Based on my Internet research, as of 2006, the following pepper grinders (aka pepper mills) are worth considering for purchase in the United States:
- Magnum or Magnum Plus ($25-$60). Many swear by it, after years of use. Here's one positive review from Columbus, Ohio. I've seen a waiter at a good restaurant -- in Columbus, actually -- use one of these. (It was in a holster, which you can also buy.) This grinder is available from the manufacturer, from Sur la table, from Amazon, and from some restaurant supply shops. I saw a suggestion in Cooks Illustrated to put a couple loops of rubberband around this grinder so as to make it easier to operate with wet or oily hands.
- PepperMate ($35). This grinder is also mentioned favorably in the Internet cooking forums as well as in the media. Apparently only available from the manufacturer? Get the ceramic blades if you want to crush salt, but otherwise the steel blades will suffice.
- Perfex ($70). Expensive, but classy (made of pewter) and good. The kind of item you hope to receive as a gift. (And therefore a good gift idea for someone who enjoys cooking.) Unlike the previous two, which are better off confined to the kitchen, this grinder will look good on your table. Here's a brief review (in which some commenters mention the other two ginders, too).
If you want to grind spices other than pepper, though, you would probably want a separate spice grinder. Several sources have recommended using a generic coffee grinder, such as the Krups 203, for this purpose.
- Magnum or Magnum Plus ($25-$60). Many swear by it, after years of use. Here's one positive review from Columbus, Ohio. I've seen a waiter at a good restaurant -- in Columbus, actually -- use one of these. (It was in a holster, which you can also buy.) This grinder is available from the manufacturer, from Sur la table, from Amazon, and from some restaurant supply shops. I saw a suggestion in Cooks Illustrated to put a couple loops of rubberband around this grinder so as to make it easier to operate with wet or oily hands.
- PepperMate ($35). This grinder is also mentioned favorably in the Internet cooking forums as well as in the media. Apparently only available from the manufacturer? Get the ceramic blades if you want to crush salt, but otherwise the steel blades will suffice.
- Perfex ($70). Expensive, but classy (made of pewter) and good. The kind of item you hope to receive as a gift. (And therefore a good gift idea for someone who enjoys cooking.) Unlike the previous two, which are better off confined to the kitchen, this grinder will look good on your table. Here's a brief review (in which some commenters mention the other two ginders, too).
If you want to grind spices other than pepper, though, you would probably want a separate spice grinder. Several sources have recommended using a generic coffee grinder, such as the Krups 203, for this purpose.