Best type of Mortar and Pestle to use to grind own spice? Seeking suggestions

Smiter Q · 12-12-2011, 03:17 PM

Hi all,

Been looking at some mortar and pestles. Seen some of volcanic rock, some of marble, some soapstone. Some when I look at them seem to create "Stone Chalk" upon checking them out in the store. I have a large food processor, a mini one, and would like to add a M+P to the collection. Though.. not really sure what I think about eating stone dust with my food.

Seeking thoughts and suggestions on this. I am fairly laid back on my food prep, but not sure how the chalk would effect the spices and food. Thanks for the ideas.

caseydog · 12-12-2011, 03:21 PM

I have a marble M-P set. I have no problems with stone dust -- ever. No problems with staining, either, when I do wet/dry grinding.

CD

buccaneer · 12-12-2011, 03:25 PM

Brian I went with the rough granite, the grey green ones with a rough textured surface.
This was only because that's what my Thai cooking friend recommended as being superior for getting the job done quicker.
Never had a problem, 20 years now.

otterpop · 12-12-2011, 03:30 PM

My Mom's mortar and pestle is hardwood, like walnut. No chalk dust and no saw dust.
I use a pepper mill or a coffee grinder.

Steve W · 12-12-2011, 03:49 PM

I have a rough-ish marble M&P. The smooth ones work alright if you only want to crush something, but the rougher surfaced ones shine when you want to pulverize something to powder with a stirring motion. The smooth ones tend to let you just push things around without much grinding action.

Once you have actual stuff in there to grind, dust is much less of a problem.

landarc · 12-12-2011, 04:07 PM

I use a marble one currently, it works great. It is too small, get a large deep one.

Oldyote · 12-12-2011, 04:12 PM

We have this one.

No complaints so far.

http://www.chefscatalog.com/product/...nd-pestle.aspx

Bbq Bubba · 12-12-2011, 07:20 PM

IMO, stone dust is too fine for use in BBQ.
Rubs should be made of granulated spice to help promote bark and increase flavor.

YMMV.

D.F. Expat · 12-12-2011, 08:07 PM

I just use a cheap electric coffee grinder, works great for me. I do use a P&M fo wet stuff though.

Soulman1282 · 12-12-2011, 08:11 PM

Granite all the way. It's what the pyramids are made out of, and they're still standing! Marble ones always seems to have the shiny smooth interior that doesn't grip the spices. I got a Thai made one on ebay for about $35 including shipping. Nice and big, with a smooth, yet not shiny interior and it is awesome!!

Eatin Smoke · 12-12-2011, 08:13 PM

I use a granite M&P that I purchased from Amazon. Works great and is a perfect size (2 Cup Capacity). Never had any problems with rock dust.

stubshaft · 12-12-2011, 08:20 PM

I don't know if this is the best, but I've been using it for over 20 years for both wet and dry grinding.

Steve W · 12-12-2011, 08:51 PM

Stub, that looks awesomely effective, if a bit harder to clean in the grooves :)

stubshaft · 12-12-2011, 10:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve W

Stub, that looks awesomely effective, if a bit harder to clean in the grooves :)

Actually it's quite easy to clean the grooves are relatively smooth so a quick swipe with a brush cleans it up real well.

Phrasty · 12-13-2011, 01:27 AM

This is the one I have! It's granite and it works great.

A note on the stone dust btw... I use to be wary of it as well and I learnt that you should "season" stone M&Ps by running a TB or 2 or rice through it a bit.

Another thing to take in mind stone powder is from stone to stone contact. whenever you'll be using it you will have spices or whatever buffering that contact.

Cheers

12-12-2011, 03:17 PM	#1
Smiter Q is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 05-05-10 Location: Austin - TX Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Best type of Mortar and Pestle to use to grind own spice? Seeking suggestions Hi all, Been looking at some mortar and pestles. Seen some of volcanic rock, some of marble, some soapstone. Some when I look at them seem to create "Stone Chalk" upon checking them out in the store. I have a large food processor, a mini one, and would like to add a M+P to the collection. Though.. not really sure what I think about eating stone dust with my food. Seeking thoughts and suggestions on this. I am fairly laid back on my food prep, but not sure how the chalk would effect the spices and food. Thanks for the ideas. __________________ Brian: Weber: OTG + Lime Performer - - Keeping the Armor On - Eph. 6:11

12-12-2011, 03:21 PM	#2
caseydog somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 07-08-10 Location: Dallas, TX Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	I have a marble M-P set. I have no problems with stone dust -- ever. No problems with staining, either, when I do wet/dry grinding. CD __________________ 1995 Red Weber 22.5 Master's Touch with Cajun Bandit Rotisserie mod, 18.5 WSM with iQue 110, 18.5 OTG, Copper Smokey Joe Gold with Mini-WSM mod, Black Smokey Joe Platinum (Jumbo Joe) IMBAS Certified MOINK Baller. From hero to ZERO in just one week! Are you ready for a THROWDOWN?

12-12-2011, 03:25 PM	#3
buccaneer Babbling Farker Join Date: 10-23-10 Location: Sunset City Western Australia Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Brian I went with the rough granite, the grey green ones with a rough textured surface. This was only because that's what my Thai cooking friend recommended as being superior for getting the job done quicker. Never had a problem, 20 years now. __________________ The only current member banned for life! Why is there a sign on vending machines at Buddhist Temples saying "Change Is Inevitable?"

12-12-2011, 03:30 PM	#4
otterpop On the road to being a farker Join Date: 01-14-11 Location: Kailua, HI Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	My Mom's mortar and pestle is hardwood, like walnut. No chalk dust and no saw dust. I use a pepper mill or a coffee grinder. __________________ WGA, OTP, UDS,Red Mastertouch, & Teal Thermapen

12-12-2011, 04:07 PM	#6
landarc somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 06-26-09 Location: San Leandro, CA Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use a marble one currently, it works great. It is too small, get a large deep one. __________________ "perhaps...but then again...maybe not..." careful there son, those ribs are boiling hot... \_\|_/ (='.'=) Here there be bunnies... (")_(")ooo Pacific Rim BBQ Bob's Brew and Que

12-12-2011, 03:49 PM	#5
Steve W Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 09-14-11 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I have a rough-ish marble M&P. The smooth ones work alright if you only want to crush something, but the rougher surfaced ones shine when you want to pulverize something to powder with a stirring motion. The smooth ones tend to let you just push things around without much grinding action. Once you have actual stuff in there to grind, dust is much less of a problem.

12-12-2011, 04:12 PM	#7
Oldyote is One Chatty Farker Join Date: 11-24-10 Location: Duluth MN Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	We have this one. No complaints so far. http://www.chefscatalog.com/product/...nd-pestle.aspx __________________ 2 Large Big Green Eggs, 1 Hybrid Grill, 1 restored Weber Performer in Green, 1 S-330 and 1 new super secret cooker so secret that not even I have seen it yet. Proud Member of the Zero's Club CLICK HERE to visit the BBQ Brethren Throwdowns "earthbound but aspiring.... A lumbering soul but trying to fly...(with)...not enough wingspread but plenty of intention."

12-12-2011, 07:20 PM	#8
Bbq Bubba somebody shut me the fark up. Join Date: 05-03-07 Location: New Baltimore, Mi. Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	IMO, stone dust is too fine for use in BBQ. Rubs should be made of granulated spice to help promote bark and increase flavor. YMMV. __________________ Pitmaster @ Lockharts BBQ Beer Snob I cook the best brisket north of Dallas. Get over it. Northern midwest director for OBR www.operationbbqrelief.com

12-12-2011, 08:07 PM	#9
D.F. Expat Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 04-26-07 Location: Mexico City Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I just use a cheap electric coffee grinder, works great for me. I do use a P&M fo wet stuff though. __________________ Stoked UDS 2.0 and OTS Formerly known as Smokin Newbie

12-12-2011, 08:11 PM	#10
Soulman1282 On the road to being a farker Join Date: 11-15-11 Location: Springfield, MO Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Granite all the way. It's what the pyramids are made out of, and they're still standing! Marble ones always seems to have the shiny smooth interior that doesn't grip the spices. I got a Thai made one on ebay for about $35 including shipping. Nice and big, with a smooth, yet not shiny interior and it is awesome!! __________________ Justin Myrick, Chef, Eagle Scout, Char-Griller Pro Deluxe offset

12-12-2011, 08:13 PM	#11
Eatin Smoke On the road to being a farker Join Date: 11-26-11 Location: Valparaiso, IN Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I use a granite M&P that I purchased from Amazon. Works great and is a perfect size (2 Cup Capacity). Never had any problems with rock dust.

12-12-2011, 08:20 PM	#12
stubshaft Full Fledged Farker Join Date: 12-05-11 Location: State of Confusion - Middle of the Pacific Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	I don't know if this is the best, but I've been using it for over 20 years for both wet and dry grinding. __________________ If God didn't want man to eat animals. He wouldn't have made them out of MEAT! Last edited by stubshaft; 01-14-2012 at 12:48 AM..

12-12-2011, 08:51 PM	#13
Steve W Knows what a fatty is. Join Date: 09-14-11 Location: Salt Lake City, UT Downloads: 0 Uploads: 0	Stub, that looks awesomely effective, if a bit harder to clean in the grooves :)

12-13-2011, 01:27 AM	#15
Phrasty Babbling Farker Join Date: 01-19-08 Location: Jamaica Downloads: 1 Uploads: 0	This is the one I have! It's granite and it works great. A note on the stone dust btw... I use to be wary of it as well and I learnt that you should "season" stone M&Ps by running a TB or 2 or rice through it a bit. Another thing to take in mind stone powder is from stone to stone contact. whenever you'll be using it you will have spices or whatever buffering that contact. Cheers __________________ 1 - 100 lb. self-made cylinder grill/smoker 1 - 100 lb. self-made cylinder smoker 1 - 20 gal. self-made grill/smoker 1 - 25 gal. self-made vertical smoker 1 - 120 gal. self-made trailer stick-burner http://www.bbq-brethren.com/forum/sh...ad.php?t=88599

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