How Can I Clean Mortar And Pestle In Laboratory?

It has seemed to be a challenge to clean the important piece of lab equipment, which is the mortar and pestle, which is used in the laboratory to grind specimens into granular sizes for whatever purpose deemed fit by the scientist.

It has been difficult because the mortar and pestle used in the lab are not cleaned like the regular ones at home.

You should wash the mortar and pestle with hot water and soap to ensure that all the dirt is removed. 

Rinse the mortar and pestle thoroughly and place it on a dish towel to dry. Keep it away from sunlight and heat sources.

In this article, we will discuss all those things in detail.

Cleaning Mortar And Pestle In Laboratory

There is a guide on how to clean mortar and pestle in a laboratory.

Step 1:

I suggest you use a wire brush to remove the remaining particles from the mortar because there is a chance that they will react with water.

In the absence of a brush, you can use a thick towel to clean the mortar.

Step 2:

If you are certain that the debris is out, you can use hot soapy water to clean the surface of the mortar and pestle, but make sure the soap you are using doesn’t leave behind any scent.

Step 3:

After washing and rinsing the mortar and pestle, it is a good idea to air-dry them before moving on.

Don’t try to cut corners by using a dry towel, instead, look for a properly ventilated area in the lab and allow it to air-dry.

Step 4:

After the mortar and pestle are dried, rinse them with isopropyl alcohol.

The reason for this is that isopropyl alcohol contains deionized water as well as alcohol which aids in removing dust and dirt, as well as keeping the mortar and pestle in great shape for the next use.

For What Purposes Mortar and Pestle Are Used in a Laboratory?

It is possible to grind chemicals in the solid state into smaller sizes with the help of a mortar and pestle. It makes it much simpler to make solvent.

The mortar is a bowl where you put the items or ingredients you want to grind. A thick wooden or ceramic stick is used to pound ingredients in the mortar.

To grind solid chemicals into small sizes in a laboratory, you need a deeper form of a mortar and pestle.

The size is expected to range from 75 to 850ml You would get enough texture for your solution with this size.

Other Uses of Mortar and Pestle

The mortar and pestle are commonly used in the kitchen, but they can also be used in the lab. In the lab, mortar and pestle can be used to do many things.

Used to Expand the Reaction Rate

The surface area has to be expanded while a solution is being made.

The solute will be easy to get rid of when the reaction rate is expanded. In making medical exams in labs, all of these are important.

Used to Break Solid Chemicals

Solid substances cannot be used in laboratories to make solutions. This is the reason why crushing them with a mortar and pestle was introduced.

The mortar and pestle are used in the pharmacy for tests.

They’re going to be used to grind them into powder. While using the mortar and pestle, you have to check the texture while you crush.

How to Disinfect Mortar and Pestle in a Lab?

The use of alcohol can cause a reaction in the mortar and pestle. 

Germs can’t resist the temperature from alcohol, so when you use alcohol on your mortar and pestle, they will kill them.

The way mortar and pestle are disinfected in a lab is different from the way they are disinfected in a kitchen.

The end product is to keep your mortar and pestle free from harmful organisms.

What Type of Mortar and Pestle Is Best for a Laboratory? 

There are different types of mortar and pestle, but not all can crush solid chemicals needed in a lab. Below is a list of mortar and pestles you can purchase.

United Scientific™ JMD275 Porcelain Mortar & Pestle Set, 275mL

One of the best things to buy for your laboratory is a mortar and pestle. It can be used both in kitchens and labs because it has a universal function.

The size was made to your convenience and it is easy to use. The solid chemicals can easily be crushed by using the pestle.

The pestle doesn’t have to be big to hold and control it. It is easy to clean this mortar and pestle after using it.

Pros 

• Very easy to clean.
• Comfortable-sized pestle.
• Easy to use.
• Versatile function.
• Good result.

Cons

• Quite heavy. 

Gorilla Grip Heavy Duty, Unpolished, Granite Mortar and Pestle Set

This is a laboratory tool that should be purchased. Different areas of function are included in it. It is implied that it can be used in the kitchen to crush herbs and spices.

In the lab, it can be used to crush solid materials. It’s strong enough to crush anything, and it’s comfortable to hold. You will get the result that you require at the end.

Pros

• Super easy to use.
• Comfortable to use.
• The satisfactory result after crushing.
• Versatile functionality. 
• Easy To Clean.

Cons 

• Heavy to lift.

FAQs

Is It Possible to Use Mortar and Pestle to Grind Garlic?

It is possible to easily grind garlic with a mortar and pestle. It takes less time to crush garlic with a mortar and pestle than it does with a knife.

It is possible to get a powdery result when you grind garlic with a mortar and pestle.

In the kitchen, a mortar and pestle are used to grind herbs and spices which makes garlic one of them. The only thing you have to do is to purchase your tool.

Is It Safe to Use Stone Mortar and Pestle?

The mortar and pestle’s safety depends on the stone it is made of. Stone mortar and pestle are safe if they are well treated or seasoned before use.

Make sure you clean your stone mortar and pestle before you use it again. This applies to all types of mortar and pestle you own. If you have to, wash them and sterilize them.

Who Can Use a Mortar and Pestle? 

People in different lines of business can use mortar and pestle, they are not a one-person tool. Those who can use a mortar and pestle are listed below.

Chef

A good taste and aroma can be achieved by adding different ingredients to a meal while cooking.

If you want to use herbs and spices in your meal, you need to ground them before you do. If you want to grind them into paste or powder, you can use a mortar and pestle.

The old-fashioned method of using mortar and pestle is still effective and strong.

Pharmacists

Sciences are similar to pharmacists, and they make use of mortar and pestle. They make medical tests by grinding solid medication.

They have to make sure that the item is well ground to get the correct result.

Scientists 

To get a well-dissolved powdery solution, scientists often grind solid chemical materials into form with a mortar and pestle.

This increases the surface area of the solvent, which makes it easier for them to get their result.

Conclusion

The old-fashioned mortar and pestle are still being used by most people. Lab workers can’t grind their solid materials easily if they don’t use these tools.

You also need to purchase the right-sized mortar and pestle to be used in a lab, and I have recommended a few, but there is a need to clean these tools to avoid germs from spreading through the solution.

You just have to listen to the methods provided in this article and get your result. All your questions have been answered in this article.