A few weeks ago I bought a Perfex pepper grinder. http://tinyurl.com/
2v9ogm
The main reason is that I wanted a grind that was very large (without
going through the Jacques Pepin routine of slamming a pan down on the
top of the peppercorns). In that regard, it has lived up to my
expectations; the grind is fabulous (for me). I did find today
contrary to my thinking that ½ teaspoon of freshly finely ground
pepper from one grinder is totally different in spicey-ness than ½
freshly large ground pepper. Actually to my tastes, the large grind
is much spicier. That certainly doesn't work out that way in kosher
ground salt whereby you use a different amount vs. regular salt.

The other pepper grinder I have used since 1975 is the wooden MarLux
http://www.creativecookware.com/salt_&_pepper_mills.htm
and it is still working fine. Both of these grinders, Perfex and
Marlux are made in France and are life-time warranty.

I bought the pepper mill and salt mill because at the time it was "in
vogue" to grind salt. I haven't used it for years. I have tried to
use a different pepper in it (i.e., mixed peppers so as to distinguish
the color of the mill), but it seemed that it was too hard to grind.
I've tried regular black peppers, and it seemed as well that it was
too hard to grind. The grinder at the bottom of the two are
completely different in design, so I guess that indeed accounts for
the difficulty in grinding.

Googling a little I find that different types of salt can ruin your
salt grinder and "Always use a salt mill with a ceramic or plastic
grinding mechanism. Metal, including stainless steel, will corrode and
adversely flavor the salt." (Mine is metal).

I wonder if salt grinders are still as popular as 30 years ago.
Dee Dee

"Dee Dee" > wrote in message
ps.com...

Googling a little I find that different types of salt can ruin your
salt grinder and "Always use a salt mill with a ceramic or plastic
grinding mechanism. Metal, including stainless steel, will corrode and
adversely flavor the salt." (Mine is metal).

I wonder if salt grinders are still as popular as 30 years ago.
Dee Dee

----

My salt grinder -- a Peugeot, I think -- has a metal grinding mechanism, yet
has yet to corrode in over 15 years of constant use. YMMV

Remsleep

"Dee Dee" > wrote:
> Googling a little I find that different types of salt can ruin your
> salt grinder and "Always use a salt mill with a ceramic or plastic
> grinding mechanism. Metal, including stainless steel, will corrode and
> adversely flavor the salt." (Mine is metal).
>
> I wonder if salt grinders are still as popular as 30 years ago.

I've got the same Perfex pepper grinder that you've got. I've had it for
about 10 years. I've also got a 2/3 size (looks like a scale model!) Perfex
salt grinder that I've had perhaps 8 years. There's no sign of corrosion in
the salt grinder at this point, and I'm using a somewhat moist French sea
salt. I believe the grinding mechanism in the salt grinder is stainless
steel. I'm not sure what it is made of in the pepper grinder, but often they
are made of case hardened non-stainless steel, which would corrode quite
easily. I have my doubts about metal grinding mechanisms having any adverse
effects on flavor. I just can't see it happening.

As I wasn't paying attention 30 years ago, I have no idea of the relative
popularity. I would have thought salt grinders are more popular today, since
it seems like Mortons Iodized Salt in the blue container was the only
commonly available choice years ago.

I have no idea of the relative
> popularity. I would have thought salt grinders are more popular today, since
> it seems like Mortons Iodized Salt in the blue container was the only
> commonly available choice years ago.

Maybe it depends where one lives. In California in the 70's & 80's
grinders and salt for them were readily available. I was accustomed
to buying a certain kind of salt for the grinder, perhaps it was a
rock salt, but then moving to Hawaii and Washington state, I found it
difficult to find the salt for the grinder and started experimenting
with other salts, none of which I used the grinder for.

I wonder what I used it for, but I just read that there is an Italian
salt that one uses for bruschetta, and the reason the grinder is
better is that it is more controllable as you grind it over your
bread. Sounds reasonable.
Bon Appetit.
Dee