when choosing salt and pepper grinders. However, this shouldn’t trump things like functionality and durability.
Durability – Are you someone who uses a lot of salt and pepper? if so you will need to find grinders that will last. Some look cute and kitschy but might not last as long, so make sure you considered this.
Adjusting between grinds – for some people, this doesn’t matter when they are choosing the best salt and pepper grinder but for some it does. Some mills allow you to adjust between fine and coarse, which is especially useful for salt grinders, particularly if you love salt and tend to use too much. You can get a fine, medium and coarse grind; medium tends to be more general-purpose
The material the item is made of – stainless steel grinders tend to last longer but since they are not clear you can’t see when they need refilling.
The grinding mechanism – cheaper mills tend to have a plastic mechanism that is unlikely to last very long. Ceramic grinding mechanisms tend to be the best and can grind salt crystals to a fine powder.
The size – consider how big you want them to be, how often you will use them and how often you want to refill them. Large ones, while they may look good, can be heavy and really small ones are unlikely to last very long.
Who is using it – Consider who is using it and whether that person has full dexterity. You may want an electric one for someone who finds using their hands more difficult.
So what are the best salt and pepper grinders currently on the market? Let us walk you through the ones we found and why we choose them.
10 Best Salt And Pepper Grinders
Willow & Everett Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
This Willow & Everett Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set not only looks classy but is built for convenience and function.
Made of stainless steel and glass, this is one of the best salt and pepper grinders if you want a grinder that has the grinding mechanisms at the top of the grinder. Adjusting the grain is a simple turn of a knob. The grinding mechanism is ceramic so will be durable.
The clear glass allows you to see exactly when they need refilling, which is always a bonus.
This product has over 5,700 reviews on Amazon with 87 % rating it a 4 or 5 out of 5 stars.
The design also makes them easy to hold and use.
KitchenBliss Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
The KitchenBliss Salt and Pepper Grinder Set is another grinder with the mechanism at the top.
Again, the mechanism is ceramic and the stainless steel and glass construction means you can easily see when they need refilling. They also have an airtight lid to ensure freshness.
The extra-large size makes them easy to grip and you can also choose how fine/coarse you want the grind.
This item also comes with a free cleaning brush, bamboo spoon and a 100% money-back guarantee.
This product has nearly 1000 reviews with 91 % rating it a 4 or 5 out of 5 stars.
A good all-rounder in your search for the best salt and pepper grinder.
Chew Fun Gravity Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
The Chew Fun Gravity Salt and Pepper Grinder Set is a very stylish looking grinder.
This battery-operated grinder is somewhat of a whiz kid in that you just have to turn it upside down and it starts to work automatically. A light even comes on so you can see how much salt and pepper you are adding.
The mills have a wide opening, meaning there is less mess and they are easy to refill. They also come with a one-year guarantee.
The grinder requires 6 AAA batteries and it holds 2/3 cup.
This grinder is a little more expensive than some but over 2000 give it an average rating of 4.3/5.
If you are someone who loves ease and innovation then these are the best salt and pepper grinders for you.
Latent Epicure Battery Operated Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
The Latent Epicure Battery Operated Salt and Pepper Grinder Set operates with one push of a button.
It has a coarseness setting and a light that illuminates the food so you can see what you are adding.
This set also comes with a mill tray which makes sure any escaping condiments do not go all over your kitchen or table surfaces.
The style for us is a little lacking on this one, but it’s such a personal choice and as with all battery-operated mills a substantial part of the mill is for the batteries, leaving less space for the salt and pepper.
This product is highly rated with a 4.4/5 star average from over 4000 purchasers.
OXO Good Grips Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
The OXO Good Grips Salt and Pepper Grinder Set may not be the most stylish kid on the block but they are brilliant for those that don’t find grinding motion the easiest.
These grinders have five coarseness settings and the ceramic grinders are non-corrosive.
The grinders feature soft, non-slip grips for comfortable seasoning and they are some of the only ones we have found that comes with salt and pepper in them.
These grinders are on the pricey side but produced by a reputable company, they are built to last.
Due to the coarseness setting, you can also grind whole spices like cumin, coriander, and cloves.
It feels like this is the best salt and pepper grinder for those who want minimum fuss. It has the highest rating on Amazon with an average of 4.7/ 5 scoring on over 1400 reviews.
Menu Salt and Pepper Grinder Set With With Walnut Lid
The Menu Salt and Pepper Grinder Set With Walnut Lid are definitely for those who love stylish items and are prepared to pay more for aesthetics. Although each to their own, we think these grinders are beautiful.
The ceramic grinder is located at the top, which means less mess on your kitchen units and table.
These grinders are durable and easy to clean and use, and we think they would make a lovely gift for a culinary friend.
They also come in a variety of colors and we are hard pushed to find a favorite. The one we have linked to here seems to be one of the cheaper color options.
If you are looking for the best salt and pepper grinders as a gift for someone who loves cooking, these would be perfect.
JCP Kitchen Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
We wanted to include the Home Chef Salt and Pepper Grinder Set because they are some of the only grinders that are copper and we know how much people love copper these days.
They are pretty stylish and also come on a cute bamboo stand, so we just had to include them.
They hold up to 3/4 cup of spices and are easy to use and refill. They also have magnetic lids, ensuring the contents are kept fresh and moisture-free.
These mills are practical, stylish and affordable. They have an average of 4.2/5 rating on nearly 1500 reviews.
The best salt and pepper mills for those looking for style and substance.
Wood Salt and Pepper Mill Set
We don’t think any article on the best salt and pepper grinders would be complete without including at least one traditional wooden mill set, so here is ours. This Wood Salt and Pepper Mill Set is the best and most affordable one we found.
It’s made of oak with a ceramic grinder and has a 3 oz capacity.
You can easily adjust the coarseness by turning clockwise or anti-clockwise. They also have an S and P on so you can tell them apart.
On amazon they had a 4.5 rating from over 500 reviews. A very affordable and durable set if you like wooden mills.
Grind Gourmet Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
The Grind Gourmet Salt and Pepper Grinder Set is the original pump-and-grind pepper mills.
You simply press the top button to send the grinding rod down through the contents of the mill to add fresh ground salt and pepper to any dish or recipe.
Designed with a high quality stainless steel body, they are built to last.
You can use them with one hand and we think they are the perfect blend between form and function.
They also come with a stand to ensure you keep your tables and worktops clean. They have an average 4.5 rating on Amazon.
If you are looking for the best salt and pepper grinders that are a bit quirky, this one might be for you.
Cole & Mason Oldbury Salt & Pepper Mill Grinder
The most expensive of the bunch these Cole & Mason Oldbury Salt & Pepper Mill Grinder really are beautiful.
They have a hardened carbon-steel pepper grinding mechanism and a diamond-sharp ceramic salt grinding mechanism, which makes for precision grinding. The grinding mechanism has a lifetime guarantee, which means while expensive, they are expected to last.
They have an adjustable grinding mechanism and are easy to fill.
These really are the set for those that cook a lot and like to think of themselves as a bit of a chef. They are made from walnut-stained beechwood and look very stylish, although they seem to appear lighter than they look in the picture.
They have a average rating of 4.5 on Amazon.
If you love the idea of precision grinding then these are the best salt and pepper grinders for you.
These are the best salt and pepper grinders that we have found on the market. From the practical to the stylish, the best pepper mill for a present or the best salt grinder for the budding chef, we feel we have covered them all.
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