topic Re: Salt Grinders in Kitchen

Salt Grinders

PickyPicky3 — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:38:40 GMT

My salt grinder smashed on the floor today and I'm thinking about not replacing it. It's not like grinding peppercorns which releases aroma and flavor.

Some recipes do better with coarse salt, but I don't make them that often.

Could you easily live without a salt grinder?

Re: Salt Grinders

jpie — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:48:49 GMT

@PickyPicky3 wrote:
My salt grinder smashed on the floor today and I'm thinking about not replacing it. It's not like grinding peppercorns which releases aroma and flavor.

Some recipes do better with coarse salt, but I don't make them that often.

Could you easily live without a salt grinder?

_________

If you are a member of Sam's Club, they have a great Member's Mark salt and pepper (sold separately) grinder. It is a huge size and in no way elegant, but it works very well for a great price. It is disposable and plastic, but I got weary of replacing more expensive permanent ones. It seemed that once they were dropped, it never functioned properly again.

Or...you can buy a smaller grinder, single or a set, at the grocery store by McCormick to use until you decide.

Re: Salt Grinders

gizmogal — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:53:40 GMT

I have lived 75 years without a salt grinder. I do use kosher salt from a shaker with slightly bigger holes for the larger crystals. I like it better than table salt. But shaking it on or gently spooning a bit into foods works for me.

Why not try going for a month with a salt shaker or sprinkling salt with a small spoon from a salt cellar. If you find you do not miss the grinder, then you're no worse off. No grinder needed.

if you give it a month and your food prep seems to be just too "different " without a grinder, enjoy the quest to replace your salt grinder.

I have no use for grinding salt. I agree that pepper is best freshly ground.

Re: Salt Grinders

Trix — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:54:36 GMT

I think you can function without the salt grinder. For recipes that require coarse salt, you could just buy a small bottle of that type to have on hand. Salt does not go bad, therefore, you might forget you have a rarely used bottle before you could use it up.

Re: Salt Grinders

sunshine45 — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:56:07 GMT

i always have a sea salt grinder (manual and battery operated).....several in fact.

i also have coarse salt to fill them if refillable, coarsely ground salt, and superfine salt.

Re: Salt Grinders

justashopper — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 00:57:10 GMT

I use a pink salt ginder. I don't love it. I actually prefer just good old morton's salt in a whimsical salt shaker. LOL> but like you said, some recipes call for the course.

I have even read that some chefs reccomend also having flake salt in your spice collection. You can alway just put your salt in a bowl or whatever that stovetop salt holder is called. Maybe a salt cave. LOL I have not idea. I think I just made that up.

Re: Salt Grinders

ninjawife — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 01:22:55 GMT

I have never used a salt grinder. I almost always use kosher salt that I keep in a olive wood salt cellar.

Re: Salt Grinders

PickyPicky3 — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 01:29:55 GMT

Sometimes I wonder what it must have been like the first time your cave clan got to try salt as a seasoning.

Re: Salt Grinders

JeanLouiseFinch — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 01:40:39 GMT

I have a grinder with Himalayan pink salt, but I rarely reach for it anymore. I have Redmon Real Salt in a shaker on the table and some in a little crock at my counter work area. I also have a smallish container of Malden salt flakes for steak when it comes off the grill.

Re: Salt Grinders

MJDinVegas — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 04:46:54 GMT

Hi, @PickyPicky3 ! I have salt and pepper grinders that I got years ago and still use. I buy pepper in bulk from Costco and got the Himalayan salt there as well when I can't get Hawaiian Alaea salt at a reasonable price. (I started using Hawaiian salt when we lived on the Big Island.) I know how many grinds of each for a teaspoon, salt requires fewer than pepper (50% more). Much easier for me than working with measuring spoons. If these break, though, I'd think long and hard about starting over again, depending of course on how much inventory I have of bulk peppercorns or larger salt crystals.

Re: Salt Grinders

OKPrincess — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 10:45:21 GMT

We have the Members Mark salt and pepper grinders from Sam's Club.

Very rarely use salt but I have it in case.......

Re: Salt Grinders

candys mine — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 11:12:10 GMT

@PickyPicky3 I hope you tossed a bit of that salt over your shoulder!

I've never had a salt grinder. As others have said try without for a while see if you would really miss it. I guess a salt grinder would keep the salt contained at the very least.

On another note, when you think about it, isn't ALL salt Sea salt?

and with all the pollution in the world these days I think I'd rather have salt that's been safely ensconced deep underground for thousands of years than salt that has been evaporated from sea water today.

Re: Salt Grinders

River Song — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 12:04:57 GMT

I do live easily without a salt grinder. I have a Costco Kirkland brand Mediterranean sea salt grinder but forget to use it most of the time. The novelty has worn off. I now mostly use a salt cellar that is on the side of my stove. I looked at the various salt cellars on Amazon, then remembered that I had a small glazed pottery mustard pot with a lid, so that is what I use for my salt cellar. I do prefer sea salt or kosher salt to regular iodized salt. Morton's iodized salt is pretty harsh tasting in comparison to sea salt or kosher salt.

Re: Salt Grinders

PA Mom-mom — Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:07:11 GMT

@PickyPicky3 I'm a big fan of grinders. I have the Kuhn Rikon ratchet grinders for Himalayan salt, peppercorns, Italian seasoning, hot pepper seeds (all on a carousel next to my stove), and flax seeds (in my freezer).

Since I cook with kosher salt, I have a box of Morton kosher salt beside my stove. I probably use my grinder with the Himalayan pink salt the least of all my grinders, but there are times when I use it to finish a dish. I think I could easily get along without that one.

Re: Salt Grinders

PickyPicky3 — Wed, 07 Jun 2023 01:20:12 GMT

Thanks for the interesting responses. I've made it through the first 24 hours OK.

Re: Salt Grinders

DebbieMA — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 21:41:37 GMT

I live in western Mass where we call Sub sandwiches "grinders". I honestly thought you were asking about a sub filled with salt lol! Had to open the thread to see what you meant! I realized Ohhh salt grinder like a salt mill, duh.

Re: Salt Grinders

ValuSkr — Thu, 08 Jun 2023 22:01:16 GMT

I don't know why anyone needs a salt grinder. If you need course, use kosher salt.

Re: Salt Grinders

peachesncream — Sat, 10 Jun 2023 16:37:32 GMT

Never had a salt grinder. I do love Kosher salt and always have it on hand.

We've gone through several pepper grinders. I like the fresh taste, but the grinders don't seem to last a long time. Our newest one is by OXO; hoping this one holds up.

Re: Salt Grinders

aroc3435 — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 16:02:47 GMT

@peachesncream About three (maybe four) years ago I finally purchased online a set of salt and pepper grinders that will outlast me. Had bought many well known brands over the years that simply didn't hold up.

They are manufactured by the French car company--Peugeot. I was lucky--got them on a clearance sale price--and they are adjustable grind and maintenance free--gears are metal--not plastic/nylon, not ceramic. Just fabulous!

Even at full price they are so worth it. I cook a lot and good equipment is an essential component of success.

@PickyPicky3 I use my salt grinder all the time because I can adjust from very coarse to exquisitely fine.

aroc3435

Washington, DC

Re: Salt Grinders

Oldfaithful — Sun, 11 Jun 2023 17:22:44 GMT

I like the McCormick grinders but that's just me