Best Salt And Pepper Grinders And Shakers To Buy In 2023

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Here's why our picks deserve a place at your table.

Salt and pepper grinders are kitchen staples, with a dash of seasoning transforming a bland dish into one brimming with flavour. Despite being an essential, though, you may not know the best one for your culinary needs.

Sarah Savery-Smith, brand director for kitchenware brand ProCook, says: 'Seasoning is so intrinsic to cooking you almost take salt and pepper mills for granted in the kitchen, but a good quality grinder will quickly become your favourite kitchen accessory.'

At House Beautiful, we're here to tell you all there is to know about salt and pepper grinders.

There are three main types of grinders to buy.

Salt and pepper shakers are typically used to add extra seasoning after cooking. These no-frills items don't have any extra functions, such as adjustable grinds, but they’re useful to have on the dinner table, so you can season your food as you prefer.Salt and pepper grinders use internal blades to break down seasoning into smaller pieces. Many have multiple grind settings that can be adjusted via the base or the top screw. 'They often come in various shapes and sizes to suit any home and they’re easy to maintain,' Sarah adds.

Electric salt and pepper grinders, naturally, use electricity to grind spices. Sarah explains they season at the touch of a button, making them easy and convenient to use. Electric mills usually require batteries, but some rechargeable models are available.

Not all grinders are, so it's worth double checking before you purchase. Adjustable grinding mechanisms are handy as they let you choose between a fine or coarse grind. Fine ground salt works in cooking where it dissolves quickly, Sarah explains, but coarse salt is often preferred for salting meats and at the table where it adds the finishing touch to a dish.

A grinder ranging from 15 to 23 centimetres in height can hold around half a cup of salt and pepper, which is ideal for everyday use. Anything smaller will need to be refilled more regularly, depending on how often you use it.

They may look the same, but salt and pepper mills use different mechanisms to grind spices. Salt mill grinders are usually made from ceramic, which is naturally oxidised to withstand corrosion and rust. Pepper mills use durable stainless steel to break down the tough texture of peppercorns.

Whether you’re looking for a nifty electric set for everyday cooking or eye-catching designs for your dining table, here are the best salt and pepper grinders and shakers out there.

Le Creuset never lets us down with its high-quality kitchenware, and the brand's stoneware mills are no exception. They’re simple to fill, easy to handle and they distribute ground seasoning evenly and consistently. Needless to say, they look lovely in our kitchen too. Our pick is the recently launched azure blue colourway, but there are eight colours available at John Lewis.

You can buy the matching pepper mill here.

Cleverly, these Joseph & Joseph mills grind from the top rather than the bottom, so they won't leave any debris on your counter when you’re done. They look great too, with a chic matte finish and gorgeous muted colours. Scandi interior fans will love them.

You might also like the stylish black and grey colourway.

We’re big fans of ProCook's electric mills. They have six settings, which allows us to grind seasoning as coarse or fine as our dish requires. Clear windows make it easy to know when they need refilling and they’re effortless to use while cooking. They require six AAAs though, so remember to stock up on spare batteries.

They’re currently £25 off.

Exuding a breezy Mediterranean charm, these beautiful shakers deserve pride of place on every tablescape. They’re stackable, so ideal for busy tables, and there are some gorgeous coordinating pieces, including a gravy boat, side plates and a butter dish. They’re available in two colours.

Peugeot invented the first table top pepper mill in the 1800s, so, naturally, we had to include the iconic French brand in our roundup.

This bundle comes with a pair of hardy wooden mills, a handy refill funnel, salt and pepper sachets and a glossy gift box. We loved the mills when we tried them — if you want something that's sturdy, produces great results and looks good, they’re hard to beat. They come with a lifetime guarantee, too, so they’re fantastic value in the long run.

Avoid a cluttered table with Cuisinart's all-in-one electric mill, which grinds spices and dried herbs as well as seasoning. It's rechargeable, with a full boost providing 20 minutes of use, while its stand prevents any leftover residue from falling onto surfaces. The included measuring cap can also help when you’re following a recipe. It's available in five colours.

Here's a nifty piece of kitchen tech. These electric grinders have LED lights on the base, so you can season with precision when working in dark kitchens or if you’re cooking in a deep pot. The soft rubber body makes them easy to grip – even if you have greasy fingers from preparing food. They’re stylish, too, with a sleek black finish.

Cat lovers, we’ve found the purrfect shakers for you. These sweet felines are from designer Hannah Turner, who creates a variety of ceramic animals from her Bristol-based workshop. All her designs are lovely, but these are our favourites for their playful expressions and vibrant colours. The grey tabby cat shakers are sweet too.

Jonathan Adler fans will be familiar with the brand's customary style: striking geometric details and gilded gold accents. These shakers, from Alder's lustrous Versailles range, make for a statement tablescape. They’re destined to add a touch of glamour to your setup.

You can always rely on Oliver Bonas for elegant homeware that punches above its price tag, and these hand-painted ornate shakers prove our point. At just £12, they look far more expensive than they actually are. They make such a pretty addition to the dining table that you'll be sure to get compliments from dinner guests.

If you’re coveting Danish designer Georg Jensen's futuristic, but very pricey, silver shakers, you’re in luck. This stainless steel set has the same sleek aesthetic, but for a fraction of the price. A wooden holder keeps them neatly in place, while the handle means you can easily pass them around the dinner table.

Are you looking for shakers that don't look like shakers? Reminiscent of a mystical woodland setting, these sweet mushrooms could easily be mistaken for decorations. Pair them with forest green dinnerware or a wildflower bouquet for an enchanting fairy tale aesthetic.

Lauren is our Homes and Garden writer, covering the latest homeware trends, sales and launches for Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, House Beautiful, Red and Harper's Bazaar.

On a daily basis, Lauren navigates the ins and outs of interiors – whether it's offering tips on how to perfect a garden bar or trying out viral kitchenware. She is committed to finding the most reliable products and best-value deals, so readers can buy with confidence and save money.

Lauren has a BA in English Literature and Journalism and has worked in various editorial roles across Southeast Asia and North America. She previously wrote for a local London newspaper, covering everything from entertainment and lifestyle to politics and wellness.

When not writing, Lauren can be found bargain hunting for pre-loved trinkets and clothes at various car boot sales across the capital.

Follow Lauren on instagram @laurenkatehannah

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