Salt mills are designed for coarse-grained salts used in cooking, such as Brittany Fleur de Seoul and Himalayan Sea Salt. They must be adjustable, resist rust and corrosion, and keep salts dry. Ceramic grinders and corrosion-resistant metals are commonly used. Different salts have different processing methods, with some being highly unprocessed and others having iodine added.
A salt mill is a grinder designed specifically for coarse-grained salts that need to be ground for culinary use. In the 1990s, many consumers began experimenting with unique salts in their foods such as Brittany Fleur de Seoul, Himalayan Sea Salt, and Black Salts. The trace minerals in these salts seem to impact flavor, and the different colors certainly make them conversation pieces, but most of them require a salt mill, as they’re thick and heavy. As a result, many companies have begun to develop special grinders for the unique challenge posed by these types of salt.
For a salt mill to be useful, it must be adjustable, so that the grains can be made smaller or larger, as needed. It must also resist rust and corrosion, two common problems associated with salt, and it must keep salts prone to clumping, such as Fleur de Seoul, dry. While some cooks simply put salt into a pepper grinder, they will eventually be disappointed with its performance. This is because most pepper grinders are made from metal grades that corrode easily, as pepper is non-corrosive. When looking for a salt mill, make sure you get one that clearly states that it was designed for salt.
In many cases, a salt mill will use ceramic grinders, which will remain sharp for the life of the salt mill. Other companies make salt pans with corrosion resistant metals, which means they have been treated with chemicals. The cylinder of the salt pan which holds the salt until it is time to grind can be made of wood, glass, plastic or specially treated metals, depending on the desired end. Some companies, such as Peugeot, have salt mills on the market that also resist clumping, as long as the salt is loose and dry when it is placed in the grinder.
Culinary salt is usually produced by evaporation in large salt ponds. Highly unprocessed evaporated salt can come in bulk, flaky or highly robust crystals, depending on where and how it is harvested. In France, many salt pans are repeatedly raked through the crystallization process, to keep the salt from clogging, and the overhead skimming is sold as Fleur de Seul, one of the least processed salts in the world. In other cases, the salts are often processed and in many cases iodine is added to counteract potential dietary deficiencies.
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