Remember when going out for a quick bite at a restaurant was something you regularly did, maybe even every week? Preparing meals and eating at home is, without a doubt, the choice you’ve selected for your family this year because staying safe and preventing the spread is the way to go for now.
A few countries still have travel advisories in place, while others have quarantine restrictions in place, but regardless of where you live or what the rules are, chances are you’re eating at home more these days if you’re dining out at all.
And, because you prepare and eat the majority of your meals at home, it’s more important than ever to keep your kitchen utensils clean and in good working order. Therefore, you ought to know how to clean a pepper grinder like a pro?
If you don’t already have one, consider the Oxo Good Grips Pepper Grinder. Its ease of use and non-slip grip make it an excellent choice for any kitchen. Fresh pepper and salt make a small but massive difference in the flavor and spiciness of a dish.
Here are some recommendations for keeping these kitchen necessities clean and germ-free so they can perform at their best, ensuring you get the greatest possible spice flavor with a quick flick of the hand or wrist. If you don’t know how to use a pepper grinder properly, we guarantee you will after reading this!
Setting Grind Size: Pick a dot
The bottom of the mill has a black plastic ring with an uneven bump which makes removing the ring easier. In the middle, five dots are arranged from tiny to huge. It looks like an interesting design element, however it actually displays grind sizes.
Instead of smooth transitions between sizes, each stop is identified by five distinct stops and is easy to read at every point. I liked the simplicity of adjusting the grind size.
Some grinders have small wheels that have to be rotated to determine the shape, but they lack marking for the setting. The first thing we need to do is to turn and adjust the settings.
How to Clean a Pepper Grinder? Wipe it First
There is no scientific evidence that packaging contributes to the propagation of the coronavirus in any way. Nonetheless, it’s never a bad idea to take extra precautions, right?
If wiping off a packet of peppercorns when you get home makes you feel better, go ahead and do it. Even if you’re not concerned about the virus infiltrating your home, it’s critical to keep all of your vital kitchen tools, such as salt and pepper grinders, clean and germ-free when in use. Wipe the outside of the lid of the grinder with a soft, damp cloth to remove any kitchen messes.
Water and Vinegar Do the Job!
In a spray bottle with a spray nozzle, combine white vinegar and hot water together. Combine four parts of water and one part vinegar in a spray bottle and spray it on the grinder. Using a clean cloth, wipe the mixture away. By keeping your pepper grinder clean, you’ll be one step closer to make sure that you are aware of how to operate it properly!
Adding Salt or Pepper to the Grinder
So, now that you’ve got a nice spotless grinder, what’s next? It’s simple: fill it up! Using fresh, hard black peppercorns is recommended for optimal grinding and to avoid residue from colorful green peppercorns.
Remove the top by unscrewing it and removing the dispenser – the grinder component that lowers wobble during grinding – because this makes filling your grinder with salt or pepper a lot easier and less messy.
Cleaning Like a Pro!
The material from which a pepper mill is produced will determine how to clean a pepper grinder like a pro. The outside may usually be cleaned with a soft cloth soaked with soap (if needed) and little warm water.
You should never submerge pepper mills in water or put them through the dishwasher unless the manufacturer specifies otherwise—there are too many sensitive parts that can’t be dried. A soft dry brush should be used to clean the inside of a mill regularly.
If you’re switching spices, run a pinch of coarse salt through the grinder first: the salt will draw in oils in the previous spice, leaving the coarse grind mechanism crisp and clean. Observe the variation in grinding from coarse to fine to ensure the grinder is clean and functioning properly.
What to Do if the Grinder is Clogged?
If the salt and pepper grinder set has gotten clogged, it may be necessary to dismantle the grinder set to clean the mechanism thoroughly. Remove the batteries (if the mill is electric) and the peppercorns first. Use a screwdriver to remove the metal retainer plate covering the grinding mechanism, revealing the grinding mechanism.
Remove any trapped particles with a clean toothpick and inspect broken portions since a mill with broken bits in the grinder is dangerous to use. Then, using a cotton swab coated in alcohol, wipe the inside of the whole pepper grinder set well to remove dust and grease and let it dry fast. Reassemble the mill and replace the peppercorns with new, dry ones.
The Grinder Should Be Reassembled and Stored
When reassembling the salt and pepper grinder, make sure that every part is dry. After you’ve cleaned and reassembled the body of the salt and pepper grinder, you can store it until you need it again.
But where are you going? Most importantly, don’t put or leave it somewhere where it will be exposed to moisture, as this will encourage mold growth.
Your dining room table is a less humid location, and using a tray, bowl or plate underneath the grinder protects the surface from grinding residue.
Handling Wooden Grinders
If your grinders are made of wood or plastic, you’ll have to contend with sunlight in addition to humidity. It’s critical to keep wooden grinders out of direct sunlight since bright light can cause the wood to fracture and split. The grinder may still function, but it will be unattractive, and you don’t want that, do you?
A mixture of one part vinegar and one part olive oil and using the solution as a polish is one easy way to protect wood grinders. Simply keep it up to date every six months.
It thoroughly cleans, moisturizes, and conceals minor scratches on the oak veneer fine grind part. Simply spray the liquid on the grinder and wipe it clean; it will appear brand new!
Quality kitchen tools, such as electric salt and pepper grinders, can improve your recipes significantly, but it’s critical to keep them clean and well kept to last a long time and be used properly.
Conclusion
Proper care and maintenance of the pepper grinders in the ways mentioned in the blog maintains them in top shape, clean, and ready to make your meals even more incredible than they already are. A lack of proper cleaning over eight years may contribute to the malfunction of the grinding pepper grinder.
And, in these uncertain times, when you’re staying home more and cooking more, why not make use of the opportunity to cook delicious meals for your family? Using your pepper grinder correctly and knowing how to clean a pepper grinder like a pro contributes significantly to that delicious cuisine.
In the kitchen, cleanliness is always crucial, but it’s never been more critical than it is right now, all over the world!