Interesting facts about the different types of pepper mills
The mechanism of the grinder is the same in all pepper mills in the world. It is based on a spindle that runs through the housing, the coarsely grooved end of which runs loosely into a finely grooved ring. As the spindle rotates, the grains are first transported between the spindle and the ring and then finely ground by rotating in opposite directions. In high-quality mills, the distance between the spindle and the ring can be changed, which allows for different levels of fine grinding. From dust-fine to coarsely pulverized to only slightly broken grains.
The mills of Peugeot
have quickly achieved world fame since their invention in 1842 and are still considered - partly rightly - to be the Porsche of pepper mills. What makes them so good is their special grinding mechanism, in which extremely fine grinding is possible thanks to the different number of coarse and fine grooves on the ring and spindle. The extremely robust steel grinding mechanism is also coated with corrosion-resistant zinc, which is why these little masterpieces are so durable that they sometimes even become heirlooms.
mills with ceramic grinders
are in clear competition with the Peugeot mills. What is unique about their mechanism, which was only developed in Denmark around 20 years ago, is that it does not contain a spindle, but only the head, so that the entire housing can be filled. As ceramic is also much harder and sharper than steel, the grinder can also handle large peppercorns or other rock-hard spices. And also salt, by the way, as ceramic does not rust. Ceramic mills are easier to take apart, which is a great advantage for cleaning or repairs. If you want to get one of these wonderful things right now, here's a little tip. Please never "try out" the grinder without filling it! This could cause the beautiful white teeth to break out of the grinder.
Mills with titanium grinders
Mills with titanium grinding mechanisms are a relatively new development and could also pose serious competition to Peugeot - not only in terms of the fineness of the grinding, but also the durability of the internal components. Unlike steel, titanium does not wear out with friction, but on the contrary, sharpens itself.
A few tips for buying and using a good pepper mill
- Don't just go by looks and price! It's like with a car: a reliable grinder is far more important than a pretty exterior. Cheap grinders, for example, usually don't handle large grains and give up the ghost very quickly anyway.
- The grinder should be made of stainless steel, hard steel or ceramic. A good grinder also has adjustable grinders so that you can grind to different degrees of fineness depending on your taste. Also, be sure to test whether filling it works well and is easy.
- Grinding should be fun, rather than a lot of work. The mill should be easy to turn and not too heavy.
- Never grind pepper over a steaming pot! This will cause condensation to form in the grinder and cause it to rust quickly.
