In Reply to: Treating Stone Mortor and Pest posted by shazwayne on Friday, 3. November 2006 at 22:12 Bali Time:
Granite and Lava Stone, in the form of the mortar and pestle, is great for all types of tasks, but this type of stone needs to be seasoned before first use, to stabilize its surface.
"Seasoning" (porous stone mortar and pestle).
First clean off loose surface materials using a stiff brush under running water. Let it dry completely. Grind a tablespoon of uncooked rice into the bowl with a good pinch of course salt, grind until the rice is a white powder. Repeat this process twice. To clean mortar and pestle after use, just brush off dry ingredients, or you can wash with a brush and warm water don't use detergents.
Marble is not porous so it does not need to be seasoned.