Frieling Cilio Mortar & Pestle

The interior is unpolished and rough. This texture is intentional, as it creates the necessary friction to effectively pulverize spices, herbs, and aromatics into pastes or rubs.

No, this mortar and pestle is not dishwasher safe. Because it is made of natural, porous granite, you should clean it by hand with warm water and a stiff brush, avoiding harsh soaps that could absorb into the stone.

The unit is designed with a heavy, flat base that provides significant stability. Its substantial weight keeps it firmly in place on your countertop, even when you are applying pressure to crush tougher ingredients.

Yes, it is highly recommended to season a new stone mortar to remove any residual stone dust from the manufacturing process. You can do this by grinding a small amount of white rice into a fine powder, discarding it, and repeating the process until the rice powder comes out clean.

A 5-inch diameter is standard for home kitchens and is perfectly sized for grinding spices, making pesto, or preparing small batches of curry paste. If you frequently cook for large crowds or need to process very large volumes of ingredients, you might find a larger capacity model more convenient.