I am looking for a product that grinds EXTREMELY course pepper. Really large chunks. Is this the right one or should I continue looking?
1465179
I think this is pretty coarse and it keeps doing it by itself. There is a screw in the top that you adjust the size of the grind and it likes to back itself out to large pepper. Not near the size of a whole peppercorn but large to me. Can do fairly fine but again, it won't stay on that setting.
1465180
It sounds like you have your answer already, but it does struggle quite a bit and occasionally stops completely when grinding extremely course salt.
1465181
I really think you would be satisfied with this pepper mill. It has 3 settings. The coarse setting will usually cut the peppercorns in half. I call them chunks!! I love the way you can set it to come on automatically whenever you turn it upside down. Just have to remember to turn it off when you add batteries or peppercorns. This is the 3rd electric mill I've had and it's the first one I've been pleased with. Hope you find it satisfactory as well.
1465182
This was a gift but from what I saw, the grind was pretty coarse. I also think it's adjustable. My son-in-law loved it - laughed every time he used it!
1465183
Hello--im not sure this would be the right one for large chunks of pepper. It does fine with the typical peppercorns--and even with those, sometimes i can hear the gears 'pushing through' those. Not that it struggles with regular pepper--but i dont see this model pushing it much further than that. I'd think you would want a manual grinder for that. Hope this helps.
628098
I use mine for sea salt & black pepper corns. U turn the top to grind. You can also adjust the middle to grind fine or course. They are big but I like them cuz you dont have to fill as often. I hope they come out with regular spice size to fit in cabinet.
1490991
It actually grinds a lot. Way faster than grinding by hand. One quick flip gives you a pinch of pepper.
1774567
Yes you can. I had not tried it until you asked. But my husband likes his pepper a bit chunky, so I looked on line and they suggest unscrewing the top and pulling the 'lid' up a bit to open the space in the grinding mechanism. This allows bigger chunks to fall through. It worked! Thanks for asking as I now know how to do it.
1824210
I would highly NOT recommend this grinder. I used it just a few times and it just quit. The power was on but it wouldn't work so I had to trash it. What a waste of money! I ended up buying a Hamilton Beach, a much cheaper model, and it is working great. It is also great at grinding spices. This just goes to show that if it costs more, that doesn't mean that it's better.
853496
As with any grinding device, the shorter the pulse the courser the grind. I use this grinder for spices so I normally like a very fine grind so I pulse the button quite a few times. If I just press the grind button once or twice momentarily, the grind is much courser. I would also think that it also depends on what you are grinding. This is a very good grinder so I would give it a try. With some trial and error, you should be able to do what you want. Good luck.
1830952
I have the same question. I'm looking for a good grinder to make my own cat food. I would like to grind up chicken thighs and also rabbit.
616887
Semi-smooth. Not polished smooth like your countertops, but not as rough and coarse as those Mexican molcajete stones. Same for the curved surface of the top grinder piece. Semi-smooth or slightly coarse. If you want a really heavy grinder, this is not it. It's good for smaller grinds with basically surface to surface pressure being the force that drives it. I do small batches of spices or Caesar Dressing, the anchovies, mustard seed, garlic, capers, etc. with this one. And it's good for spices. If you want to grind tougher items or large quantities, I'd recommend a larger, coarser one. If you want one for small quick batches that don't need a heavy, coarse abrasive surface, this is great and fits on the counter for less clutter and easy access. Hope this helps.
1778439
Without a problem. I use it to grind all of my spices, even hard to grind seeds like flax seed and chia seeds. It really handles everything I have put in it- including peppercorns!
191387
I'm buying one myself, but will take it apart before first use just to see what could damage it. I suspect that the buyers who have problems are running the unit too long on too fine a setting, expecting performance of an $400 grinder. More expensive grinders are designed with heavier gears made of steel instead of plastic and better heat dissipation so they can run forever even on espresso settings. Such are the tradeoffs in designing a $100 burr grinder.
195615
I used mine to crush and make a nice granular batch of chai mixed spices. It took a while, mainly because I was using it incorrectly. My son corrected my next effort and it did a quicker job. I was grinding/crushing coriander seed. I didn't get a powder so can't say if anyone else with more knowledge or experience could do better. It was a coarse product at the end much the texture of instant coffee crystals. This was my first mortar and pestle, so I was a complete novice.
21371
I don't know. We have only used it for flax seed and peppercorns. While it does a good job grinding flax seed, it takes way too long to grind any amount, such as a tablespoon. It works very well grinding peppercorns. Cardamom may be too big, but I don't know. I hope this helps.
1956887
I may have just answered this, but I've only bought the $25 grinders. Maybe the $28 one has a larger area for the salt or pepper. Its a great product
1658606
I have only used it for grinding dry spices/herbs (and it works very well for this). Cumin seeds, whole dried chiles, sugar into powdered sugar, peppercorns. It's done everything I have needed. I have not ground fresh herbs or garlic and would personally not do so unless someone else tried it with their first. ;)
1240283
I use the Celtic Sea salt which I bought thru Amazon & I use the tri-peppercorns which I buy at World Market. I'm sure you could order it thru Amazon as well. I love this salt/peppercorn grinder & I have tried many thru the years...
1456337
Hi, Melitta recommends a Fine grind. As fine as you can grind it, I have found.Cheer,Phil
1093728
Seems to work best for larger hard seeds like pepper corns. Have not tried to grind the seeds you listed but i have tried to grind fennel. Most of the fennel seeds fall through without getting touched by the grinder. I imagine the same would happen to the small seeds you want to grind. You may need to get a mortar and pestal or try one of those electric gadgets that grinds coffee beans.