Best Mortar and Pestle Set: Top 6 Picks

The mortar and pestle seems like it’s been around almost as long as time itself. The earliest ones date back to 35,000 BC. That’s old, right?

Mortar and Pestle: Why Do I Need Them?

Before we get into all the reasons why you need one of these things in your kitchen, and our top six picks, here’s a sneak peak at some of our favourites:

These handy tools have historically been using for a variety of purposes, from food preparation to medicinal use to masonry, alchemy and more. A pestle and mortar is a very handy tool that no household should be without!

Do you want to crack spices like peppercorns? No problem! Crush up medicine for your kids or pets? Easy peasy. Crush basil to make a delicious pesto. You’ll never use the food processor again! Hand grinding is just so much better for bringing out subtle flavours than an electric appliance like a coffee bean grinder. Plus, clean-up is quicker and easier too.

Plus, they have a nice, decorative feel to them and make a nice addition to any countertop. In particular, the granite and stone ones are perfect for this purpose.

Top 6 Mortar and Pestles

Are you looking for the top picks to grind things up at home? Do you find all the choices overwhelming and aren’t sure where to start? Not to worry. We’ve done the hard work for you. Keep on reading for our top six options that you’ll want to consider.

#1: ChefSofi Granite Mortar and Pestle

Our top pick for mortar and pestle is this large granite one that not only gets the job done quickly and easily, but it also looks great in any home kitchen or restaurant.

Besides that, we love companies that stand behind their products. And ChefSofi certainly does, offering a full refund in case you’re not happy with it. Try it risk free, but you’ll probably love this top quality granite mortar and pestle.

Key Features

• Made from unpolished, heavy granite
• Includes an anti-scratch protector
• Includes an Italian cooking Ebook
• 6 inch diameter
• 2-cup capacity
• Ergonomic design
• 100% money-back guarantee if you’re not happy with it
• Hand wash only (see recommendations here for a dish drainer rack)

What do People Think About It?

—>Read More Customer Reviews on Amazon<—

“High in quality and the materials are top-notch. It’s bigger than I though it would be and can easily handle two large avocados for making guacamole. Just about my only complaint is that the pestle is a little too short for the size of the bowl. But overall, super happy with it.”

“Really nice with great balance to it. I’ve used it crush seeds, nuts, coffee beans, medicine and other things too I’m sure. It’s probably my favourite kitchen tool these days and I kind of look for opportunities to use it!”

Shop Now

Does this large capacity granite mortar and pestle sound like the perfect option for you? Check it out for yourself on Amazon, and don’t forget to see if it’s eligible for fast, free shipping with a Prime membership:

#2: Tera Stainless Steel Mortar and Pestle Set

Do you have a kitchen filled with sleek stainless steel appliances? Then you might want to consider a stainless steel mortar and pestle as well to fit in with everything else. Besides appearances, this thing works very well and has some of the best reviews among all products in the category.

Features

• Made from 18/8 stainless steel
• Rustproof and resists damage from acidic foods
• Padding on the bottom keeps it from slipping around on the counter
• Food safe and easy to clean with just a rinse under the tap
• Translucent lid reduces mess
• 1 cup capacity

Customer Reviews

—>See More Reviews on Amazon.com<—

“Really nice quality and both pieces have a good weight to them. You can use it to crush just about anything and I love the lid that comes along with it. It’s a nice touch that many of the other ones don’t have.”

“Super durable and works extremely well for crushing up some of our adult food for our baby to eat for meals. You can clean it up in seconds because it’s stainless steel and it’s way less fussy and cheaper than those baby food blenders.”

Get yours Today

Do you want to find out more about this durable stainless steel mortar and pestle? You can head over to Amazon to learn more, and also to check for the lowest prices:

How to Condition a Granite Mortar Pestle

Check out this short video for all the details you need to know about how to look after your new kitchen tool!

#3: Extra-Large Mortar and Pestle Set

If you’re looking for a large mortar and pestle set, then you’ll certainly want to consider this one. A batch of guacamole for a party? No problem. A big batch of herbs? Sure! The extra-large 2-cup capacity can certainly handle it all. Besides that, there are a ton of other things you’ll like about it.

Important Features

• Made from unpolished granite
• Extra large capacity
• Comes with a bonus garlic peeler
• Protective pad for countertops
• Solidly built—weighs 5 pounds
• Unique pestle design makes grinding less tiring
• Pestle is also quite tall which helps prevent bruised knuckles!
• Full refund if you’re not happy with your purchase

User Reviews

—>Check out More Reviews on Amazon<—

Where Can I Find It?

Do you want to check out this extra-large mortar and pestle? Then click the button below to find the lowest prices:

#4: Koja Marble Mortar Pestle

If you’re looking for a marble mortar and pestle, then you’ll definitely want to consider this one from Koja. From the first time you have it in your hands, the quality is evident.

Combine that with the cool marbled look and it makes a really nice housewarming, Christmas or birthday gift. Keep on reading to find out more about why we like it so much.

Features 

• Ideal for spices, pastes, guacamole, curries and more
• Premium quality
• Super easy clean-up
• Large capacity
• Made from non-porous material which makes it food safe
• Made in Japan
• Lifetime warranty from the company

What do People Think About It?

—>Read More Reviews Online<—

“Size is perfect and also looks so nice on my countertop. When people come over, they always comment on how nice it looks. Besides that, love the lifetime warranty. It’s one of my favourite kitchen tools and I find an excuse to use it almost every single day.”

“It’s the perfect size for crushing up garlic cloves, or making a quick batch of pesto. I crush up all the garlic from my garden before freezing it to use later. Ideal for a pill or two as well. Can’t say enough good stuff about it, and it looks so nice too!”

Check Prices

Do you want to find out more about this top-notch marble mortar and pestle set from Japan? Then you’ll want to check it out over on Amazon, and don’t forget to see if it’s eligible for fast, free shipping with a Prime membership:

#5: Casa Maria Mortar and Pestle (Stone)

If you’re looking for a stone mortar and pestle, this one from Casa Maria should be at the top of your list. It’s not only super functional, but it’s beautifully designed as well. At 8.5 inches in diameter, it’s that perfect medium size—not too big, but not too small to do everything you’ll expect of it.

Key Features

• Made from durable stone
• 8.5 inch diameter
• Will last a lifetime
• Natural stone gets darker with time
• Very smooth finish
• Nice ergonomic design reduces hand fatigue

What are People Saying about It?

—>See More User Reviews on Amazon<—

“Works well and is a really nice looking piece to keep out on the counter. The pestle is a nice size and fits easily into my small hand. Super heavy which is ideal for using, but it makes clean-up a wee bit more difficult than the lighter ones.”

“Love this thing! It’s awesome how it gets darker the more you use it. I’d totally recommend this to anyone looking for a very heavy duty mortar and pestle that’s made from stone.”

Shop Now

This stone mortar and pestle is last but not least on our list of the top options to consider. Check right here to find the best prices:

#6: Bekith Stainless Steel Mortar and Pestle

If you’re looking for a solid set to grind up spices, medication or just about anything, then consider this one Bekith. It’s made from heavy-duty stainless steel that won’t rust and should last you a lifetime. Read on to find out all the details you need to know about this beautiful addition to any kitchen.

Important Features

• 18/8 brushed stainless steel
• Very durable
• Food grade steel
• Rust-proof
• Non skid base
• Translucent lid
• Easy to clean by hand or in the dishwasher

User Reviews for this Steel Mortar & Pestle

“High quality with excellent craftsmanship. It’s very smooth and has a nice finish to it, plus it just works well for grinding up pills, spices, etc.”

“Awesome mortar/pestle set. I particularly like that the stainless steel is super easy to clean up by just throwing it into the dishwasher, unlike the stone or wood ones that you can find. 

Buy it Today

This stainless set is certainly a beautiful option to consider. It’s super durable and should last you a lifetime. Click the button below to learn more about it here:

Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mortar and Pestle

When you’re deciding on the best mortar and pestle, there are a number of important things you’ll want to think about. Here are just a few of them.

Size

Some people prefer small mortar and pestles because they take up less space when not in use. They’re also lighter and easier to pick up and clean in the sink.

On the other hand, you may want to opt for a large, or extra-large one that has a 2-cup capacity or even more. If you want to make a large batch of guacamole, this larger one may be right for you. However, they’re often quite heavy which makes them a little bit more difficult to clean.

Materials

For mortar and pestles, you have a few different options in terms of materials. Granite and stainless steel are most popular, while you can also find stone and wood ones. We generally prefer granite or stainless steel because they’re durable, lighter and also relatively easy to clean.

Design

In terms of design, all things are not created equally! We prefer the wider ones with shorter pestles, or the taller mortars with longer pestles. This is so that your knuckles don’t get all busted up!

Besides that, it’s mostly a matter of personal preference and what feels good in your hands as you’re using it. Experiment with a few different ones and see which designs work best for you.

Reviews

When you’re buying anything, it’s prudent to check reviews first. Our best source for this is on Amazon, particularly the 3-4 star ones. They will give you the best indication of a product’s true strengths and weaknesses.

Price

Of course, price is a major consideration when buying kitchen tools. The good news is that mortar and pestles are relatively inexpensive. You can get one for well under $50 and many of the items on this list are in the $20-30 range.

Have your Say about the Best Mortar and Pestle

What are your thoughts about this list of the best mortar and pestle sets? Are you considering one of them from this list, or another option? Leave a comment below and let us know. We’d love to hear from you.

Also be sure to give this article a share on Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter. It’ll help other cooking enthusiasts, like yourself fint this useful resource.

Last update on 2021-04-09 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API