anyone use a spice grinder?  what do you use it for?  recommendations for one to buy? 

I agree with the coffee grinder, any of $10-$20 electric ones on Amazon..

coffee grinder

coffee grinder

+1

I keep a Krups coffee grinder in the kitchen and one in my fly tying room.  I use it for whole spices and it works well.  I have an old French made pepper mill that is 30+ years old.  It sits next to the stove and is used daily, still works great even though the finish is but ugly.  I can't find the manufactures name on it so that's no help..

Krups has good reviews elsewhere too so that will probably be what I go with when I buy mine.  Thanks for the input.

I have been using a Cuisinart Mini-Mate Plus Chopper/Grinder for years and it has been a great tool.  I use it to grind up spices/seeds etc. into course grinds or powders (Cumin/Corriander/Fennel/Pepper if I need a big batch ground up/Cinnamon etc.).  I usually toast any type of whole seed, and even the peppercorns prior to grinding to enhance the seeds flavor oils.

Cheapo coffee grinder.  If you do dried hot chili peppers, let it sit for a while after grinding and open it outside if possible.  Otherwise you'll get a dose of pepper spray.  My brother learned the hard way.