Traditional salt and pepper shakers on kitchen counters are gradually giving way to the hand-held spice grinder. It's not just about ease of use. By adding a precise amount of freshly ground seeds to a plate or pan, we create a rich, aromatic bouquet that can't be matched by commercially prepared spices. But the seasoning in the disposable device quickly runs out... Let's try to figure out how to open the pepper mill and continue to use it.
Purpose of the mill
The device is used for grinding granular and granular food additives that improve the taste of cooked dishes. Thanks to the popular and popular device among housewives, it is possible to obtain a fragrant mixture from individual ingredients. Such additives are added to food during preparation or immediately before consumption. The compact hand mill is convenient for everyday use and is indispensable in any kitchen.
The fragrant powder obtained with its help gives food a special rich aroma and piquant taste. You need to disassemble a pepper mill using an unconventional method when using a disposable model. Practical housewives and experienced chefs do not always trust factory-ground spices and seasonings, preferring to grind natural ingredients themselves.
The compact, practical and convenient device quickly grinds grains and granules of flavoring additives into a fine powder. Hand grinding of products guarantees their quality to a greater extent.
Another purpose of the device is to store ready-made seasonings or spices. A kitchen mill is a kitchen utensil that is simple in everyday use, but complex in design and operating principle. The most popular are affordable disposable models, the disassembly of which is not provided for by the manufacturer. Another purpose of such devices is the precise dosing of hot seasonings.
Typical Features of Disposable Kitchen Mills:
- manufacturing material – food grade plastic or transparent glass, which allows you to control the amount of remaining product;
- preservation of the taste and aroma of spices due to the tightness of the device;
- precise dosing of ingredients when added to dishes or prepared foods;
- Various design features depending on model and manufacturer.
Recycling of functional containers is not provided, but thrifty housewives will manage to open the device and fill it with new portions of allspice or other spices.
Historical reference
The first spice mill appeared about 200 years ago. It was a smaller copy of a flour mill, and at first coffee was ground on it. Later, the devices began to be used to grind salt and sugar, because in the 19th century. these products went on sale in large pieces. Since then, the mills have been constantly modified and improved. Today they have different housings and operate not only from mechanical forces, but also from batteries. Some devices allow you to change the degree of grinding, while others are equipped with a backlight.
How to use?
This depends on the type of drive, the design of the flask, and the design of the handle in mechanical models. The rules for using each device are set out in the instruction manual supplied with it.
Often, a kitchen mill is used to grind granular and granular aromatic spices and then add them to the prepared dish. Reusable models have a special receiver for storing and dosing powder products. Expensive devices have a removable container with compartments for several different food ingredients. They have a collapsible design.
Standard rules and grinding technology:
- First you need to remove or unscrew the lid of the container.
- The product is poured inside and the device is assembled.
- The mill is turned over with the millstones facing down.
- The container with the spice must be held motionless.
- Grinding the contents, depending on the model, is done by turning the lid or rotating the handle attached to one of the surfaces of the device.
In electric models, the procedure is carried out with one keystroke, and in lever-type devices, the grinding mechanism is activated by pressing on the handle. An adjusting screw is used to determine the size of the fractions. The amount of crushed contents is determined visually. The grinding speed depends on the functional characteristics and operating principle of the drive mechanism and the diameter of the millstones.
You can disassemble the pepper mill using the standard method provided by the manufacturer or by using special techniques that allow you to bypass the established technical limitations and use the design features of the device.
At the end or on the side surface of the device there is a hole for pouring out the product crushed by metal millstones or ceramic worm knives. A dosing mechanism is also located here, dividing the resulting powder into small portions.
Last method
Some batches of mills are more stubborn and sometimes difficult to cope with. In this case, all that remains is to resort to the last method - using two wooden planks. To disassemble the mill you will need:
- Take two planks, wider than the diameter of the lid.
- On one of them, cut a semicircle on either side, recessed into the board.
- On the other, repeat the action, but with a mirror image.
- Place the mill on a hard surface and grab it with one of the workpieces.
- Place the second workpiece against the opposite side and lift it up. She will lift the lid in a semicircle.
Ready! You can add fresh pepper and return the lid to its place.
Unfortunately, even if you know all the ways to open a Kotanyi pepper mill, you won’t be able to use it forever. The device will last a maximum of four fillings, after which the mill will become dull and will not be able to function.
Types of grinders for pepper and other spices
Such devices are represented by several basic design and functional options. Mills are single-use and reusable, mechanical or electric. Each type has its own advantages, operating features and technical characteristics. The design of reusable kitchen mills is collapsible.
They consist of several parts:
- container for granular, grain or powder spices;
- grinding mechanism - teeth, round millstones, worm knives and others;
- removable handle;
- covers.
- detachable compartments for storing various types of food additives.
Such devices are made from various materials that determine the durability and operational reliability of the mill.
On sale there are reusable devices made from:
- food grade polymer of increased strength;
- of stainless steel;
- clear or frosted glass;
- ceramics;
- wood.
Expensive electric models run on miniature flat or AA batteries. There are types of kitchen mills with a built-in battery. They are practical because they do not require periodic replacement of batteries and are charged from a socket with a standard voltage of 220 V. The design features of electric models are practically no different from mechanical reusable devices.
Due to the high speed of the knives, such mills quickly and efficiently grind any spices, including hard crystals of table salt. They significantly save the owner’s time and physical strength, since there is no need to rotate the handle for a long time and tediously.
Electric mills are common in catering establishments where large volumes of flavoring additives need to be ground in a short time. The cheapest and most popular variety in home kitchens is disposable mills.
Such models already contain the desired food ingredient inside. They are airtight, so they retain the taste and rich aroma of the contents during long-term storage. Grinding while simultaneously extracting a portion of spices is accomplished by simply twisting the lid. Using a disposable device allows you to evenly distribute the food ingredient over the entire surface of the dish.
Mills of this type have the only drawback - the limited period of operation provided for by the design. They are suitable for long-term storage of pepper, but after the contents are completely consumed they must be disposed of. The need to disassemble the device arises if you want to extend its service life.
Video
This toy consists of a pepper grinder attached to the end of a gun that looks like a silencer.
The trigger, when pressed, turns on the electric mill, and next to the fuse there is a switch responsible for light, sound and vibration.
Are you ready to bring pepper justice to this world? Then let's start assembling the electric pepper grinder!
Consumables:
- toy electric gun (mine cost about 200 rubles)
- new SPDT switch
- stranded thin wire
- heat-shrink tubing
- clip
- plastic funnel
- wooden rod (I used a wooden spoon)
- black paper
Tool:
- dremel
- soldering iron
- wire scissors
- pliers
- hot glue gun
- sharp knife
- sandpaper
- square
Obviously, this mill has a completely unusual appearance and it is better not to take it out of the house.
Features of choice
The range of such kitchen utensils is huge. This makes choosing the right device difficult. For home use, it is advisable to give preference to a budget disposable model that can be used repeatedly. Such products already contain a combination of flavoring additives, selected in the required proportions and combinations of aromas. Such mills greatly facilitate the process of preparing dishes.
Among the disadvantages, there are difficulties in selecting the preferred bouquet of spices. Each dish requires different seasonings. Therefore, you have to purchase several disposable mills. The best choice for mixing flavoring ingredients yourself is a reusable model. Devices for grinding allspice are equipped with paired rows of millstones.
They qualitatively crush granules of any hardness into fractions of a given size thanks to the adjusting screw. Wooden mills are popular, the range of which includes dozens of models of any size, shape, structure and design.
This device can be matched to the style of your kitchen interior. There are cast iron mills that can be used as an original gift.
Some massive products are decorated in authentic oriental or Russian style with engraving. Glass, steel and ceramic options are often made in a high-tech spirit and look ultra-modern.
Wooden mills are poorly suited for grinding and storing oily spices - garlic, star anise and others.
When choosing a device, you should pay attention to:
- millstone material – the most reliable, durable and suitable for grinding hard granules are models with knives made of stainless steel or high-strength ceramics;
- arrangement of teeth - the finest grinding is provided by models with double-row arrangement of working elements;
- mechanism for adjusting the size of fractions;
- number of compartments for storing different spices;
- the total capacity of the kitchen appliance, on which the required frequency of refilling depends;
- the shape of the accessory and the ease of holding it in the hand;
- strength, chemical inertness and moisture resistance of the housing.
An electric mill operating in automatic mode would be a good choice. The only thing that scares off potential buyers is the high cost. The best models are produced by the British manufacturer Cole&Mason. The company's product range includes mills made in retro style and in the traditions of modern high-tech. The manufacturer provides a lifetime warranty on its products.
Products from the French company Peugeot are equipped with a unique patented grinding mechanism with double-row toothed millstones made of alloy steel. High-quality products are produced by the Italian brand Nuova Cer. These mills are distinguished by an attractive design in an ecological style and the use of high-strength ceramics in their production. Original, reliable and cheap models are available in the assortment of the Joseph & Joseph company.
Kitchen mills produced by the German manufacturer Fissler are attractive with their laconic design and excellent quality. This device will last a very long time. The kitchen appliance uses steel millstones and a mechanism for high-precision adjustment of the size of the fractions.
Chips
Ground potato or corn chips are an excellent ingredient in a variety of breadings. You can also sprinkle them on cream soup. Some recipes recommend using a rolling pin to crush the chips, but in our opinion, a mill does a much better job.
Ways to open a disposable grinder so you can use it again and again
Not every housewife is ready to spend the family budget on the constant purchase of a new kitchen appliance. This approach is impractical and harmful to the environment. This is especially true for products made of polymer materials that do not decompose. There are various ways to disassemble a pepper mill for reuse. The choice of circuit depends on the design of the device and the materials used in its manufacture.
The clogging method may differ fundamentally between different manufacturers and models. When disassembling, it is important not to deform the lid and body or damage the grinding mechanism. There are little tricks that allow you to use a disposable spice grinder over and over again.
How to disassemble a Kamis pepper mill.
The table shows disassembly options for popular products from different manufacturers:
| Manufacturer | Disassembly diagram | Important nuances |
| Kamis | The emptied accessory is placed in a basin or pan. The polymer lid of the device is evenly poured with a thin stream of boiling water. You need to wait 2-3 minutes. before removing it. During this time, the plastic will soften and become pliable. Before reusing the device, it should be thoroughly washed and dried. | If the lid does not come off after heat treatment, you should repeat the boiling water procedure. Assembling the opened mill is not difficult - you need to align the top with the plastic grooves on the body and fix it with a sharp cotton. |
| Kotanyi | First, remove the protective plug and set the device to grinding mode into large fractions. The body and cover are turned in opposite directions to break the thread. As a result, a gap will appear between the cover and the body. The action is repeated until the device is completely opened. | You can remove the lid with a kitchen knife. This will require significant physical effort. The risk of damage to the plastic container increases. |
| Pripravych | A domestically produced mill is dismantled using the “fracture” method. The scheme is extremely simple. Grasp the body with one hand and the lid with the other. Make a sharp twisting movement in different directions. | In models for different purposes, Russian manufacturers of kitchen appliances use different locking mechanisms. Sometimes the mill does not need to be untwisted, but rather to be torn off by sharply pulling both parts of the device up and down. |
| Erringen | The plastic cover is heated with a regular hair dryer. After softening, the mill is opened by sharply tearing off the lid. | Mechanical impact requires the application of great physical force. The locking teeth have a pointed cone shape and are tightly interlocked. |
These methods are quite aggressive. It is important not to damage the device. Otherwise you won't be able to reuse it. It has been noticed that in disposable mills, after three uses, the grinding mechanism becomes dull and loses efficiency. It is better to consider other methods of opening such kitchen utensils using the example of a product from the Austrian company Kotaniy, given their prevalence and popularity among housewives.
The models are made of tempered transparent glass and equipped with a smooth lid made of food grade polymer material. The mechanism for crushing seasonings and spices is made of high-strength plastic.
Different models initially contain a mixture of flavoring additives in the flask or separately:
- allspice peas;
- cilantro;
- dried onions;
- fenugreek;
- basil;
- rosemary;
- thyme;
- sea salt crystals.
Many housewives want to use these relatively expensive disposable kitchen devices multiple times. Therefore, ingenious ways of opening such accessories are extremely relevant.
No tools
You can disassemble a pepper or other spice mill made in Austria manually. The method is more suitable for men, since it is designed for the application of brute physical force.
The principle is as follows:
- The device is released from the protective cap.
- The mill is switched to coarse grinding mode.
- With one hand they grasp the glass flask, with the other they clamp the upper plastic part of the structure.
- Sharply rotate the mill segments in different directions, while simultaneously pulling the lid up.
- With the next movement, the parts of the device are again rotated in different directions, lifting the top on one side.
The procedure must be repeated until the cover is completely removed. After cleaning, rinsing the container and filling it with a fresh portion of spices, the lid is returned to its place with a sharp pop.
Using a knife
Using a well-sharpened tool, remove the locking membrane disc, made of a rigid polymer composition. The resulting gap is enough to accurately fill the kitchen mill with herbs or spices.
Algorithm of actions:
- After removing the safety cap, a thin knife blade is inserted between the grinding mechanism and the neck of the glass flask.
- The sealing plastic insert separating them is lifted with a sharp tool, slowly moving it around the circumference.
- After removing the polymer plate, you can add flavoring additives using a funnel with a flat spout.
- The removed part of the Austrian design is installed by lightly pressing until it is completely sealed in the place provided by the manufacturer.
Another disassembly option involves using a knife to make vertical cuts on the plastic cover. After this, it can be removed by sharply pulling upward with force. The disadvantage of the scheme is that the device loses its aesthetic appearance.
Using two planks
To open the kitchen mill from the Austrian brand Kotanyi, you can use a couple of wooden blocks. They should be wider than the cover of the device, and their length should allow them to be securely fixed in the palm of your hand. A semicircular recess is cut out at the ends of both planks, corresponding to the radius of the polymer top of the mill. The device is conveniently clamped with your knees. It is advisable to securely fix it.
The lid is clamped between wooden blocks, using them as a lever. Perform sharp twisting movements, tearing off the plastic part. The manipulation must be repeated several times until the cover is completely removed. The method requires less physical effort than manual. Therefore it is suitable for women.
Heating the lid
The thermal disassembly circuit does not require the use of brute force or sharp tools that can damage the structure. This is the undoubted advantage of the technique. Boil water in a saucepan or other metal container and immerse the plastic top of the mill into it. Care must be taken to ensure that the temperature does not affect the glass flask. It might burst. The lid must be kept in boiling water for 4-5 minutes.
During this time, the plastic will soften, which will allow you to remove the part without effort. The lid should be grabbed with a kitchen towel and pulled out of the glass spice container by twisting or lifting. After cleaning, drying and filling the flask with a new portion of spice, the cooled lid is returned to its original place by slamming shut.
Any heating device can be used to heat treat the plastic part of the pepper mill. The polymer material becomes pliable and soft under the influence of hot air. Using the methods outlined above, you can disassemble kitchen appliances from other manufacturers.
Tips from housewives
To reload a disposable pepper mill efficiently without breaking the millstone or chipping the lid, you need to use less aggressive methods.
Regular users of such devices have noticed that it is worth considering some structural features of the pepper mill.
Tips for use and selection:
- After using the mill three times, the quality of clogging and the sharpness of the knives deteriorate, so it is better to replace the device.
- It is worth choosing a glass disposable mill so that you can use the device again.
- If the method of opening the container is not suitable, it is worth using a set of different uncorking methods.
- Before adding a new portion of pepper, the container must be washed and dried, this way the aesthetics of taste will be preserved.
It is worth considering the peculiarity of the situation. The mill may break under strong pressure or due to a manufacturing defect. Therefore, you should not give up if the replacement of spices does not work out the first time.
