9-in. Unicorn Magnum Plus Pepper Mill, Black.
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Our Price: $45.00 Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours Category: Kitchen See more product details |
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Kitchen and Housewares Reviews of 9-in. Unicorn Magnum Plus Pepper Mill, Black.
Customer Review: Grinds great- funny design flaw
Summary: 3 Stars
I got my new highly rated peppermill and loaded it up, started grinding away on a couple of thick cut pork chops. So far so good. All of a sudden there are peppercorns all over the chops and the cutting board.
OK I admit I am three glasses into a bottle of Voignier, but still I see the flaw. Like all peppermills, you turn the top clockwise to grind pepper. The way you load the peppercorns in to this mill is by pouring them into a large hole right below the grinding wheel at the top. This hole is accessed by turning a ring CLOCKWISE, thereby exposing the large hole in which you pour the peppercorns, which coincidentally is the same large hole through which the peppercorns escaped all over my chops and the surrounding area. So you turn the grinder in the same direction you turn the ring right below which covers the large access hole. WHOOPS.
It seems that if you just made the ring covering the access hole turn COUNTER-CLOCKWISE, you would eliminate the risk of a wine-infused cook spilling peppercorns all over creation. Easy fix. On the other hand I created a new dish- "1000 Peppercorn Encrusted Thick Cut Pork Chops".
I think I will accommodate for this flaw, because this mill is a grinding fool and I like it, but be forewarned.
Customer Review: Best one out there
Summary: 5 Stars
You give it a twist and you can see the ground pepper fall like black snow. Finally, grinding enough to measure and add to a recipe is a matter a few twists. Adjusting the grind is simple and you can easily get the texture you want. The price is a bit high, but it is likely the last one you will ever need to buy. The mechanism seems well made and sturdy. The housing is ABS plastic. (Plastic? on an expensive thing like this? Alas, it is so. But it is easy to clean :) ) If you don't drop it, it will probably last a lifetime.
There is only thing I would really change (other than the plastic): the hole cover opens by sliding one hole's width clockwise if viewed from the top, the same direction as most right-handers will be turning the grinding cap. If the hole cover opened by sliding in the other direction, then the grinding motion would be in the closed direction, and there would be little risk of accidently opening it and spilling peppercorns everywhere while using. I accommodate for this by making sure the hole is facing upward while using the grinder (and not filling the reservoir to the very top) but the design is a bit odd that way. Despite this flaw, the grinder is easiest and fastest one out there.
Customer Review: Excellent product in design and quality
Summary: 5 Stars
This product has several qualities which should endear it to any cook.
(1) It has a well designed shape and heft, fitting comfortably in the hand and being easy to grip while you are stirring and not actually looking at it. It's also stable sitting on the counter -- you are not likely to bump it and knock it over.
(2) It's easy to fill with peppercorns.
(3) It is very easy to actually do the grinding -- I think this would be suitable for people who don't have a lot of hand or arm strength,
(4) It's very easy to clean. As I saw on a program dealing with home hygiene this past year, real cooks who use their spices regularly like salt shakers and pepper mills -- even with the best intent tend to get food traces on the tools, and we don't clean them enough. The high quality plastic finish is very smooth, and I think superior to wood or "busier" types of shapes that have crevices for food (and germs to get trapped in.
(5) It delivers a lot of pepper with the adjustable grind, and it's fast. You don't have to keep grinding and grinding to get just a little pepper done.
All in all, highly recommended, and it is attractive enough to bring to the table for things like prime rib.
Customer Review: Worst Pepper Mill EVER
Summary: 1 Stars
I don't know if I got a "bum" pepper mill or what. I find it curious as to why it is rated so well, but mine is so aweful. I "never" go back and review things on line, but I just had to for this one because its so bad I am hoping they will take it back.
The grind is very difficult to crank out. At this point, all I can get is huge cracks of pepper.
I also don't like the fact that it doesn't specify the grind - you just have to turn the little thing underneath the mill and hope you get it right, which I can't seem to do.
I have been on the hunt for the perfect mill for a long time. I have not cared for William Bounds ones, either, as I like to be able to get fine/medium/course.
THE ONLY ONE I HAVE FOUND THAT I LIKE IS A PEUGOT, and I purchased it at Williams Sonoma. It is the Chateauneuf Adjustable Grind. Its black, and about 8" tall. Pricey, but worth EVERY PENNY. It has 6 grinds to choose from on an easy to use mechanism at the outside base of the mill. It works smoothly and accurately, and I just bought my SECOND one (one for table, one for stove area) and I can't recommend it enough.
This Unicorn one is terrible.
Customer Review: Incredible output
Summary: 5 Stars
After using a small 4" classic Peugeot pepper mill for over a decade, I was looking for a larger mill which won't require me to refill it as often. I bought the Unicorn peppermill based on all the positive reviews I've read. Wow! The output on this thing is incredible! It takes literally only a few short rotations to cover my daily scrambled egg breakfast with course ground pepper. The Peugeot took many 1/4 turns to put out as much pepper. The chamber seems to hold enough pepper for a long time of use before the need to refill.
Unlike some other reviewers, I did not find the rotating collar over the refill hole to be much of an issue as long as I only grab it with my palm over the top. Then again, I have small hands. Maybe if you had big hands or grabbed it from the side you might accidentally rotate open the collar. The collar does "click" shut, so it does not rotate freely as some reviews seem to imply.
The entire body of the mill is made of shiny plastic, so IMO it is not very elegant "feeling" and easily shows scratches and fingerprints. It would be nice if they offered a wooden version in the future. Overall, a great purchase!