Best ways to crack peppercorns

[TastyReuben]

Mod.edit. This post and following few moved to form new topic (MG)

I picked up a small mortar and pestle, too.
I'm hoping it's easier to crack peppercorns for au poivre sauce than my meat mallet.

Get ready to chase those little buggers around the kitchen!

 

[Barriehie]

Get ready to chase those little buggers around the kitchen!

For sure!

 

[PAcanis]

Get ready to chase those little buggers around the kitchen!

The size is that I can use my one hand to semi cover the top.
I had read about them jumping ship. But that happens when I fill my mill, too. So I'm used to picking them up anyway, lol.

 

[badjak]

The size is that I can use my one hand to semi cover the top.
I had read about them jumping ship. But that happens when I fill my mill, too. So I'm used to picking them up anyway, lol.

Yep, cover with your hand.
And control the power on that pestle, you can also opt to make circular motions. They shouldn't escape (said she who has 3 wooden & 5 granite pestle & mortars, just because I can)

 

[Morning Glory]

Yep, cover with your hand.
And control the power on that pestle, you can also opt to make circular motions. They shouldn't escape (said she who has 3 wooden & 5 granite pestle & mortars, just because I can)

I tend to simply use a spice grinder. And dry toast the peppercorns in a pan first, for better flavour.

 

[badjak]

I tend to simply use a spice grinder. And dry toast the peppercorns in a pan first, for better flavour.

Pestle & mortars are more fun
Mine are standing ready to use, but the spice grinder is not.
I'll use it for bigger amounts though

 

[badjak]

That got moved in a different thread very quickly...

 

[Morning Glory]

Pestle & mortars are more fun
Mine are standing ready to use, but the spice grinder is not.
I'll use it for bigger amounts though

I do have a pestle and mortar but its so damned heavy I never use it. Its on the kitchen window sill and I can't actually lift it off safely any more.

 

[badjak]

I do have a pestle and mortar but its so damned heavy I never use it. Its on the kitchen window sill and I can't actually lift it off safely any more.

Sorry to hear and I can imagine as those things are heavy.
But.... There is just something about grinding/ounding in a pestle & mortar.
Call it Zen maybe

 

[Morning Glory]

Sorry to hear and I can imagine as those things are heavy.
But.... There is just something about grinding/ounding in a pestle & mortar.
Call it Zen maybe

I do agree. I love doing food prep by hand and avoid electric gadgets as much as I can. I do find the spice grinder handy for curry spices though. But maybe I should get a smaller pestle and mortar (what a strange combination of words that is). The one I have is marble and huge.

 

[badjak]

I do agree. I love doing food prep by hand and avoid electric gadgets as much as I can. I do find the spice grinder handy for curry spices though. But maybe I should get a smaller pestle and mortar (what a strange combination of words that is). The one I have is marble and huge.

In my opinion, marble is not the best.
Too smooth. Granite works easier.
The one I got from my dad is quite coarse and takes no time to pound garlic and chili's. Or pepper corns, coriander etc.

I woud suggest to go to a "proper" shop and try it out before buying.
There is also the Indonesian type which is a flat bowl, like this Tjobek graniet (oelekan) 24 cm platte vijzel

 

[Morning Glory]

Too smooth. Granite works easier.

My mistake. The one I have is granite.

I woud suggest to go to a "proper" shop and try it out before buying.

I can't really get out anywhere these days. Another story.

I found this one which seems to have a lip around the top. That could stop the peppercorns flying out maybe?

 

[badjak]

My mistake. The one I have is granite.



I can't really get out anywhere these days. Another story.

I found this one which seems to have a lip around the top. That could stop the peppercorns flying out maybe?

View attachment 136038

No, don't go for wood.
You need more power. There is not enough weight in the pestle, so it gotta come from you
A smaller granite, cover with your hand, or use a bit of cardboard to make a semi lid/cover

 

[Morning Glory]

Here is an innovative design. Unfortunately its stupidly expensive

 

[Gone Hiking]

My wife and kid bought me an XL Pepper Cannon for Father's Day. It's pricey, but very well made and lives up to they hype. It will grind peppercorns from super coarse all the down to powder, and it's aptly named, because it THROWS it!

Best Rated Pepper Grinder | MANNKITCHEN