How to Clean a Pepper Mill

I love having a mill to crack freshly ground pepper onto salad and pasta. And I’ve used our pick—the sleek, trusty Peugeot Paris u’Select Pepper Mill—for years. But I’d recently placed my pepper mill in storage for a year. When I took it back out, I tried to season some eggs, and I was perplexed that it wouldn't crank anything out. As I learned, damp pepper can get cakey and prevent a mill from grinding properly—I needed to clean it out and add fresh pepper.

To keep your pepper mill up and running for everyday use, here are a few simple cleaning steps.

It should take less than two minutes to wipe down and brush off your pepper mill. Replacing the peppercorns may take an extra minute.

Always check the manufacturer's instructions. But in general, start by wiping down the outside with a soft, damp cloth. If there's gunk stuck to the body of the mill, we’ve used a drop of dish soap or some natural, all-purpose cleaner to clean it.

To replace peppercorns, unscrew the knob. Remove the head of the mill, and pour the old peppercorns into a bowl. You can further empty the reservoir by turning the mill upside down and rotating the grinder several times, and using a brush to reach into the well.

If you think the peppercorns are damp or old, throw them away. If you suspect your peppercorns were damp, you can also let your mill dry out for a bit before refilling it (I left mine overnight).

Refill your pepper mill with fresh, hard peppercorns. We recommend using black peppercorns. Colorful corns are treated and can leave a clogging residue on the grinder. Peugeot, the maker of our pick, recommends using no more than 25% red peppercorns in a blend. But it says you can grind black, white, green, and red corns up to ¼ inch in diameter (you can also grind coriander). Check the manual for specific guidance.

Use a funnel to help prevent spills as you pour bouncing peppercorns into the narrow opening. You can also use a spoon and your hand to gently guide them in, or use a funnel made from folded paper.

Take a soft brush and wipe away spice dust from the bottom of the grinder. You can also dust old spices off the neck. Adjust the coarseness to your liking using the markings at the bottom of the mill, or using the knob at the top, and grind away.

Avoid using salt, which corrodes metal and can cause your pepper mill to stop grinding properly. Peugeot makes special salt grinders for dry and wet salt.

If your mill is made from wood or metal, avoid getting it wet. Don't run it under water to clean it or put it in a puddle on the counter while you’re cooking. And don't put your mill in the dishwasher.

If you don't plan on using your pepper mill for a while, take this advice from Philadelphia-based Fante's Kitchen Shop: Before storing the mill, remove any spices, so they don't grow damp and cakey.

This article was edited by Amy Koplin and Ben Frumin.

Anna Perling

Anna Perling is a former staff writer covering kitchen gear at Wirecutter. During her time at Wirecutter, she reported on various topics including sports bras, board games, and light bulbs. Previously she wrote food and lifestyle pieces for Saveur and Kinfolk magazines. Anna is a mentor at Girls Write Now and a member of the Online News Association.

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