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semi OT - granite mortar and pestle

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Canugghead
Canugghead Posts: 11,512
edited November -1 in EggHead Forum
after grinding roasted cumin seeds my porous granite mortar and pestle picked up the smell that won't go away. can i seal it with granite countertop sealer to 'mask' the smell and prevent picking up new smells in the future? thanks.
Gary
canuckland
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  • stike
    stike Posts: 15,597
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    well, you'll be grinding a little sealer each time, re-exposing the cumin

    what have you done to wash it? bleach and soap 9even the dishwasher) shouldn't hurt it
    ed egli avea del cul fatto trombetta -Dante
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  • BoroBGE
    BoroBGE Posts: 30
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    It wouldn't hurt. I previously was in the granite business, so I am familiar with the many sealers out there. You are going to want an impregnating sealer, so it will actually wick into all of the pores. Any sealer you buy from your hardware store will need reapplication about twice a year.

    This is all spoken from someone who has experience in countertops, so it could be a whole different ballgame for the M&P. Let us know your results. Good luck!
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 11,512
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    stike, i've only used water, gonna put it in dishwasher next time but bleach?... i'm afraid to go that far :blush:

    BoroBGE, i'll seal it after washing in dishwasher and drying. i would think it needs retreating more frequently than twice a year though, you don't grind stuff on countertop :woohoo:

    Gary
    canuckland
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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
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    Gary,

    I wouldn't seal it. If you clean it the smell will fade with exposure to air. I have a couple of polished granite ones I will happily trade for yours. They just don't work as well.

    Steve

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • stike
    stike Posts: 15,597
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    why?

    just use lemon and salt then, like a cutting board.

    you aren't supposed to seal a mortar and pestle.
    ed egli avea del cul fatto trombetta -Dante
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  • Little Steven
    Little Steven Posts: 28,817
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    Dammit, I had him eating out of my hand there

    Steve 

    Caledon, ON

     

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  • fishlessman
    fishlessman Posts: 32,740
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    mines soapstone, turned from a dark slate color to a psychodelic green when i ground up some turmeric in it :laugh: i dont taste it grinding other spices in it
    fukahwee maine

    you can lead a fish to water but you can not make him drink it
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 11,512
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    guess it's my ignorance, i instinctively associate bleach with laundry, drain cleaner and such.

    just followed your advice of washing with lemon and salt and voila! the smell in the pestle is gone and just a trace lingers in the mortar, air drying should take care of that.

    really appreciate your help!

    Gary
    canuckland
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 11,512
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    haha, nice try!
    canuckland
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  • Hungry Celeste
    Hungry Celeste Posts: 534
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    Grinding up dry rice will also remove/absorb lingering odors. Pound it to a powder then brush it away.
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
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    I thought that was what was supposed to happen! Ever read up on how to prep a Molcajete?

    Lava rock...
    molcajete-mortar-pestle.jpg

    Try sealing THAT!

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 11,512
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    thanks for the heads up Michael, just watched couple of youtubes on how to season a mocajete, very interesting/educational.
    Gary
    canuckland
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
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    I keep meaning to get one, but haven't yet. Son's birthday is coming up and he wants one too. Maybe I'll buy two and practice seasoning on his. hahaha

    If I had one, perhaps even I could learn to like avocado. But don't tell Judy Mayberry. :)

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • Judy Mayberry
    Judy Mayberry Posts: 2,015
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    Secret Santa, Secret Santa, Secret Santa, let me draw Michael's name....
    Judy in San Diego
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  • Judy Mayberry
    Judy Mayberry Posts: 2,015
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    When I got one like in your the picture many years ago, I was told to grind rice to a powder to "season" it. The rice powder was really dark and dirty by the end, so I really scrubbed it. It never made the guacamole dirty looking after that, but anyone who uses one of these should give it a good cleaning!
    Judy in San Diego
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 11,512
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    i got this one ...
    http://www.fresco-intl.com/products/view/mm-granite-mortar-and-pestle
    guess it's in a different category because i just went through the rice grinding seasoning process THREE times, the ground rice powder came out snow white from start to finish. don't want to grind in garlic, salt and coriander/cumin as shown on youtube though.
    Gary
    canuckland
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  • Judy Mayberry
    Judy Mayberry Posts: 2,015
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    Gary:

    I was referring to the molcajete pictured in Michael's post, not your granite one. It's a rough, completely different type of finish and stone than yours is.
    Judy in San Diego
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  • Carolina Q
    Carolina Q Posts: 14,831
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    Gary, molcajetes need to be seasoned. The type you have does not.

    I hate it when I go to the kitchen for food and all I find are ingredients!                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

    Michael 
    Central Connecticut 

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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 11,512
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    Judy, I realised that, just wanted to share my rice grinding experience to illustrate one of the differences.
    Gary
    canuckland
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  • boston_stoker
    boston_stoker Posts: 794
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    If you get tired of using the mortar, try using a coffee bean grinder. Sorry, I can't help with your immediate problem.
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  • Canugghead
    Canugghead Posts: 11,512
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    yes i have an old, spare coffee grinder for spices. just need to remember not to try grinding chunks of lumped brown sugar again, don't ask how i know :blush:
    canuckland
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