Peugeot Chateauneuf u-Select 9-1/2-Inch Salt Mill, Red Matte

Product Review

Since 1842, Peugeot has been creating innovative and attractive mills. Peugeot now offers the U-Select patented grinding mechanism which has pre-selectable grind adjustments.

Amazon.com Review

An exceptional gift for the salt or pepper connoisseur, Chateauneuf pepper and salt mills from Peugeot are traditionally styled of turned hardwood and handsomely accented with brushed, 18/10 stainless-steel bands. Also steel, the round ball nut on top of each mill unscrews the dome for filling with peppercorns and salt. Differing from other models, the Chateauneuf offers a U-Select feature, which designates six settings on the lower steel band of the pepper mill for precision grinding ranging from coarse to fine, and three settings on the salt mill. The other main difference between the salt and pepper mills lies in the grinding mechanism itself. Peugeot pepper mills use case-hardened-steel grinding heads with two sizes of grooves; the larger grooves crack the peppercorns in half and direct them into the smaller grooves, which grind them much more finely than most mills. The grinding mechanism in Peugeot salt mills is purposefully constructed with 18/10 stainless-steel, which won't corrode from prolonged contact with the salt.

Chateauneuf pepper and salt mills come in two sizes, 9 or 11-3/4 inches, and in several finishes, including matte black, matte red, and cherry. Care for a mill is easy: clean the exterior and inner chamber with a damp cloth; never immerse in water; avoid putting salt in the pepper mill, or grinding green or pink peppercorns by themselves (mixed with black is fine); and avoid damp types of salt (usually pink or gray) in the regular salt mill. Made in France, Peugeot mills are covered by a two-year replacement policy, while the grinding mechanism is covered by a lifetime warranty. Peugeot has been a leading manufacturer of pepper mills since the 1840s, and is a brand preferred by many restaurants and chefs. --Ann Bieri