Last updated: 16/10/2022

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As the ancients used to say: there is no such thing as bad food, there is food without seasoning. And this is in fact a great truth. In addition to garlic and salt, pepper also makes a difference in dishes. And to have it fresh and tasty, the pepper grinder is essential.

Present in virtually all professional kitchens, this utensil makes the difference and with its design and very simple use, can add more flavor and aroma to any dish. And if you are looking for just that, in this article we will bring you all the information about the pepper grinder. By the end of this article you will know whether or not it is ideal for your needs. So stay with us and let’s go!




Summary

  • The pepper grinder can be found in manual format and also in electric format.
  • It can be used for other types of seasoning like salt, mustard grains and more.
  • Most models have a grind regulator and so it is possible to obtain various sizes of grains.

The Best Pepper Grinder: Our Picks

Buying Guide

Considered one of the greatest allies for those who love to use black pepper in their dishes, the pepper grinder is a piece of equipment that practically every chef has and that can be easily used by amateur cooks as well. And if you fit in one of these classifications and are looking for one of these, know that in this buying guide we will answer all your doubts once and for all. For that, you only need to read until the end.

Learn how to choose your next pepper grinder. (Source: Sonja Punz / Unsplash)

What is a pepper grinder and how to use it?

A pepper grinder is a kitchen utensil found in various sizes that is used to grind peppercorns into grains, making them instantly smaller.
It can also be used to grind coarse salt and other spices.

It is available in various models and can also be used to grind coarse salt and other spices.

The pepper grinder has a very simple operation. To use it you just need to put the pepper in its container, adjust the screw to define the size of the grains and turn its upper part to release the spice.

The pepper grinder was invented in France in 1842 by Jean Pequignot Peugeot and models of this brand are still produced today.

What are the advantages and disadvantages of a pepper grinder?

Besides its practicality, the pepper grinder is responsible for giving more aroma and flavor to food due to the work it performs with this ingredient. As soon as the pepper is ground, it releases aromatic oils which give it much more intensity and taste. However, as time goes by, these oils disperse and in the ground chili options found in supermarkets they no longer exist.

With a home grinder, it’s possible to use all the oils produced by the chili pepper as soon as it is grinded, thus achieving a final result with a more aromatic and distinct flavor.

In relation to salt, there is no alteration in the final taste, but with the grinder you can have grains a little larger than the powdered ones and this way the food will have a differentiated texture. Another positive point of this product is that it is very easy to use and can be found for a very reasonable price.

Thanks to this, it can be part of anyone’s kitchen, not being an item of professional use only. The only issue that should be taken care with the pepper grinder is related to the fact that there are some models that are made with materials that can rust and this ends up reducing the durability of the product.

Advantages
  • Grinds pepper on the spot and allows the use of its oils
  • Can be used with salt and other spices and gives more texture to food
  • It is easy to use
  • There are options with a very good value
Disadvantages
  • Some models rust with use

Electric pepper grinder x manual pepper grinder: Which one to choose?

Nowadays you can find two types of pepper grinders, the manual and the electric ones. Even though they both generate an equal final result, they have some particularities. The manual grinder is the simplest. To work you just have to turn it and the pepper will be ground.

The electric one is powered by batteries and has a design very similar to the previous model. To grind the chili just press a button and it will do the whole process by itself. The only downside is that many people report that electric grinders have a shorter durability and also cost a little more.

Manual grinder Electric grinder
Activation Manual by turning its base You only need to push a button to have the grind done
Efficiency Grinds grains in different sizes efficiently Grinds grains in different sizes efficiently and effortlessly
Durability Has excellent durability Can break more easily

How much does it cost?

The price of pepper grinders varies according to the brand, material and type of grinder, the electric ones being more expensive. It is possible to buy one of these for a starting price of $ 11 and the highest average price found is $ 580.

Na foto um vaso de flores, um copo de leite, uma peça de queijo, uma tábua com alimentos e dois moedores de pimenta em inox.

Electric pepper grinders are among the most expensive. (Source: LubosHouska / Pixabay)

Purchase Criteria: Factors to compare pepper grinder options

Now that we’ve explained to you in detail everything about the pepper grinder, it’s time for us to show you which points you should take into consideration when choosing one and they are:

  • Material
  • Grinder capacity
  • Intensity of use
  • Adjustment

We detail each of them below so you don’t go wrong!

Material

Pepper grinders can be manufactured in several materials, there are options in wood, acrylic, stainless steel and glass. Wooden grinders are traditional and are among the most durable, however, visually speaking, those made of glass, acrylic and stainless steel end up being more modern. But regardless of aesthetics, it is important to pay attention to the raw material of the grinding mechanism. It cannot be made with simple metallic materials, because salt corrodes the metal and ends up damaging its durability and giving a taste in the seasoning.

Na foto um moedor de pimenta com alguns grãos derrubados em sua volta ao lado de quatro espigas de milho assadas.

Wooden grinders are very common and efficient. (Source: lightfieldstudios / 123rf)

Grinder capacity

Another important point that should be analyzed is the capacity of the grinder, and this is directly related to the need you will have to fill the reservoir as it is used. Therefore, larger grinders are ideal for environments where chili peppers are widely used in dishes such as restaurants, for example. Due to their larger size, they do not match with all table models, being more restricted to the kitchen environment. On the other hand, those who use chili peppers at home can opt for smaller grinders. Even though they can hold less pepper or other spices, they can be carried to the table and do not take up much space.

Intensity of use

There is also the possibility of buying a common grinder or the disposable ones, which already contain a specific quantity of pepper and must be replaced when their content is finished. Which one you choose will depend on your frequency of use. For those who use a lot of chili peppers in their dishes, it’s worth investing in a traditional one and buying the peppercorns separately, since over time the price will become cheaper. On the other hand, those who use little or do not know if the product is a good option for their reality can invest in disposable ones because they already come complete and may cost less.

Adjustments

Besides all the items mentioned above, you should also take into consideration the number of grinding settings that the grinder has, which can make a difference for some types of use. There are options that have up to six adjustments and this makes it possible to get finer and smaller grains or even bigger ones, which are ideal for seasoning meat pieces. This factor needs to be taken into account because there are simple models that do not have this possibility. So, if you need the grinder for something more professional, the more grinding levels, the better the final result will be.

(Source of the detached image: Mikhail Laptev / 123rf)

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