288948 Fri Apr 12 12:01:37 -0700 2002 11 27 General Chowhounding Topics 0 1561885 I see previous discussion of classic pepper mills. Is there a decent electric/battery one? I've done a little research, and got the one at Crate & Barrel. I went through two. The first one, the batteries exploded, the second one, dropped once and wouldn't shut off at all. Ever. I want one mainly because when I cook meat, I can one hand to handle the meat and grind pepper with my other clean hand. Or add pepper to a sauce as I stir. When I worked at Williams-Sonoma a long time ago, I always thought the light was stupid. But I realize now it's actually a nice thing so you can see how much pepper is coming out. Or is it all ridiculous anyway? My husband loves tons of pepper, I'd ideally like one that was fast, or even adjustable speed! Although we can just keep the hand-crank on the table for dinner service anyway. I'm afraid if it comes out too fast, I'll add too much. So this would be my wish list: Easy to clean Adjustable grind Light/bulb Ergonomically designed for the "on" button Clear storage of pepper so you could see when it's getting low, or what kind of pepper is inside. Heavy duty- won't die if dropped Thanks Fri Apr 12 12:01:37 -0700 2002 0 cypressstylepie 1 1561890 I don't know about motorized pepper grinders, but there are several acrylic styles that easy allow one-handed use. There's the rabbit-eared pepper ball (pictured in link below), and my dad has a rectangular one with a salt shaker on top and a pepper grinder on the bottom that is operated by pushing a lever in while holding the grinder with one hand. No light bulbs, of course (but really, bright light is a necessaity in cooking areas so I can't imagine *needing* one). I have seen both for sale in big housewares stores like Bed Bath & Beyond. Link: http://www.surprise.com/kitchen_and_housewares/tableware/Chef'n_Pepper_Ball_with_Black_Handles.cfm Fri Apr 12 12:26:30 -0700 2002 1561885 0 Caitlin McGrath 2 1561891 Thanks. To explain, the light is to compensate for the fact that you, your hand and the grinder itself somewhat obscure the room's lightsource. Fri Apr 12 12:28:17 -0700 2002 1561890 0 cypressstylepie 3 1561894 Well, those I mentioned are not bulky enough to cause that problem. Fri Apr 12 12:42:50 -0700 2002 1561891 0 Caitlin McGrath 2 1562978 Maybe you could help me find the supplier of the simplest grinder I have come across. The unit is a standard glass spice bottle (standard grocery store size, 1.34 oz) with a plastic grinder on top. A friend of mine bought the item at a restaurant that had the bottles on each dining table. They said the restaurant also sold them...they paid $ 2.00 (filled with peppercorns). Ever see anything similar? Tue May 21 19:31:00 -0700 2002 1561890 0 Pepper Pat 1 1561909 I think Cooks Illustrated reviewed pepper mills in March 1996. I'll have to look up my password to read the article. But I do know that I recently read it and the electric ones did not rate well from what I recall. Let me look up my password and I'll let you know if any of them worked out well. Fri Apr 12 14:27:57 -0700 2002 1561885 0 LisaLou 2 1561911 Logged on. If you send me an e-mail with your e-mail address I'll send the review to you. Basically they say the old-fashioned ones without gizmos are the best and give you the best range of grinding options. Ease of turning was an important criteria. Fri Apr 12 14:36:23 -0700 2002 1561909 0 LisaLou 3 1561914 thanks for your efforts. but i have all the hardbound CI's including the 5 year index. But if you want to indulge me, it'll save me looking it up. If it's too much trouble, don't worry about it. thekitchencoach@hotmail.com Thanks very much. Fri Apr 12 15:08:16 -0700 2002 1561911 0 cypressstylepie 1 1561920 For cooking I just use a Krups coffee grinder that I keep next to the stove. I use it only for spices (not for coffee) and mostly for pepper. It's great because you just use the heel of your hand to turn it on, you can see it grind and thus control the fineness, and also it can grind large quantities in seconds. Fri Apr 12 16:05:22 -0700 2002 1561885 0 Wendy Leonard 2 1561931 Thanks for the tip. We did that when I worked in restaurants. I just don't use that much at home to merit it- plus, I live in a tiny studio that can not bear one more thing- the one we use for coffee is such a nuisance already! The electric one will just take up the space of my hand grinder that I'll put out on the dining table. But maybe after we move, and have a family to cook for, I'll get another grinder. Fri Apr 12 16:58:37 -0700 2002 1561920 0 cypressstylepie 1 1561925 After trying several different brands, I have settled on an automatic pepper mill by William Bounds Ltd. It fits all your criteria except for having no light. I don't find that to be a problem. This machine is very easy to use with one hand (that was my main criterion), but it is rather pricey. Style #30001-steel is the particular model (stainless steel with black pushbutton on top and a clear cylinder that holds a goodly amount of pepper). I think I paid $60 or $70 for it. I had just had to toss one that didn't work at all well that cost $45. I think I bought this online at Amazon. I'm sure it is available at Wms.Sonoma and such stores. This mill has batteries, and they last rather a long time compared to some of the other ones I've had. I'm very happy with this pepper mill. Fri Apr 12 16:19:41 -0700 2002 1561885 0 Jeremy Newel 2 1561932 Thanks. I found that one on a website and was wondering. The light is definitely at the bottom of my wish list, I should have ordered it that way. In fact, the one I've busted twice didn't have a light. Fri Apr 12 17:00:02 -0700 2002 1561925 0 cypressstylepie