Old stone mortar and pestle cleaning
My roommate has an old mortar made from stone that had been outdoors for quite some time. She rinsed it thoroughly,put it in a big pot, and boiled it to kill any bacteria that could be crawling in there.
The mortar has great sentimental value for her, and I'm unsure about what products use for cleaning, if at all, since the stone might absorb the chemicals and render it unusable.
This related question seems to indicate that soap is not to be used with porous materials, such as stone. Why are stone ware and dutch oven items exempt from bacteria?
Before using it for food preparation, is there anything else we should do to avoid health issues? Can we use it already after boiling it?
Best Answer
What type of stone, lava, marble, granite? Bleach makes for a nice general purpose disinfectant, as it degrades on its own over time. Let the thing soak in bleach (1 part bleach 9 part water) for a few days then boil again, and you should be good to go; once you find a pestle that fits.
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Quick Answer about "Old stone mortar and pestle cleaning"
To clean stone mortar and pestles made from marble, granite or lava stone, use warm water and rice. Clean ceramic, glass, and metal (alloy, brass, iron) mortar and pestles with warm water and a rough scrub brush. For bamboo and wooden mortar and pestles, use a damp cloth to wipe them clean.How do you clean an old mortar and pestle?
Mortar & Pestle Care InstructionsPestle and Mortar | How to season and clean your granite Mortar THE RIGHT WAY
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Answer 2
I think you are all obsessed with 'germs', cut off from nature so much you imagine everything a threat! You all need to get a grip! All you need to do with something left outside is wash it out with water, and if any stains some detergent. Children who grow up messing about in earth come to no harm, they have healthy immune systems which can cope with anything nature has. Same with dogs, kids who grow up with a dog and their less than hygenic habits are healthier than kids who don't, and get fewer childhood illnesses. Botulism? Are you mad? You could damge an antique mortar by boiuling it or using bleach. Get real, we are animals just like all others, we have an immune system. You have more to fear from the burgers America eats in vast quantities!
Answer 3
Boil in pressure cooker or oven.
I think the worst you have to worry about is Botulism, and it dies at 240.
So the pressure cooker would allow you to get the temp high enough to kill anything real bad.
Oven would work too, but be careful not to go too high because the stone could crack. And make sure to let it cool completely before you move it.
The vinegar is also a good thought. Not sure I would go the bleach route.
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