by Frieling Goliath Natural Mortar and Pestle Spice Grinder

Cilio

The Cilio by Frieling Goliath Natural Mortar and Pestle features solid granite construction with an untreated rough interior that effectively grinds spices and herbs. Its coarse grinding surface and tall walls prevent ingredient escape while creating authentic flavors and textures. The substantial 5.25-inch diameter mortar paired with a heavy, ergonomic pestle offers stability during use, requiring only simple hand washing for maintenance.

Product Specifications

Dimensions:7.87 x 7.48 x 8.66 inches
Lifespan:5+ years
Material:N/A
Country of Origin:China
Manufacturing:Manufactured in China under German quality standards for Frieling and Cilio

Research Summary

This granite mortar and pestle represents BIFL potential sabotaged by terrible quality control. While intact units could last generations with their heavy, stable design, an alarming number of pestles arrive broken or fail during normal use - a catastrophic flaw for a stone tool. Combined with concerning chemical odors in some units and zero warranty protection, this becomes a high-risk purchase. Only justified for those willing to immediately test and return defective units, as you're gambling on getting one of the good ones that will indeed last a lifetime.

  • Quality control lottery: Intact units perform excellently for years, but many pestles break during shipping or even normal food preparation
  • When properly manufactured, the granite construction should last decades with minimal maintenance besides occasional re-roughening of surfaces
  • Complete absence of warranty protection despite premium pricing leaves you with zero recourse for manufacturing defects after return window
  • Poor value proposition given the high failure rate and troubling reports of chemical smells and waxy residues contaminating food
  • Community consensus shows extreme polarization - those with intact units love it, while many others faced immediate disappointment with broken pestles

Repairability Notes

7.0

This granite mortar and pestle is naturally repairable through basic maintenance rather than component replacement.

  • Material durability: Solid granite construction means the bowl itself rarely fails under normal use - users report 5+ years of heavy usage with it looking brand new.
  • Pestle vulnerability: Multiple reports of the pestle breaking in half, sometimes during normal use making guacamole, suggesting a potential structural weakness.
  • User serviceability: No complex mechanisms or parts to replace, but simple reconditioning possible by re-roughening the grinding surface if it smooths over time.

Bottom line: A naturally durable tool that can last generations when intact, but inconsistent quality control with the pestle is concerning. Get a replacement if it breaks, as there's nothing to fix when solid stone fails.

Durability Notes

6.5

A tale of two pestle experiences. When users get an undamaged unit, they rave about a tool that could last generations. But an alarming number report pestles arriving broken or breaking during normal use - a shocking failure for a solid granite tool.

  • Material integrity issues: Multiple reports of pestles breaking in half during shipping or normal use. One user's pestle broke making guacamole after just 6 uses.
  • Quality control problems: Many units arrive with chemical smells, waxy coatings, or excessive granite dust that contaminates food.
  • Design strength: Intact units receive praise for their weight, stability, and grinding efficiency. Users who get good ones report years of heavy use with no visible wear.

Bottom line: When it works, it's fantastic, but severe manufacturing inconsistencies make this a risky buy. The granite itself should last decades, but design flaws in the pestle create a critical failure point.

Warranty Notes

1.0

The Cilio by Frieling Goliath Natural Granite Mortar and Pestle has no manufacturer warranty coverage whatsoever.

  • No Protection: No warranty terms are offered with this product, leaving consumers with no recourse for manufacturing defects.
  • Quality Issues: Multiple user reports of pestles arriving broken or breaking during normal use indicate potential structural weaknesses.
  • Return Process: While there is a return/damage claim process via Frieling customer service, this is merely standard retail policy, not warranty coverage.

Bottom line: This product offers zero warranty protection despite its premium price point and BIFL positioning, forcing consumers to assume all risk for defects after the standard return window closes.

Social Analysis

5.5

This Cilio granite mortar has wildly polarized reviews with no middle ground. Users who get an intact unit say it's absolutely worth the money as a lifetime tool, while many others report pestles arriving broken or products reeking of petroleum.

  • Quality lottery: Multiple reviewers mention pestles breaking during shipping or even during normal use making guacamole, suggesting serious packaging or material issues
  • Chemical concerns: Significant reports of strong gasoline smells and sticky coatings raise major food safety red flags that would horrify the BIFL crowd
  • When it works: Those lucky enough to get a good unit praise the heavy granite that stays planted while grinding and the coarse interior that makes quick work of spices

Bottom line: Classic case of great product ruined by terrible quality control - the lack of warranty makes this Russian roulette purchase even riskier for BIFL standards.

BIFL Total Score:
5.0Poor
by Frieling Goliath Natural Mortar and Pestle Spice Grinder
Amazon
$68.02

Product Scorecard

BIFL TOTAL SCORE
5.0
Durability Score
6.5
Repairability Score
7.0
Social Score
5.5
Warranty Score
1.0

Based on 199 reviews

We rate products using a 10-point scoring system focused on what matters most: durability, reliability, and repairability. Our scores are built from a wide net of sources: Amazon reviews, Reddit threads, expert opinions, brand sites, Google reviews, and what people are actually saying online.

Pros and Cons

What Users Love

Heavy granite stays firmly in place

Coarse interior grinds spices effectively

Intact units show minimal wear over years

Large capacity for batch processing

Areas for Improvement

Pestles frequently break during normal use

No warranty coverage whatsoever

Many units have chemical smell issues

Severe quality control inconsistencies

Based on our comprehensive product research and scoring methodology

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by Frieling Goliath Natural Mortar and Pestle Spice Grinder - Main view

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Frequently Asked Questions

Product Care & Maintenance Guide

Recommended: After each useRegular cleaning and drying after each use prevents flavor transfer and bacterial growth.

Step 1

Clean

Handwash with tap water and a mild, unscented soap using a sponge or brush. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap residue. Avoid harsh chemicals that could absorb into the porous stone[4][6].

Recommended Products

  • Unscented Dish Soap (e.g., Seventh Generation Free & Clear Dish Liquid)$5
Step 2

Condition / Maintain

To remove lingering odors or residue, grind a small amount of dry white rice to a fine powder and discard. Repeat until the powder comes out clean. This helps keep the mortar fresh and ready for the next use[2].

Recommended Products

  • White Rice$2
Step 3

Protect / Store

Ensure the mortar and pestle are completely dry before storing to prevent mold. Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct sunlight. Do not cover while still damp[6].

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