Finish for peppermill?

[Ronald Fox]

I am making a few pepper mills and salt shakers. I am wondering what others are using for a finish for theirs and why?

Here is one I made for my wife (Betty Fox) a while back. She told me the pattern she wanted and I cut all the little pieces and turned it for her. I used Maple, Cherry, Purpleheart and Walnut and is finished with shellac. I used the Chief's special 8" kit. I am thinking of switching to General's Salad Bowl finish for my next one.

203486

Thanks,
Ron

[Greg Just]

I normally use a poly finish for durability and less maintenance.

[Michelle Rich]

Pretty..I'd use poly too..the mill will get hand acid, grease from kitchen & who knows what else. With poly you can just wipe it with a damp cloth

[John King]

Use a tung oil based finish followed by wax. Peppermills get banged around in the kitchen. Poly finishes crack, chip and are hard to repair. Oil finishes can be easily renewed. Any nicks/dings in the peppermill are highlighted by the oil finish and add to the character of the peppermill.

[Bernie Weishapl]

I use Waterlox on mine and have excellent luck with it.

[philip labre]

I usually use mainly salad bowl finish and have walnut oil on my every day ones at the stove. Oil will allow the wood to darken and the oils from your hands seem to keep it refreshed. On a modern style with clean lines and no detail, i have used CA. Ca made a great gloss finish, but I'm unsure of it's durability. Had to try it.

[Jim Burr]

Poly works well in the kitchen...but remember nothing on the inside.

[David E Keller]

I just finished my first peppermill(pics soon), and I used BLO and ren wax... Probably not the most durable finish, but I'm shooting for the patina that comes with greasy fingers!

[John King]

I disagree with Jim B. Actually, it's a good idea to seal the peppercorn chamber to prevent the wood from contaminating the peppercorns. Shellac is a great sealer, but almost anything will work. Just make sure the finish is fully cured before use. Fully cured finishes are food safe. - John

[Greg Just]

I disagree with Jim B. Actually, it's a good idea to seal the peppercorn chamber to prevent the wood from contaminating the peppercorns. Shellac is a great sealer, but almost anything will work. Just make sure the finish is fully cured before use. Fully cured finishes are food safe. - John

This fact is often overlooked by people.