To clean a molcajete after you use it, rinse it under warm water and scrub it with a stiff brush. No soap needed. Then let the stone air dry completely before you put it away. That is the whole routine after salsa or guacamole, and it takes about three minutes.
This guide is for a molcajete you already cured. If yours is brand new, start with how to season a molcajete and come back here after your first salsa.
How to clean a molcajete after every use
Clean it the same day, while the food is still soft. Dried avocado and chile paste are harder to get out of the little holes in the stone.
What you need:
- Warm running water. The spray nozzle of your kitchen sink works great.
- A stiff kitchen brush that you use only for the molcajete.
- A clean kitchen towel.
The routine:
- Scrape out what is left with a spoon. Save the last bit of salsa for your tacos.
- Rinse the bowl under warm water to loosen the bits stuck in the pores.
- Scrub the inside in small circles with the brush. Go around the bottom, then up the walls.
- Scrub the outside, the legs and the underside. Splashes of salsa end up there too.
- Rinse again until the water runs clear and no seeds or skins come out.
- Blot the outside with the towel. Leave the inside to dry on its own.
That is all. A clean molcajete smells like stone, not like last night's garlic. If it still smells, give it one more round with the brush.
Why you skip the soap on a molcajete
A molcajete is porous volcanic stone. Soap gets into those tiny holes and stays there. The next time you grind, the soapy taste comes out in your food.
Water and a good brush are enough for everyday use. Many families keep one brush just for the molcajete, so it never touches dish soap.
Skip the dishwasher, too. The detergent and the long soak are the same problem, only bigger.
How to clean the temolote
The temolote (the pestle) needs the same care as the bowl. Rinse it under warm water and scrub the grinding end with the brush, because that is where chile and garlic build up. Then stand it up to dry.
If your temolote chipped or went missing, a replacement temolote of volcanic stone brings your molcajete back to work. Rinse it and scrub it before the first use, just like the bowl.
Heart and pig molcajetes: how to clean the corners
Shaped molcajetes clean the same way, with one extra step: the corners. Food likes to hide in the point of a heart and around the snout of a pig.
- Tilt the bowl under the water so the stream reaches each corner.
- Use the tip of the brush, not the flat side, to get into the curves.
- Check the corners with your finger after you rinse. If it feels gritty, scrub once more.
The heart molcajete with 3 legs has a 6 inch interior, so a regular kitchen brush fits fine. The pig molcajete rinses clean with water and a brush, no soap needed.
How to get rid of odors and stains in a molcajete
After a strong garlic salsa or a batch of chile paste, the stone can keep a smell or an orange tint. This is normal, and it has an easy fix.
Baking soda paste
- Mix 1 tablespoon of baking soda with about 1 teaspoon of water to make a thick paste.
- Rub the paste over the stained or smelly area with the brush.
- Let it sit for a few minutes.
- Rinse very well under warm water until no white residue is left.
- Let it air dry completely.
Salt and lime
For tough stains, sprinkle coarse salt in the bowl and squeeze half a lime over it. Scrub with the brush, rinse well and let it dry. The salt works like a gentle scrub, and you probably have both on the counter already.
Some color from dried chiles can stay for good. That tint is part of a molcajete that gets used, and it does not change the flavor of your next salsa.
How to dry and store your molcajete
Drying matters as much as scrubbing. Porous stone that stays wet can grow bacteria and mold, so never put it away damp.
- Blot the outside with a towel, then let the inside air dry.
- Turn the bowl upside down for an hour or two so the water drains out of the pores.
- Put it away only when it feels dry and looks one even color. Damp spots look darker.
- Store it in a cool, dry place with air around it, not in a closed, humid cabinet.
- Do not stack pots or pans on top of it.
Many people simply leave the molcajete on the counter with the temolote resting inside. It stays dry, and it is ready for the next guacamole.
When to cure your molcajete again
You cure a molcajete once, before the first use. After that, the daily routine above is enough.
In many families, the molcajete gets a quick refresh in two cases: after a deep cleaning with baking soda, and when a salsa tastes a little gritty. The fix is the same as the first cure, only shorter. Grind a small handful of uncooked rice with a little coarse salt until the powder comes out clean, then rinse and dry. If your first salsa after that still tastes a little sandy, that is normal: grind one more round of rice.
Ready to use it again? Try a molcajete salsa or a classic molcajete guacamole. You can also see every shape in our molcajete collection, including the Mexican molcajete of real lava rock.
A molcajete that cleans up with water and a brush
Natural volcanic stone for salsa and guacamole. Rinse it, scrub it and let it dry.
Free US shipping on orders over $35.
Frequently asked questions about cleaning a molcajete
Can you clean a molcajete with soap?
For everyday cleaning, no. The porous stone holds on to soap, and the taste shows up in your next salsa. Warm water and a stiff brush are enough.
How often should you clean a molcajete?
Clean it after every use, the same day. A quick rinse and scrub takes about three minutes. Save the baking soda paste for odors or stains.
How do you sanitize a molcajete?
Scrub it well with warm water and a brush, then let it dry completely, because a dry stone is what keeps bacteria away. If it still smells bad after the baking soda paste, wash it once with a little unscented soap and water, rinse many times and let it dry. Then grind a handful of rice to clear the pores before your next salsa.
Can you clean a molcajete with baking soda?
Yes. A thick paste of baking soda and water lifts odors and stains. Scrub it in with the brush, rinse very well and let the stone air dry.
Can a molcajete go in the dishwasher?
No. The detergent soaks into the stone, and the long wet cycle works against drying. Wash it by hand with warm water and a brush.
Sources