H&S Mortar and Pestle Set - Large Premium Solid Granite Stone Grinder Bowl - 16cm (6.3") - Molcajete, Herb Crusher, Spice Grinder Bowl, Avocado, Salsa, Pesto, Guacamole Pestle and Mortar Bowl - Black

After looking at Molcajetes, which seemed to be lower-quality and higher-priced, and made of Basalt which I wouldn't take for Granite, I decided on this Mortar and Pestle. This is well-finished, polished where it needs to be, rough where it needs to be. I ground a few ounces of uncooked rice into flour breaking it in and didn't notice much granite dust coming off—the color change would be a tipoff. I went right to the in-bowl guacamole the next day. Some reviewers complained about creating a little granite dust. If you grind stone-to-stone you will create granite dust, try to have enough product in the mortar. When smashing product, the "chink-chink" noises alert you that you're hitting stone-on-stone, try to avoid that as much as possible. QUALITY: Mine was made from a homogenous chunk of granite, no large inclusions or faults. UTILITY: Pounds and grinds like (insert your favorite risque metaphor) umm, like nobody's business. I was able to grind peppercorns into powder and Pasillas into paste. Purrfect. The pestle has enough weight to do some serious smashing and smooshing. Easy clean-up with water and a brush. SIZE: It's big enough to grind salt, onion, cilantro, garlic and chiles all at once yet small enough you can cover with your free hand to keep things from flying out...especially chile pepper juice to the eyes. I've used it quite a bit and never needed more mortar space. Has plenty of mass to hold the cold if used to serve guacamole fridge-to-table for several people. Suitable to serve in-situ. WEIGHT: It's heavy, which makes it stable, use it on a cutting board or place a towel under it. If you have strength or hand issues, it's not recommended because if you drop it, it will break. your. foot. The outer bowl is finely polished, use caution carrying with wet or oily hands. See update pic that shows 7 lb. 6 oz. weight. I consider this hefty tools weight an asset not a liability. FINISH: I could only hope my gravestone is this nicely finished. Highly polished outside/appearance surfaces and machined nicely and left rough on grinding surfaces. PRICE: The price is just right. After shopping Mexican Molcajetes and Thai Kroks...this is a steal. Even if you do drop it and it breaks, you're only out 30 bucks. Seriously considering buying another for a backup, next year this will only be more $$. Prime too, got it in 2 days. Have you priced glacial erratics lately?! UPDATE: I am still very happy with this purchase. I'm using it a lot for Thai cooking, smashing garlic & Thai chiles. For Pad Thai garnish, I grind dried red chile peppers and peanuts. The mortar chills well in the fridge and holds the cold. Goes straight to the table to serve and looks great! (I've included a photo of another granite food processor that's been in the family quite a while :)

When this arrived, I thought it was too big, too heavy, and I made a mistake. After giving it a try, I would not mess with anything much smaller. This is a great tool! The larger, heavier mortar (bowl) stays in place as I grind. I don't really have to hold it much. I place it on a silicon matt and it stays right where I place it. The stout pestle (grinder) is perfect for my small hand with some carpel-tunnel issues. I can use a looser grip, letting the weight of the pestle do the grinding. I've used it on herbs & spices so far. I can quickly crush the to the desired consistency. It rinses and cleans up quickly. I haven't tried it on anything moist like avocados. I choose to store mine away. It is beautiful and could be left on the counter or given as a housewarming gift.

Well made, heavy as heck, and the right size/proportions to get the job done. Arrived as pictured and without any cracks/defects. After going through a few other sets with... mixed results, this set was the clear winner.

Little heavier than expected but Great product and does the job.

I've used this exactly three times. It does what it's supposed to do, and is of adequate size for curry pastes, etc. I've not experienced cracks or anything else that can be described as negative. It's polished well enough, and the grit on the inside and the pestle is adequate. Be sure to season it and grind up some rice with salt to "season" it. Nice profile design and isn't too big or too small. There are no rubber feet on the bottom but if it slides around, put a towel underneath it, like you would do with any other bowl. I can recommend.

Just what I was looking for, just what it needs to be solid and heavy….grinding away

Very large, great quality, and it works great.

I've tried others they were slippery from inner surface n all spices ginger garlic everything used to slip...this one doesn't! it has non slippery surface for both mortar and pestle and has good spacious inner bowl too...perfect for my cooking perpetrations. Use it everyday. Love the quality too.

Pour un cadeau, je l'ai pris un peu trop gros. Il est très lourd.

Le mortier que j'ai reçu était en bon état. Il est solide et on peut piler sans problème. Il faut reconnaître que le poids est assez élevé et peut poser problème. Après avoir pilé de l'ail ou autre il faut rincer à l'eau bouillante. Je suis satisfait par rapport à mon usage.

Wonderful product

Över allt förväntan! Vacker eftersom den är putsad och svart på utsidan. Lite som marmor, men mer tålig. Lättare att hålla snygg. Praktisk och tillräckligt stor insida. Rundad botten och grov insida vilket gör det lätt att mortla. Tung så att den står stabilt. Enkel och välgjord.

Quality!