Velaze Large Mortar and Pestle Set, 100% Granite, Natural Unpolished, Herb Crusher, Spice Grinder, Stone Grinder Bowl for Making Guacamole and Pesto, 6.3 Inch Pestle and 16 oz Mortar(2 Cup)

Based on first impressions everything looks good. It is nicely done cast iron. The finish doesn’t seem like it’s painted on. The pestle is heavy and has a long handle it will aid with the crushing and grinding. The mortar is a nice size it’s like a large soup bowl with a round flat thick heavy base. The inside of the mortar has texture it is not smooth that will also help with the grinding. Now I am not using it for food I am using it for crushing and grinding non edible organic materials. I like granite and marble as these don’t retain odor but wanted to try cast iron. It’s the same cast iron like your cast iron dutch ovens and pans. Cast iron hates water and humidity it will rust quick if not dried after washing(I prefer not using dishwashing liquid just hot water and a plastic scraper on my cooking cast iron pans. Cast iron needs a coating after using it so I use either grapeseed oil or avocado oil to apply a protective coating( these work well for high temperatures) I have used olive oil before and also works well. But a mortar and pestle won’t be used to cook or exposed to high temperatures so I use mineral oil (yes the laxative one) don’t worry it won’t affect you in such small quantities. It is just to protect the surface from rust and it is food safe. The way the mortar and pestle looks it seems to be already cured, meaning it has a baked in coating already. You can do that if you want; meaning cure it yourself. Wash it, scrub it both mortar and pestle, hand dry it with napkins or a cloth. Apply a light coating of your oil of choice, throw it in the oven at a low setting 150-175 degrees for 15-20 minutes. Most commonly used cooking oils have a flash point over 400 degrees so it will not catch fire. I burn hot charcoal inside some other cast iron bowls I have and it burns at over 1000 degrees it doesn’t harm the cast iron. Be aware cast iron does conduct heat very well and it retains heat for a good while. Love cooking protein on cast iron. Before your first use of the mortar and pestle just do a quick grind with any coarse salt to dislodge anything from the inside surface of the mortar then wash and dry that would be my minimum recommendation before using. If you want to throw in the oven with your favorite oil that would be even better. You can repeat these steps as often as you need. It won’t harm the mortar and pestle.

Great size. Very heavy duty. Requires seasoning with oil and baking in oven before 1st use to prevent rusting but so worth it. It’s my favorite and I have several others that I’ll probably never use again. I have now given as a gift as well. My friend loves it too! It’s worth the price as it looks and feels high end. I’ve had no issues with scratching. Mine is used often and still looks great. I do apply oil after each wash.

This mortar and pestle set is exceptional, offering heavy-duty construction and excellent value. The pestle is ergonomically designed for comfortable handling during herb grinding, and the set is effortlessly cleaned. Its stable base prevents slippage during use, ensuring efficient grinding. Furthermore, it effectively preserves the freshness of spices, yielding a consistently smooth texture. I wish they had lighter color options. No chemical smell. And the herbs keep their smells as well

Very good set, heavy and easy to use.

I’ve been using it for more than 6 months and never been disappointed by it. Strong, durable and reliable!

I bought for a Christmas gift and I want to keep it. It is nice and heavy with the pestle that would fit in your hands nicely. Nice size all the way around.

I absolutely love my Velaze Mortar and Pestle Set! The quality is excellent—strong, durable, and beautifully made. It’s a stunning addition to my mortar collection, and I’m so glad I chose this color. This was definitely a happy and satisfying purchase!

Worked great.