Black Leaf Aluminium/Wood Grinder: four parts in a walnut shell
Black Leaf builds this grinder with a wooden exterior around an aluminium mechanism. Four parts means it does more than grind: the lid carries the teeth, below it sits the grinding chamber with the outlet holes, then the removable sieve, and at the bottom the rounded pollen chamber. The finest material drops through the sieve and gathers there, and the scraper that comes with the grinder lifts it out without spilling. Grinders in this Black Leaf line measure around 6 cm across, small enough to live in a coat pocket without the parts coming loose.
The teeth are wave-cut, so they bite into tougher material as well and the mechanism does not jam easily. The holes in the floor of the grinding chamber come in different sizes, which spreads the ground material out instead of dropping it in one heap. Between the two top parts sits a nylon ring: it keeps metal off metal, lets the halves turn smoothly and prevents wear marks. Walnut also stays cooler in the hand than an all-metal body and gives the grinder a quieter look.
Using it
- Twist off the lid and spread your herbs loosely between the teeth rather than packing the chamber.
- Put the lid back and turn the halves back and forth a few times.
- Unscrew the grinding chamber; the ground material is waiting on the sieve.
- Empty the pollen chamber now and then with the scraper.
Looking after it
Wood and water are a poor match, so keep the outside dry. A small brush along the teeth and the sieve is enough to clear residue, and doing that regularly keeps the grinder turning lightly.
Other grinders at Avalon
Avalon Magic Plants stocks more models, including the Black Leaf Grinder Crown 4-part, the Deep Engraving Grinder 2-part from the same brand and the plain Grinder wooden classic. Everything ships in discreet packaging.
