Grind settings: Thumb screw with no presets.This makes the Unicorn a real workhorse: clean grinding and a long life between refills. Plus, this lightweight grinder had the largest capacity in our test - it held a whopping 150 grams (nearly 1.25 cups) of peppercorns.

It has a unique method for refilling that our tester found very easy to use: You pivot the neck to open the circular chamber, and then slide it back to close. The grind size is set via a thumb screw on the bottom, which holds the grind size nicely, but it can be hard to recapture a precise setting if you adjust your grind frequently. The grinding action is smooth and provides a generous output. The producers refer to the steel grinding mechanism as “aggressive.” And after our testing, we agree - in the best way. This American-made pepper mill has been so popular that it is currently sold out, though the producers hope it will be available again in October. The pros in the Good Housekeeping Institute Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab tested pepper mills from the top brands to find the best. The mill allows you to choose your grind size from fine to coarse so you can select the best texture whether you're jazzing up charred corn with parmesan butter or making a unique cocktail like the Bees Knees. Just as you'd use a coffee grinder for the boldest coffee, you'll want a good pepper mill to capture all the spicy, complex flavors and aromas in your peppercorns.Ī pepper mill, also referred to as a pepper grinder, passes peppercorns through burrs to grind them into fragments.

Because those oils dissipate quickly, the flavor diminishes over time (meaning the stuff in the can isn't very flavorful). Whole peppercorns contain volatile oils that are released when the peppercorn is cracked. Swapping from preground black pepper to freshly ground black pepper is an easy way to improve the flavor of your dishes. We also added more information about how we tested these pepper grinders. It remains on the list because we stand behind our recommendation. At the time of the update, the Unicorn grinder was unavailable, but not discontinued the manufacturer hopes it will be restocked around October. We updated this story in July 2022 to ensure all the products are in stock.

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