a question about mortars, and their pestles

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i'm in the market for a mortar and pestle. what is the best material to get? i want something versatile, but is it possible to get something that will make pastes of things and grind things? i'm guessing wood won't grind, too light.

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 12 August 2005 10:51 (twenty years ago)

We have a biggish granite one similar to this:
http://www.cookware-online.co.uk/ishop/930/shopscr1514.html
It grinds things amazingly easily but it's VERY heavy and thus I find it difficult to actually lift it to tip the ground stuff out!

Ceramic, marble and soapstone ones seem ok too. I saw a *glass* one when I was googling for the above link!!!

― Archel (Archel), Friday, 12 August 2005 12:48 (twenty years ago)

I have a ceramic one, used mostly for grinding spices though I did make pesto once. It worried me, because the interior of the mortar and the business end of the pestle aren't glazed, more like terra cotta. They clean up nicely though and don't seem to retain flavors. That said, I wish I had got a bigger, heavier one.

― Jaq (Jaq), Friday, 12 August 2005 13:51 (twenty years ago)

i think i might go with ceramic for cost efficiency. how big is yours jaq?

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 12 August 2005 14:05 (twenty years ago)

The bowl is about 6 inches across. I wish it were deeper, too. It's about 3 inches deep.

― Jaq (Jaq), Friday, 12 August 2005 14:08 (twenty years ago)

It's worth getting a good one - cheaper mortars can be porous and soak up oils and their associated flavours.

― Mädchen (Madchen), Friday, 12 August 2005 14:30 (twenty years ago)

oh maybe i can afford this http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B000163N7A/102-1914331-5824914?v=glance&s=gourmet-food&n=3370831

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 12 August 2005 14:53 (twenty years ago)

Hm, I have been thinking about this as well.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:28 (twenty years ago)

Caitlin, I think that granite one looks awesome!

― Jaq (Jaq), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:52 (twenty years ago)

And heavy too, I should add. Archel, how much would you say yours weighs?

― Jaq (Jaq), Friday, 12 August 2005 15:54 (twenty years ago)

This is the one I have. I was sucked in by its sleekly ovoid lines.

http://www.theilliterate.com/archives/illiterati/mortar2.jpg

― Jaq (Jaq), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:38 (twenty years ago)

haha, do you ever take the pestle and pretend it's a microphone? maybe?

i think that one from amazon is the same as archel's, maybe smaller. i guess 1.5 cup capacity is enough for me, i don't want to spend much more. i'm on a budget, see.

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Friday, 12 August 2005 16:50 (twenty years ago)

How frequently might you use it? I've actually made do w. a cheap coffee-grinder & fairly high-end grater, not being able to afford a good mortar/pestle set.

― Remy (x Jeremy), Friday, 12 August 2005 23:56 (twenty years ago)

I've a heavy granite one like Archel's as well, tho possibly a bit smaller than that (doesnt have those side handles eitger). So far all I've used it for is to crush garlic and salt into a paste for the dressing for my tuna and spinach pasta salad.

How do you clean these things? Rinsing them seems wrong, I'm worried water might damage it for some daft reason.

― Trayce (trayce), Saturday, 13 August 2005 03:42 (twenty years ago)

Yes, a mortar/pestle FAQ is needed.

― Casuistry (Chris P), Saturday, 13 August 2005 05:40 (twenty years ago)

xpost i'm thinking i may use it semi-frequently, though maybe i should wait until i can buy a huge one.

trayce i don't think water would damage it, it's made of rocks!

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Saturday, 13 August 2005 11:56 (twenty years ago)

Thai shops sell the granite ones for a lot less than Amazon. Here in NY's Chinatown you can get the 3-cup model for $20. They are great for Thai spice pastes, etc., of course. I'd say get one as big as you can comfortably pour from -- bigger means less splashing out. But watch your fingers!

― Paul Eater (eater), Saturday, 13 August 2005 13:35 (twenty years ago)

perfect, i'm going to new york some time in the next few weeks

― caitlin oh no (caitxa1), Saturday, 13 August 2005 14:10 (twenty years ago)

As you say, on a price/performance/size basis, the ones you buy from chinese/thai/indian groceries are the best.

― Chewshabadoo (Chewshabadoo), Thursday, 18 August 2005 13:25 (twenty years ago)

Mine's from Taj :)

― Archel (Archel), Thursday, 18 August 2005 14:13 (twenty years ago)

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