Molcajete - Second

Seconds are the proverbial runts of the litter. They are items that, despite being new, contain one or multiple imperfections that render them unsellable at full price, from chips in paint or stone to a crushed outer box. Rather than dispose of them, we prefer to find these items great homes with just the right kind of owners, the ones who are willing to trade an imperfection for a steep discount. All seconds are final sale.

Unfortunately, no. The products are boxed up in our warehouse, and it would be near impossible to unpackage and photograph them all. So, you’ll have to embrace a certain element of mystery! We’ve tried to illustrate some examples of what you might expect in the image galleries of each product page, and we hope you find that helpful.

Our team has reviewed seconds quality to ensure every product is functional as intended, with potential cosmetic concerns that don’t warrant full price. Quirky! Still not satisfied? Send us a note to info@masienda.com, and we'll do our best to make it right.

Fulfillment may take up to 3 business days. Once in transit, most orders take 3-5 business days to arrive, depending on location, carrier, and weather conditions. Once your order ships, you will receive an automatically-generated email with your tracking number (don’t see it? check spam!)

Seasoning your Molcajete can help get rid of any grit or impurities on the surface. It will also create a seal that will make the molcajete easier to clean. Start by adding approximately 1/2 cup of uncooked white rice to the bowl. Using as much of the bowl’s surface area as possible, grind the rice into a rough powder. Discard the powder, rinse the Molcajete, and repeat the process until the resulting rice powder maintains its original color with no tint of gray. Consider placing a towel under your molcajete during use in order to prevent scratching of your table or countertop surface.

Hand wash it in warm water to clean, using a kitchen brush to scrub any food that gets caught in the grooves of the bowl and of the tejolote (pestle). Don't use soap, as the soapy residue will get trapped in grooves, causing bacteria to form. Wipe any excess water off of the surface and let the Molcajete air dry.

Due to the artisanal nature of every piece, there may be natural and unique variations and imperfections in basalt color and porosity. A true testament to nature itself, pieces of cooled lava (showing up as quartz within each slab of basalt) may also appear. Enrique calls these pieces corazón de piedra (heart of the rock) and these surprise elements are considered especially prized within the cantero community.

The original Molcajete has a 4-cup capacity, perfect for making salsa or guacamole for a crowd (think 3-4 avocados).  Molcajete Chico has a 2-cup capacity, great for salsa or guacamole for a smaller group (think 2 avocados).

In an ideal world, you’d have both! The original Molcajete is larger, ideal for parties or feeding a family. Molcajete Chico is great for grinding spices or making a smaller batch of salsa or guacamole. Their designs are ever-so slightly different. Molcajete is elevated off the counter thanks to short legs or patitas, whereas Chico is smaller in diameter, lighter in weight, and sits flush.