10 Best Salt and Pepper Grinders UK 2024
In order to give you a hand choosing this essential piece of culinary kit, we’ve come up with a buying guide that will teach you everything you need to know to ensure you end up with a quality grinder or grinder set. We’ve also scoured the reviews and sussed out the brands to bring you our 10 top picks from eBay, John Lewis and Amazon, including entries from cookware stalwarts OXO Good Grips and Peugeot. Let’s get cracking!
Quick List - Top Salt and Pepper Grinders
Cole & Mason
Elegant Manual Grinders to Last a Lifetime
Le Creuset
An Iconic Kitchenware Piece in Lightweight Plastic
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How to Choose Salt and Pepper Grinders in the UK – Buying Guide
Decide on Whether You’d Prefer Manual or Electric Grinders
To start with, you’ll need to decide whether to go with a traditional hand-operated grinder or an electric version that does the hard work for you. Both have their pros and cons, so we'll break it down and help you to make the right choice for your culinary needs.
Manual Grinders Are Classic in Appearance and Better Draw Out Flavour
So, we’d recommend them for cooks and diners who want their freshly ground pepper to pack a flavoursome punch and who want a simple, classic grinder. They’re also less likely to become faulty, and they’ll never run out of batteries!
Electric Grinders Are Easy to Operate and Can Handle Other Spices
Because they have the power of electricity behind them, and a slightly different blade system, automatic grinders will be able to handle spices other than pepper or salt such as Szechuan peppercorns or dried aromatics making them a great multi-use kitchen gadget.
Choose Between Individual Grinders for Salt or Pepper, or a Set for Both
Purchasing both together as a pair will be useful if you’re wanting to upgrade from your current set or just like the idea of having a matching duo to complement your kitchen or dining table.
Whichever you go for, an important thing to remember is that you should not use salt and pepper grinders interchangeably, as each has blades designed specifically for use with the intended seasoning. Rock salt especially is too hard and tough for some pepper grinders, and salt in general can also corrode metal mechanisms over time.
Consider the Material of the Grinder that Suits Your Style and Practicality Needs
Wood: Timeless and Traditional
Wood is strong and won’t chip or scratch if you drop it, and should stand the test of time physically as well as aesthetically. It’s only downfall is that care should be taken not to let it get wet, as it can attract mould or start to rot. This also means you can’t wash it, but brushing it out from time to time should be sufficient.
Plastic: Light and Best for Transparency, or go for Glass for a Hardier Alternative
The useful thing about plastic is that it’s transparency means you can keep an eye on when it needs refilling, and easily spot which seasoning is which between a pair of identical mills. However, it is said that the flavour and potency of the contents can weaken with too much exposure to light if they’re not used up quickly.
If you’re not keen on plastic we would recommend glass as an alternative, as it will share the same visibility qualities but will be much less likely to cloud over time or crack.
Metal: Modern, Sleek and Robust
Metal grinders can be somewhat heavier than others, so if this is concern for you try to look for those that also incorporate plastic into the design to bring down the weight. Often used for the grinder’s salt or pepper storage section, it can also give you the benefits of being able to check when to top up.
The Ideal Burr Materials Are Steel or Ceramic
The short of it is, if you want a quality model that grinds efficiently and evenly, and doesn’t fall to pieces after a few uses, then ceramic and steel burrs overtake plastic by a mile. They are both durable, non-corrosive, and will produce a consistent grind without letting too much of the salt or pepper through at a time.
In terms of comparing the two they are fairly similar, but some experts believe steel burrs are sharper than ceramic and won’t dull or blunt as quickly.
Look for Adjustable Grinders or Precision Grinders to Set the Coarseness
Most basic grinders will utilise the well known screw-top adjustment that is simply tightened for a finer grind or loosened for a coarser chunk, which may be enough for most with minimal cooking or seasoning needs.
These days there are some more advanced options on the market, such as those with numbered or marked grind adjustments, known as precision grinders. So, have a look out for these if you’d like something a bit more accurate.
How Does the Grinder Refill? Some Are Easier to Top Up Than Others
Otherwise, you could seek out those that refill at the base or with a wider opening, that do not require the construction of a DIY paper funnel or end in a sea of spilt peppercorns!
Top 10 Best Salt and Pepper Grinders in the UK
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | OXO 1. OXO Good Grips Steel Salt and Pepper Grinders | | The Perfect Mix of Functionality and Style | |
2 | Peugeot 2. Peugeot Paris Pepper Mill, Chocolate｜Chocolate | | Old-Fashioned Dark Wood With a Twist | |
3 | Cole & Mason 3. Cole & Mason Gourmet Precision Derwent Salt and Pepper Mill Set | | Elegant Manual Grinders to Last a Lifetime | |
4 | Le Creuset 4. Le Creuset Classic Pepper Mill, Volcanic｜Volcanic | | An Iconic Kitchenware Piece in Lightweight Plastic | |
5 | Cole & Mason 5. Cole & Mason Precision Richmond Electric Salt and Pepper Set | | Exceptional Quality Electric Grinders | |
6 | T&G Woodware 6. T&G Woodware Tip Top Mill Set | | A Compact and Practical High Performance Set | |
7 | KitchenCraft 7. KitchenCraft Masterclass Hammered Copper Salt and Pepper Mill Set | | For the Style-Conscious Diner | |
8 | Oliver's Kitchen 8. Savisto Illuminated Electronic Salt and Pepper Mill Set | | Best Value Electric Grinder Set | |
9 | OXO 9. OXO Good Grips Lily Salt Mill, Light Wood｜Light Wood | | A Smart Take on Tradition | |
10 | Premier Housewares 10. Premier Housewares Large Rubberwood Salt and Pepper Grinder Set | | A Classically Handsome Budget Wooden Set |
OXO 1. OXO Good Grips Steel Salt and Pepper Grinders
The Perfect Mix of Functionality and Style
The grinder is also positioned on the top of the mill so you won’t be forever wiping up excess pepper and salt, and it even sits completely flat when upturned so you can rest it securely while refilling. A brilliant all-rounder with plenty of care and quality craftsmanship in it’s production.
Peugeot 2. Peugeot Paris Pepper Mill, Chocolate ｜ Chocolate
Old-Fashioned Dark Wood With a Twist
The burr mechanism has a corrosion-treated double row of helix-shaped steel teeth for expert grinding and falls under a lifetime guarantee so you know they’re serious about the quality of their products.
Cole & Mason 3. Cole & Mason Gourmet Precision Derwent Salt and Pepper Mill Set
Elegant Manual Grinders to Last a Lifetime
Similarly to all the brand’s designs, there are bespoke ceramic and carbon steel burrs to match each spice and a wide opening for less messy refills. They’re up there with our most expensive sets, but will certainly outlive several of their cheaper competitors.
Le Creuset 4. Le Creuset Classic Pepper Mill, Volcanic ｜ Volcanic
An Iconic Kitchenware Piece in Lightweight Plastic
The hardened ceramic burr effortlessly grinds every peppercorn, and there’s a traditional metal screw adjustment atop the unit. It’s our favourite pick for simple souls, and an investment that gives back all the quality you’d expect from the brand. A salt mill is also available should you like a set.
Cole & Mason 5. Cole & Mason Precision Richmond Electric Salt and Pepper Set
Exceptional Quality Electric Grinders
With individual tailored blades, the diamond sharp burr will make short work of salt, and the carbon steel will slice peppercorns for flavour preservation. The grind is also adjustable via several precision settings, and it isn’t too tricky to refill either.
A Compact and Practical High Performance Set
The spice compartment is actually made from glass, which is more robust than plastic but also allows the contents to be monitored. Featuring ceramic burrs with a lifetime guarantee, this set promises a consistent yield and has an impressive 12 grind adjustments.
KitchenCraft 7. KitchenCraft Masterclass Hammered Copper Salt and Pepper Mill Set
For the Style-Conscious Diner
We especially like the fact that each seasoning has it’s own burr material to properly match it’s grinding requirements: salt gets a ceramic burr and pepper is treated to carbon steel that will extract it’s maximum flavour potential. They can also be purchased separately if you wish.
Oliver's Kitchen 8. Savisto Illuminated Electronic Salt and Pepper Mill Set
Best Value Electric Grinder Set
The refill opening is fairly narrow, but we can forgive that fact as these mills can be used for any dried herb or spice you like. You can also adjust the grind via a screw. A light shines from the base upon activation, which we’re not sure what to think of, but some may like the visibility and novelty!
OXO 9. OXO Good Grips Lily Salt Mill, Light Wood ｜ Light Wood
A Smart Take on Tradition
There are also five adjustment notches to choose from between coarse and very fine. It’s a tad on the pricey side for a single grinder but should last you for the foreseeable future, as the brand is very reliable and the grinder itself is carved from durable one-piece beechwood.
Premier Housewares 10. Premier Housewares Large Rubberwood Salt and Pepper Grinder Set
A Classically Handsome Budget Wooden Set
The price is reasonable for a pair, and feature durable ceramic burrs and letters to denote which mill contains which seasoning, albeit small ones. The main peeves are the narrow refill space, and the fact they will leave debris on the counter or table if you don’t sit them on anything.
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Summary
Author: Natasha Dziubajlo
Top 5 Salt and Pepper Grinders
No. 1: OXO ｜1. OXO Good Grips Steel Salt and Pepper Grinders
No. 2: Peugeot ｜2. Peugeot Paris Pepper Mill, Chocolate｜Chocolate
No. 3: Cole & Mason ｜3. Cole & Mason Gourmet Precision Derwent Salt and Pepper Mill Set
No. 4: Le Creuset ｜4. Le Creuset Classic Pepper Mill, Volcanic｜Volcanic
No. 5: Cole & Mason ｜5. Cole & Mason Precision Richmond Electric Salt and Pepper Set
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