Frequently Asked Questions
Coarse Sea Salt crystals are from Spain or Belgium.
Black peppercorns are from Malaysia or India.
Neither salt crystals nor black peppercorns are produced in China.
If the silver screw knob or shaker top appears to be stuck on the mill and you are unable to remove it, then corrosion may have taken place between the two metal parts. If this has happened, you will not be able to remove the top so please Contact Us for a replacement.
To avoid this happening again or with a new mill, always remove the salt section of a Combi Mill when refilling. Filling it while it is still in position is when salt becomes trapped in the threaded part of the shaft and causes the corrosion.
To refill, always remove the salt section and fill with ready ground table salt. Apply a small amount of cooking oil (eg. olive or vegetable oil) to the thread of the shaft. Replace the salt section and shaker top and screw knob.
If you have any problems or further questions, please Contact Us.
Firstly, ensure that the salt you use in your mill is perfectly dry and free flowing and always keep your refill container in a dry place. Adding a few grains of rice to the salt in the mill helps to absorb any latent moisture in the salt. The rice will be ground up with the salt and will not be noticeable in your food.
Use & Care
This depends entirely on the mechanism. Salt can only be used in a mill that has a nylon or ceramic mechanism. Salt can not be used in a carbon steel mechanism. Pepper can only be used in a mill that has a ceramic or carbon steel mechanism. Pepper can not be used in a nylon mechanism. The only mills where salt and pepper can both be used are if they have a ceramic mechanism.
No Cole & Mason mill is safe to go in a dishwasher.
The best way to clean a mill is to use a damp (not wet), colorless cloth. After cleaning, dry mill – do not leave wet. The mechanisms should not be rinsed, submerged in water or get wet in any way.
There primary reason why your mill would have rusted, is water exposure. Putting the mill in a dishwasher, washing it in a sink, wiping with a damp cloth and not drying after.
Incorrect storage, like leaving the mill in a damp place or leaving it outdoors could also cause rust.
Your mill could have gone green due to, water exposure, food residue stuck at the base, storing in a damp place or leaving of an unclean surface.
We would advice that you do not eat the salt and dispose of any that may have come into contact with the discolouration. If the mechanism has discoloured is can not be washed and should not be used.
If the barcode sticker has left residue on your mill tray, rub with a cloth and some olive oil to remove both the paper and the glue residue.
You can buy the full range of Cole & Mason products from our website, however if you would like to purchase your products at a retailer near you, visit our ‘Where To Buy‘ section on our website.
No. Red and pink peppercorns come from a berry. They naturally have more liquid so we recommend not using these as it could corrode the mechanism. This also applies to our Kingsley spice mill.
Black and white peppercorns are recommended in our pepper mills. If you would like to use pink or red use a mill with a ceramic mechanism or use our pestle & mortar.
It is not possible to replace the bulb in any electronic mills. All bulbs in mills are LED and have a long life expectancy.
When the pestle and mortar meet without and ingredients natural dust from the granite it produced. Wash thoroughly with water and your pestle and mortar will be safe to use.
Yes, it is safe to use both items to clean the Pestle & Mortar.
For best performance we recommend that you use coarse sea salt or rock salt in nylon mechanism mills. Do not use sea salt flakes.
Yes. All our salt and pepper mills are covered with a lifetime mechanism guarantee, despite what your item packaging may say. Electronic mill mechanisms also have lifetime cover, however battery cell units are covered for two years. Accidental breakage and damage from misuse are not covered by the mechanism guarantee.
Pink Himalayan salt has the same hardness as other rock salt so there is no issue when using it in ceramic mills. Do not use in a nylon or carbon mechanism salt mill.
Herb and spice sell by dates are displayed on the bottom of the box, if you no longer have this we recommend a sell by date of two years from the date of purchase.
No latex is used in any of our mills. Rubberised paint is used on a few of our mills and stoppers are made are made from a material called silica, a form of natural rubber.
Our salt is currently sourced from Belgium and peppercorns are sourced from India and Vietnam.
The salt keeper soon is half a teaspoon.
No. The Kingsley mill has a carbon steel mechanism, using salt will rust the mechanism.
No wet ingredients can be used in the mill.
No. Pestle and Mortars are not dishwasher safe. The best way to clean is under running water with a brush or sponge.
Our beech wood mills are not made with any preservatives.
Yes, aluminium is used in all our mills.
Mechanisms can not be replaced as they are built into the mill. However there is a lifetime guarantee on all mechanisms.
Screw back the plunger, shake the mill to loosen ingredients and continue grinding.
Please check the black collar is fastened correctly creating a tight seal. Ensure the filter end is not blocked by ingredients. Product needs to be pumped a recommended 7 times to ensure good spray output.