If you are a professional chef or a home cook, pepper is an essential ingredient for adding flavor and aroma to all types of dishes. For a quick and easy way of preparing freshly ground pepper, a pepper mill is a perfect tool for any kitchen.
The 8 Best Pepper Mills
- COLE & MASON Derwent Pepper Grinder
- Pepper Mill Imports Athena Pepper Mill
- Unicorn Magnum 6-Inch Pepper Mill
- Fletchers Mill 8-Inch Federal Pepper Mill (Our Top Pick)
- Peugeot Elis Sense U-Select Pepper Mill
- Eukein Electric Pepper Grinder
- Trudeau Seville 6-Inch Pepper Mill
- OXO Good Radical Pepper Grinder
Our Top Pick for the Best Pepper Mill
Our top pick for the best pepper mill is the Fletchers Mill 8-Inch Federal Pepper Mill. If you love to add extra spice to your cooking and meals, you will love the Fletchers Mill Pepper Mill.
A family-owned company, Fletchers Mill has crafted a beautiful cherry wood pepper mill that grinds peppercorns to a professional standard. With a unique grinding mechanism that delivers outstanding performance, over 33 grind settings, and 12 fabulous colors and designs to choose from, this pepper mill is the perfect gadget for preparing freshly ground pepper every day.
Check the price on AmazonNo-Mess, No-Fuss Pepper Grinding Tools
Basic seasoning ingredients such as salt and pepper are found in every kitchen and they are the most important spices for cooking in a wide range of recipes.
Although a mortar and pestle can be used to crush peppercorns and other herbs and spices, the pepper mill is a no-mess, no-fuss tool for making freshly ground pepper. If you are still grinding up your pepper by hand, upgrade to a pepper mill.
How to Choose the Best Pepper Mill
Manual Pepper Mills
A manual pepper mill is found in most kitchens and it is operated by a hand crank or by twisting the top of the unit.
While this simple design is ideal for everyday cooking, it may not be the best choice for heavy-duty cooking in a professional kitchen or people who have weak wrists or an injury.
Automatic Pepper Mills
If you suffer from arthritis or you do not have a lot of hand gripping strength, you will benefit from an automatic pepper mill. These high-tech devices are activated by the press of a button. They may have a blue LED light at the top, such as the Peugeot Elis Sense U-Select Pepper Mill which glows when it is working. The mill may have extra light at the bottom that illuminates your specific grind selection.
Automatic mills are battery-operated, so if you need to use the device often, you will have to stock up on AA batteries or choose a model that uses rechargeable batteries.
Although an automatic pepper mill is very popular with a lot of cooks, it may not produce as much pepper in one go like the traditional manual pepper mill.
Style
As well as providing you with an excellent pepper grinding performance, a pepper mill should be stylish.
Pepper Mill Construction
– Stainless Steel
Stainless steel pepper mills, such as the Cole & Mason, the Peugeot Elis Sense U-Select Pepper Mill, or the Eukein Electric Pepper Grinder are a perfect combination of functionality and style. Their highly polished or brushed steel finish will look amazing on your dinner table and will match other stainless steel cookware or appliances.
– Carbon-Steel
Like stainless steel, carbon steel is strong and highly durable. Carbon steel pepper mills may also have a painted matte finish such as the Trudeau Seville 6-Inch Pepper Mill.
– Wood
A sustainably sourced wood pepper mill, such as the Fletchers Mill 8-Inch Federal Pepper Mill, is not only elegant but also environmentally friendly.
– Brass
A solid brass pepper mill, such as the Pepper Mill Imports Athena Pepper Mill will delight your dinner guests and be the hot topic around the dining table.
– Plastic
Plastic pepper mills, such as the Unicorn Magnum 6-Inch Pepper Mill or the OXO Good Radical Pepper Grinder, are ideal for everyday indoor and outdoor use. They are easy to clean and may come in a range of fashionable designer colors.
Although plastic is strong and durable and easy to clean, it can crack over time.
Easy-to-hold Design
The pepper mill should have an easy-to-hold design like a smooth surface or an ergonomically shaped body, and should not slip out of your hand. An electrical mill should allow one-handed operation which leaves your other hand free to complete other food preparation tasks.
Storage Capacity and Size
The storage capacity depends on the size or design of the mill. Pepper mills range in size from a small compact mill at 6-inches that can be stored in your spice rack. Medium-sized pepper mills range from 7.5-8-inches. Extra-large peppers mills are 9-9.5-inches.
Smaller ones can hold up to 1/8th of a cup of peppercorns and larger mills can hold up to 1½ cups.
The small to medium-sized mills are more suited for home kitchens while the larger models are perfect for restaurants.
An important tip for peppercorn storage. To maintain the flavor and aroma of pepper, it is not a good idea to store the peppercorns in the pepper mill for too long as they can lose their potency.
Grinding Mechanism and Settings
– Stainless Steel, Carbon-steel or Ceramic
A high-quality burr mechanism is essential for a consistent, long-term grind. While some cheaper brands use inferior acrylic mechanisms, stainless steel, carbon steel or ceramic mechanisms are the best. They are strong, sharp, and durable. Although ceramic is considered to be a good choice as it is rust-resistant, it may not be as durable as metal and may shatter or break with heavy-duty use.
Grind Settings
A high-quality pepper mill will give you a wide choice of grind settings, such as very fine, fine, medium coarse, or roughly cracked. Mills usually have 6 settings, which are tailor-made for gourmet cooking. Pepper mills that do not have pre-set fine or coarse settings offer you unlimited pepper-grinding possibilities. However, it may take a while to get the right grind.
If you use pepper a lot and want complete control over the final grind, a premium model, such as the Fletchers Mill 8-Inch Federal Pepper Mill has a huge range of over 33 settings!
8 Best Pepper Mills – Reviews
1. COLE & MASON Derwent Pepper Grinder
Cole & Mason has crafted a beautiful pepper mill that delivers superb grinding performance and will keep your peppercorns fresh and ready to use.
The 7.5-inches pepper mill features a new gourmet precision carbon steel mechanism that is specially designed to release the intense flavor of the peppercorns. Instead of simply crushing the peppercorns, the advanced, machine-cut, hardened carbon steel mechanism strips down their individual layers as it grinds the peppercorns. Your food will have that professional gourmet quality and maximized seasoning and flavor.
The classic hourglass-style shape is comfortable to hold and the high-quality clear acrylic body shows you the level of your peppercorns.
The internal stem and guide bar that holds the pepper is made from strong corrosion-resistant aluminum which prevents contamination and ensures long-term, consistent performance.
There are 6 precise grinding levels for fine or coarse grinds. To select just twist the spring-loaded stainless steel collar for your preferred grind.
It has an easy “One Step Refill” design. Simply pull on the polished stainless steel lid to access the peppercorn holding chamber and pour in the peppercorns or even coarse sea salt.
The Cole & Mason pepper mill comes with premium peppercorns, and there is a lifetime guarantee on the grinding mechanism.
Pros
- High quality
- Superb craftsmanship
- Great value for money
- Unique grinding design
- Hardened carbon-steel pepper grinding mechanism
- Professional gourmet precision mechanism
- Easy to hold hourglass shape
- Clear acrylic body
- Stylish stainless steel finish
- Strong aluminum stem and guide bar
- Six adjustable precise settings
- New durable top design creates smooth handling
- Maintains peppercorn freshness
- Easy to refill
- Can be used for pepper and sea salt
- Lifetime guarantee on the mechanism
Cons
- Expensive
- Hand wash only
- Settings can rub off over time
2. Pepper Mill Imports Athena Pepper Mill
Beautiful and functional, the manual 8-inches Pepper Mill Imports Athena Pepper Mill is perfect for the kitchen and the dining table.
You will definitely want to showcase this stunning pepper mill as its European design will make you feel like you have stepped back in time to a Turkish bazaar.
Handmade in Greece, this pepper mill has a durable all-metal body and its stunning long-lasting copper/brass finish shines brilliantly in sunlight or by candlelight.
Instead of just smashing the peppercorns like other pepper mills, the Athena uses an innovative steel grinding mechanism that expertly grinds the peppercorns to maximize their flavor and aroma.
You can easily adjust the grind from fine to coarse by unscrewing the nut at the bottom. To add more peppercorns, just unscrew the long handle. For extra stability, the base has a reinforcement ring.
The Pepper Mill is also available in chrome steel. Pepper Mill Imports offer a limited lifetime warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Hand-made tool steel grinding mechanism
- Durable all-metal body
- Beautiful copper/brass finish
- Unique European traditional design
- Good adjustability from fine to coarse
- Designed to grind the pepper to maximize its flavor and aroma
- Easy turning long handle
- Reinforcement ring on the base provides good stability
- Also available in chrome steel
- Limited lifetime warranty
Cons
- Expensive
- Not a lot of grind setting adjustability
- No peppercorn viewing window
3. Unicorn Magnum 6-Inch Pepper Mill
With a compact and sophisticated design, the manual Unicorn Magnum 6-Inch Pepper Mill is an excellent choice for any cook.
The US-made Magnum has a simple but elegant design and its sturdy ABS black plastic body feels comfortable to hold. Its smaller 6-inches size allows you to maintain a good grip on it while you grind the pepper over meals.
Even though the Magnum is a small pepper mill, it still has a large peppercorn storage chamber. The new Italian-made “Superiore” oversized steel milling mechanism makes this mill one of the fastest grinders on the market.
You can adjust the grind size from medium-fine to extra coarse by adjusting the thumbscrew on the bottom of the unit. The Magnum is very easy to refill with a sliding side-mounted ring for quick peppercorn loading.
The Unicorn is very easy to clean with household glass cleaner and a soft cloth.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Made in the US
- Stylish
- Sturdy black ABS plastic
- Compact size is comfortable to hold
- New Italian-made “Superiore” steel mechanism
- Fast and consistent grinding
- Large storage capacity
- Sliding side-mounted loading ring for easy filling
- Easy to use grind size adjustment thumb screw
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Expensive
- Refill door can accidentally open during grinding
- Plastic can crack if you drop it
- No peppercorn see-through viewing window
4. Fletchers Mill 8-Inch Federal Pepper Mill
The award-winning Fletchers Mill 8-Inch Federal Pepper Mill will make a stylish addition to your home and it delivers exceptional grinding performance.
You will be able to achieve a professional grind every time as the stainless steel 2-step mechanism enhances the flavor of the peppercorns. As the Federal has over 33 settings, it is the ultimate pepper grinding tool for any home or professional kitchen.
The mill is quite easy to use, just turn the top crown nut clockwise for a finer grind and counter-clockwise for a coarser grind.
Fletchers Mill introduces the innovative “locking crown nut” system, which allows you to lock in your choice of grinds. So you can expect consistent pepper grinding results, every time.
A superbly crafted mill, the Federal is made from sustainably sourced cherry wood and its smooth surface feels comfortable in your hand.
The pepper mill is available in 12 different colors or wood grains, and it is covered by a lifetime guarantee. Fletchers Mill has a beautiful matching salt mill to complete the set.
Pros
- Exceptional quality
- Great value for money
- Made in Maine, US
- Made from sustainably sourced cherry wood
- Features Fletchers patented locking crown nut system
- Outstanding stainless steel grinding mechanism
- 33 different grind settings
- Consistent grinding results
- Easy to clean with a damp cloth and wipe dry
- Available in 12 different colors and wood grains
- Salt mill available
Cons
- Expensive
- Takes a while to get the right grind
- No peppercorn viewing window
5. Peugeot Elis Sense U-Select Pepper Mill
Unlock the flavor of your cooking with the Peugeot Elis Sense U-Select Pepper Mill.
The 8-inches pepper mill has a sleek modern stainless steel design, which is strong and durable, and the acrylic exterior lets you see how many peppercorns are left in the mill.
The secret to its grinding success lies in Peugeot’s special pepper/spice-specific grinding design, and the 2-stage virtually indestructible case-hardened steel burr-style grinding mechanism. This unique combination releases the pepper’s essential oils for maximum flavor and aroma.
With a tactile operating design, the mill has a smooth surface that is comfortable to hold and easy to operate with one hand. Simply press down on the top to activate and the pretty blue LED light glows while the mill is in use. The pepper mill is a fast operator but quiet as well.
For the perfect grind, the U-Select system has 6 grind settings from fine to coarse. Just turn the ring at the base of the mill to your preferred grind size and the light that is located at the bottom of the mill allows you to select the right grind every time.
The Peugeot pepper mill is operated by 2 AA rechargeable batteries, which offer you unlimited portability. Peugeot offers a lifetime limited warranty on the grinding mechanism and the electrical components are covered by a 2-year warranty.
Pros
- High quality
- Very good value for money
- Durable case-hardened-steel grinding mechanism
- Superior grinding performance
- Modern elegant appearance
- Smooth stainless steel finish
- U Select system allows you to set your mill to the perfect grind
- Six pre-defined levels of grind
- Easy one-handed tactile operation
- Acrylic window lets you monitor the peppercorn level
- Unique spice-specific mechanism
- Blue LED illuminates the top button when the mill is in use
- Bottom light allows for greater grind accuracy
- Protects peppercorns from heat and moisture
- Grinding mechanism is made in France
- Faster motor means more output with less noise
- Uses rechargeable batteries
- Lifetime guarantee on the grinding mechanism
- Two-year warranty on the electrical components
Cons
- Not very good at grinding very fine pepper
6. Eukein Electric Pepper Grinder
Bring your dishes to life with the Eukein Electric Pepper Grinder. Eukein has designed its pepper mill for your ultimate cooking convenience with a high precision grind and durable performance.
Sleek and stylish, the 9.5-inches pepper mill has a smooth stainless steel casing that is comfortable to hold and the brushed silver finish will look stunning in your kitchen or on the dining table.
The durable extra hard ceramic blades are rust-proof, non-corrosive and they will not alter the flavor of the ground pepper.
Designed for one-handed operation, the Eukein pepper mill can be used while you are cooking. Just hold the mill in your hand and press down on the top of the mill to activate the button and to power off. This one-touch operation is also ideal for cooks who suffer from arthritis.
Adjusting the mill for the perfect grind is effortless. Twist the wingnut that is located at the bottom of the mill for a finer grind or coarser grind. As there is no pre-set precision grinding level limitation, the pepper-grinding possibilities are endless. There is a light at the bottom of the unit which helps you to select the perfect grind. For extra durability, the cap at the bottom prevents any pepper dust leakages while also keeping the pepper dry in a humid environment.
Highly versatile, the Eukein can be used with either pepper or salt.
The pepper mill holds a generous amount of peppercorns and the see-through removable acrylic section shows you when it’s time to refill.
As the Eukein is battery-operated, it offers you great portability. You can carry the pepper mill from the kitchen to the dining table, to the BBQ, or take it away on a picnic or camping trip.
The pepper mill is operated by 4 AA batteries. Eukein offers a 100 % satisfaction guarantee and a 1-year warranty.
Pros
- Very good quality
- Great price
- Sleek and stylish stainless steel design
- Excellent grinding performance
- New high hardness long-lasting ceramic mechanism
- Rust-proof, non-corrosive non-reactive
- Removable transparent acrylic chamber
- Easy grind adjustment from fine to coarse
- No preset grinding settings allow unlimited grinding possibilities
- Bottom cap prevents leakages and keeps the pepper dry in humid environments
- One-button single-hand operation
- Generous capacity
- Ideal for people with arthritis
- Light located at the bottom for easy operation
- Battery operated
- One-year warranty
- 100% satisfaction guarantee
- Very good customer service
Cons
- Light is not very bright
- Slow operation and loud
- No set grinding settings
7. Trudeau Seville 6-Inch Pepper Mill
Featuring a superb blend of elegant style and innovation, the Trudeau Seville 6-Inch Pepper Mill is an excellent choice for everyday cooking applications.
The Trudeau pepper mill comes at an extremely affordable price but does not compromise on quality. It is made from strong and rust-resistant carbon steel and the ebony matte stained wood finish looks fabulous. The mill has a good weight and its smooth, curved ergonomic design feels comfortable in your hand.
You can expect a consistent grind from the long-lasting sharp carbon steel mechanism which cuts then grinds the peppercorns to produce coarse to finely ground pepper. The peppercorn settings can be adjusted via the rounded nut at the bottom of the unit and to refill the peppercorns, just unscrew the silver knob on the top of the unit.
The Trudeau remains stable on a flat surface and leaves very little pepper dust on the countertop.
As the pepper mill has a smaller, compact size, it is a great space-saving option for small kitchens and should fit in most spice racks.
The standout feature of this pepper mill is that it comes pre-filled with peppercorns so it is ready for you to start adding exceptional flavor to all your meals.
The Trudeau Seville pepper mill is available in a 6 or 10-inch size, and it is covered by a lifetime warranty.
Pros
- Superb quality
- Excellent price
- Great value for money
- Strong and rust-resistant carbon steel
- Beautiful ebony stained wood finish
- Ergonomic design feels comfortable to hold
- Durable carbon steel mechanism cuts then grind to maximize flavor
- Produces a consistent grind, from coarse to fine
- Good stability
- Minimizes pepper leakage
- Pre-filled with peppercorns
- Easy to refill
- Lifetime warranty
Cons
- Size is a bit small for large hands
- Does not always produce a fine grind
- No peppercorn viewing window
8. OXO Good Radical Pepper Grinder
Designed for effortless grinding and maximum durability, the OXO Good Radical Pepper Grinder is a great choice for the home cooking enthusiast.
The 6.5-inches pepper mill is made from sturdy white plastic and it is the perfect size for holding in your hand. The long-turning arm has an oversized non-slip knob that is comfortable to hold and turn while you grind the pepper.
For efficient peppercorn grinding, the durable, rust-resistant ceramic grinding mechanism is very effective and can be adjusted to suit your individual recipes, for a fine or coarse grind. The adjustment lever is located at the bottom of the mill, and the fine or coarse settings are clearly defined and easy to read.
The clear door opens wide for easy refilling without any peppercorns rolling around on the counter. The matching base stops any pepper from escaping and keeps the kitchen countertop clean.
A highly versatile pepper grinder, the OXO has an easy-to-clean design, which makes it the ideal gadget for indoor and outdoor use; around the barbecue, or at the campsite.
OXO also makes a matching salt grinder, for the ultimate salt and pepper set.
Pros
- High quality
- Very affordable price
- Part of the Good Grips collection
- Durable and strong BPA-free plastic
- Ideal for indoor and outdoor use
- Soft non-slip, oversized knob is easy to grip and turn
- Long arm makes grinding easy
- Strong and durable ceramic mechanism
- Can be adjusted for coarse or fine grinds
- Rust-resistant
- Clear door shows when to refill and opens wide for filling
- Mess-free operation
- Matching base
- Easy to clean
Cons
- Not ideal for heavy-duty use
- Limited grind settings
Our Top Pick for the Best Pepper Mill
Our top pick for the best pepper mill is the Fletchers Mill 8-Inch Federal Pepper Mill. If you love to add extra spice to your cooking and meals, you will love the Fletchers Mill Pepper Mill.
A family-owned company, Fletchers Mill has crafted a beautiful cherry wood pepper mill that grinds peppercorns to a professional standard. With a unique grinding mechanism that delivers outstanding performance, over 33 grind settings, and 12 fabulous colors and designs to choose from, this pepper mill is the perfect gadget for preparing freshly ground pepper every day.
Check the price on Amazon
