In a world of sleek, modern, automatic-everything kitchen tools, Red Rooster Trading Company's handcrafted mills have a charming Rube Goldberg/Monty Python animation quality to them. They're made in Southern Missouri by a husband and wife team, Justin and Britta Burrus, and sold in coffee shops and small boutiques across the country and online.

The Camano Coffee Mill (shown left) features an adjustable cast iron conical burr coffee grinder that gently crushes the beans instead of cutting them, releasing their natural oils for improved flavor. The manual grinder doesn't build up heat as electric grinders can, so there's no burning or bitterness. And the hand operation of the mill turns making that morning cup of coffee into a pleasing hands-on ritual.

The Mabana Pepper Mill (shown right) mounts a similar conical burr grinder atop a wood base made of American black walnut and cherry. Justin and Britta make a number of other items for the kitchen and home, including crush grinders for spices, cutting boards, and wooden coasters. Everything is wrapped in hand-stamped burlap bags, packed in shredded recycled newspaper (from the local paper), and shipped in a gift box.

The old-fashioned, contraptionlike appearance and hand operation of these Character Approved grinders make them a perfect fit for the artisanal everything movement. To find a shop near you or order online, visit the Red Rooster Trading Company website.

[Images: Red Rooster Trading Company]