We tested eight mortar and pestle sets made of granite, marble, wood, and stainless steel to find the one worth making room for in your kitchen
We made a lot of pesto to test eight mortar and pestle sets made of granite, wood, stainless steel, and marble.
By Jennifer Ford
Even with the convenience of blenders and food processors, there’s still something special about using a mortar and pestle in the kitchen. Grinding spices or other ingredients by hand brings out a freshness and vibrancy you simply don’t get from premade, store-bought options. I realized this the first time I made pesto from scratch: The flavor was so pungent and lively that I found myself wondering if I’d ever truly tasted fresh pesto before.
But not all mortar and pestle sets are created equal. To find out which ones are actually worth buying, I tested eight products made of wood, marble, stainless steel, and granite—grinding whole peppercorns and crushing garlic, pine nuts, basil, and olive oil into a pesto sauce. I did not test glass mortar and pestle sets, as they are not ideal for grinding ingredients. What I found is that material and size make a big difference, and that none of the mortars (bowls) managed to keep all the ingredients inside.
Here are my top three picks—and a few that didn’t quite make the cut.
Vasconia 4-Cup Granite Molcajete Mortar and Pestle
The Vasconia Granite 4-cup Mortar and Pestle is the largest and heaviest model I tested—and the most effective. The stone’s weight and the unfinished granite’s naturally rough texture made quick work of both dry spices and fresh ingredients alike. The heavy base, which has three short legs, kept the bowl locked in place while I worked, and the pestle’s rounded handle was comfortable to grip and gave me good control while mashing. The one downside of this 7.5-pound set is that some ingredients left faint stains on the stone, though nothing held onto its smell.
Cole & Mason Granite Mortar and Pestle
The Cole & Mason Granite Mortar and Pestle is a close runner-up to our top pick. At 5.91 inches, it’s a bit smaller but delivers a similarly satisfying mash. Its lighter weight makes it much easier to lift and tilt when you’re ready to transfer ingredients. The long pestle was a highlight too, making both mixing and stamping feel natural and controlled. The one thing to watch is that peppercorns and other dry ingredients have a tendency to bounce out of the bowl during grinding, though once contained it ground everything down to a fine, even texture.
Cleaning up was a breeze. The brand recommends not using soap, but I washed the mortar and pestle with soap and water before reading the instructions, and there was no damage or lingering odors—a good sign for longevity for this 4-pound set.
Fox Run Brands Stainless Steel Mortar and Pestle Set
The Fox Run Stainless Steel Mortar and Pestle is a solid budget-friendly pick at $29, and it held its own against pricier options. Weighing just 1.2 pounds, it handled both wet and dry ingredients without any trouble, and the slim pestle was comfortable to grip and easy to maneuver. Cleanup was quick and effortless (it’s dishwasher-safe), with no lingering odors. A few things to keep in mind: The mash was sometimes uneven, ingredients occasionally escaped the bowl during grinding, and the bowl moved slightly during use despite the anti-slip bottom. It’s not as polished as the granite models, but for the price, it’s a capable little set that will get the job done.
Other Mortar and Pestle Sets We Tested
Not every mortar and pestle I tested made the cut. The following models had some redeeming qualities and, in a few cases, looked beautiful on the counter, but ultimately fell short when it came to delivering a smooth, consistent mash where it counts most.
Crate & Barrel Acacia Wood Mortar and Pestle
The Crate & Barrel Acacia Wood Mortar and Pestle is a beautiful set that looks great on a countertop, but it has some practical limitations. It managed dry ingredients reasonably well with some effort, but making pesto was a slow, labor-intensive process. The bowl tended to slide around during use, and ingredients often spilled out mid-grind. And though it’s lightweight and easy to clean, the food smells lingered on the wood longer than any other material. If aesthetics are a priority, it’s a lovely addition to any kitchen, but for serious grinding tasks, you may want to consider our top picks.
Viva Oliva Olive Wood Mortar & Pestle
The Viva Oliva Olive Wood Mortar and Pestle is a gorgeous set. Its slim pestle fits comfortably in your hand and gives you great control while mashing. The main limitation is its depth and capacity: It’s not well-suited to larger tasks like pesto, where ingredients can quickly overflow. It also tends to slide around during use, so you’ll likely need to hold it in place with your free hand. On the upside, it’s lightweight, easy to clean, and doesn’t retain food smells after washing.
Lynzavix Stainless Steel Non-Slip Base Large Mortar and Pestle
The Lynzavix Stainless Steel Mortar and Pestle was the most disappointing set I tested. Despite its non-slip base, it slid around constantly during use, and ingredients flew out of the bowl with nearly every stroke. The mash was inconsistent and mostly chunky—the garlic simply wouldn’t break down properly, which cut the pesto test short. It also picked up light scratches after just one use, which isn’t a great sign for longevity. The slim pestle was easy to grip, and cleanup was simple with no lingering odors, but those are small consolations for a set that struggled with the basics. At $45, you’re better off putting that money toward one of the granite options.
Crate & Barrel French Kitchen Marble Mortar and Pestle
The French Kitchen Marble Mortar and Pestle from Crate & Barrel is undeniably stunning—it’s the kind of piece that looks like it belongs on a kitchen counter permanently. And in that role, it excels. As a functional grinding tool, though, it fell short. The mash was inconsistent for both wet and dry ingredients, and ingredients had a tendency to escape the bowl during use. It’s heavy and sturdy, stayed put during testing, and was easy to clean with no lingering odors, so the bones are there. But if you’re buying a mortar and pestle to actually use, you’ll find the granite options deliver far better results for a similar price.
Ikea Ädelsten Mortar and Pestle
The Ikea Ädelsten is hard to argue with at $25. It looks the part and won’t take up much of your budget. But in testing, it struggled to deliver a smooth, consistent mash with both wet and dry ingredients, and ingredients often spilled out of the mortar during use. It also slid around during grinding despite its weight (6 pounds). If you’re looking for something decorative or just need an occasional light-duty grind, it’ll do. But for anything more demanding, it’s worth spending a little more.
How We Evaluated Mortar and Pestle Sets
To find the best mortar and pestle, I tested eight different models using both dry and wet ingredients. For my dry test, I ground whole black peppercorns to see how each tool handled tough spices. For the wet test, I made a traditional pesto to see how well they blended herbs, nuts, and oil into a smooth paste. I ran every test for exactly 60 seconds, then judged the results based on texture and consistency. I did not count any grinding time past that 60-second mark for my final scoring. Because different models grind at totally different speeds, using the exact same time limit was the only way to keep the comparison fair and equal.
How to Clean and Season Your Mortar and Pestle
I reached out to Cole & Mason for instructions on how to properly clean and season stone mortars. This process helps remove lingering stone dust and odors, leaving your granite mortar ready for first-time use.
According to the brand, begin by rinsing the mortar with water only (do not use soap) and letting it air-dry. Next, grind a small handful of white rice in the mortar. Discard the rice and repeat this process until the ground rice stays white, indicating the stone dust has been removed.
For a final seasoning step, add four cloves of garlic and mash them in the mortar. Then add 1 teaspoon each of cumin, salt, and pepper, and grind everything together thoroughly. Discard the mixture, rinse the mortar again with water (without soap), and let it air dry completely.
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