Cilio ""Goliath" Mortar and Pestle Set, one size, silver

I bought this granite mortar and pestle as a second choice because the marble set I tried to get kept getting damaged during shipment. Now, I'm glad because this set turned out to be great for grinding pepper and spices. The mortar is quite heavy, and you may need a mat to protect your countertop. It doesn't move around when you're using it, and I don't think (as heavy as it is) that it would move around much more without the protective map. The mortar depth and width are practical, not too shallow or narrow to complete your work. The pestle has no problem grinding pepper and spices. The set was delivered with no damage, and it looks very nice in my kitchen.

I have used this about 20 times now. I wanted granite because it is so much more durable than others. This is one thing made in China that is great. It works well for everything I have tried. It is heavy enough to pound spices like whole pepper corns and allspice and works well with grinding small amounts of fresh herbs like cilantro and parsley. It is very well made and heavy duty. If you break this one you have to really work at it. The size works well for smaller quantities and also has space and works well for larger quantities. I only wanted one size because of limited kitchen space and this one is great. It is the recommendation of Test Kitchen and I agree - for one mortar and pestle this is the one.

I spent a long time researching mortar and pestle for general use cases. And tried various materials over the years. This brand is highly rated for a good reason. I'm glad I spent a bit more on it, it's a much better value as a long-term kitchen tool.

An excellent mortar and pestle, with an ideal textured surface that breaks down herbs and spices efficiently. Deep enough to keep ingredients from escaping, and wide enough to accommodate large amounts. Anyone making pesto or any spice blends will be very pleased.Follow the directions for conditioning before use and you are ready to go.There is much debate on cleaning on the internet, including some that warn not to use soap. I have used dish soap and a brush for many years and, provided that I rinse it well with warm water find that it effectively removes the oil that accumulates in use and ensures no "carryover" from your previous use.Dry with a clean cloth (not a paper towel) and let sit to air dry thoroughly.

I’ve seen many reviews of broken pestles and mine arrived broken too. This seems like a design defect. What if it breaks during use, as others have mentioned happened to them? This should be a durable, lifetime product.

This size is great for use in a kitchen where you don't have to move it much. It's heavy, very heavy. That's probably a good thing if you need to use it with a significant amount of seeds, nuts, herbs, or other things. It probably will frustrate people if they have to semi-regularly remove it from a storage place for use. This large size is definitely overkill for many people's use.

I saw a highly favorable review of this item on America's Test Kitchen, so I tried it. I own an older mortar and pestle made of marble, but it is tiny compared to this behemoth. My first job was to grind some fresh pepper for a marinade. I would never attempt that in my old mortar because it's too small, there needs to be more surface area on the bottom, and the interior is very smooth. On the Cilio, it was a snap, and the job was done in less than a minute. The bottom of the mortar has lots of flat space, and the surface is not polished but is somewhat abrasive.Just one note about this item: it is HEAVY. Storing it in a low cabinet or high on a shelf will not work if you're older or have trouble lifting things. If you have the space (and I understand that most of us don't), the ideal spot for storage would be on your countertop.I'm sold!! I can't wait to start making pesto in my new mortar.

I got this specific model/brand a few months ago because it was recommended by America’s Test Kitchen and it works great! Easy to use, easy to clean! I have only used it for guacamole and have no complaints, but definitely is strong enough to crush spices or whatever. It definitely seems like high quality material that I expect to last me years!