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

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!

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

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

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. :)

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

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.

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?

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

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

Sharon S.

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