Care & FAQ
We see beauty in imperfection. Produced in limited runs using salvaged wood, no two pieces are the same.
The wood for our products is sourced, cut and dried by us in limited quantities, generally from farms in the Northern Rivers and Queensland, Australia as well as a handful of recycled sources. Each item is hand crafted to highlight features such as natural edges, post holes, other quirks and natural colour variations in the wood.
Our pepper mills all contain Danish designed CrushGrind® ceramic mechanisms and are suitable for grinding either pepper or salt. The mechanisms are guaranteed for 25 years, so these heirloom pieces can take pride of place at your table and your children’s.
Care instructions
Almost without exception, all of our products have been made from reclaimed or recycled timber such as old posts and cattle rails. These have stood the test of time, but still don’t cope well with exposure to extremes of sudden temperature or humidity changes.
They have been finished in a blend of natural oils and waxes and should require only very minimal ongoing maintenance – at most, a yearly wipe over with food-safe neutral oil such as grapeseed or ricebran. At the same time, perhaps a very light smear on the top of the pentagonal aluminium shaft to allow the top to continue to slide on easily.
The ceramic grinding mechanism loves to crush good quality rock salt and whole peppercorns. Either white or pink Himalayan rock salt will work well but white has less moisture content so it works best. We strongly recommend Saxa brand rock salt which is specifically labelled “suitable for refillable grinders”.
Properly seasoned wood is stable but might change superficially.
FAQs
Q: Why can’t I adjust the mechanism back to “finer grind”?
A: This might occasionally occur, especially with pepper. If the grinder has been opened up to VERY coarse, then larger pieces of pepper/salt can become wedged between the two ceramic mechanisms. The remedy for this is - upend the mill, open the mechanism by using the grey dial in the base, to coarser and give a few turns of the top. This will allow the larger pieces to dislodge. Return the mill to the normal position and readjust the mechanism to finer.
Q:How do I refill the mill?
A: All of our mills contain the Danish designed CrushGrind ceramic mechanism which they guarantee for 25 years. The mechanisms are a light 'force fit' where the top simply slides on to the pentagonal aluminium shaft in the body of the mill. The top slides off and back on to allow your choice of seasoning to be poured into the body of the mill.
Q: is the mill designed to work with pouring salt?
A: No. Never.
Q: Can I wash my mill?
A: No. The nature of the turned wood and mechanism is that it should not be submerged - not in the sink and certainly not in the dishwasher.
Q: How do I clean the outside of the mill?
A: Occasionally wipe over the exterior surface with a light neutral food grade oil such as rice bran or grape seed oil. Not olive or vegetable oil. After 40 minutes or so wood off with a paper towel.
Q: Some of the existing cracks/fissures/voids have increased slightly. Is this normal?
A: Stresses and strain in the fibre of wood will we affected by sudden changes in temperature and humidity. Avoid them wherever possible. Don’t expose to constant direct sunlight.
Q: is the the mill designed to work with powdered pepper?
A: No. Never.
Q: Can the mill be used for other hard spices?
A Yes, but be mindful of flavour contamination if the mill is to be used later for other spices.
Q: is there a particular type of salt that you recommend?
A: Rock salt is the recommended format for our grinders. We use and recommend Saxa rock salt that is labelled ’suitable for refillable grinders’. This is a medium grained crystal which is the optimal size for grinding. Rock salt can vary in both crystal size and moisture content which affect the overall performance of your grinder. <
Q: What do I do if I come across another issue not identified here?
A: Contact us at Turn Turn Turn and we will be happy to assist.