Salt and Pepper Shakers

Salt and Pepper Mills

Salt and pepper mills grind rock salt crystals, sea salt, and peppercorns into a fine powder to disperse over dishes. While both are commonplace in many restaurant kitchens, salt and pepper mills might be placed on diners' tables in high-end establishments for a more elegant dining experience. However, they require more attention and maintenance than a simple salt or pepper shaker. You must maintain these mills to ensure they remain in working order for customers and kitchen staff.

Are Salt and Pepper Mills Interchangeable?

While salt and pepper mills may look identical, they are rarely interchangeable. Due to salt's corrosiveness and peppercorns' toughness, each mill requires a different grinding mechanism material. Salt mills typically use ceramic or nylon grinders that will not corrode over time. In contrast, pepper mills use carbon or stainless steel to effortlessly grind tough peppercorns without damaging the mechanism. Since peppercorns are non-corrosive, the steel is long-lasting and keeps your pepper mill functioning at its best.

How to Turn Salt and Pepper Mills

Salt and pepper mills are designed to be intuitive for both kitchen staff and customers. To turn the mill, hold it in one hand several inches above the food you want to season. Then, use the other hand to twist and grind the salt crystals or peppercorns. As you turn the mill, the ground spice will fall from the bottom of the mill onto the food below.

How to Tell the Difference between Salt and Pepper Shakers

Salt and pepper shakers allow for fast, inexpensive, and efficient dispersion of seasonings. Since salt and pepper shakers often look identical, it can be difficult to tell the difference between them. Some salt and pepper shakers are distinguishable by a printed "S" or "P" indicating which is which. Others are not as simple.

When in doubt, check the number of holes in the top of the shaker. In the United States, restaurants traditionally use the shaker with fewer holes for salt to limit salt intake. In other regions of the world, this may be swapped, with more holes meaning salt and less for pepper.

Types of Grinding Mechanisms

There are three types of grinding mechanisms for salt and pepper mills. Grinding mechanisms are available in nylon, stainless steel, or ceramic materials. Each has its benefits and limitations, including what it can grind, how durable it is, and how expensive the material makes the mill.

How to Fix a Salt or Pepper Mill Jam

Follow these steps to learn how to fix a salt or pepper mill jam.

1. Turn the spice mill upside down and shake the spice down to the top.
2. Give the bottom of the mill several light taps.
3. If your spice does not rattle loosely, your mill may have been overfilled or exposed to moisture. Remove seasonings from the mill, then refill 3/4 of the way full.

Caring for Salt and Pepper Mills and Shakers

Caring for salt and pepper mills and shakers depends primarily on the mills' materials. Shakers require little maintenance. Wash them in warm, soapy water and fully dry each element to prevent corrosion and salt and pepper clumps. Salt and pepper mills require more careful ministrations, especially when cleaning the grinding mechanism. Instead of dunking the mill in water, carefully clean each piece with a wet cloth and dry thoroughly with another fresh cloth.

Wooden salt and pepper mills are more susceptible to damage than their glass or metal counterparts. Follow these tips to clean and care for your wooden salt and pepper mills.