Salt Mill HELP!

[Ricc Havens]

I have a couple salt mills with the ceramic insert that I got from Woodcraft. their description states "fully adjustable grind" -http://www.woodcraft.com/product/151326/salt-mill-mechanisim-8-ceramic.aspx#INFORMATION

Here is the link to their kit instructions - http://www2.woodcraft.com/PDF/77C97.pdf
On page 2 in the parts picture it shows "D" and states this is a tension band.


Chef Specialties shows a Salt mill that looks exactly the same - http://www.chefspecialties.com/catalog/product_info.php/cPath/18/products_id/100/osCsid/0pm8jcfejcjhu5klslhp01evn7
But their instructions at this link - https://www.chefspecialties.com/HowToAssembleASaltMill.pdf On page 1 shows the same piece and calls it a "plastic spacer". On page 3 it states "this mechanism is not designed to be adjustable".


So my issue is once I assembled the completed salt mill and mechanism, it doesn't have a tension spring like a pepper mil does. So if the top adjustment knob is loosened the wood top gets sloppy and it loose in an up and down motion.

If I give a pepper mill/salt mill set as a gift or sell a set and have instructions printed out on how to adjust for pepper but state the salt is set for one grind I'm concerned the user will forget the salt doesn't adjust like their pepper mill and loosen the chrome knob and have them think it's poor workmanship by me.

I tried calling their customer service but they were just reading the description and instructions back to me without helping much

Any ideas?

Thanks
Ricc Havens
Elkhart, In
rv.havens AT gmail DOT com

[Mark Greenbaum]

I have made only one set of pepper and salt mills (mainly to have on the table for company, as I am allergic to pepper). The salt mill gets filled with coarse Kosher salt, and the grind is satisfactory, but the ceramic grinder wore out after 2 years of use. The tension for me was achieved by using a nylon washer under the chrome knob, and loosening to allow more salt to enter the grinder. I followed the instructions to a tee, but had to make my own longer shafts for each to make them work. YMMV.

[Mike Golka]

The "Crush Grind" mechanisms are a much better option for a salt mill. Thier mechanism have a lifetime warranty. I have been using them for about 8 years now and they still work great still.

[Tom Borener]

I too use the Crush Grind for our salt mill, and have had it for over 6 years. The one caveat to using it for course salt - salt can get moisture and then dry out, leaving a column of rock in the mill to deal with, that will prevent the shaft from turning (I had to chip it out with an ice pick). add some rice to the salt to absorb moisture, or just use an inch or so at a time.