Peugeot

Yes, both come from the same French family and feature the same lion in their logo. The mills even predated the cars: the first coffee mill dates back to 1840 and the first table pepper mill to 1874. Today, the mills are made by Peugeot Saveurs, a separate division that focuses entirely on kitchen and table products.

The secret lies in the hardened steel grinding mechanism with two rows of spiral teeth. The first row draws the peppercorns in and cracks them, while the second grinds them evenly. This optimally releases the pepper's aromas and essential oils. The grinding mechanism is made in France and is so durable that Peugeot offers a lifetime warranty on it.

Peugeot offers a lifetime guarantee on the grinding mechanism of both the pepper and salt mills. The rest of the mill, such as the wooden or acrylic casing, comes with a standard manufacturer's warranty. Keep your proof of purchase, and you'll always be covered. At Braadbaas, you only buy genuine Peugeot products with an official warranty.

u'Select is Peugeot's adjustment system, allowing you to select the grind size using a click ring at the bottom of the mill: six fixed settings for pepper and three for salt. The advantage over the classic adjustment knob on top is that the setting remains fixed, even when you pick up or refill the mill. This ensures you get exactly the same grind every time.

No, don't do that. The grinding mechanism of a pepper mill is made of hardened steel and salt corrodes that steel, which can cause the grinding mechanism to corrode. Therefore, Peugeot makes separate salt mills with a stainless steel grinding mechanism. So always use the right mill for the right product, and you will also get the most out of the lifetime guarantee on the grinding mechanism.

All dry, hard peppercorns: black, white, green and red pepper. Coriander seeds can also be ground easily. Pink peppercorns are not actually pepper but soft, oily berries; only use them in a mix where hard peppercorns make up the majority, otherwise the grinder will jam. Avoid moist or sticky spices and, of course, salt.

Use dry, coarse salt, such as coarse sea salt or rock salt. Damp salt, such as fleur de sel or grey Celtic sea salt, clumps and should only be used in a special Peugeot mill designed for wet salt with ceramic grinding elements. Not sure if your salt is dry enough? Squeeze a few grains between your fingers: if they stick together, they are too damp for a standard salt mill.

Very simple: keep it dry. Clean the outside with a dry or slightly damp cloth and never immerse the grinder in water or put it in the dishwasher. Refill it from the top (unscrew the cap or open the filling opening) and empty the grinder if you do not use it for a long time. That's all there is to it; the grinding mechanism does not sharpen itself and never needs to be replaced.

That depends on how you cook. A manual grinder is timeless, quiet, and will last a lifetime without batteries. An electric grinder like the Zest grinds with one hand, convenient when your other hand is stirring a pan or flipping a steak. Keep in mind that electric models require batteries or charging. For most kitchens, a manual grinder is the classic choice, and an electric one is a nice luxury to have alongside it.

In France. The wooden mills are turned from PEFC-certified wood from French forests, and the steel milling mechanism is also produced there, in the region where the company began as a steel mill in 1810. That French heritage and two centuries of experience in working with steel are precisely why a Peugeot mill lasts so long.