Skeppshult Swing Cast Iron Grinder Bowl

How easy is the Skeppshult cast iron grinder to use?

Adjusting the size of the grind is a similarly simple process: the longer you grind for and the more pressure you apply, the finer the finish – and vice versa. The grinder is small but made from heavy-duty cast iron, so at 1kg it is a little heavy, which may not suit some.

Results

The results of this small, unassuming grinder are excellent. We used varying pressure and speed with each of the spices tested, though, as expected, the harder spices did noticeably need more pressure. Cardamom was a delight to grind, as releasing the seeds from the pod does take work. Here, we dropped the whole pods into the bowl and crushed them lightly, which cracked them, making sorting the seeds from the husk simple. The smaller, lighter seeds were easier to work with, and we managed various textures, from fine powder to lovely rough textures, for more pungency. The grinder is also perfect for grinding smaller amounts. We tested amounts from 1 tablespoon upwards, and all came out the same.

Conclusion

Though pricier than some, this beautifully made grinder delivers so well. It looks beautiful on the worktop and is easy to pick up and use without fuss. Cleaning is done by brushing the bowls – water is not recommended as it may cause the iron to rust. Plus, the Skeppshult comes with a lifetime guarantee. We loved it.

Key specifications

Wattage: n/a
What can it grind? Small and some large spices
Accessories: Storage bowl and lid
Dimensions: 7.62cm x 7.62cm x 8.26 cm
Capacity: 1 tablespoon upwards

Available from Skeppshult (£59)

Recipes with spices

Green curry paste
Basa Gede (Balinese spice paste)
Lamb vindaloo
Tom Kerridge's madras curry paste
Jerk spice mix
Ras el hanout spice mix
Five-spice mix
Garam masala spice mix