Some spice bottles you buy in the store come with a built in grinder. The benefit here is three-fold:
- Some spices are relatively easy to grind.
- Some spices taste better when they are freshly ground.
- It’s kind of cool to quickly grind your own spices as you need them.
Of course, we also know that some spices are better purchased already ground since they are too difficult to do at home but that’s another story. But if you purchase a spice bottle with built-in grinder, is the grinder any good?
Built-in grinders on spice bottles can be hit and miss in terms of quality. While the grinding ability is good enough for the spice that the bottle contains, whether or the grinder works until the bottle is emptied is another story.
I’ve purchased peppercorn bottles with a built-in grinder and after several uses, the rotating top that activates the grinder has already started to slip and misfire. In other words, it didn’t last until the bottle was empty, far from it.
In this article, we’ll discuss how good the built-in grinders are on store-bought spice bottles and which spices tend to be sold with the grinder included.
Quality of built-in spice grinders
The quality of the grinder on store-bought spice bottles can vary, as different manufacturers use different materials and designs. Some grinders may be more durable and efficient than others, so it’s important to read reviews or do some research before purchasing one to ensure that it is a good quality product.
The bottles are made to be used once until they are emptied and then discarded so keep that in mind when purchasing one. This is not a high end grinder that is meant to be used repeatedly and kept for years.
While some built-in grinders do a good job of grinding peppercorns and sea salt which are popular spices, the ability to the grinder to continue functioning when the bottle is emptied is another story.
If you’re going to spend a bit more on a spice bottle with a built-in grinder, stick with quality brands because if you go for a low priced option, there’s a chance you’ll get what you pay for in terms of the grinder.
What spices come in bottles with a built in grinder?
Many different types of spices can come in bottles with a built-in grinder, including:
- Peppercorns
- Sea Salt
- Cumin seeds
- Coriander seeds
- Mustard seeds
- Red pepper flakes
- Paprika
- Celery seeds
These are some examples of spices that can be found in bottles with a built-in grinder, but the availability may vary based on where you shop, and other options may be available.
Final thoughts
When you grind the spice yourself, not only is it a bit fun to do so, you also get to use the spice freshly ground which is usually the best and tastiest way. Buying a spice bottle with a built-in grinder is one way to do this.
If you do purchase a spice bottle with a built-in grinder, try to find a brand that enables you to easily remove the grinder (i.e. the top). Not only can you potentially refill the bottle when it’s emptied, but if you have a quality problem with the grinder as I did, you can at least empty the bottle and not waste the remaining spice.