Just passing on a little way to save when it comes to cooking.

[Skidmore]

I like fresh ground pepper on my pasta and in my salad but I have never been able to talk myself into laying out $10 plus for a grinder. Well, I bought a grinder bottle of Rachel Ray peppercorns on sale for about $3 at one of the local stores. The grinder on top can be screwed off and the bottle refilled and used many times over. I pick up peppercorn mixes in the bulk section of the grocery store. It is a little thing but every time I see that little bottle sitting on the back of the stove, I feel pleased with myself. A wee bit of luxury with not a lot of expense.

[Frustratedlady]

1. Check out the Amish bulk grocery stores for even more savings.

I can't imagine going back to regular pepper. More dust than pepper.

[cbayer]

2. Trader Joe's also sells a grinder full of peppercorns for under $3.

It can be reused, although it's definitely not a top quality item that you can expect to last forever.

There is nothing to compare to freshly ground pepper. I just laid out $10 for one because I couldn't find a disposable alternative, but I really had not choice. I had to have it.

Enjoy!

[Skidmore]

4. We don't have Trader Joe's in this area.

[cbayer]

7. I hope the gods smile on you and bring you one in the near future.

[ret5hd]

3. Believe it or not, but Central Market (yeah, THE Central Market)...

has the best prices I've seen in bulk spices. The mrs. and I go there and we (she) buys spices and some of the packets will be $.28, .32, etc for the amount that if you bought it in a jar with the McCormicks etc label on it would cost you $5, $8, $10, $12...

Just sayin'. Buy your bottle, then go somewhere else to buy the refills.

[Skidmore]

5. There are several places around that sell bulk spices and dried herbs where

I shop. All are fairly inexpensive

[Curmudgeoness]

6. I have done that in the past as well.

It only held up for about 3 fillings, and by then the plastic grinder was totally worn down. Then it occurred to me that the plastic had to go somewhere...and that somewhere would have been in my food. So I found a pepper grinder with metal parts at a garage sale.

[TuxedoKat]

8. Also

Some dollar stores, Big Lots and Ocean State Job Lots have pepper mixes in a grinder container for $1.00 and other spices too for $1.00.