The 10 best pepper mills to buy in the UK
Every kitchen needs a good pepper mill. Nothing quite compares to the taste of freshly ground pepper, which remains one of the most essential types of seasoning used in the kitchen. With the best pepper mill, you can easily add freshly ground pepper to anything you want. However, finding the right pepper mill is not as easy as some assume. Many cheap pepper mills are not worth the investment, so it helps to know what to look for so that you get the best quality.
Check out the buying guide below for all the info you need to find the best pepper mills for your kitchen:
What are pepper mills?
A pepper mill is a type of burr grinder that is used to grind dried peppercorns for seasoning. While designs vary, most work by using two internal revolving wheels that finely grind the peppercorn when rotated by hand or by a small electric motor. You can usually adjust the spacing between these wheels, with a wider spacing producing a coarser ground and vice versa.
Why should you buy a good pepper mill?
Pepper is an essential ingredient in countless recipes and the perfect seasoning, making it a must-have for most households. While you can buy ground pepper, it lacks the same flavour and aroma as freshly ground peppercorns, which are ground using a pepper mill. With the best pepper mill, you can easily season your food before, during, and after cooking it, resulting in more flavour than ever.
How to choose the right pepper mill in 2024?
Unsure what to look for in a pepper mill? Here are some things to consider before choosing among the best pepper mills:
- Material: Pepper mills are made from various materials, so consider which one works best for your needs. Metals like steel are popular for their durability and sleek appearance, ceramics are versatile so can be used to grind more than just pepper, and plastics like acrylic are affordable and durable. Consider whether appearance is important for the material, as many display their salt and pepper mills when dining.
- Grinding Mechanism: An often overlooked part of the pepper mill, always check the grinding mechanism to make sure it is of decent quality. For example, metal burrs made from zinc alloy or carbon steel are excellent for pepper, getting the right grind consistency while being durable. Acrylic grind mechanisms should be avoided as they are not as durable as their metal counterparts.
- Capacity: Pepper mills come in various sizes, so consider how much capacity you need from the mill. The larger the capacity the less time you spend adding new peppercorns, although anything too large can be a nuisance to store, so make sure to find the right balance. If you have lots of people dining, then a bigger capacity is certainly useful.
- Adjustability: The best pepper mills let you adjust the burr mechanism to various distances, allowing you to change the coarseness of the pepper as needed. While most grinders have this function, not all come with markings for each setting, allowing you easily find that perfect consistency.
What is the best kind of pepper mill in the UK?
Here are the two most popular types of pepper mills available to buy:
- Manual Pepper Mills: A manual pepper mill is operated by hand, usually by rotating the upper section of the mill. Cheap and available in countless styles, this is an ideal pepper mill for most people, although it can be tedious manually grinding when recipes require a lot of pepper.
- Electric Pepper Mills: Electric pepper mills work almost identically to their manual counterparts except for a small electric motor that rotates the burr mechanism. This makes it more convenient to use, especially when grinding at various consistencies for different recipes, although there may be running costs as it usually needs batteries.
Top 10 list of pepper mills in the UK (2024)
The bestseller list compares brands and their pepper mills. Which pepper mill is the best?
![Image of BINHAI DHB0196EU pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-41amd618eIL.jpg)
- Its traditionally styled with genuine wood.
- Professional Oak wood pepper grinder is fully adjustable. Turn top nut to adjust…
- Pepper mill grinder is Easy cranking to turn coarse sea salt, pepper and other fillers…
![Image of : GaoBangM pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-411vE3jBH7L.jpg)
- Fast & Simple Operation & Portable. One second speed grinding, delicious…
- Suitable for family, kitchen table, restaurant, hotel and other occasions. Use freshly…
- Used for grinding pepper, kosher salt, sesame and other small particles simply food:…
![Image of OXO 1140700 pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-31euuV4CZ6L.jpg)
- The OXO Better Guarantee: If you experience an issue with your OXO product, get in…
- Soft, comfortable non-slip turning knob
- Rests flat while upside down for easy refilling
![Image of LE CREUSET MG600-67 pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-31O+Sq0spBL.jpg)
- Contents: 1x Le Creuset Classic Pepper Mill Grinder, 1 x Care and Use Booklet, Weight:…
- Easy to use and clean: Ergonomic shape for comfortable grip, Lightweight, Fuss-free…
- Embossed “P” metal knob, Available in a range of colours
![Image of H&S B07RF6S3K3 pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-41K+aLOVA8L.jpg)
- GIFT IDEA: A salt and peppercorn grinder set makes the perfect housewarming present.…
- EASY TO FILL: Open the grinders by twisting off the base, then pour in your sea salt,…
- ADJUSTABLE GRIND: Tailor your spice textures to perfection with our salt and pepper…
![Image of Haomacro UK-021 pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-310VnmFSPeL.jpg)
- Nice Gift: This grinder is a perfect gift for love, also suitable for birthday gift,…
- Adjuatable Grinder Mechanism: Industrial salt mill pepper shaker with adjustable…
- Refillable Salt Pepper Mill: Professional salt or pepper are totally refillable.…
![Image of MANNKITCHEN MK32144 pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-31HYZtX5aeL.jpg)
- The best gift for your kitchen: a kitchen utensil for real chefs and a barbecue accessory…
- Durable: high-strength, milled and anodised aluminium housing with stainless steel…
- From cracked to dusty: ordinary grinders can only dream of this quality. Get the…
![Image of Yugefom pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-51QeDMOFLIL.jpg)
- 100% SATISFACTION GUARANTEE: Our Stainless Steel Salt and pepper mill is backed by…
- KEEP YOUR SPICES FRESH: We have this tightly sealed stainless steel lid to keep…
- ELEGANT DESIGN : This salt and pepper grinder features a modern design and are stylish…
![Image of Cole & Mason Derwent pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-31MYhldJ9SL.jpg)
- These Cole and Mason salt and pepper mills are covered by our lifetime mechanism…
- To clean, wipe with a damp cloth and use a clean cloth to dry. We reco mmend you…
- With 6 pre-selected grind settings for pepper, and 3 for salt, ranging from fine…
![Image of Dallfoll KYMQ-15A pepper mill](https://images.review10best.com/uk/static/ximc/pepper-mill-image-41B-6whr6bL.jpg)
- Gift For Friends and FamilyIt is so practical that you can send it to your friends…
- Exquisite Petter and Salt GrinderThe electric grinder is made of superior ABS, which…
- One-Hand Operated GrinderNo need to grind the pepper with two hands as traditional…
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