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Quick Summary: We have picked the Cole & Mason Derwent Salt and Pepper Grinder Set as the best pepper mills and salt grinders as they are made from an attractive combination of acrylic and stainless steel, they have six grinding settings, and they come with a lifetime guarantee. The pepper grinding mechanism is made with hardened carbon steel and the salt grinding mechanism is made with diamond sharp ceramic. Additionally, the clear body provides a visible measure of contents.
It may seem silly to say, but something as simple as a pepper mill & salt grinder can make a big difference in the way your meals taste. Not only does it add to the taste, but it makes you look a little more professional when you use them.
When you grind your salt and pepper as you are adding it to your food, it brings immediate taste to whatever you are cooking. The moment that salt and pepper are ground, they begin to oxidize and the aroma and flavor begin to leave it. When you are grinding it right as you need it, you are sealing in the flavor until that exact moment.
While picking the best pepper mills and salt grinders may seem like a simple choice, there are some features of which you should be aware. There are different sizes and you want to select one that holds enough pepper and enough salt for you.
You have the choice between manual and electric designs. The grinding power makes a difference and you want one that rests comfortably in your hand. We have compiled for you a list of the 10 best pepper mills and salt grinders options to help make your decision easier.
Quick Navigation
- 10 Best Pepper Mills & Salt Grinders Comparison
- Reviews of 10 Best Pepper Mills & Salt Grinders
- Why You Need the Best Pepper Mills & Salt Grinders in Your Kitchen
- How to Choose the Best Pepper Mill & Salt Grinder Set
10 Best Pepper Mills & Salt Grinders Comparison
 | 1. COLE & MASON Salt and Pepper Grinder Set (Best overall)The Cole & Mason Derwent Salt And Pepper Grinder Set is a combination of stainless steel and acrylic giving you long lasting durability. The diamond sharp grinder will not crush the pepper or the salt. It grinds it down for optimum flavor. | |
 | 2. Willow & Everett Salt and Pepper Grinder Set (Best Budget)The Willow & Everett Original Stainless Steel Salt And Pepper Grinder Set With Stand has an affordable price and a modern design. The stand keeps your spices together while keeping your kitchen neat. | |
 | 3. Perfex Adjustable Salt Grinder MillThe Perfex Adjustable Salt Grinder Mill is easy to fill through a front chute that also gives the grinder a unique look. It is constructed of a heavy weight aluminum. | |
 | 4. Peugeot Paris u’Select 9-Inch Pepper MillSetThe Peugeot 23485 Paris U’ Select Pepper Mill is made of beech wood giving it a classic design that will stand the test of time. It is easy to clean with a damp cloth. | |
 | 5. Russell Hobbs Electric Salt and Pepper Mill SetThe Russell Hobbs Electric Pepper And Salt Mill Set is a modern and sleek looking stainless steel that comes in multiple colors. It includes a viewing window that allows you to see how much spice is left. | |
 | 6. Latent Epicure Battery Operated Salt and Pepper Grinder SetThe Latent Epicure Battery Operated Pepper And Salt Grinder Set uses a battery and is not manual. It includes a knob that allows you to change the coarseness of the spice. | |
 | 7. Home EC Premium Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder SetThe Home Ec. Premium Stainless Grinder Set has a large capacity providing you long use before having to refill them. The tops are stainless steel that gives a tight and secure seal to keep your spices in. | |
 | 8. Benicci Salt & Pepper Grinder Set – 2 Tall 6 Oz GlassThe Venicci Grinder Set has a full year warranty to cover any problems you might encounter. It comes with a stand to make it easier to carry to the dinner table. | |
 | 9. Zassenhaus Speyer Dark Stained Beech Pepper MillThe Zassenhaus Speyer 5.1 Inch Dark Stained Beech Pepper Mill has a hand crank making it easier to grind your spices. It also gives it a traditional country look. It also includes a 25 year warranty on the mechanism. | |
 | 10. Unicorn Mills 9-inch Magnum Plus Pepper MillThe Unicorn Magnum Plus Pepper Mill is easy to fill with a side opening. It can be cleaned simply with a glass cleaner and paper towel. It has a large capacity. |
Reviews of 10 Best Pepper Mills & Salt Grinders
In order to bring you a list of the best pepper mills and salt grinders, we had to dig through the ratings and reviews of dozens of options. After careful thought, we chose the following ten pepper mills & salt grinders as the best due to performance, design, durability, and price.
Best Overall
1. Cole & Mason Derwent Pepper Mills & Salt Grinders
What You Will Love: It has a hardened carbon steel pepper grinding system, and a diamond sharp ceramic salt grinding system. The Cole & Mason Derwent Pepper Mills & Salt Grinders is an excellent grinding set.
The hardened carbon steel pepper grinding mechanism and the diamond sharp ceramic salt grinding mechanism are very durable. Even better, the mechanisms do not crush your salt or pepper.
They actually grind the layers down for maximum flavor. The acrylic and stainless steel design looks great and lets you see how much spice is left. This grinder is easy to refill, easy to turn, and has six grinding levels from coarse to fine.
Additionally, the grinding process comes with a lifetime guarantee. With the great look, ease of use, large storage capacity, and strength, it seems like a great pick for everyone.
Unfortunately, it usually runs around $80, so Cole & Mason is pretty expensive for many budgets. If it is possible to fit it in, this set is worth the investment. And do not forget, if there is any trouble, you have the guarantee.
Pros:
- Tall,
- Does not crush- it grinds,
- Lifetime mechanism guarantee,
- easy to refill,
- 6 grinding levels,
- Nice acrylic and stainless steel design,
- Easy to turn
Cons:
- Expensive
Best Budget
2. Willow & Everett Original Stainless Steel Salt and Pepper Grinder Set with Stand
What You Will Love: The ceramic grinding mechanism is at the top of the grinder so that it creates much less mess. The Willow & Everett Original Stainless Steel pepper & salt grinder is a very great choice when you are on a tight budget but still want the flavor or fresh spices.
It is a tall set with a wide opening for refilling your salt or pepper. The glass and stainless steel design provide a modern and sleek look for your kitchen.
The high quality ceramic mechanism grinds well and provides adjustable coarseness. Some users have found the mechanism breaks fairly quickly, but the company stands behind its product.
The stand provides a nice touch to the look and neatness of the set, and Willow & Everett Pepper & Salt Grinders helps keep them in one spot.
Even better, the stand keeps the grinders from sitting directly on the counter. This helps prevent even more mess. You can usually find this great set for around $18, which can fit into most budgets.
Pros:
- Made from high quality ceramic grinding mechanism,
- Wide opening for refill, glass and stainless steel design, tall,
- Mechanism is placed on top of the mechanism for less mess,
- Great price for most budgets,
- Comes with stand,
- Modern look,
- Adjustable coarseness,
- Great company that stands behind its product
Cons:
- Ceramic grinder might break easily
Best Salt Grinder
3. Perfex Adjustable Salt Grinder Mill
What You Will Love: The front loading chute is easy to access and makes it fast and easy to refill. The grinding burr of the Perfex Adjustable Salt Grinder Mill is a stainless steel mechanism that produces a fine to coarse grind.
However, the fine grind may not be fine enough for some people. If you like a very fine grind, you should probably look for another option.
The body is made from heavyweight aluminum and the refilling chute is located on the front for easy access and easy refill. It is a cute salt grinder that makes one think of an old fashioned crank churn.
This makes it a great addition to traditional style kitchens. The unit is easy to clean as it can be wiped with a dry cloth.
Unfortunately, at only 4.5”, it is a smaller unit. As the storage capacity is not very large, it is probably not the best choice for someone who uses salt a lot, unless you want to continually refill it.
Additionally, some units are said to squeak when in use, making it a bit annoying. Considering the unit is over $70, I would prefer it to be a bit bigger and more quiet.
If you like this salt grinder, there is a matching pepper grinder that you can purchase, as well, to complete the set.
Pros:
- Unit provides fine to coarse spices,
- Made with stainless steel mechanism and heavyweight aluminum,
- Easy access front loading chute for easy refill,
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Expensive,
- Small storage capacity- only 4.5”, may not offer fine enough grind,
- Some units squeak
Best Pepper Grinder
4. Peugeot 23485 Paris u’ Select Pepper Mill
What You Will Love: The deep, beautiful chocolate colored beech wood give this grinder a timeless look. The Peugeot u’ Select Pepper Grinder is a large 9 inch pepper grinder that both looks great and holds a great amount of pepper.
The French made pepper grinder is made from beech wood that is a dark chocolate color. These materials and this color gives the grinder an elegant and refined yet traditional look.
The case hardened steel grinding mechanism is strong and the grinder has a two stage grinding system that produces coarse to powdery spices.
Unfortunately, the mechanism may lose friction over time and stop working so well. Also, the pepper does not always move down well and, therefore, you will likely have to shake it consistently to move the pepper down manually.
You can clean it easily with only a cloth, which makes it a little more convenient. At around $50, the price is right in the middle. There are cheaper options but there are also more expensive ones. If you use a lot of pepper and like dark-colored décor, this is a great pepper grinder.
Pros:
- 9 inches,
- 2 stage- coarse to powdery grinding,
- Made from case hardened steel,
- Easy to clean with a cloth,
- Body made from beech wood,
- Beautiful dark chocolate color,
- Mid level pricing,
- Made in france
Cons:
- Grinding may slow down over time as the mechanism loses friction,
- Might not slide down well without shaking it manually
Best Electric Grinders
5. Russell Hobbs Electric Salt and Pepper Mill Set
What You Will Love: The stainless steel housing comes in four color options including red, copper, black, and silver. The Russell Hobbs Electric Salt and Pepper Mills Set is a stylish, one touch grinder set. You can choose between a silver, copper, black, and silver set that comes with a clear viewing window.
The ceramic grinding mechanism provides coarse to ultra fine spices, though the grinders are said to be noisy when they are grinding.
The large size holds a lot of spice, and the spice grinders are versatile enough to be used on salt, pepper, and a variety of other spices.
This Russell Hobbs Electric Salt and Pepper Grinder Set is battery operated and requires only the push of a button to operate. There is a built in light at the bottom of the grinder that lets you keep an eye on how much spice you put on your food.
It is incredibly easy to use. However, the beautiful housing may scratch from use. Choosing the silver set might be the best bet considering the possibility of scratches. At around $40, it is one of the cheaper options on our list.
Pros:
- 4 color options,
- One touch operation,
- Ceramic grinding mechanism,
- Versatile,
- Coarse to ultra fine grinding,
- Built in light, large, steel construction,
- Clear view window,
- Battery operated,
- Easy to use,
- One of the cheaper options on this list
Cons:
- Housing might scratch,
- Noisy
Best Battery Operated Grinders
6. Latent Epicure Battery Operated Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
What You Will Love: The bonus acrylic mill tray provides one spot for the grinders to rest and keep spice dust off of clean counters. The Latent Epicure battery operated pepper & salt grinder is a modern looking set that includes a clear viewing window so you will easily know when to refill.
The ceramic grinding mechanism is adjusted with the easy to access coarseness knob. The grinder provides coarse and fine grinding, depending on your desire.
To operate, the user merely needs to press the one touch button after choosing the desired coarseness. The bright light at the bottom lets you see how much salt or pepper you are adding to your food.
Some users discovered some corrosion around the mechanism or the battery compartment. However, this did not remain a problem as the Latent Epicure stands behind the product and took care of the defective units.
While this is definitely an attractive and functional set, at about $60, there are definitely cheaper options to choose from.
Pros:
- Fine to coarse adjustable knob,
- Bonus mill tray for less mess,
- One touch operation,
- Bright light at the end,
- Company stands behind the product,
- Ceramic grinding mechanism
Cons:
- Some users found some corrosion around grinding mechanism,
- There are definitely cheaper options
Best Stainless Steel Grinders
7. Home Ec. Premium Stainless Steel Pepper & Salt Grinder
What You Will Love: The large 7.5 inch tall size holds a really good amount of spices, so these grinders do not have to be refilled very often. The Home Ec. Premium Stainless Steel Pepper & Salt Grinder is another attractive grinder set.
The glass and stainless steel design is a great look for almost any kitchen. The lid caps helps to keep the mess to a minimum and provide a tight seal that helps keep the spices fresh even longer.
The ceramic grinding mechanism has five separate settings to provide you with the coarseness that you desire. 7.5 inches tall size provides enough storage capacity for ¾ cups or six ounces of salt, pepper, or other spices.
Home Ec. Pepper & Salt Grinder also comes with a silicone funnel for an easy and clean refill, as well as a 365 day guarantee. The biggest downside is that it may be a bit difficult to turn.
Also, it is manually operated- not electric- which could be good or bad depending on your preferences.
Pros:
- Tall, glass and stainless steel design,
- Bpa free,
- 5 setting adjustable ceramic grinder mechanism,
- Easy to use,
- Stainless steel lid caps,
- 7.5 inches tall,
- Holds ¾ cups or 6 ounces,
- 365 day guarantee,
- Comes with silicone funnel,
- Easy to clean
Cons:
- Manual operation,
- Might be hard to turn
Best Glass Grinders
8. Benicci Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
What You Will Love: The concave glass and stainless steel design is unique, modern, and sleek that makes the set beautiful enough for even the most elegant of kitchens. The Benicci Salt and Pepper Grinder Set is a durable, thick glass grinder set with an attractive and unique design.
The ceramic grinding motor is covered with a 365 day warranty in case there are any issues. The included stand helps keep the set in one spot but many users do not use it.
They say that the stand actually detracts from the nice look of the set. However, for a set barely over $10, it is a great choice.
As it holds 6 ounces, it has a larger storage capacity than some grinders yet there are definitely larger capacity options. The size makes this set good for low to moderate use, or high usage from a one to two person household.
However, if you have a large family that uses salt or pepper often, a larger one would do you much better as you would not have to refill so often.
It is also important to know that though the ceramic grinding mechanism does grind your spice well, it is often slow doing the job.
Pros:
- Tall,
- 6 oz storage capacity,
- Comes with a stand,
- Easy to clean,
- Ceramic grinding mechanism,
- Durable and thick material,
- Great price,
- 365 day warranty
Cons:
- Some say stand is unattractive,
- Grinds slow,
- There are taller options
Best Wooden Grinders
9. Zassenhaus Speyer 5.1 Inch Dark Stained Beech Pepper Mill
What You Will Love: It provides 6 separate coarseness settings and has an old fashioned look that fits vintage or country décor. The Zassenhaus Speyer 5.1 Inch Dark Stained Pepper Mill is very attractive with its traditional look and old fashioned crank handle.
Unfortunately, that handle has been known to break off, but many users have been able to reattach it. This utensil powers through six separate settings from coarse to fine.
The 5.1 inch size is a bit on the smaller size so it is better for light use or small households.
If there are any problems with it, the mechanism is covered with a 25 year guarantee so you should have no problem getting it fixed or replaced.
It is easy to clean with just a damp cloth. By unscrewing the lid, you can easily refill the grinder. At less than $40, it is a fair price, though there are cheaper options.
Pros:
- German ceramic grinding mechanism,
- Guaranteed for 25 years,
- Easy to clean,
- 6 coarse to fine settings,
- Easy to fill- unscrew top,
- Traditional look,
- Very pretty dark stained beech wood, crank,
- Lower price than many choices, fair price,
- Can match either vintage or a traditional country decor
Cons:
- The handle is not very durable,
- Small size- not good for constant use or large households
Best Grinders for Chefs
10. Unicorn Magnum Plus Pepper Mill
What You Will Love: This steel grinder looks sleek and modern while providing a large storage capacity. The Unicorn Magnum Plus Pepper Mill is a great option for chefs and large households that love pepper. The extra large 9 inch size holds up to 1 ¼ cup of pepper.
The steel grinder is easy to adjust provides medium fine to extra coarse pepper. It is very easy to fill on the side, and it is easy to clean with nothing but glass cleaner and paper towels.
It also provides a comfortable grip to the user, so there is no need to worry about dropping it.
While this grinder is a great choice, there are a couple of downsides to it. First, there is no matching salt grinder in the 9 inch size, so if you are looking for a matching set, this is not the right choice for you.
Also, if you like electric pepper grinders, you should look for another one as this one is hand operated.
Lastly, at about $100, it is a very expensive option compared to many others. However, it is even large enough for some level of professional cooking.
Pros:
- Large- 9 inches,
- Black, long steel grinder,
- 1 ¼ cup storage capacity,
- Easy to fill,
- Extra large,
- Easy to adjust,
- Clean with glass cleaner and paper towels
Cons:
- Hand operated,
- No matching salt mill,
- Expensive
Why You Need the Best Pepper Mills & Salt Grinders in Your Kitchen
For those who have had freshly ground pepper before, this question is probably not valid. However, for those who have not, it can be easy to see why spending time and money on grinding your own can seem a waste. Let me give you a few reasons to have salt and pepper grinders in your kitchen.
Freshness
As soon as salt, pepper, and other herbs are ground, oxidation begins and some flavor is sucked out. As a result, you do not get the full strength of deliciousness that these items can add to your food. With pepper & salt grinder, you can experience something you never have before.
Lasts a Lifetime
If you find a good set of salt and pepper grinders, they will be around for a long time. You might even be able to pass them down to your kids. And as they are pretty timeless kitchen gadgets, you do not really have to worry about them going out of style.
Kitchen Cachet
Have you ever wanted to be a professional chef? Well, although that would require a little extra, having pepper & salt grinders can make you appear to be more professional.
At the very least, they make you look like you spend real time preparing your meals. They also add beauty and style to your kitchen.
How to Choose the Best Pepper Mill & Salt Grinder Sets
When it comes to kitchen appliances, a large part of the decision comes down to your space and your personal preferences. What is best for one kitchen and home is not always best for another.
However, when deciding on the right salt and pepper grinders, everyone will face the same type of options. The following are factors that you will need to consider:
Manual vs Electric
Pepper & salt grinder come in both manual and electric options, and the electric ones are either plug-in or battery operated.
The first decision is whether you want to grind the traditional way by turning it with your hand, or grind with an electric mechanism. If you choose electric, you must then decide if you want battery powered or not.
Design
Pepper mill & salt grinders come in many shapes, sizes, colors, and more. Some have a fun look while others have a more elegant one.
Materials
Generally, pepper mills & salt grinders will be made from glass, plastic, acrylic, and wood. Wooden ones may be a little more durable but they tend to be difficult to clean. Plastic, acrylic, and glass differ in look and durability, but all three offer a view into the grinders so you will know if you need to refill.
Storage Capacity
The amount of salt or pepper grinders can hold is also important. If you use them often, you will want more storage capacity so you do not have to refill as often. For minimal use, you can probably get away with a smaller one.
Grinding Mechanism
The grinding process is a huge factor in how well the grinders function and how long they last. Stainless steel and ceramic tend to last longer than acrylic mechanisms, but acrylic ones are usually cheaper.
Expenses
The more durable the grinders, the less you have to put into them. If you choose a cheaply made product, you will be replacing it often. Unless you just want one as a trial to see if you like freshly ground salt and pepper, it is worth the investment to purchase a set made from durable products.
Final Verdict: Best Pepper Mills & Salt Grinders
This list includes some great options for pepper mills & salt grinder sets for different homes, cooks, family sizes, and kitchen decor.
With all of the available options, it may seem a bit overwhelming to choose one but it does not have to be. The information included in this article can help you decide on the best pepper mills & salt grinders for you.
