A: A good grinder should offer clear and easy-to-adjust settings that allow you to easily customise your grind size. And, most important, a consistent grind: There's nothing worse than unevenly ground pepper or salt ruining your recipe so look for a grinder that promises a uniform grind, every time.

A: For someone who measures pepper at least once a week, this revelation was no small potatoes. I immediately grabbed my mill and determined that on this particular model, one teaspoon = 50 turns.

A: For basic maintenance. Always check the manufacturer's instructions. But in general, start by wiping down the outside with a soft, damp cloth. If there's gunk stuck to the body of the mill, we've used a drop of dish soap or some natural, all-purpose cleaner to clean it.

A: A mix of salt and vinegar is also an alternative suggested by some. We've found a vinegar bath to be quite effective in removing rust and brightening up the metal surface. Be sure to dry thoroughly after cleaning with a soft dry cloth.

A: But, like any ingredient storage jar, it's a good idea to give your salt and pepper mills a clean once in a while to keep them in tip-top condition. A handy time to do this is when you need to refill your grinder.