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Pepper Mill vs Salt Mill - what's the diff?

16 years ago

What is the difference between a pepper mill & a salt mill? In other words, do I have to buy a salt mill to grind salt? Or can I just use a pepper mill? Pepper mills are a lot more plentiful and available than salt mills. And to be honest, I'm not even sure I want to grind salt in the first place, do I?

I'm thinking of getting a few mills which I can then use for various peppers/salt. Here's the one I'm considering.

Here is a link that might be useful: Peugot baby bistro pepper mill

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Comments (11)

msafirstein
16 years ago
I think I have 5 pepper Mills and Joe just bought me another 1 for Christmas. And I do have a small pepper mill similar to the 1 you are considering. But the small one is more difficult to use just do to the size. I would suggest getting one that is at least 5", it fits the hand better and is easier to hold while turning the grinder.

You should be able to find pepper mills on sale after the holidays at pretty good prices too. I've also picked up some beautiful vintage mills on Ebay but you must be careful with anything purchased on Ebay.

Michelle
Carol Schmertzler Siegel
16 years ago
May, I think the difference is that a salt mill would have a plastic or ceramic mechanism, so it wouldn't corrode.

I use a salt mill for big chunk salt like Maldon's. My kids use the salt mill. I sprinkle!

Peugot makes a nice peppermill. I like a bigger one, more comfortable in my hand! I have a small Zassenhaus I had got from Penzey's. I love that one but I should have gotten the larger one. I also have the Magnum, on Ann T's recommendation, excelletn grinder. and I love the Kuhn Rikon.

Vase Grinders

Unicorn Pepper Mills

I don't see the Zassenhaus mills at Penzey's any more?
Penzey's Salt and Peppermills

I love peppermills, I have quite a few also! I like the one you picked! There's been a few threads in the past about peppermills, too!
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I have one of the cheapest, yet best, mills you've ever seen. I learned about it on the Kitchens Forum I think. It's the Ikea "Spice Mill". It has the ceramic grinders (I have one Ikea mill for pepper and one for sea salt, and it is the only grinder I've owned where the sea salt hasn't ruined it). Did I say it was dirt cheap LOL? Plus it is glass so you can see how much you have left, it holds a whole lot, it cleans really easily, and the grind is adjustable from coarse to fine. But one of my favorite things about it is that it sits on the table or counter with the grinder part on top - that means no annoying pepper crumbs on the table. P.S. I have a Unicorn mill too, and as others have said, it works really well. But I still reach for the Ikea Spice Mill first because the Unicorn grinder does leave pepper crumbs on the table, and also sometimes when I use the Unicorn, if I don't hold it just right, the filler-opening opens and peppercorns fly out. Plus, the Unicorn isn't very attractive. The Ikea one isn't gorgeous either, but can look pretty cute when filled with multi-colored peppercorns. Here is a link that might be useful: Ikea 365+ Spice Mill
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ann_t
16 years ago
The biggest difference between a pepper grinder and a salt grinder is the "grinding mechanism". Salt corrodes metal so you can't use a pepper grinder that has a metal grinder. You can however use any grinder that has a ceramic grinder for pepper or salt.

I have a number of different grinders including a Peugot (actually I gave that one to Matt) but the best grinder out there is the Unicorn. Jessica turned me on to this grinder 3 or 4 years ago. It is the best.

Unicorn

Ann
lindac
16 years ago
I also have lots and lots of pepper mills....even a sterling one. But they are not all created equal no matter how cute. The mechanism will wear and some are not very good to begin with.
My favorite currently is the coffee mill which is made in Greece...my second favorite was a pewter one with a "hatch" on the side for the pepper...but it's pretty well worn out.
I just buy sea salt in a disposable mill, or grate my own from a block if it's that kind.....works fine.
Linda C
lowspark
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks! That answers my question! What I wanted was a small but attractive mill, that I could buy several of without breaking the bank, and then use for any kind of pepper/salt. But I will probably reconsider what to buy because I don't want it to be hard to use. And I don't want it to corrode with salt, although I'm still thinking I probably don't need a salt one, at least for now.

So... your comments have been most helpful and now I just have to think about what I want. :)
annie1992
16 years ago
I don't grind salt either, the Wm. Bounds salt mill I bought doesn't grind finely enough for my taste, so like dishesdone, I sprinkle.

I always use the matching pepper mill, though, I'm so spoiled. I only like freshly ground pepper...

Annie
ann_t
16 years ago
May, try Costco's Kirkland Brand Mediterranean Sea Salt Grinder. I tried this recently and it is quite good and inexpensive. Just throw it away when it is empty and buy another one. You can even adjust the grind. I put one in Matthew's stocking this year.
sharon_s
16 years ago
I can second the Kirkland salt grinder. We've been quite happy with it.

I'm in the market for a pepper grinder, so I appreciate the links. My m-i-l swears by the Chef'n pepper ball grinder, but I don't care for it--way too much effort for a little bit of grinding. My next door neighbor says she's been through 5 Peugots recently, they keep falling apart on her (the last dropped screws from the base into her salad).

The Unicorn looks interesting--which one do you have, Ann?
ann_t
16 years ago
Sharon, I have the Magnum Plus. Besides the fact that it is the best grinder whether you want fine or coarse but it also holds a lot of peppercorns. So you don't have to be constantly filling it.

Ann
sharon_s
16 years ago
Thank you, Ann. I ordered one; I'm tired of fighting with my pepper grinders. Can't wait to try it!

Sharon S.
ann_t
16 years ago
You are welcome Sharon. I hope you like it as much as I do. I have Jessica to thank for introducing me to the Unicorn.

Ann

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