PepperMate Pepper Mill Review

I ordered this PepperMate pepper mill as part of my Targeted video series on YouTube where I review products from ads targeted to me on the Internet. Of course, the Internet advertising elves (or maybe they’re more like Gringotts goblins?) knew that my very cheap pepper mill broke in early 2020 and I’ve been hand crushing my black pepper with a mortar and pestle since. I saw ads for the PepperMate pepper mill many, many times before I took the bait and bought it.

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PepperMate Pepper Mill Review

I used this pepper mill for a week before giving my final review based on form, function, and value.

Form

I really like the look of this pepper mill and that’s probably why I clicked on the original ad. I like the chunky, oblong shape that stands out against other pepper mills. The design is key to some important functionality which I will get to below.

The PepperMate comes in several colors (black, white, red, and blue), so you can find one to match your kitchen; the black worked best with mine (plus I felt white might get too dirty!) Overall, this pepper mill looks pretty cool.

Function

Pros

For this product, function is the most important category. And, I give it high marks here. First, it’s really easy to grind the pepper using the large, ergonomic knob. And it’s powerful! With just a few turns, the PepperMate grinds a good amount of pepper. If I compare this to other peppermills I’ve used, three turns of the PepperMate outputs the same as about 10 turns of a more traditional mill.

I love that there’s an attached compartment to catch the pepper as you grind it which is especially helpful for recipes with a specific amount called for (vs. grinding as a finishing seasoning.) You can easily eyeball the right amount because the compartment is clear.

My favorite part about the PepperMate pepper mill is how easy it is to fill. Because of its unique shape, this pepper grinder has a large enough opening to make re-filling it easy and spill-free. The top is easy to open as well, but also stays tightly closed when you don’t want it to be open. The PepperMate’s shape also allows for a large storage area; you won’t have to re-fill nearly as often as other pepper mills.

You can easily change the grind from fine to course using a simple dial in the pepper accessible on the top of the mill. The grinder itself is made from ceramic which PepperMate claims will last years, but time will tell there.

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Cons

There are two annoying aspects I’ve found about the PepperMate pepper mill. First, the pepper mill is wobbly if you set it down without the bottom cup attached to it. This is because the grinder juts out just a smidge from the bottom of the mill. This hasn’t caused any issues, but it always makes me feel like the grinder is going to topple over, fall off my counter, and break on my tile floor.

The other annoyance: the bottom clear compartment is sometimes tricky to put back on the grinder. While the top cap pops on easily, I’ve found it slightly difficult to snap the bottom compartment on after use. It’s not a deal breaker, but it seems odd based on the overall high quality of the gadget.

Value

The reason that it took me so long to make this purchase is the price. This grinder cost me $34.95 which seems so steep since it’s not electric. But honestly, my previous cheap pepper mill broke within two years of purchase. When my old pepper mill broke, I shopped around for a new one (before I decided to rely on the mortar and pestle.) I learned that high quality pepper mills are pretty expensive.

Given the awesome functionality of the PepperMate, I rate the price as worth it. Obviously, if it breaks sooner rather than later, I’ll have a different opinion. But I’ll give value a thumbs up here given the overall marketplace of pepper mills.

Final Thoughts

I’m glad I purchased the PepperMate pepper mill. It’s a powerful pepper grinder with thoughtful functional details. It looks cool and, compared to other similar products, it’s well-priced. I really hope this product lasts me years because I very much enjoy using it daily.

Watch: The PepperMate Pepper Mill Review

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