As a general rule, pepper grinders tend to be some combination of clumsy, imprecise, or flimsy. I've owned a dozen, replacing them when they broke or deteriorated over time, or if I just decided they weren't good enough.
While working in restaurant kitchens, most of our pepper grinding was done in a Vitamix, a coffee grinder, or some sort of other violently vigorous mechanical beast, but I've never really found one that did the job right for at-home use and really only made do with what was available and affordable. Key being 'affordable'- I'm poor. So are most of you. The notion of spending a lot of money on producing something like ground pepper feels strange, almost wasteful.
As I've discovered, though, it's not. At least not in the case of the Pepper Cannon. I vaguely followed its development essentially from the beginning, since it was on IndieGoGo, Kickstarter, and the other fundraiser sites out of professional curiosity. It had (and still has) a 200 USD price tag, which places it in the Very/Too Expensive category in my head.
I didn't want to like it- calling one's brand 'MÄNNKITCHEN' smacks of indiscretion and a brashness that has always set my teeth on edge.
But a name is only that. Now that I own a Pepper Cannon, and have put it through its paces over time, the craftsmanship has proved to meet and far exceed any expectations I might have had for its quality, durability, and utility.
In the interest of disclosure, I didn't actually buy the thing. It was an unexpected gift. One I was, am, and will continue to be extremely grateful for.
The engraving was unexpected too- the kind and generous soul who gifted it to me used the artwork I have on my business cards.
So first off, the quality. It's stellar. Since it's largely aluminum and stainless steel, the durability is not in question at all. However it does weigh enough that if you knock it over it's going to make a pretty good bang. Ergo, don't put it on glass-topped anything- tables, stovetops, etc.
The catch-cap shown in the pictures above is quite snugly attached with a deep-set rubber gasket of sorts, so that's not falling out without a fight. It also holds a good two tablespoons of grind, so you can get it prepped ahead and hold it if you're seasoning a big pile of meat, or anything else where you won't want to touch the grinder once you start.
Now for utility. The grinding action is standard and obvious, and the adjustment of grind coarseness is a simple twist readily found on the bottom where it dispenses. Because it runs through peppercorns so much faster than the average home cook is likely used to, the reloading mechanism is also very important. Fortunately it's quick and easy- just press the button at the top center, lift the top piece off, and pour more peppercorns inside. Afterward, put the top back on and gently press down till it clicks. The cavity holds about a half-cup dry measure worth of peppercorns, so that'll last you a little while between refills. My personal preference for peppercorns is Tellicherry- a common variety grown a lot in India, but it works just fine with any.
However. It's not recommended for use with anything but peppercorns or similar alternatives. I have most commonly heard tale of people using grinders for salt, (which I find absurd) which will deteriorate the mechanisms over time, and this is a pricy piece of machinery. Why take a needless risk?
Overall, it's a fantastic piece of equipment, near or at the pinnacle of what one might expect for a pepper mill's design. It's easy to use, maintain, and store, it's durable enough to offer multi-generational longevity, and it's honestly got a pretty slick look to it too.
If you have a family to feed, a love of food and cooking, or even just a grudge against pre-ground pepper, this is absolutely worth the admittedly substantial investment. You'll be happily grinding with it for years, probably decades to come.
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