Molcajete - Mortar and Pestle?

GrannyX4

Going shopping tomorrow and I'm in the market for what I thought would be a mortar and pestle until I came across a molcajete. I don't know the difference between the two. I'm looking for something to mash garlic for vinaigrettes. Does anyone have a favorite?

Chubbs

@Solson will be here shortly. Uses it on every cook I think.

Eggcelsior

A molcajete is a Mexican mortar and pestle. It is made from basalt. They need to be broken in with dry white rice. Awesome for grinding since they have a rough surface.

Eggcelsior

PS Williams Sonoma has one for 50 bucks. It's nice and deep, as some can be pretty shallow.

Solson005

@Chubbs is right I love it and use it for all sorts of things. I received it as a gift and thought it was a molcajete but now that I actually use it weekly and I talked to my father the geologist who gave it to me, it is actually Thai Granite I got the 8". This website has some really cool stuff and I picked up a Tao Charcoal Burner to have a ultra portable Wok cooking device. 

I needed to put one more coat of mineral oil on the pestle in this picture but it looks like the other one now. 

Pretty much every culture has some form of the mortar and pestle. I really like mine and as @Eggcelsior said many of the cheaper ones can be pretty shallow, mine can also be a serving bowl as you see from the picture. 

GrannyX4

One Granite and one marble. Before I got confused I was leaning toward the granite but why would I want a marble one too? ;;)

GrannyX4

Eggcelsior, I'll take a look at WS tomorrow. Thanks for clearing the fog on the differences between the two. ;;)

Solson005

My granite ones are heavy 15 lbs, not an issue for me, but something to think about.  I think it actually helps is not slide around when grinding up things. I use it to grind pepper when I do briskets. 

GrannyX4

Whoa! 15 pounds. That isn't the little motar and pestle I was thinking of. Thanks. ;;)

Solson005

Yeah I went to put it away last night and figured it would be something to consider. Post if you end up getting one & good luck on your search!

Skiddymarker

Didn't see it mentioned above, but also look at the interior of the mortar. Some are polished smooth, others have a rough surface, usually the result of turning. Depends on what you are grinding, the rough surface will grind more effectively. 

Personal preference, but to crush garlic, (typically with ginger) I like my glass smooth ceramic mortar. The rough granite one I save for herbs and spices. 

Eggcelsior

I have a wooden M&P known as a pilón from Puerto Rico. I bought it from a local vendor selling their wares at the Bacardi factory. It is fantastic!

GrannyX4

Oh so many to choose from. I ended up with a le creuset little white mortar and pestle and I can lift it. ;;)

Botch

Skiddymarker said:

Didn't see it mentioned above, but also look at the interior of the mortar. Some are polished smooth, others have a rough surface, usually the result of turning. Depends on what you are grinding, the rough surface will grind more effectively. 

Personal preference, but to crush garlic, (typically with ginger) I like my glass smooth ceramic mortar. The rough granite one I save for herbs and spices. 

I looked at  both molcajetes and the small, smooth marble mortar & pestles; ended up with the latter.  I was more worried about how easy the molca's would be to clean, with all the rough surface that could grab onto ground spices, garlic, etc.  

For you molca owners, how easy are they to clean?  

Solson005

Thai granite is textured but smooth the link to buy mine is in my first post, I bought a second one I like mine so much. Super easy to clean.

Solson005

I have never been disappointed with anything le creuset I'm sure it will be a good fit for you!

That reminds me, they just put in a Le Creuset store at the outlet mall here in town I will have to go take a look and see if they have anything I can't live without… 

GrannyX4

Outlet mall in Orlando is where we did our damage yesterday spreading the wealth. Not much in the way of deals but more the fact that I was able to touch, see, feel, and buy instead of ordering on line. Mashed a garlic clove for olive oil and I think I'm going to like my new toy. ;;)

Z_Eggineer

Ikea has a marble mortar and pestle for $15.  It has two sizes on both the bowl and grinder (inaccurate terms I know).

Solson005

Glad you like it! I feel the same way with most cooking things. 

Yeah last time I was at the Le Creuset store I spent WAY too much money so I try to stay away because everything is so nice. I like their spatulas since you can just take the silicone off the wood handle and throw it in the dishwasher and the little potholder things that are just big enough to fit over the knob of the lid. 

@Z_Eggineer Ikea is another store that I always find way more things then originally planned. I'm really glad I have to goto another state to the closest Ikea.. I'm usually worn out by the time I get to the kitchen stuff, so I haven't spent much time in that area. Of course that was pre-Big Green Egg so next trip I might need a trailer. 

GrannyX4

Solson005, are you in OK city? We have relatives in Edmond. MDSH is an Okie from Hominy.

Solson005

I live in Edmond and love it here. Thankfully we are finally starting to get good grocery stores in the state, most of the big chains stay away since they cannot see wine and spirits and lose profits. I'm not too familiar with Hominy other than I know it is pretty close to Tulsa. 

Mickey

Just another thought: For mashing garlic for vinaigrettes why not the side of a wide knife on a cutting board with a little salt? Just saying.....

Solson005

@Mickey I use that method all the time works great! 

GrannyX4

Micky, I have mashed garlic like that in the past but the shoulders are gone and mortar was a little easier for me. Besides it was a good reason to go shopping and Chicos was right around the corner, imagine that! ;;)

GrannyX4

Solon, not much in Hominy. Hwy 99 goes right through it and on to Pawhuska home to the Pioneer Woman.

Charlie tuna

I got one for Christmas, kept my son-in-law busy the entire holiday seasoning it with rice.  Haven't used it yet??