The best pepper grinders and pepper mills we tested in 2021

The best pepper mill overall

An industry classic, the Peugeot Pepper Mill comes in a variety of sizes, looks beautiful on any table, and accurately grinds pepper in six settings.

Pros: Easy to adjust, even fine grind, attractive finish

Cons: Coarse grind in on the finer side

The Peugeot Paris u’Select Pepper Mill is a classic; intuitive to use and beautiful to display. You adjust the setting by rotating a labeled band of wood at the mill’s base. Of the mills with specific grind settings, it was the easiest to turn, and because the band is located at the base, you don’t have to worry about the mill coming apart as you adjust it. 

The hour-glass shape of the mill is easy to grip, and the texture of the wood feels more natural than others that were highly polished, which I preferred. No matter what setting you’re on, the pepper comes out in a neat circle and doesn’t spray wide. 

The coarsest grind was finer than others we tested and the Peugeot was average in terms of speed. We tested the 7-inch mill, but multiple sizes are available if you’re looking for something with more capacity.

The best electric pepper mill

The Epare is a quiet electric mill with a cap to prevent pepper dust from settling and a streamlined, stainless steel body.

Pros: Motor isn’t loud, can be operated with one hand

Cons: Doesn’t come with batteries, bulky

This battery-operated electric pepper mill stood out for its modern design and simple operation. It was the only truly one handed pepper mill I tested. The mill is top heavy with four AA batteries stored in the upper portion, but the stainless steel construction is sturdy enough to keep it from tipping over. 

When you grind the pepper, a small LED light shines from the mouth of the mill. It is not obtrusive, but illuminates a small area of the plate so you can see where your pepper in landing. The coarseness adjuster is underneath the mill, and provides an accurate range of fine to coarse. 

Especially with the finer grinds, efficiency was the main downside with the Epare: it was among the slowest mills I tested. However, if you’re looking for a mill easy to operate with limited hand strength, this was the best.

The best budget pepper mill

The Kuhn Rikon Ratchet Grinder was intuitive to use, easy to fill, and costs less than most of the mills we tested.

Pros: Side opening for easy filling, ratchet is easy to use and pull

Cons: Construction doesn’t feel very sturdy, leaves pepper dust if set down after grinding

The only ratchet grinder we tested, the Kuhn Rikon had a small but accurate range of grinds. The adjustment dial is under the mill’s opening, with the directions for fine and coarse clearly labeled. You pour peppercorns through an opening on the side of the mill, so you don’t have to unscrew anything or worry about losing small pieces.

The exterior of the mill does not feel particularly durable, but the internal grinding mechanism is ceramic. Wilkens says that ceramic grinders are likely to stay sharp and not wear down. The main issue is that if you leave the ratchet handle in any position other than straight up, you will inadvertently grind pepper when you try to adjust it.

Our testing methodology

We consulted three experts to learn about common practices in the spice industry and misconceptions about pepper preparation and usage. We spoke with Ethan Frisch, co-founder of Burlap and Barrel; Robyn McArthur, executive chef at the Austin, Texas Auguste Escoffier School of Culinary Arts; and Alex Wilkens, spice expert at The Spice House. 

We used Ea Sar Black Pepper from Burlap and Barrel for our testing. 

Grind size: We compared all mills by grinding pepper on the finest and coarsest possible settings. The finest setting should produce a powder-like consistency and the coarsest setting should be noticeably larger, but still a consistent grind size. For mills with precise settings, we ground pepper on each setting and compared the grounds.

Speed: We estimated the speed of the mill by grinding on the finest setting for 10 seconds and then measuring the amount of ground pepper produced. 

Capacity: We measured the capacity of each mill by filling the mill reservoir with peppercorns and then pouring those peppercorns into measuring cups. 

Ease of use: We looked at how easy and intuitive it was to adjust the grinders and whether they could be operated with one hand. We also evaluated how comfortable they were to turn. After using the grinders, we set them down on a white tablecloth to see if pepper dust settled onto the table.

Durability: Experts told us that ceramic mechanisms last the longest, so we ranked mills with ceramic grinders higher. We will continue to evaluate our top picks for durability, looking for changes in grind accuracy and loosening of the mobile pieces.

What else we tested

What else we recommend and why

Le Creuset Pepper Mill: The Le Creuset Pepper Mill is easy to clean and use in a busy kitchen, and it comes in a variety of striking colors. The sturdy, acrylic-coated plastic won’t be damaged by moisture and can be wiped down with a damp cloth. There are some reviews that suggest long-term durability issues, and we will update this guide if we discover any throughout longer use. 

Cole and Mason Derwent Pepper Mill: This mill was the most efficient of any we tested, producing almost half a teaspoon of pepper in 10 seconds. This mill had the best range from fine to coarse, producing both powder consistency and coarser grind easily. However, it has a clear body that leaves the peppercorns exposed to light and heat, which experts said can degrade flavor. Additionally, the adjusting mechanism was very hard to rotate.

Fletcher’s Mill 8-inch Border Grill Mill: This is a popular mill and there weren’t many flaws with its performance. Rather, it didn’t stand out among the other mills, which is why it didn’t earn a top place. 

Zwilling Matte Black Pepper Grinder: This mill was efficient and one of the fastest tested. It did a great job at making an even coarse grind, but the fine grind was indistinguishable from the coarse. Additionally, the silicone exterior showed my hand prints after I used it.

What we don’t recommend and why

Kamenstein Dual Salt and Pepper Mill: This mill was the only dual-sided grinder we tested; one end meant for pepper and the other for salt. However, it was the hardest to fill and produced inaccurate grinds on all three of its three settings.

What we’re testing next

Trudeau Graviti Matte Black Pepper Mill: This electric mill starts grinding when flipped upside down. You adjust the coarseness and fill the mill rightside up, but we’re curious what happens if you accidentally knock the mill over. It requires six AAA batteries, which could make it unwieldy, but possibly last longer.

OXO Good Grips Pepper Grinder: The mouth of this mill is on the top to prevent pepper dust from settling on the table. You rotate the mill by turning a soft, non-slip grip, which may make this mill a good option for those with less grip strength.

FAQs

Why should I grind peppercorns instead of buying pre-ground pepper?

The main reason to grind your own pepper is taste and quality. Once peppercorns are ground and the oils are released, the flavor weakens. The flavor dulls even further over time as the powder is exposed to heat, air, and light, according to McArthur. It is also easier to falsify the quality and origins of pre-ground pepper, said Frisch. “Most pepper in the supermarket has been through so many steps that it’s impossible to trace.” 

Not only will your food taste better with pepper you grind yourself, but you’ll use less of the spice because freshly ground pepper has a stronger flavor. You can also adjust the coarseness of the grind based on your preference or what you’re cooking. Grinding pepper yourself, especially with one of the mills we recommend above, is an easy way to get involved with your food.

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How are pepper mills different from spice grinders?

Depending on the pepper mill’s material and grinding mechanism, you can grind small and uniformly shaped spices in a pepper mill. For example, cardamom seeds are great in a pepper grinder, but you’ll need a spice grinder for cinnamon sticks. However, most pepper mills cannot be cleaned with water, only brushed out with a dry cloth, so once you grind another spice in your mill, the flavor may linger. 

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How do pepper mills work?

Pepper mills use burr grinders. When you rotate the mill, peppercorns are forced between two grooved discs that crush the spice, according to McArthur. The mill is essentially a smaller and less powerful coffee burr grinder.

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Can I put salt in my pepper mill?

Salt can only be ground by a ceramic grinding mechanism because salt corrodes metal over time. If your pepper mill has a ceramic mechanism, then you can put salt in it.

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Are there different uses for fine and coarse pepper grinds?

The finer the grind, the more the pepper will dissolve into whatever you’re cooking. With a coarser grind, you’re more likely to get a prominent bit of peppercorn while eating. McArthur recommends using a coarser grind when cooking with high heat because a finer grind will lose its flavor faster.

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Why should I buy single source peppercorns?

Commodity, or commercial, peppercorns are picked underripe so that they can last through long shipping and packaging processes. Peppercorns continue to ripen off the vine, and while they don’t go bad or rot, they lose flavor about two years after harvest, according to Frisch. That might seem like a long time, but Frisch says that in the commodity spice chain, it takes three to four years to get from the farm to the supermarket shelves. 

Single source peppercorns are harvested and shipped in a shorter period of time, so you have a longer window between purchasing them and when they start losing flavor.

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