granite rice grinder







in the days before electricity was readily available in every home in singapore, most households would consider this stone rice grinder and the mortar and pestle as essential kitchen gadgets. when the people eventually moved into housing and development board (hdb) flats, the heavy and bulky stone grinder was the first item to be discarded while the mortar and pestle still retained a place in some kitchens.

the stone grinder consists of two pieces of heavy stone (granite). grain is fed into the hole on the upper stone. as it turns, the grain moves from the centre to the outer edges and is ground in the process.

i remember my mother, when preparing to make the 'sticky kueh', would soak the glutinous rice grains overnight. to grind the soaked grains, she would scoop the grains and some water with a spoon and poured them into the hole of the upper stone. gripping the handle, she would turn the stone until powdered grain and water flowed into a white cloth bag attached to the spout.

another neighbour had a bigger grind stone. with this, it would be quite strenuous to turn the handle using one hand. so, instead of a short handle, it had a long pole fixed to the handle. at the end of the boom, attached to it at the middle, was a shorter length of pole - the extended handle. the operator would hold this extended handle with both hands. using her body weight, she would require less strength to operate the grind stone.

according to one of my sisters, the chwee kueh seller had an even bigger machine which worked on the same principle.

when we were resettled and had to move out of the kampong, the antique granite rice grinder was conveniently left behind.

(the stone grinder, in the above picture, is on display at the fort canning's spice garden)