Chances are that while pepper is most likely a fixture of your kitchen or dining table, it’s not something you think about all that much. The same goes for whatever you use to sprinkle the seasoning. But that doesn’t make a proper pepper mill any less important.
Sure, a plain old shaker may be most convenient, but if you want the flavor you add to your food to taste as fresh and delicious as possible, you’re going to want to use a pepper mill (or as they’re sometimes called, a grinder). The device usually features a compartment that you pour peppercorns into before rotating the top or giving the handle a twist. Once you’ve given the device a few rotations and the peppercorns are ground up, you’ll have a fine pepper that can be sprinkled over whichever dish needs it.
If you’re serious about the flavor of your food, then you’re going to want to invest in a pepper mill. Here are four of the very best on Amazon.
1. Cole & Mason Capstan Pepper Grinder
Pepper mills don’t come much more elegant than Cole & Mason’s offering. The company’s device features a refined design that’s equal parts classic and modern. But the real highlight of this mill is a precision-cut mechanism that functions smoothly with every single twist. Some may wish it had more than two coarseness options, but it’s doubtful anyone will remember this small sticking point once they start using the device to season their food.
Amazon
2. Peugeot Paris Chef Pepper Mill
Peugot’s pepper mill looks exactly like one you’d see in a Hollywood classic or period piece. But thanks to its brushed stainless-steel finish, it looks more regal than old fashioned. While shaker’s design will turn heads, its performance is even more impressive. The French-made mill features a mechanism with a helix-shaped double row of teeth that helps crack each peppercorn before it’s ground up. This feature can also be adjusted so that you end up with either a very fine powder or a coarse pepper to sprinkle on your meal.
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3. OXO Good Grips Mess-Free Pepper Grinder
OXO’s updated pepper mill features a new contoured design that makes it more stylish than its predecessor. There’s more to this grinder than its looks, though. It’s a cinch to use: Simply select your grinder setting—there are five to choose from—and give it a couple of twists and you’re good to go. And when your supply of peppercorns is looking low, just flip it over and unscrew the endcap to add more without creating a mess.
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4. Kitchen-GO Pepper Grinder
This squat pepper mill won’t win any beauty contests, but that won’t matter once you start using it. Consisting of just three parts—a glass peppercorn container, a stainless-steel top with a built-in mechanism and a matching lid—Kitchen-GO’s device makes grinding a breeze. All you need to do is select how thick you want your flakes—fine, medium or coarse—and give it a couple of twists. It’s also only five-inches tall, making it easy to store away once you’re done with it.
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