Milton Brook Unglazed Mortar and Pestle 4-1/2-Inch Diameter

This mortar and pestle set is heavenly. It would make an AWESOME gift for someone, but consider getting it for your own kitchen adventures as well. When you see it, you'll wish you had it for your own culinary mayhem.I haven't been this excited by a purchase in a long time. This MB mortar & pestle set has actually far exceeded my expectations, and I'm disturbingly particular about kitchen things. It's pleasing in the hands weight-wise and texture-wise, and it isn't too heavy or awkward to use size-wise -- even for my fairly small hands. I think it's one of the most sensually wowza! items I've ever bought myself, so how cool that it also has a strong practical purpose. Form and function, five stars all the way around.This M&P set is entirely unglazed, inside and out. It feels really luxe, has a definite magic about it. Wondering if it's the silica in the porcelain that makes it sort of glitter in the light? Not only is the unglazed porcelain of the perfect gritty texture for grinding, but the 6-inch diameter is exactly the right size for my purposes (spice/seed grinding, masala mixing, garlic mashing, macerating herbs and peppers, pesto making for two (though if you want it primarily for making pesto in one bowl full, you might want the next size up, especially if you're cooking for more than two). I had no real sense of which size to buy, but this was a good guess.It's worth mentioning that I'm ultimately quite pleased I chose this instead of a Thai granite mortar & pestle, which I'd been seriously considering. The heaviness of a Thai granite set may make the grinding go faster, necessitating less energy expenditure, etc. (plus the natural granite is beautiful in its own right) -- but I think the simple aesthetics of this one will evoke a big grin from whoever uses it, plus it's perhaps more practical when all is said and done... Three factors made me choose this one over a granite one: One, I wanted to see the colors of the ingredients I'm working with, and this light-colored bowl allows for that. It's actually slightly lighter in color than shown in the photo, a creamy off-white. Two, I wanted to be able to hold the bowl in my hands sometimes while I grind and move around the kitchen with it; a granite M&P of this size would be too heavy for me to do so easily. Three, this M&P was more affordable ($25 on Prime) than the granite options, but the quality is very evident.OK, enough said. I'm happy. Hope this set will last me for years and years. If you get one, hope you love it, too!

This is the best little mortar and pestle to get. The 6 inch size is about the perfect size. By 6 inches, they aren't referring to the inside diameter of the bowl. Instead, they are referring to the outside diameter of the bowl. On the box it comes in from the manufacturer, it should state Size 3, which is the manufacturer's size number that refers to the 6 inch size mortar and pestle. I think they have about 6 standard sizes. I ordered 3 of the sizes the 4 inch, 6 inch and 8 inch. The 4 - 4.5 inch is Size 1, the 6 inch is Size 3, and the 8 inch is Size 6.The best thing about this mortar and pestle is the handle. I've used other brands and those typically all have shorter handles which force you to grip the handle awkwardly. This brand gives you a longer handle that is much easier to grip. What is nice about that is you avoid the hand cramps that you get with the other brands. The surface of the mortar and pestle also does a great job of grinding. The only thing an owner of this brand might not like is that I think it is likely to discolor easily. But with a mortar and pestle, I think you are either going to get good grinding or it is going to discolor easy. You can't have the best of both worlds. The granite type, marble type and glazed ceramic type won't grind as well as these do. And with those you'll get hand cramps from the short pestle.This brand has been around since 1810. And I'm guessing they've been used for that long by probably the likes of doctors, chemists and pharmacists and cooks to do the great job that they do. They are well designed. My favorite for all around grinding is the 6 inch. The 8 inch one seems huge, but I've come to like it a lot too. It seems easier to make guacamole in the 8 inch one that in a molcajete unless you get a really big molcajete. A regular sized molcajete seems better suited for grain hand grinding.For a mortar and pestle, I'd have to rank this brand as the very best that I've seen.

I bought the 8 inch one and it is massive and heavy, but perfect for making pesto/guacamole/etc. I love it so much. It also doesn't stain.***UPDATE: I have had this for 4 months, and am impressed every since time I use it. I've used it for mashing basil leaves, avocados, peanuts, black peppercorn, cloves, other spices, garlic, anything! Other than the fact that it is heavy (which is a HUGE plus when using it), it is easy to wash. I threw away my old one after the first time I used this.***UPDATE 2: I wanted a smaller mortar & pestle for grinding spices, and got the smallest size (4 inches). It is super cute, and just as efficient as the big one. It is quite light, and the handle is large and comfortable to use.

This is a joy to use and so beautiful. I was worried about it being too heavy but I think it's perfect. I can easily use it set flat on a work surface or held in my hand and cradled against my body. The wooden handle is soft and has been sanded to perfection. I've been careful not to get the handle soaking wet when I clean it, but if you are concerned about that it would be simple to give the wood portion a light coating of beeswax to help it resist fluids. The bowl is also quite sturdy. I dropped it full on the floor once and was terrified that it would crack. It survived just fine. I know this is expensive for a mortar, but in this case you really do get quality for price.

How can so many 5 star reviews be wrong? I am included with them as I am very pleased with the product. So far I have only used it in making guacamole with health ingredients ground into the avocado. The guacamole dip tastes better than before. The longer wooden handle makes it easy to use; the surface of the mortar works wonderfully well in mixing and grinding the ingredients, and it is very easy to clean. For my use, it is just the right size. I could not be happier, and I am looking forward to its expanded use.