It won’t turn at all

A grinder that refuses to move is usually jammed, or its knob has been screwed down too far. Cole & Mason’s tip for a mill that’s hard to turn is to turn it upside down, loosen the knob to the coarsest setting and twist the top, which frees any large pieces that have lodged. Retighten the knob afterwards to the setting you want. 

If that doesn’t free it, empty the grinder and take it apart the way your model allows. Many unscrew at the top or bottom. Brush out the residue, let everything dry fully, and put it back together carefully. The order of the parts matters, so note how they fit as you go.

If you clean your grinder often, a small, narrow brush makes the job much easier. The kind sold for spice mills or coffee grinders reaches the exit channel and the gaps around the mechanism better than a paper towel does.

It turns freely, but nothing comes out

First, the obvious: check there’s still pepper in the chamber. If there is, and the handle spins with almost no resistance, the grinding parts probably aren’t engaging. That points to a worn or broken part, or a mechanism that was put back wrongly after cleaning.

Look for a replacement mechanism before you buy a new grinder, and check whether the brand has a guarantee. For example, a retailer lists Cole & Mason’s Morley mill with a lifetime manufacturer’s guarantee, so a quick message to the maker may save you money. lakeland

On a battery-powered grinder, start with fresh batteries or a full charge, and check the battery contacts. If the motor runs but the pepper doesn’t move, it’s usually a jam. Our guide to a jammed electric pepper grinder goes through it, and you should keep water away from the motor.

It grinds, but the pepper is dusty, uneven or weak

Check the setting first. Very fine settings leave little room for peppercorns to pass, and a loose knob can give uneven results. If you want help finding the right setting, see our guide on how to adjust a pepper grinder.

If the setting is right and the pepper is still patchy, look at what’s inside. Damp peppercorns, flavored blends with oils, and large irregular pieces all clog the channel. Switch to dry whole peppercorns and give the grinder a thorough clean.

It has gotten stiff, or looks rusty

Salt is the usual culprit. Some pepper mills use carbon steel mechanisms, and Cole & Mason’s retailer listings say that putting salt in a pepper mill will corrode the carbon steel mechanism. If yours has started sticking or looks corroded after being used for salt, the mechanism may be damaged. If you want to grind salt, use a mill made for it, such as one with a ceramic mechanism, and check your manual to see what yours is rated for. 

If you’d like one grinder for both salt and pepper, look for a set that clearly says it’s designed for both, such as one with ceramic mechanisms (Cole & Mason lists ceramic mechanisms on its salt-and-pepper mill sets).

But read the product description before you buy and check which mechanism it uses. 

Keeping it working

Most grinder problems come back to the same few habits: use dry whole peppercorns, don’t overfill the chamber, keep the mill away from the steam of the stove and kettle, and give it a clean whenever you refill it or notice it getting stiffer. Don’t force a stuck grinder. Loosen the knob and clear it first. If you’re about to refill, our guide on how to refill a pepper grinder shows how to do it without a mess.

When to stop fixing it

If a replacement mechanism is available or the brand covers it under a guarantee, repairing is worth it. If you’ve cleaned it, loosened it and reset it, and it still won’t grind, it’s probably time for a new one. Our comparison of electric vs manual pepper grinders and our picks of the best wooden salt and pepper mill sets are good places to start.