Cleaning Mastic (Kyphi) out of mortar and pestle?

[Godgifu]

So... the other day I made a batch of kyphi (http://lucky-temple.ecrater.com/p/8426269/ancient-egyptian-kyphi-incense-pill) in my cast iron mortar and pestle. I now can't seem to get the mortar clean again. I've tried Goo-Gone which seemed to help but it's still sticky inside... any ideas?

[EntwinedScylla]

My go-to in a STONE mortar is to grind salt until it's powder, and discarding. Insant rice is good for gooey bits like storax and oil.

In cast-iron I'd suggest grinding sugar or pepper as an abrasive rather than salt. Grind it until it's dust. It'll get most of the sticky gunk out of there.

Then, since it's cast iron, a good wash in hot water, no soap... then a wipe-down with olive oil and a thorough drying.

[KC Destroyer of Worlds]

Salt and 91% rubbing alcohol will get the goo out. Any stickiness when soaked in alcohol, turns from a resin to an oil, so you can just wipe it out.

[Godgifu]

Just thought I would update -- I got the last of the muck out, in the end, by grinding some oatmeal and almonds in the mortar (it was just for a body scrub so I didn't think any remaining mastic residue would hurt.) I assume the resins got loosened and mixed in -- when I scrubbed out the mortar afterwards, in any case, the sticky mastic was no longer a problem.

[mshane]

Splash in some cola, leave for a while and then scrub it with a wool. It should come off easily. That's how I do it. Maybe its gonna be effective to you too.
mastic applicator (http://www.northwestsealants.co.uk)