A few years ago I got a Gorilla brand granite mortar and pestle. I seasoned it as directed and got quite a bit of use out of it, then I stopped cooking for a while and it got kind of…well, gross. It’s possible that I spilled something on it, but portions of the bowl and exterior are a darker color now. I guess I’m afraid with the relatively porous granite that it’s full of rancid garlic effluvium. Does anyone know how to clean this thing? Should I just pitch it?
Before: https://imgur.com/a/lWyQNGH
After: See Google album link (I tried again to use imgur and my phone crashed 😆)
Alt share because imgur is being a pain: https://photos.app.goo.gl/LzXZoxnhdEvmQHug7
Edit: Edited to include links to “before” images. Edit #2: Added a backup Google album Edit #3: Added after images to Google album
I’m sorry but what does cast iron have to do with a mortar and pestle? Am I your AI hallucination? (If you are human or English is not your first language, please disregard.)
You misread. They mean a thicker layer of polymerized oils building up would produce a “cast iron pan” effect on the granite. A layer reminiscent of what people try to achieve on well seasoned cast iron.
I mean, maybe. That seems unlikely with granite. It’s like a big, dense sponge.
I was thinking through what would happen should the OP follow the advice by another user which recommended baking the mortar and pestle.
Since it has a heavy film of fats,my thought is that baking at a low temp would create a finish similar to that on seasoned cast iron. I’m not thinking that would be a plus but others might think otherwise.