Reusing Throwaway Peppermills

Pictured is the specific brand of Pepper mill I used.

Step 1: Tool Needed

A diagonal cutter is the only tool needed. For safety a pair of leather mechanics gloves to keep from cutting your hands during the process of twisting off the grinding mechanism.

Step 2: Twisting Off the Mechanism

This step is the hardest part. Grasp each end of the empty pepper mill and twist and pull at the same time until the grinding mechanism pops off. Gloves will help prevent injury to your hands. It takes a fair amount of strength to do this step.

Step 3: Snip the Grinding Mechanism

Using the diagonal cutters snip the plastic to cut through the ridge on the inside. Rotate the mechanism 180 degrees and snip again. These two cuts will allow the mechanism to be removed when a refill is needed but also remain strong enough so it won't fall off. Refill with pepper corns and grind away.

Comments

[pfred2]

I've done this. I have found that actual pepper mills with metal guts are far superior though. You can usually pick them up in a thrift store for about a buck too.

[oldmachinist]

You are right. I have a pepper mill that was meant to be refilled also. I just wanted to defeat the mfg. They could have made it reusable as easy as they didn't. I guess they want more stuff in the landfills.

[pfred2]

I love my fresh ground pepper. I was refilling a plastic one for a while before I got a decent metal pepper mill. The one I have is not even that great. I think I might have paid a dollar for it along with a salt shaker at a thrift store? They make grinders with other seasonings in them too. I have the "Italian" grinder in my spice cabinet. So you could refill the throw away mills with other herbs and spices. peppercorns just seem a bit too tough for the plastic mills to me though.

[BeachsideHank]

My removal method is to heat a coffee cup 2/3 full of water in the microwave, it gets insanely hot. Immerse the empty bottle top first, let the heat work for about a minute, use a dishtowel to hold and the top slides off rather easily thanks to expansion of the plastic. I refill with peppercorns and repeat as needed.

[Uncle Kudzu]

I have that same product and was wondering if it could be reused. Thanks for sharing!

[wold630]

This is a great tip to prevent so much waste!