Salt grinders are a kitchen staple for adding freshly ground seasoning to your meals. But not all salts are created equal when it comes to grinding. The best types of salt for your grinder can make a noticeable difference in taste and texture. Whether you're an experienced home cook or just starting, knowing what you can put in a salt grinder is key to getting the most flavor and texture from your salt.
In this guide, we’ll explore in detail what to put in a salt grinder and what to avoid. With this knowledge, you’ll be able to select the perfect salt to enhance your cooking and ensure your grinder works efficiently. Let’s dive in and start grinding!
What Types of Salt Can You Put In a Salt Grinder?
As a salt grinder, you may wonder what are the right types of salt to be ground in a salt grinder. Can you put regular salt in a salt grinder? Check the best salt types for grinding below, each type has its own distinct characteristics to enhance your meals in different ways.
Kosher Salt
Can you put kosher salt in a grinder? Can you put kosher salt in a grinder? Sure. Kosher salt is a top choice for salt grinders due to its larger, flaky crystals and coarse texture that are perfect for grinding. The irregular shape of its flakes allows it to break down easily, making it ideal for a fresh, consistent grind. Additionally, it provides a clean, mild flavor and aroma without being overly salty, which is why it's often preferred by chefs for seasoning food evenly.
Sea Salt
Sea salt, harvested from evaporated seawater, is another excellent choice for salt grinders. It comes in a variety of crystal sizes, from fine to coarse, allowing you to pick the grind that best suits your cooking style. Moreover, coarse sea salt provides a similar grinding experience to kosher salt, making it an ideal choice for those who enjoy freshly ground salt with more texture and flavor. Beyond just seasoning, sea salt can also add a touch of complexity to your dishes, with its subtle mineral flavor that complements everything from meats to salads.
Himalayan Pink Salt
Himalayan pink salt is known for its unique color, rich mineral content, and subtle earthy flavor. Typically available in larger crystals, it’s well-suited for grinding, which enhances its mild taste. Furthermore, the light pink hue also adds a beautiful visual element to dishes, making it popular not only for flavoring but also as a decorative touch. When ground, Himalayan pink salt containing various trace minerals like magnesium and potassium can provide a refreshing burst of flavor that works well with a variety of dishes, from grilled meats to vegetables and even in baking.
Celtic Sea Salt
Celtic sea salt, harvested from the coastal regions of France, is known for its mineral-rich content and natural, unrefined qualities. Typically sold in coarse crystals, this salt offers a briny, slightly earthy flavor that pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, from grilled meats to fresh salads. Meanwhile, its larger, moist crystals are perfect for grinding, allowing you to release its rich flavor and texture with each use. Celtic sea salt is a great choice for those looking to add depth to their cooking while benefiting from its natural trace minerals.
Fleur de Sel
Fleur de sel is a delicate, flaky sea salt, often considered one of the finest salts available. Harvested by hand from the top layer of sea salt ponds, it boasts a unique light, crunchy texture and a subtle, sweet flavor. Though it’s finer than the other salts listed here, it can still be ground in a grinder designed for fine salt. Fleur de sel is often used as a finishing salt, adding an elegant touch to dishes with its distinctive crunch and burst of flavor just before serving. It’s perfect for sprinkling on everything from roasted vegetables to baked goods or even desserts.
What Else Can You Grind in a Salt Grinder?
While salt grinders are typically designed for, well, salt, they’re surprisingly versatile and can be used to grind a variety of other ingredients as well. Here are some options you can try:
Peppercorns – The classic companion to salt, peppercorns are commonly ground in salt grinders, especially for some universal grinders, like the SCHWUA electric pepper grinder, to add fresh flavor to your dishes.
Herbs – Dried herbs like rosemary, thyme, and oregano can be ground to release their essential oils and intensify their flavor.
Spices – Whole spices like cumin, coriander, and mustard seeds are excellent for grinding, giving your meals a fresher, more vibrant taste.
Sugar – For a unique twist, you can grind coarse sugar to create a powdery texture for desserts or cocktails.
Citrus zest – Dry citrus peels, like lemon or lime zest, can be ground to infuse a bright, aromatic punch into your dishes.
Remember, be sure to clean your grinder thoroughly after using it for anything other than salt to avoid cross-contamination of flavors!
What to Avoid in a Salt Grinder?
While salt grinders can be quite versatile, there are certain types of salt and materials you should avoid using in your grinder to maintain its effectiveness and prevent damage.
Fine Salt: Can you put fine salt in a salt grinder? No. While fine salt is great for cooking, it can flow too quickly and won’t grind properly, potentially clogging the mechanism or spilling out in excess.
Salt Blends with Additives: Some salt blends, particularly those with anti-caking agents or other additives like table salt, might jam or damage the grinder due to interference from additives. So can you put table salt in a salt grinder? Never.
Wet or Moist Ingredients: Anything that’s damp, like fresh herbs or wet spices, can clog the grinder mechanism. Moisture can also lead to rusting, especially in grinders with metal components.
Large or Hard Objects: Whole cloves, large chunks of rock, or hard spices like cinnamon sticks could damage the grinding mechanism. These items are simply too tough for the grinder to handle.
Grains of Rice: While some might recommend grinding rice to clean the grinder, it’s actually better to use rice sparingly as it can leave behind residue that’s difficult to clean off, leading to potential cross-contamination of flavors.
Oily Ingredients: Ingredients like sesame seeds or flaxseeds, which contain oils, can get stuck in the grinder and cause it to clog. Over time, this could affect its performance.
Conclusion
What do you put in a salt grinder? Now you know what salt and else you can use in your salt grinder. By opting for coarse salts and other compatible ingredients, you can ensure your grinder delivers fresh, flavorful results every time and enjoy more versatility in your kitchen. Additionally, understanding what to avoid is essential for prolonging the life of your salt grinder. With the right knowledge, your salt grinder will be an indispensable tool in your cooking arsenal.
