The Best Mortar And Pestle That You Should Know
When cooking ingredients such as dry spices and herbs, you need may need to grind and crush them. The grinding and crushing need the best mortar and pestle. This will give you a healthier, natural flavour and aroma from the ingredients. The mortar and pestle can be used to make pesto, guacamole, Caesar dressing, spice blends, aioli, curry paste, and others.
If you need a mortar and pestle, the following are some of the factors that you should consider. This will help you to choose the best.
Image | Product Name | Score | | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
1 |  | 4.5 /5 | ||
2 |  | 4.8 /5 | ||
3 |  | The Bekith Mortar And Pestle, Spice Grinder, Molcajete, Brushed Stainless Steel | 4.5 /5 | |
4 |  | | 4.8 /5 | |
5 |  | 4.7 /5 |
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Material
The material used for making the mortar and the pestle must be strong and hard enough to crush the ingredients. If the material used is not strong, it will break during the grinding process. The material should also be firm to avoid chips from the mortar mixing with the ingredients.
Non-porous and smooth materials should be considered since they do not absorb or lock in ingredients being ground. Rough ceramic mortar or pestle can be used in pounding and crushing. Although they are brittle and cannot resist stains. Porcelain mortars can be conditioned for use by grinding sand to give them a rough surface.
Glass mortars and pestles are fragile but stain resistant and suitable when using liquids. Ceramic mortars grind finely and other materials such as marble, stone, wood, steel and iron can also be considered.
The Size Of The Mortar
- The size of the mortar matters when choosing a mortar and pestle. Shallow and small mortars may be disappointing during the grinding process. This is because the content being crushed may get out easily. When the mortars are large and deep, they provide the best grinding surface without fear of the product bouncing out. Some mortars have steep interior walls. This ensures that any particle of the ingredient will slide back to the mortar whenever they bounce.
- You may also consider size depending on how much you really want to grind. If you will be grinding more ingredients, then you can opt for a large mortar or a medium size. If it is for crushing some bunch of pills then a small size is ideal.
Mortars can hide germs that can be hazardous to health. It is important to consider a mortar and a pestle that can be cleaned easily without hiding any dirt or bacteria.
Some materials like porcelain, granite, and steel make mortars that are easier to clean. No matter what is being ground. They can grind pills, fruits, spices or herbs. The cleaning process is simple. You only need a soft towel or even just a fabric.
Clean Process
The weight
Heavy mortars and pestles are preferable since they provide the needed stability. They cannot slide from the kitchen counter easily. The heaviness will support the thorough pounding that it undergoes during the grinding process.
The weight also gives it the necessary balance while grinding. The heavier the pestle the lesser the effort applied while grinding therefore when making a choice one should consider the weight.
The Smoothness Of The Surface
Mortars and pestles with porous surfaces can be hard to clean and can keep hold of certain foods that can easily turn stale over time. The choice should be one that is neither rough nor smooth. A mortar that is too smooth may make the work of grinding the ingredients too wearing. This is because they can easily get out of the mortar. A mortar that is too rough may retain the ingredients after grinding. The mortar that is slightly pebbled can give enough friction.
A Stable Base
Mortars and pestles that come with the stable base are slip resistant and this gives them a stable grip of the counter. Some of the mortars have rubbers at their base to prevent them from sliding and to give an overall ease of use. A stable base gives one a chance to effortlessly move the pestle around without necessarily worrying if the mortar will tip over.
The Following Are Some Of The Best Mortars And Pestles That You Can Consider
Via: Amazon.com
This is a two-piece mortar and pestle that is beautifully made. It is very useful for grinding spices and herbs. It can be used in the preparation of salsas, dips, and guacamole effectively. Essential oils can be extracted from the dried and the fresh herbs or spices.
This product is made from ultra-durable non-artificial granite which is nonporous. This material cannot absorb the oils that you have extracted. This product is large enough to accommodate a good size of the item ground. The tool gets its stability from the weight of the stone used. This stability will ensure that pounding is easier.
PROS
- This product is very easy to clean. This is because it is made of nonporous granite.
- The size is remarkable. You can pound enough herbs or spices.
- Its heaviness gives this product a recommendable stability for grinding
- It’s cool and looks beautiful on the counterIt has a nice grinding texture
- It is well balanced and heavy
- The mortar and pestle is nonporous, hence does not absorb extracted oil
CONS
- Does not come ready to use, it needs polishingIt’s a bit shallow for spice grinding
- Not smooth on the bottom hence can cause scratches on the counter
- Can be fragile when mishandled
- Due to coarseness the stone, fragments in small particles may end up mixing with the food
Via: Amazon.com
This mortar has a silicone base. It can be cleaned in the dishwasher safely. You can use it to grind different spices, herbs, nuts, coffee, muddle drinks and others. The mortar and the pestle assure the release of essential oils, aromatics, and flavours.
It is made of apothecary-grade porcelain. It lasts forever and does not absorb odours or does it transfer flavours. This renders any porcelain material as the best material for any grinding surface. This product has a silicone base to keep the mortar and the pestle from sliding. The silicone grip handle makes the grinding process pretty easier.
PROS
- This product is very easy to clean. This is because it is made of nonporous granite.
- The size is remarkable. You can pound enough herbs or spices.
- Its heaviness gives this product a recommendable stability for grinding
- It’s cool and looks beautiful on the counterIt has a nice grinding texture
- It is well balanced and heavy
- The mortar and pestle is nonporous, hence does not absorb extracted oil
CONS
- Can be fragile when mishandled
- Size isn’t much convenient for large guacamole
- The weight may make it inconvenient to carry along
Via: Amazon.com
The Bekith stainless steel mortar and pestle can be used to grind the toughest pills easily. It can be cleaned easily. It is strong and resistant to chipping and breakage. This makes it durable and long lasting. It does not absorb nor does retain any odour from the ingredients previously ground. This stainless steel mortar and pestle do not leave any residue to polish.
This product can add inexpressible beauty to your counter due to the high-quality craftsmanship and its beautiful smooth finish. It also has a non-skid base that promotes its stability while grinding and a heavy-duty pestle press that supports easy grinding without creating fatigue.
PROS
- It is resistant to chipping, staining, and breakage.
- It has a rubber underneath that prevents sliding or slipping on the counter.
- It is easy to clean. This is because it is smooth.
- It has a beautiful smooth finish.
- The mortar and the pestle grind faster.
- Since it leaves no residues there is no risk of germs getting trapped in the tiny pores and crevasses.
- It is durable, clean and acquires low maintenance
- It is made of stainless steel.
- It is free of lead, BPA, and mercury. This makes it safe to prepare food.
CONS
- The surface of the mortar is too smooth this makes it too difficult to grind without the items being ground pouring out
- The pestle is very light making it inefficient for the purpose it’s made of
- The size is not that big and accommodative
Via: Amazon.com
ChefSofi heavy granite mortar and pestle simplifies the process of grinding. It can be used to grind seeds, ginger root, nuts, and garlic. You can also use it to make homemade sauces and condiments such as salsa, chutneys, and others. It is designed in such a way that it brings a lot of conveniences while using it.
The unpolished granite material of the mortar and the pestle ensures the stability of the pestle and creates enough friction in the interior of the mortar to fasten crushing and the grinding of the ingredients. The granite material makes it heavier and durable. The mortar will not slip on the kitchen counter during the grinding process. The mortar comes with an anti-Scratch Protector, Italian Recipes eBook, 2 Cup-Capacity. The unpolished granite enhances the performance and the appearance of this appliance.
PROS
- It is easy to clean.
- It is heavy hence does not slide easily on the counter while grinding
- It is durable. This is because it is made of granite.
- The pestles have a fool proof grip. This makes it comfortable when grinding.
- It also comes with a slip resistant pad
- The mortar is large enough to accommodate a lot of ingredients
- It is beautiful with a perfect size.
- It has an anti-scratch protector.
- It is versatile. You can use it to grind seeds, nuts, garlic others.
CONS
- It is very big and heavy.
- It is relatively expensive as compared to other models.
- It may be too rough to handle some food ingredients.
Via: Amazon.com
The 3S stainless steel mortar and pestle set is made of heavy duty stainless steel that grinds, crushes and pounds your ingredients like fresh herbs, tablets, spices, others. It is also known for making salsas, Pico de Gallo, and guacamole. It has a rubber ring glued to the base of the mortar to provide stability when grinding and also protect the counter top in which it is being used upon. The mortar has a smooth interior that is well polished and easy to clean with a soft towel and even fabric. The ingredients will not stick.
PROS
- It is very easy to clean without residual bacteria
- It is a multipurpose kitchenware that has duties ranging from crushing fresh herbs to grinding spices and turning tablets into powder
- The stainless steel is very durable
- The mortar is a bit deep with steep walls hence the powder does not bounce out easily when grinding
- It is beautifully crafted and looks awesome on the counter
- It is heavy, sturdy and stable due to the non-slip base.This will ensure that the grinding process is easier and comfortable.
CONS
- The inside of the mortar is too smooth for some applications.
- It may be delivered without a pestle.
The Best Mortar And Pestle:
Via: Amazon.com
Among the above reviews, I love the EZ-Grip porcelain and silicone mortar and pestle. It has a non-slip silicone base that can be detached. You can safely clean it in the dishwasher. This appliance is made of apothecary-grade porcelain. The qualities are great and attractive. It is durable, beautiful, and long lasting. It also comes with a silicone base that provides stability and drives away the worry of the mortar and pestle sliding or slipping on the counter during the grinding process. The pestle also comes with grip handle to make the grinding process comfortable and effortless.
If you need a grinder for your herbs, check the best grinder on the market.
