COLE & MASON Inverted Flip Upside Down Pepper Mill

I have two of these and have had for almost 2 years. I wouldn't dream of using anything else anymore. I load one with pink Himalayan salt, (so pretty) and the other with black pepper corns. It grinds perfectly and no more messy crumbs. I've noted that some people say they break and wonder if those people know that the little projection in the top is actually a grind adjusting knob. It is to be adjusted tighter for the salt than for the pepper and when initially loaded, you'll have to play with it a little until you get the grind just right. If it feels like it's turning too hard, STOP, loosen it and proceed. Once it's adjusted you'll never have to do it again unless you have kids that would mess with it. When I have guests over, I give em the one second demo so they don't embarrass themselves or break it or mess with the adjustment. Everybody asks where I got it and want one. This is a fine and sturdy piece of equipment and I can't imagine going back to the old shake and grind methods. The only thing at all I would change if I could, is have it with a brass band instead of chrome...now that would be georgeous and look way expensive. These are also easy to load and the stopper is not to stiff and the right fit so it never falls out. I highly recommend this grinder. Oh yeah, one last thing; when I bought mine here at Amazon 2 years ago, it cost me considerably more than the current price advertised in Oct 2013

We have both the salt and pepper mills. I have never seen a need for a salt mill, but the pepper one was so nice and looked attractive on the table for everyday use, that we wanted a matched set. They don't make a mess on the table, work well, feels sturdy, and maintain their good looks. But after about 3 years, the top and bottom halves of the pepper mill just came apart in mid-use. The pieces can be held together and still be used, but it is awkward to remember to hold it that way when you flip it over. Maybe I'm asking too much, but it doesn't seem like a pepper mill should fall apart after 3 years of average use.I will note that there is no rust or corrosion on any of the parts - a reason we have replaced other mills that just start to look dingy. I am still undecided whether to replace it with the same model or look for something more durable.

Update 1/14/16: I was just going through my old reviews to see if anything needs updating. Revised rating from 5 to 1 stars. This actually broke about a year after I got it. We only use it during cooking, not at the dinner table. We don't cook that often at home so it got fairly light use. The top part that twists and grinds the pepper came loose. We could still use it by inserting it back on and carefully twisting the grinder. Did this for about another year until even that stopped working and I was fed up enough to buy a different one. End update.I had one of those Costco pepper mills which was running out. I bought some peppercorns thinking to refill it just to find out you can't refill it. I bought this Cole and Mason one and it's been working great for the month or two I've had it. It's easy to refill, it looks nice, and no mess. It came about 1/3 filled with peppercorns or so because I remember putting more in after I received it. It's a good size without being too big. It's easy to turn and grind the peppercorn. As I dont care about the size of the pepper flakes, I cant say how fine or coarse it grinds

This pepper mill works great -- it churns out a ton of fresh cracked black pepper, it's very easy to load with peppercorns (simply remove the stopper along the bottom of the pepper mill), and it doesn't leave a mess all over your table or counter like other pepper mills because it is shaker-side up.HOWEVER, the area of the peppermill where it attaches to the base, along the stainless steel band, detached. I can see that it's supposed to have grooves to lock it into place, but it no longer holds. Now when people pick it up, they often just pick up the first half of it!!!Unacceptable in my opinion. With light, light, LIGHT use... it broke after 3 weeks! So while I like the pepper mill, i cannot recommend it.

I just got this pepper mill on Amazon and was surprised that it didn't come with any packaging (no box, no warranty, instructions, etc.) The only indication that it's new is that there is a bar code sticker spanning the brushed chrome and acrylic (which leaves a very sticky residue when you peel it off. I'd recommend using goo-gone or similar to remove it). Of course the packaging has nothing to do with the effectiveness of the product but just wanted to warn others if you were thinking of giving it as a gift, it doesn't come in a box or anything!That being said, I've tried the pepper mill and it does work as promised. You adjust the grind by turning the small acrylic cone in the center (left - course, right - fine). The grind is very even. To refill, just sit it on its head and remove the large rubber stopper at the base. The opening is almost as large as the base itself, making it very easy to refill.The Inverta pepper mill looks great and works great. I'd buy this product again but probably not as a gift.

I have had a few pepper mills, but these one is the best by far. Honestly, I had never heard the brand name of Cole and Mason. The two most important advantages to this pepper mill are 1) it is inverted. So, when you set it down after use, it does not leave little pieces of pepper to be cleaned up the next time that you pick it to use it. 2) It is super easy to fill. The base is sealed with a soft rubber stopper. It comes out easily and goes back in easily, and yet it does not loosen to allow pepper pieces out. This makes it super easy to fill. My previous pepper mills had a little slot that slide open into which I had to try to funnel the peppercorns. in addition to these two advantages, the grinding motion is a twist instead of the typical squeezing a lever. This latter method for grinding is exactly where my last two grinders broke. I am expecting that to not be a problem with this one. Finally, is just looks cool. It has a modern, sleek look sitting out on a shelf.

We wanted this product because it doesn't leave bits of pepper on the table when you put it down after use -- with this unit you turn it over to grind, and that keeps the pepper detritus in the top of the grinder. The product works very well, and looks (in my not-so-humble opinion) very stylish.

Love it!!! Great quality\price! Good product, do the job, not expensive and keep my countertop clean :) You can't ask better! It's a good product and I will buy it again.

Really excellent, easy to use and clean grinder

Looks sleek, works well, but does not have a long life. Salt/Pepper erodes the parts over time.

Good product.