We've been noticing a new trend at the grocery stores lately. Since it's winter and our farmer's markets are all but non-existent, we've been doing most our shopping at local chain grocers. We can't help but scout out the $1 section and keep coming across these grinders — for just a buck!
Now to buy a grinder (empty and without any spices) at your local kitchen store, you'll be looking at $5-$15 (or more), so finding these $1 versions is pretty neat. Even if we don't know the quality of the spices inside, for $1 we're pretty sure we're ok with tossing them (or putting them to use depending on what's inside), to put their sweet packaging to use.
Each grinder has a removable and screw-off top, allowing us to refill it with customized spice blends we use often in the kitchen. Yes, we have a spice grinder and sure, we could use it each time we wanted some freshly ground spices, but when we've got a skillet of something cooking on the stove, it's often easier to just twist and grind (which sounds remarkably dirty), when it seems to be lacking something flavor wise.
This mix is perfect for toast, with larger sugar crystals and the tail ends of our holiday cinnamon sticks, but the possibilities are literally endless. For a bit of extra class, try removing the label... we just haven't gotten around to it yet.
What combinations would you mix up? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
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Word of warning...
I bought peppercorns in one of those cheap plastic grinders. It broke before I was even a quarter of the way through the pepper, sending peppercorns rolling everywhere all over the counter and floor. I'm still finding them hiding behind appliances!
Jamie Oliver sells these... well, he used to... I have a flavoured sugar of his in my spice cupboard.
I have yet to see these magical $1 grinders. I know McCormick makes some for a few bucks, but the tops don't look like they come off.
I wouldn't mind one for sugar, but for other spices (other than salt & pepper), I've never really had a need for one. A cheap coffee grinder works fine, plus the bulk spices I buy from my local grocer are usually pretty fresh.
I bought peppercorns in those plastic gringers at TJ's too. Price-wise, you're better off buying the TJ peppercorns and the gringer together, using the peppercorns in your mills and reusing the grinder, since it makes the peppercorns (good quality too) come out at like $1.50, which is pretty good (at least in NYC)...
I know that Aldi has a line of spices/salts that are sold in these grinders with the screw off tops. The peppercorn blend I picked up was bland, but the empty grinder has been perfect for custom blends!
undercover -
You are sooo right! Sometimes I wonder if it's grinding plastic into my food. I stopped using them.
I picked a few up at Aldi as well. You could do everything from spiced sugars to custom salt blends.
Are these grinders strong enough for fresh nutmeg? Or would you recommend getting a spice grinder for that?
TJ's has a great "Everyday Seasoning" blend in one that includes coriander, mustard seed, black pepper, sea salt, and hot pepper flakes among other things. I'm using it on everything lately and will definitely be re-purposing the grinder.
Teacherteacher: They aren't strong enough for nutmeg, unless it's already been chopped small enough to fit into the little grinding area. A microplaner does wonders for nutmeg however!
A few weeks ago I heard a guest on The Splendid Table describing a spice blend—including peppercorns, coriander seeds, and I don't recall what else—that she uses in a spice grinder. It sounded wonderful.
Teacherteacher, I don't think you could use nutmeg in these just because the nutmeg wouldn't have enough weight to stay down against the grinding surface without bouncing up every time you twist, even if it does have a big-enough grinding area.