![A person grinding pepper with a Cannon Professional Grade Grinder](https://cdn.statically.io/img/www.foodandwine.com/thmb/oTwxdjx3XyCEQBgE5zFNyGznNu0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/faw-tier-3-mannkitchen-pepper-cannon-professional-grade-heavy-duty-high-wdickey--1820-1-da7fc5ba837d4191b2f31e7d96a5b4da.jpeg)
Food & Wine / Will Dickey
It's tough to beat the convenience of pre-ground spices, but with the right spice grinder, you can effortlessly crush dried, whole spices, like cloves, cumin, and more. Freshly ground spices allow you to take full advantage of the complex flavors sometimes lost in a pre-ground version. Plus, you'll have control of everything going into your next meal, since pre-ground spices sometimes contain additives not listed on the back of the bottle. And if you have your own herb garden, you can make the most of your bountiful supply by drying the leaves, grinding them, and adding them to jars you can reuse on your spice rack for years.
To help you find the right spice grinder for your needs, we rounded up the best models we've tested — many of which are loved by our editors and professional chefs alike. Whether you’re looking for a quick and efficient electric grinder or a manual mortar and pestle, our list features reliable, durable, and user-friendly tools to make producing fresh, aromatic grounds a cinch. You'll be mixing up your own custom spice blends in no time.
Best Overall
FinaMill Pepper Mill & Spice Grinder
It has an adjustable knob for coarse and fine grounds, and it’s the easiest to use among our top picks. It also has interchangeable pods that make it easier to switch between spices.
There was a slight inconsistency in ground sizes, but most of the time it produced uniform pieces.
The FinaMill Pepper and Spice Grinder became an instant favorite during our testing, thanks to its user-friendly design and unique features. The battery-operated device is so convenient due to its portable, lightweight size and one-touch operation that you can maneuver with one hand. Unlike electric models that work similarly to coffee grinders, this one eliminates the extra step of removing the grounds and allows you to season foods directly from the vessel.
The grinder comes with two pods suitable for all types of spices, from large peppercorns to dried parsley, and you can even buy extra ones separately so you can easily switch between all your favorite spices. During our tests, we were able to pour an entire jar of peppercorns into a pod, meaning you won’t have to refill it often. Though we noticed coarser grounds here and there, the majority of the grinds yielded uniform pieces. There is also a hidden knob on the bottom of the pod to adjust the coarseness to your liking, but it might take some playing around to get the perfect texture.
Operation: Battery-powered | Material: BPA-free plastic pods and ceramic grinding elements | Capacity: 3.5 ounces | Removable Cup: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: No, clean pods with soft brush
Food & Wine / Bailey Fink
Food & Wine / Bailey Fink
Food & Wine / Bailey Fink
Best Electric
KRUPS Silent Vortex Electric Grinder
This electric grinder is one of the quietest options and is also compact for kitchen storage.
It's one of the smallest, so you may have to grind more often.
Grinding spices doesn't have to be noisy and messy, as proved by our favorite electric spice grinder, the KRUPS Silent Vortex. In addition to its quiet operation, we love its sleek and simple design. And during our tests, we were also impressed by how even and consistent the grounds that it produced were (especially for a blade grinder), and we didn't have to agitate or shake the machine to make sure it ground evenly.
Another plus with this model is how easy it is to clean. Thanks to its removable cup, all you have to do is take it out and wash it so it's as good as new, and then you can move on to the next spice. If there was anything left on the body of the machine, we simply wiped it down with a damp cloth. Overall, we found this grinder to be simple, intuitive, and effective with its one-button operation, and its ease of cleaning and maintenance is also a plus. If you plan on grinding larger quantities of spices at once, then this is a great electric grinder to consider.
Operation: Electric | Material: Stainless steel grinding cup and blade | Capacity: 12 cups | Removable Cup: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, grinding cup and lid only
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food & Wine / Russell Kilgore
Food and Wine / Russell Kilgore
Best Manual
Dreamfarm Ortwo
This unique manual grinder is compact, convenient to use, and allows for one- or two-handed operation.
It can be awkward to use one-handed, and that method also produces less grounds at once.
Versatile manual spice grinders can be difficult to come by, especially since most of them are constructed like coffee grinders or pepper mills. In those cases, they can often only be used for grinding one specific spice, unless you want to contend with an awful lot of cross-contamination between your seasonings. However, what we really like about this model is that its glass spice jar is removable, and the company sells additional ones that are interchangeable so you can swap out your spices with ease.
During our tests, we were impressed by its unique design and substantial quality, and it produced a nice grind overall. We found the one-handed method to be slightly awkward to use for grinding, but using two hands is more effective if you are grinding a large amount of spices anyway since it allows you to pull the handles further apart so more grounds can be produced with each crank. If you're more familiar with traditional spice mills, then this two-handled design can take some getting used to. But we think that this model is a great option for home cooks who frequently use different spices that need grinding and prefer to grind them manually on the spot for optimal freshness and aroma.
Operation: Manual | Material: Wood, metal, and glass body with ceramic grinders | Capacity: 4 ounces | Removable Cup: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, glass spice jar only
![seasoning tomatoes with pepper using Dreamfarm Ortwo pepper mill](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/J5NQm7SG3tCDQ08rsMhwmfHA0p0=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/pepper-mills-grinders-dream-farm-ortwo-course-page-mullins-03-5d74583416874b48a9cb091594f8292c.jpeg)
Food & Wine/Page Mullins
Best with Removable Cup
Cuisinart Electric Spice and Nut Grinder
This chef-favorite electric grinder makes it quick and easy to crush your favorite spices while ensuring you make just enough to enjoy peak freshness.
This grinder itself is not dishwasher-safe, only the bowl.
A medium-sized grinder like the Cuisinart Electric Spice and Nut Grinder forces you to grind your spices fresh, which is a good thing. If you use a big grinder, you might prepare too large of a batch that will sit on the shelf for longer and ultimately lose its aromatic freshness and flavor. The alternative is a grinder like this, where you can crush and smash in small doses, controlling the freshness to the maximum extent, explains chef Tarik Fallous of the Lebanese restaurant Au Za'atar in New York.
F&W Best New Chef alum Nina Compton, of Compère Lapin and Bywater American Bistro in New Orleans, opts for this electric grinder, too. "It's very easy to use, and the best part is that it can also be used to grind nuts," she says. "Another perk is that this grinder is easy to maintain."
They're not the only chefs who prefer this Cuisinart gadget either: Celebrity Chef Donatella Arpaia uses the same one. Although we haven't yet had the chance to test it out for ourselves, its chef-favorite status earned it a spot on our list. This space-efficient grinder features extra-sharp, stainless-steel blades that can handle tough ingredients like whole cloves and cinnamon sticks. It's easy to clean too, with a removable dishwasher-safe grinding bowl and a removable airtight lid for seamless storage.
Operation: Electric | Material: Stainless steel grinding bowl and blade | Capacity: 90 grams | Removable Cup: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: Yes, bowl and lid only
Best Pepper Mill
Männkitchen Pepper Cannon
This thing is powerful and produces larger quantities of consistent and even grounds than your average pepper mill, with much less effort.
It's pretty pricey for a manual pepper mill, but its performance and quality speak for themselves.
The Männkitchen Pepper Cannon is definitely a splurge, but it's more than worth it in our opinion. We even featured it as one of our all-time favorite products at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen. If you're wondering what makes it so good — well, there's a lot. First, there's its solid aluminum construction and durable stainless steel burrs that can power through much more than just pepper. And if you weren't impressed by its sleek and modern design, then you will be by its impressive performance and output.
During our tests, it lived up to its name, producing considerable quantities of some of the most even grinds in our tests across its large range of coarseness settings. And all that with minimal manual effort on our part. We also noticed that its substantial capacity could fit almost an entire jar of peppercorns, so it won't need refilling very often. While its price tag can be a hard pill to swallow, it will likely be the last pepper mill you ever need (or want) in your life.
Operation: Manual | Material: Anodized aluminum body and stainless steel burrs | Capacity: 2.3 ounces | Removable Cup: Yes | Dishwasher-safe: No
Food & Wine / Will Dickey
Food & Wine / Will Dickey
Food & Wine / Will Dickey
Food & Wine / Siobhan Wallace
Food & Wine / Siobhan Wallace
Best Mortar and Pestle
HiCoup Granite Mortar and Pestle
This mortar and pestle is sturdy, durable, and effective. Plus, its weight means that you don't have to use as much force when crushing spices.
It comes with felt attached to the bottom to protect your countertops, but it can quickly degrade with regular washing.
A mortar and pestle might not be your first thought when shopping for a spice grinder, but it is a versatile tool that can be used for minimal quantities of spices and wet or dry use. The best part is that they add a nice depth of flavor due to how the essential oils are released through the twisting and turning of the grinder against the stone — and it doesn't add any mechanical heat like an electric grinder.
After years of trying various spice grinders and being disappointed, executive chef Ryan Pera of Coltivare in Houston, Texas, uses a mortar and pestle. "It's reliable and multi-use," he says. "I use it to make guacamole, pastes, even aiolis, as well as grinding spices."
Maneet Chauhan, James Beard Award-winning chef, cookbook author, and co-founder of Morph Hospitality Group, would rather use a mortar and pestle, too. "This way, your spices aren't ground to powder, but instead, they are left a bit more coarse, similar to cracked pepper versus powdered pepper, which gives you a better texture," she says. "Another trick I often do is I toast my spices before grinding them, which gives you the best flavors. When the spices are still warm, they break and mix together more cohesively."
This particular mortar and pestle is made of heavyweight unpolished granite, which provides steady control when grinding. During our tests, we loved how easy it was to grind spices and other ingredients to the desired texture thanks to the weight of the mortar and pestle doing most of the work for you. We also loved its wide mouth and narrow bottom, which allowed ample room for grinding while still maintaining some control. The only thing we didn't like was the felt base included on the bottom of this set. Although it's there to protect your countertops, ours quickly degraded after a few washes.
Operation: Manual | Material: Granite | Capacity: 4 cups | Removable Cup: n/a | Dishwasher-safe: No
Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman
Food & Wine / Jennifer Zyman
Our Favorite Spice Grinder
After a side-by-side comparison of spice grinders tested in our lab and kitchens and recommended by professional chefs, we named FinaMill's Pepper Mill & Spice Grinder our winner. We love how it simultaneously crushes spices and releases grounds onto foods. For a versatile manual model that lets you grind smaller quantities by hand, we recommend the Dreamfarm Ortwo Manual Grinder.
How We Tested Spice Grinders
Between our various grinding tests (coffee grinders, pepper mills, spice grinders, and mortars and pestles), we've tested 68 grinders in all, including both manual and electric models. Though our testing methods varied with each individual category, there were a few attributes we made sure to look out for in each test.
- Design and ease of use: While testing each product we made note of its overall design, as well as any features that made it easier or more difficult to use. If there were elements of its construction that prevented it from being as useful as it could be, it lost points in this category. However, if it had features that enhanced its practical use, such as a comfortable handle, one-handed operation, or interchangeable spice pods, then it rose higher on our list.
- Overall performance and grind consistency: The most important factor we tested was how well each product could actually grind spices. We assessed this based on the range of grind sizes each machine could produce as well as how consistent the grounds were at each setting. If the pieces were more varied than uniform, that took its score down a few notches. Inconsistent grounds mean uneven flavor. After all, no one wants to bite into a chunk of poorly ground pepper.
- Versatility: Versatility was an important factor during our tests because we tried out a variety of products, many of which weren't intended solely for grinding spices. As such, it was important to assess how well those types of grinders could handle switching from task to task. If a grinder had removable or interchangeable cups, it definitely won points in this category.
- Ease of Cleaning: The last step in each of our tests involved assessing how easy or difficult each product was to clean. Grinders of every kind have a bit of a disadvantage in this area because of how easy it is for ground-up bits to get stuck in hard-to-reach nooks and crevices. The best models for grinding a variety of spices are those that make it easier for you to clean them and switch between spices without causing too much cross-contamination.
We chose our favorite spice grinders based on these attributes and how well the grinders performed in each category. Although some candidates performed well overall, they may not have ended up on our list due to being outperformed by other products for this specific use case. Ultimately, we chose our overall winners based on how well they work for grinding a variety of spices and ingredients.
![Person testing Tera Polished Granite Mortar and Pestle Set](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/sF3vHDYqmxONC-wLmdWCY7OffjA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/faw-granite-mortar-pestle-test-tera-polished-jason-horn-03-99fddd71129f4df297e8ab56c81f129a.jpg)
Food & Wine / Jason Horn
Factors to Consider
Manual vs. Electric
Depending on what you are going to use it for, both manual and electric grinders have their benefits. For example, mortars and pestles are better for marinades because the grinding process releases more oils. However, electric grinders are better and quicker for creating finer and more consistent grinds in larger quantities.
If you're only grinding a small amount of peppercorns, for instance, using a handheld pepper mill is best. But if you have an assortment of spices that need to be blended together at once, a mortar and pestle or electric grinder could come in handy. Manual grinders also give you more control of your grind size when compared to most electric grinders, so if a range of consistent grind sizes is important to you then that's something to consider. However, if you plan on making large batches of spices at once, opt for electric an electric grinder.
Removable or Fixed cup
Depending on what kind of grinder you have, you'll want to know if it has a removable or fixed grinding cup. Some electric models have removable cups, while others have fixed ones. And most manual grinders you find will likely have a fixed cup. This is important for a number of reasons. A removable cup, whether it's on an electric or manual grinder, makes cleanup much easier. Plus it also helps with adding spices into your food or transferring them into a jar.
If you purchase a model that comes with multiple cups (or has some that you can purchase separately), it also makes it much easier to switch between the spices you're grinding or even lets you grind them directly into the vessel you plan to keep them in. Fixed cups aren't all bad. However, since they aren't removable, the care and maintenance of models with fixed cups is a bit more tedious and complicated. Plus, it can be limiting if you want to use your grinder for multiple different spices, as fixed cups allow for more cross-contamination.
Size and Capacity
Size matters when it comes to how much space your grinder will take up in your kitchen, and when it comes to the quantity of spices you're planning to grind. Electric grinders that look similar to coffee grinders (or double as one) are best for crushing big batches of spices due to their large bowl sizes. They work great for preparing rubs for hearty cuts of meat and storing large quantities in airtight containers to use later.
If you want to grind spices and herbs directly on your foods, consider a model like our best overall pick that's smaller but more functional for daily use, or a small manual grinder. For mortars and pestles, we recommend going larger rather than smaller since you can grind the same amount of spices with a large mortar and pestle as you can with small ones, and you can use them for other tasks, such as making curry pastes.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The frequency of cleaning and maintenance your spice grinder requires will likely vary depending on its style and how frequently you use it. And whether or not your grinder can be disassembled will have the biggest impact on how easy or difficult it is to clean. Electric models with removable cups usually only require you to wash the cup and blade, while the machine itself can simply be wiped down with a dry or damp cloth. Models with fixed cups require a bit more care when cleaning to make sure that none of the electrical components get wet.
Manual models can be more in-depth when it comes to cleaning because they usually have more moving internal parts where grounds and oils from the spices can get stuck. If your manual grinder doesn't come apart or have a cup that can be removed for cleaning, it's best to avoid using water at all, as it can get stuck inside and damage the machine. Mortars and pestles are more simple when it comes to cleaning because you can usually wash and dry them like any other dish. However, the most important thing when it comes to any style of spice grinder is to make sure it is dried thoroughly after cleaning to avoid damage. And always follow the manufacturer's instructions to be sure it's receiving the proper care.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can you grind spices in a coffee grinder or blender?
It depends — because coffee is very oily by nature, those oils may get all over the parts of the grinder and leave remnants of coffee flavor. You could use a coffee grinder for spice grinding if you use it only for spices and never for coffee. The same rule applies to blenders. The size, capacity, and power of blenders and coffee grinders are ideal for crushing spices, but it's best to reserve the grinder for spices instead of using it as a multi-tool.
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How do you clean a spice grinder?
One of the best ways to clean your spice grinder, manual or electric, is with rice. Put your rice in, grind it to a powder, and wipe it out with a damp paper towel. A small piece of bread works well for electric grinders, but be careful as the bread can bind the mixer and burn the motor up.
A good dry towel is another option, as is a small paint brush to clean around the narrow edges of the blade in an electric grinder. Avoid soap at all costs for either manual or electric, though.
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Why are freshly ground spices better than pre-ground?
Freshly ground spices will be more flavorful as they still contain high levels of the oils within the spice, making for a much brighter flavor experience. You're releasing the aromas of the seed when you grind it, so when you grind it fresh, the spices will be more robust, which will reflect directly in your food.
When you buy pre-ground spices, it saves time and effort, but there's no way to know how long they have been on the shelf. As they sit, sometimes for years, they oxidize and lose their aromas.
Other Spice Grinders We Tested
Strong Contenders
KitchenAid Blade Coffee and Spice Grinder ($60 at Amazon)
This grinder came highly recommended by Top Chef alum Jeremy Ford, who uses it at his Miami restaurant: "I use the KitchenAid one at Stubborn Seed because it's so durable. It can withstand the roughness and wear and tear of daily use in a real restaurant kitchen."
During our own tests, we loved this electric grinder's sleek design and convenient interchangeable bowls so you can switch between grinding coffee and spices seamlessly (and they even come with lids for storage!). However, it fell just short of our top picks due to its slightly messy operation and somewhat inconsistent grounds.
VEVOK CHEF Manual Grinder ($59 at Amazon)
This model is advertised as a coffee grinder, but it can also work really well as a manual spice grinder. When we tested it, we were impressed by its easy and smooth operation, its range of grind settings, the consistency of the grounds produced, and its removable glass jar (which is about the same size as your average glass spice jar, so it's easily interchangeable). The only downside we noticed is that it is difficult to clean the burr blade thoroughly without taking the whole mechanism apart.
Kuhn Rikon Essential Adjustable Ratchet Grinder (Amazon)
During testing, we loved how consistent the Kuhn Rikon's grinds were at every setting from coarse to fine. Its one drawback is that we found the back-and-forth motion of the ratchet mechanism to be a bit uncomfortable to use. Plus, it's worth noting that this manual grinder is a good option if you're only looking to grind one specific spice. However, since it doesn't come apart for thorough cleaning, you would likely get a lot of cross-contamination if you used it to grind multiple spices.
OXO Good Grips Radial Grinder ($23 at Amazon)
This OXO Radial Grinder performed pretty well during our tests, and we loved how comfortable it was to hold and use. Plus, it comes at an incredibly affordable price. However, much like the Kuhn Rikon Grinder, this one doesn't come apart for cleaning, which hampers its versatility when it comes to grinding a variety of spices.
![A person grinding pepper into a dish with the OXO Good Grips Radial Grinder Pepper Mill](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/yPJUEJVDrWt5xF0b8SuGOMFyGsA=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/faw-tier-3-oxo-good-grips-radial-pepper-mill-0-6a923744396f494b8ba34d48a9f19248.jpeg)
Food & Wine / Will Dickey
Latent Epicure Battery Operated Grinder Set ($41 at Amazon)
These battery-operated grinders are super convenient and easy to use — not to mention sleek and incredibly durable, making them perfect to leave out on the counter or kitchen table. They also produced fairly consistent and even grounds during our tests, and they can fit a fair amount of whole spices inside. With their convenient one-handed operation and long-lasting battery life, there isn't much we can complain about. However, our top pick, the FinaMill Grinder, simply outperformed this set due to its innovative interchangeable spice pods.
Le Creuset Pepper Mill ($46 at Amazon)
It's no secret that Le Creuset is one of our favorite brands by far, but there are some occasions when it doesn't take the top spot. Truthfully, this is one of our favorite pepper mills. However, when it comes to grinding other spices, the Männkitchen Pepper Cannon beats it out with points for versatility, since that one is well-suited to grind more than just pepper. We still love this Le Creuset Pepper Mill, but it's probably best used for pepper only.
Vasconia Granite Molcajete Mortar and Pestle ($40 at Amazon)
You can't go wrong with a classic mortar and pestle, and this Mexican molcajete is a favorite with James Beard Award-nominated chef Timon Balloo. "Sure, when I'm in a rush, it's easier to put spices in an electric grinder, but it's not as therapeutic and rewarding as using a manual version. [This one] is wide enough to use large circular motions or pound," Balloo says.
It also became one of our favorites during our mortar and pestle tests. However, it was outperformed by a few of our other picks when it came to spices. Since molcajetes are more shallow and wide than most traditional mortars and pestles, spices were a bit more difficult for us to grind during our tests, and some ended up flying out of the bowl.
What Didn't Make the List
We tested out numerous grinders of every kind, including more electric, battery-operated, and manual models — and even a few more mortars and pestles. There were few grinders with such glaring deficiencies that we would shy away from them altogether, but minor flaws in their design or performance ultimately kept them off of our list. Some common issues we saw were inconsistent grinds, a lack of range in grind settings, and poor design choices that made them difficult, messy, or cumbersome to use. Since we tested a variety of grinders in different categories, some were simply better suited for different uses and didn't make it onto this list.
Our Expertise
- Clarissa Buch Zilberman is an acclaimed food writer with nearly a decade of experience.
- She tapped more than a dozen chefs and experts to get their input on the best spice grinders, including Jeremy Ford, Nina Compton, Ryan Pera, Donatella Arpaia, Kelsey Youngman, Tarik Fallous, Timon Balloo, Maneet Chauhan, Ryan Pera, Rob McDaniel, Brian Whale, Reem Assil, Adrienne Cheatham, Eric See, Einat Admony, Akira Back, Marc Gomez, and Cyle Reynolds.
- Arnesia Young is an Associate Commerce Editor for Food & Wine, and she updated this piece with expert insights from our rigorous lab and real-world testing.