H&S Mortar and Pestle Set - Large Premium Solid Granite Stone Grinder Set - 16cm (6.3") Diameter - for Crushing & Mashing Herbs & Spices - 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 rice into flour breaking it in and didn't notice a lot of granite dust coming off. I went right to the in-bowl guacamole the next day. Some reviewers complained about eating a little granite dust, there's probaby more pebbles and dust in beans or rice. We eat several ounces of rock a year anyway. I mean heck, it's not like that's where kidney stones come from. Just don't snort it. "Rock Chalk, Jayhawk"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 dish brush.SIZE: It's big enough to grind salt, onion, cilantro and chile and then add 1 or 2 avocadoes and the rest. Perfect size for 1-2 Avocado guac recipe. 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.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 so happy with this purchase. I'm using it a lot for Thai cooking. For Pad Thai garnish, I grind driedred chile peppers and then add peanuts and grind them. The mortar goes straight to the table to serve and looks great!

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.

This mortar looks great, has the perfect capacity for grinding spices, it's durable, excellent quality, good arm and wrist excersizer.

Looks good, well made, appears durable, heavy.

Actually alot bigger than I thought and at an affordable price. Works amazing!

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.

Well structured, right sized pestle and big enough mortar for crushing herbs/guac - recommend this product

I read the other reviews about breakage and hoped for the best. Stone is iffy sometimes, but I've had it for some time now and used it a lot, and mine is still in one piece. Or two pieces, really, but not more.