Pepper Mill

[xstitcher]

I never can get my pepper mills to work after I have refilled them. They are the ordinary type that you twist.

Does anybody else have that problem or can help me solve it?

[mccfluff]

do you over fill them

[sandyRoe]

Same with the last peppermill I had. The corns wouldn't drop into the holes.

[xstitcher]

I have perhaps overfilled them but only fill them about ½ full now.

[jomifl]

Quite often peppers that are too large to get into the milling mechanism accumulate at the bottom of the mill and form a blockage. Tip them out and crush them enough to go through along with any large peppers in the refill.

[xstitcher]

I shall empty it and try again. Thank you

[dickythecook]

Empty the peppercorns onto a teatowel or something similar, fold it over to make a pocket of corns and gently smash them with a rolling pin. Put them back into the mill and see if it works. If it doesn't then there might be a little grit or stone in the mechanism.
I've had a few mills in the past but the best one was from Ikea. Other shops are available.

[heathfield]

If you tighten the knob on the top too much, you won't leave any space for the peppercorns to pass through the grinder mechanism. Test by turning the pepper mill upside down. Twist it a couple of times to free any corns that are stuck in the grinder. Adjust the knob to get about 2mm movement when you pull the mill's top up and down. Then try again and see how it works.

[xstitcher]

Okay...here goes operation pepper mill. I am going to try everything all of you have said, one at a time and see if it works....I'll be back with a report soon.

[xstitcher]

Heathfield you are a star........I loosened the top to about 2mm and it works perfectly. Thank you.

Once again Answer Bank comes to the rescue !!!!!

I also thank the rest of you who have so kindly given your advise.