How do YOU use a pepper grinder?
 

Perhaps it seems like an obvious question. But how do YOU use a pepper grinder? Do you turn it all the way around or do you swish it back and forth?

I'd always thought it was round and round - but I've seen several chef's on food network going back and forth with it.

So please, answer one of the great questions of the universe - round and round or back and forth? :confused:

For me it depends on the grinder - our current tall grinder has a loose top and reversing direction would just make me spend more time in grnder maintenance.

I supose one method might yield a finer grind than the other, though I'm not sure which - perhaps some scientific investigation is in order?

Back and forth. But as Chris said, it depends on the size.

I grind by turning short turns over and over and over in the same direction. I like lots of pepper. LOTS.

I always go in the same direction. For my grinder, that seems to work best.

Hmmm, I think you misread me - I'm in the "size doesn't matter" camp ;)

You know, if you just exchanged the word grinder for.... un.. Don't want to lose mojo.

Just bought one of those pre-filled grinders from the grocery store - this one is a garlic/pepper blend. Very tasty. Especially for 99 cents.

Our small, salt shaker size grinder works best if you go back and forth. If you keep going in the same direction you get much less pepper out of it.

If you like pepper, there are some nifty spices you should try. You'll have to either go to an actual spicery or order online because they're not available at any grocery store I've ever been in. I personally recommend World Merchants (just behind Pike Place Market on Western Avenue). Very swanky business people.

Anyhow, order yourself up some cubebs; you'll be glad you did. Used to be used in European cooking but somehow fell out of favor. Grains of Paradise are also very tasty, but due to "unrest" where they're produced and increased popularity of "ethnic" food I haven't found any in stock anywhere in years now. But do try the cubebs.

I must own this. Imagine, me, all wafting of cracked pepper with the faintest hint of Partmesan. Throw a steak on me and eat me!

[quote=Prudence] World Merchants...
Anyhow, order yourself up some cubebs; you'll be glad you did. QUOTE]

Hey - I checked out their website and didn't see them. Might they be under a different name?

[quote=Betty]Nope, they're there. Under "Spices & Herbs." The need to scroll down to get the full list of spices/herbs is not as apparent as it might be. But they're there -- right between Cream of Tartar and Cumin.