Maybe this recent discussion will help.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pepper grinder thread.

I love mine! It is on barnmom's link!

Oh gosh... thanks so much! I now have the 'problem' of figuring out which one would be best for me!! 'Looks' would be not a problem as it would be kept in the cupboard as no one ever uses pepper at the dinner table... only what I use in cooking. I just have used the ground pepper corns for so many years & I refuse to use prepared ground in my rather simple cooking! The arthritis in my hands/fingers would be the factor in what grinder I could use now.

Again, thanks for your help!

I have had a Unicorn Magnum (by Tom David) for a year or so now. It's the best grinder I've ever used. Very efficient: it produces a whole lot of pepper per grind, so that might be a consideration. They also make a 'key-top' model which might be even easier on your hands.

The Magnum holds right at 4 ounces of peppercorns. Amazon has them for $45 (the 9" magnum), $37 (for the 6" model) and $27 (for the key top). If you look at the Amazon web site, you can read user comments on all of these models.

What arley said! AnnT recommended the Magnum to me many years ago. I love and it's very easy to use. I also like how easy it is to change the grind of your pepper.

a Magnum it is!!! Thanks everyone for your advise; think the Magnum Keytop may be the one I may choose first as it looks the easiest to turn, as long as the grind is adjustible & it produces a decent amount with each turn! The grinding adjustible mechanism (plastic) should do OK for me.

Can't wait to get one... tonight my right hand is SO painful from trying to grind with my old peppermill- with meager output- for my fried potatoes!

You may want to look at an electric pepper mill.

We have one for pepper and one for salt. They live by the range, and only needing one hand free to apply freshly-ground pepper is surprisingly convenient, whether one has arthritis or not. They take four or six AAA batteries, typically, which last a year or so for us. Our mills have lasted for five years so far, I don't think they are "lifetime" purchases but at least several years seems achievable. I use my mills about 3X day.

Mine are Peugeots, but there are many other brands down to $25. I'd check the reviews on Amazon. Some are button operated, some operate when you turn them upside down.

We have one of the kind that operates when you turn it upside down and we like it. We only use it for cooking when we don't have two hands available to do the grinding, but it works great. I think it would be wonderful for someone with arthritic hands.

dlynn: what is the name of the brand you use... is it battery operated if it operates when you turn it upside down? Is the grind adjustable (fine, coarse, etc.)?

vieja, I have both a Unicorn magnum and a Unicorn peppergun, which I have used for years and love. The magnum sits near the stove and is used daily and for large quantities at times, the peppergun sits in a tiny loaf pan on the table. Both do very well for me.

However, a friend with severe arthritis in her hands tried both. The peppergun was easier for her to use, but still a problem. She finally bought a battery powered grinder which she loves. I don't know the make, but if you want more info I can find it.

I can't speak to the keytop Unicorn grinder. It might be easier to use. If you can, you might want to try one out before buying it.

Hope this helps.

Ours is battery operated and begins as soon as you turn it upside down.... great for when you are stirring with one hand or have a messy hand, and need to add the pepper. The grind size is adjustable, which was a problem for us at first because my son was constantly readjusting it without telling us, then we would be in a hurry while cooking and these huge chunks would come out. After the "new" wore off, he went back to using the other grinders and it's no longer a problem.

I first saw this last year when my son's Mock Trial Team gave a gift to the attorney that coached them. They gave him the stainless version and had it engraved. He's a foodie and it makes a great gift idea, especially when engraved. The mom that thought of it had been using one for a while and told me they worked great. Since they weren't that expensive I thought it was worth trying and I'm glad we did. We still use the regular grinder at the table, but if I had arthritis, I'd definitely use this one at the table.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trudeau battery powered pepper grinder

dlynn: that battery operated one (Trudeau) sounds interesting also... since the grind is adjustable how much is the quantity that is ground at one time?

I find I have to look for other ways to do things with my hands due to the arthritis & found a battery operated hand can opener. It worked fine, until.... the battery went dead on a partially opened can! We still use that can opener but make sure the batteries are changed/recharged the first of each month along with those of the camera & the Toro gas lawn mower with a battery key ignition!

Until I began grinding the peppercorns years ago I had no idea what freshly ground black pepper tasted like... the store-bought powdered pepper was tossed forever!

Thank you for your experience with this brand which is quite economical!

- vieja

Here's a youtube video that shows the grinder actually working. It gives you a an idea of how it works and how much it grinds.

Here is a link that might be useful: Trudeau pepper grinder video

This is another video where you can see the exact amount that is coming out of the grinder. This is the model that I have, but I don't think they work any differently... they just look different and I just bought the first one I found.

Here is a link that might be useful: Another pepper video