# I "get" grinding pepper. But grinding salt? **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Tags:** food-cooking\ **Created:** [September 1, 2022, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764 "2022-09-01T21:33:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 1:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/21 "2022-09-02T01:47:45Z")
According to Alton Brown, the size of the grains matters for convenience of cooking. That’s the big deal with kosher salt, as it’s easier to pick up. It also can be nice to have larger grains in situations where the salt stays on the outside of the food, e.g. throwing it on something battered. But that doesn’t make grinders make sense. I had one once, and the main thing it did was make it take a bit of effort before I could salt on something. But it wasn’t enough effort to limit my salt usage. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 2:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/22 "2022-09-02T02:36:59Z")
I’ve used salt grinders at home for, maybe 10 years? I find they give much better control over the amount and placement of the salt. I use normal fine ground salt if I’m adding some while cooking though. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 2:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/23 "2022-09-02T02:45:34Z")
Huh. I would have thought simply pinching it and putting it on would do a better job with that. The ground salt, in my experience, seems to go everywhere, just like from a salt shaker. ---
**Author:** ![Richard\_Pearse](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/richard_pearse/32/13144_2.png) [@Richard\_Pearse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Richard_Pearse)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/24 "2022-09-02T02:47:57Z")
But then I get it on my fingers. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 3:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/25 "2022-09-02T03:19:41Z")
> [@Si\_Amigo](#): > > Which affects the texture of your food. Does it? I think in most recipes, whatever salt is added is just going to end up dissolving. It’ll affect the taste of the food but not its texture. ---
**Author:** ![needscoffee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/needscoffee/32/1076_2.png) [@needscoffee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/needscoffee)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/26 "2022-09-02T04:09:40Z")
> [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I think in most recipes, whatever salt is added is just going to end up dissolving. It’ll affect the taste of the food but not its texture In recipes, you’re right. Finishing salt is different than cooking salt. When you sprinkle large-flake salt on your steak, you’ll notice the delicate crunch when you bite into it, as it won’t dissolve before you eat it. Mardon Salt is one very popular brand. I have jars of large-flaked Murray River salt which are even better. ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/27 "2022-09-02T04:15:43Z")
First, I agree that it’s largely about making you more involved in your meal, so mostly gimmick. It does have the small, but helpful side-effect in that the effort involved generally reduces the amount of salt I use, which is helpful for most American diets. The issue with being able to chose a coarseness though is almost always a no-go with the shakers I’ve seen and used. It adjustment really seems to go from pretty much fine powder to just a bit smaller than table salt, plus little chunks that fall though the mechanism. Sure, a super high quality grinder could offset this, but not likely to be seen even at higher-end places. For at-home use, I have kosher salt for meat seasoning, table salt for table seasoning, and a few specialty salts (smoked, large flake, pretzel, pickling) that (duh) only apply for specific uses beyond last minute at the table finishing. A salt grinder’s product doesn’t fit any of those categories better than the above, and generally cost far more than the ‘use at the table options’. ---
**Author:** ![BigT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bigt/32/12044_2.png) [@BigT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BigT)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/28 "2022-09-02T04:23:09Z")
> [@ParallelLines](#): > > For at-home use, I have kosher salt for meat seasoning, table salt for table seasoning, and a few specialty salts (smoked, large flake, pretzel, pickling) that (duh) only apply for specific uses beyond last minute at the table finishing. Speaking of those types, I have also discovered Black salt, which has sulfur compounds in it. It allows me to add the flavor of egg yolks without having to add egg yolks. This is useful now that I have to keep my per-meal fat content low. (Pretty much all of the fat is in the yolk.) Thing is, it clumps up really badly, so I could see wanting a grinder just to separate it out. Regular salt (whether fine, medium, or kosher) doesn’t cake up nearly so easily. (I also have what I call chicken salt and beef salt, which are just bouillon powder. It replaces the pepper-based salt/MSG mixtures I used to use.) ---
**Author:** ![ParallelLines](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/parallellines/32/3575_2.png) [@ParallelLines](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ParallelLines)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/29 "2022-09-02T04:29:19Z")
Clumping is an actual issue depending on climate. Here in arid front range Colorado, we blew the mind of some friends when we left a bag of pretzel sticks out on the counter overnight in a folded bag, no air tight container or anything. Said guests were amazed that they were still crisp the next day! But if you’re in humid climate, yes, a grinder, silica pack, rice, etc may be needed as an option. And granted, no chance of rice powder or chemicals being added to your salt with a grinder. But’s its such a uni-tasker, so I’d probably just use my mortar and pestle if I have that issue. PS - the sulfur salt sounds interesting, but my better half hates those compounds, which is why she avoids eggs in any non-baked form. Perhaps I’ll have a chance to experiment another time. ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/30 "2022-09-02T04:30:26Z")
On the Japanese TV show _Soko Ga Shiratai_, a gourmet chef demonstrates how different grindings of salt changes the flavor. I use Hawaiian Alae salt which has numerous minerals and I can definitely taste the difference when it’s whole (sweeter) and ground (saltier). After years of eating alae salt exclusively at home, iodized salt takes bitter. [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaea\_salt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alaea_salt) ---
**Author:** ![Retzbu\_Tox](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/retzbu_tox/32/11829_2.png) [@Retzbu\_Tox](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Retzbu_Tox)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/31 "2022-09-02T04:32:36Z")
Salt grinders??? Ya’ll is just askin’ the devil fer trouble!!! > **[Why the Sea is Salt](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Why_the_Sea_is_Salt)** > > Why the Sea Is Salt (Norwegian: Kvernen som maler på havsens bunn; the mill that grinds at the bottom of the sea) is a Norwegian fairy tale collected by Peter Christen Asbjørnsen and Jørgen Moe in their Norske Folkeeventyr. Andrew Lang included it in The Blue Fairy Book (1889). > A poor man begged from his brother on Christmas Eve. The brother promised him, depending on the variant, ham or bacon or a lamb if he would do something. The poor brother promised; the rich one handed over the food and t... ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/32 "2022-09-02T04:40:43Z")
One of the virtues of coarse salt is that it doesn’t dissolve as quickly. That’s why it gets used as a finishing salt for some dishes. I normally use a salt cellar at home, but in a restaurant I might want to use less salt volume but still get sufficient coverage, for which a grinder can be handy. I normally will skip salt in a shaker because it dissolves too quickly. ETA: yeah, kala namak (sulfury salt) is a godsend for making egg-free dishes like vegan french toast. ---
**Author:** ![superwombat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/superwombat/32/16616_2.png) [@superwombat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/superwombat)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/33 "2022-09-02T04:47:21Z")
I’ve been to medium-high end steakhouses where the waitstaff will come around and offer fresh ground pepper from a digeridoo-sized grinder. Maybe this will catch on with salt… ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 4:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/34 "2022-09-02T04:58:13Z")
A few posters have mentioned silica packs. Are they considered generally safe for use with food, such as in a saltshaker? ---
**Author:** ![Didi44](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e47c2d/32.png) [@Didi44](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Didi44)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 5:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/35 "2022-09-02T05:03:35Z")
It’s common in Asian snacks such as rice crackers and cuttlefish. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 5:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/36 "2022-09-02T05:21:04Z")
Yes, if it’s a food grade desiccant. I put one in the jar when I dehydrate vegetables. ---
**Author:** ![D\_Anconia](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/67e7ee/32.png) [@D\_Anconia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/D_Anconia)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/37 "2022-09-02T05:23:54Z")
Ignorance fought. I didn’t realize there were food grade desiccants. I was thinking of the little packs that say “DO NOT EAT”. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/38 "2022-09-02T05:28:04Z")
“Food grade” here means “safe to throw in with your food,” not “additional crunchy treat.” It’s like food grade plastic packaing for example. ---
**Author:** ![purplehorseshoe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/purplehorseshoe/32/2996_2.png) [@purplehorseshoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/purplehorseshoe)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/39 "2022-09-02T05:28:22Z")
They can be in WITH your food, as far as I know. They just shouldn’t be considered to BE food. ---
**Author:** ![susan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/susan/32/17537_2.png) [@susan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/susan)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2022, 5:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764/40 "2022-09-02T05:28:59Z")
> **[Dry & Dry 1 Gram \[1000 Packets\] Premium Silica Gel Pure and Safe Silica Gel...](https://www.amazon.com/Dry-Grade-Silica-Desiccant-Packets/dp/B09Z8Q1NB4)** > > Dry & Dry 1 Gram \[1000 Packets\] Premium Silica Gel Pure and Safe Silica Gel Packs Desiccant Dehumidifier Desiccant Packs - Food Safe Paper Silica Packets for Moisture Absorber Silica Gel Packets: Desiccant Pack Bulk: Amazon.com: Industrial &... [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/i-get-grinding-pepper-but-grinding-salt/970764.md?page=3)