One of the joys of having a personal web site is the feedback received from people around the world. Through the years — since 1994 — this has been a source of much learning for me. Once in a while I receive a flame or barb of criticism or crazy question but for the most part the feedback
has been very sincere and thoughtful. Of the many subjects I have written about on patrickWeb, the one single thing that elicited the most feedback is The Pepper Ball.
In a posting in 1996 I said that my all time favorite, most used gadget was my electric lighted pepper mill. I happen to like pepper on food so it had a practical application but I think what I liked most about it is that every time I used it, it made my wife or kids or guests laugh and that made me laugh. I would always say, “I don’t know why everybody doesn’t have one of these”. But then my family surprised me at Christmas in 1997 with “The Pepper Ball“.
Not only has this single item from the gadgets section of my site caught a lot of interest, it has made me a member of the virtual technical support department to the world’s pepper ball users! I have gotten emails from many asking where to buy one, but most have asked how to add additional pepper to the device. After so many emails about the Pepper Ball, I decided to establish The Pepper Ball Log to share some of the inquiries. Chef’n is a leading innovator in the kitchen housewares industry and it seems to be a company moving in fast forward with a passion for innovation. An inventive young man, David Holcomb, had an idea in the early 1980’s to shake dry flakes of garlic with the Garlic Machine. It also used to be that the only cracked pepper you saw was if someone dropped the shaker on the floor — until Mr. Holcomb invented the Pepper Ball.
Most people that visit patrickWeb are looking for stories about WiFi, blogging, or Internet technology, motorcycles or music, but the subject that results in the most emails is the Pepper Ball. I hope you enjoy the log that follows.
November 7, 2008
Hi there, I purchased a much wanted Pepper Ball without concern of how to refill this handy little gadget until I was checking it over for cracks before throwing out the wrapper. I thought $20 was a bit much for a throw-away, but I’ll be danged if I could figure out how to refill it as my eyes just aren’t the best. Thanks to your consideration of helping others, I have been able to successfully fill the ball 🙂 Thank you so very much! Sincerely, Christina
Thanks again, it really does mean a lot to me 🙂
July 22, 2005
I have an electric lighted Dudley Kebow peppermill. I have run out of pepper and my husband can’t remember how to refill it. I cannot find the directions. I’ve had it for several years. Can you help? It is model number 6002. Thanks Gretchen
November 27, 2003
Hi! I contact you because I’m looking for where to buy (in France , Belgium or Luxembourg ) the “Pepper ball” created by ” Chef’n ” I saw that you talk about it on your website and I tried so many website or shop, but it seems impossible to be delivered in France !!! This is a present I would like to do and I was minding to know whether you would be able to help me in finding a solution. Looking for an answer.
May 24, 2003
Of the many subjects I have written about on patrickWeb, the one thing that continues to elicit the most feedback is The Pepper Ball. I first wrote about it in 1996 in the gadgets section of patrickWeb. For some unknown reason, it seems I have become the technical support department to the world’s pepper ball users! I have gotten emails asking where to buy a Pepper Ball, how to repair one with broken handles, but mostly asking if I could explain how to refill the pepper supply. Yesterday I got an email from a frustrated man in Virginia Beach, Virginia who wrote, “How do you (or can you) refill the damned thing?”
I am hoping that the following explanation will make a match for people doing web searches looking for the answer. If you look at the Pepper Ball picture carefully, you will see a rectangular shaped area on the left side. It is about 3/4″ wide and 1 1/2″ long. By pressing on this “door” toward the bottom of the Pepper Ball, it will slide open. I use a small funnel to fill it so I don’t have to chase peppercorns around the kitchen floor.
January 3, 2002
I came across you on Google search. I have ones of these too that I received as a gift years ago. One of my favorites too. Just recently the metal grinder broke off. I am not sure if it can be soldered or not. Kind of a can’t get to area and gluing doesn’t sound healthy. Would you happen to know where I could purchase another? I live in Allentown, Easton, Bethlehem, Pa area. Thought you might know and I guess I could call the company too. Appreciate a response and Happy New Year! Sue
