Peugeot Paris Pepper Mill Review

I must make a confession: I have been sleeping on the beauty of freshly cracked pepper at home. I blame those silly little plastic built-in grinders you buy in the spice aisle at the grocery store. You know the ones. The peppercorns get stuck. The grinder is inconsistent. The plastic lid cracks. It isn’t a pleasant pepper experience. It lacks finesse and, in the end, doesn’t add much other than frustration to your meal.

Why I waited so long to invest in a real pepper grinder is a mystery, but I am happy to report that I am no longer doomed to a life of subpar seasoning. I may be overdramatizing, but I’m completely serious when I say I should have purchased Serious Eats’ winner from Peugeot long ago. 

When the team tested over 30 pepper grinders to find the best of the best, the Peugeot Paris Pepper Mill came out on top for how easy it was to use and how consistently well it ground peppercorns. And now that it’s taken up residence in my kitchen, I must confess that my old grocery store pepper grinders have somehow mysteriously found their way into the garbage. No further questions, please. 

Why I Love the Peugeot Paris Pepper Mill 

There is no shortage of pepper grinders on the market, which is why our team tested so many of them, but the Peugeot was a stand out. Editor Grace Kelly has been using this pepper mill ever since she helped test them. “The Peugeot lets me easily home in on the grind size I’m looking for, including larger chunks for steak au poivre or a fine dusting for pretty much anything else,” she says. “Not to mention it looks quite svelte.” 

Made of wood with a smooth finish, this model is a fill-and-twist style that feels nice in your hands. Peugeot boasts that the beechwood they use is all sourced from sustainably managed forests, and the grinding mechanism inside the mill is made of anti-corrosion-coated steel. This ensures your investment not only performs well, but also will keep up with all of your cooking adventures for a long time. I also loved that the mill can be used with any type of peppercorn, giving it even more versatility for recipes. 

The grinder is equipped with six different grind settings from coarse to super fine, giving you a range of options for varying tastes and recipe needs. The grind settings are clearly labeled at the bottom of the pepper mill, and just take a simple twist to adjust. Associate editorial director Riddley Gemperlein-Schirm agrees. “I like that it’s easy to adjust the settings and that these are clearly labeled. It just requires twisting the bottom, whereas other pepper mills need fiddling and guesswork to adjust between coarse and fine.”

On the product listing, Peugeot offers that a finely ground pepper will “bring out its spice,” while a coarse grind will “highlight its aromas and flavor.” So whether you just need a fine sprinkle on your dinner or you’re trying to perfect your Cacio e Pepe, the Peugeot can make it happen. And it doesn’t hurt that its sleek and classic design looks good on any counter or dining table.  

FAQs 

Why is it important to have a good way to grind pepper fresh?

The flavor and intensity of a pre-ground spice like black pepper fade over time, often before you make your way through an entire container. When you purchase your average ground spices from the spice aisle at the grocery store, you never know how recently that spice was ground and what kind of lifespan it may have on your shelf. Starting with whole peppercorns and grinding them on demand will ensure a bolder taste and a longer shelf life.

Unscrew and remove the metal knob at the top of the pepper. This unlocks the vessel so that you can simply lift off the top portion of the pepper mill and deposit your whole peppercorns into the chamber. This model holds about 35 grams of peppercorns. 

How do you adjust the grind setting?

The bottom of the mill is clearly labeled one through six. Simply place one hand on the very bottom section of the pepper mill and one hand on the top. Rotate the bottom until the mark on the main piece is aligned with your desired grind setting on the bottom piece. Setting one is the finest grind and setting six is the most coarse.

Is there a difference between a salt mill and a pepper mill?

Yes! Because salt will begin to corrode a metal grinder like you’d find in a pepper mill, a salt mill is typically equipped with a grinder made from nylon or ceramic to prevent the blade from dulling and clogging of the mechanism.  

Why We’re the Experts

• Jenna Lanoue is a contributing writer at Serious Eats, a cooking enthusiast, and a little nerdy about researching kitchen equipment. She has been using the Peugeot Paris Pepper Mill and anyone who visits is subject to a monologue on its best qualities.
• We reviewed pepper grinders and found the Peugeot Paris Pepper Mill was by and far the best one.