How long does a Himalayan salt block last?

Carved from pure salt, Himalayan salt blocks are efficient cooking machines that add flavor to anything you cook or serve in them. And they have the added benefit of bringing color and an authentic look to the table.

However, cooking with a rock of salt does have a few problems, and they require a bit of care to make them last.

How long does a Himalayan salt block last? If treated with care and cared for properly, a Himalayan salt block can last for many years. The salt block will need some special care in the kitchen, such as gentle cleaning, dry storage, and slow heating.

A Himalayan salt block will last as long as you treat it right, so if you want to make sure you get the most out of yours, you’ll want to learn how to care for and store a Himalayan salt block.

How to Clean a Himalayan Salt Block

Cleaning is a very delicate process when it comes to cleaning your Himalayan salt block. You can’t scrub it with soap or put it in the dishwasher.

Once you’ve finished cooking, allow the salt block to cool. Once cooled, wipe it gently with a damp sponge; make sure it is not soaked.

You can scrub the surface of the block with a brush or scouring pad if necessary, but try not to scrub too hard to avoid scraping off the clean salt and wasting it.

Pat the salt block dry once you’re done cleaning it and allow it to air dry for as long as it needs to.

You don’t need to use soap to clean the salt block, as the antimicrobial properties keep it clean. You just have to make sure to clean it and not leave it wet for too long, as the salt will dissolve on exposure to water.

Here are some quick tips for cleaning your salt block:

• Fill the sink with hot water and quickly rinse the salt block.
• Don’t let it soak.
• Scrape up the residue with a sponge, cloth, or metal scraper.
• Rinse again with hot water quickly and allow to air dry.

Be very careful not to drop the salt block while cleaning it - they are incredibly heavy and can do some damage. Your block is also likely to take a beating.

How to Store a Himalayan Salt Block

It is also very important to be careful when storing the Himalayan salt block. Once clean, you should place it in a cool, dry place.

You can wrap the Himalayan salt block in plastic wrap to prevent moisture buildup, which can do a lot of damage to the salt block.

Store it in a closet where it’s not too hot or humid, or where there is excess moisture.

How you store your Himalayan salt block will make a big difference in how long it lasts, so it’s worth going the extra mile.

Things to Know About Himalayan Salt Blocks

There are other important things to keep in mind when using a Himalayan salt block that can not only prolong the life of your salt, but also help make the process as a whole easier.

1. Slow heating

Himalayan salt blocks need to be heated slowly. Although they are solid slabs, they do have some cracks and fissures, and if they are placed in a very hot oven, they are at risk of bursting all over the place.

You must space out the heating process, as the blocks cannot withstand a rapid increase in heat. Try not to increase the heat more than 100°F in 15 minutes.

Start your oven at a lower temperature and gradually raise it over time.

2. Avoid greasy food

Avoid excess oil and moisture when cooking on the salt block.

You can use a little oil, but instead of spraying it directly on the salt block, use a brush to spread the oil over the food you are cooking.

This also means you’ll use less oil in the process and may end up with a slightly healthier meal.

Remember: water heats up faster than the salt block, and if oil and water get into the cracks and crevices, it could cause some problems.

3. Don’t worry about cracks

Cracks and fissures in a salt block are normal, so don’t think yours is about to explode.

These cracks and fissures are natural, and will not cause the block to explode. The block is only at risk of exploding if water manages to get into the crack.

Cracks won’t affect your way of cooking either. You may also hear some crackling when you place the salt block in the oven.

Once again, this is normal. The salt block will have been tested before you buy it, so try not to stress yourself out too much.

4. It will not over-salt

Himalayan salt blocks are not very porous and retain very little moisture.

When cooking, this means your food won’t immediately be too salty. Many people enjoy cooking with a block of salt because they say it gives their food a wonderfully distinctive flavor.

There are over 80 different trace elements in a block of salt, so you can expect more flavor than regular salt.

5. Avoid touching them after cooking

Salt blocks do a magnificent job of retaining heat for quite some time and they do so even after cooking.

This means that you should avoid touching the block immediately after firing, as you could end up with some serious burns.

They also keep the heat inside for a long time, so remove your food from the salt block as soon as it’s done to prevent overcooking.

6. It won’t always be pink

Himalayan salt blocks are precious; Their natural pink tones make them a great decorative addition to any kitchen, but these colors are not long-lasting.

The more you cook with the Himalayan salt block, the faster it will lose its natural shine.

You’ll also notice a buildup of black spots where you’ve cooked, but these can be removed if you remember to wipe them off after cooking.

Why cook with a rock of salt?

If the fact that you can cook with an incredibly old piece of salt block isn’t enough of a convincing thing for you, here are some of the benefits you can expect when cooking with a Himalayan salt block:

• Heat Resistant - Salt blocks are highly resistant to heat, making them great for cooking at both high and low temperatures. They are able to distribute the temperature more evenly, to cook food evenly.
• Flavors - There are over 80 trace elements in Himalayan salt blocks, and these will be infused into your food during cooking. The blocks also give foods a complex flavor profile.
• No sticking out - Being low porosity, the blocks retain little moisture, so your food only takes on a delicate salty flavor, rather than sticking out.
• Heat retention - Due to the crystalline structure of the salt block, it is able to retain heat for longer, which can be used to keep food warm before serving.
• Antimicrobial - With low porosity and low moisture retention, salt blocks are naturally antimicrobial, and this antimicrobial surface discourages the growth of bacteria. This makes for a wonderful serving surface in the kitchen.
• Many uses - Depending on the temperature of the salt block, you can use it for many things. The salt block can be used to cook almost any food, cool food when the block is cold, cure meat or fish, or even simply to present food on its beautiful surface.

So while these salt blocks require some special care and attention, they are totally worth it in our opinion.

If you’re interested in buying one for yourself, check out our buyer’s guide to the top 5 Himalayan salt blocks.

Related questions

We hope this guide has proven to be a valuable resource for Himalayan salt block owners and those interested in purchasing one.

If you still have some unanswered questions, we invite you to take a look at the next section, where we have gathered some frequently asked questions from all over the Internet.

How long does a Himalayan salt block stay hot?

A Himalayan salt block can stay hot for up to 30 minutes.

This is why you should avoid contact with the block for a while after cooking, as they retain heat well and could burn you.

The block can take up to several hours to cool down completely.

Where do the Himalayan salt blocks come from?

Himalayan salt blocks come from the Khewra Salt Mine, located in the Salt Ridge of Pakistan. It is the second mine of its size in the world.

You can visit this mine and see its beautiful “Crystal Palace”, a mosque built with salt block architecture, complete with the orange glow of rock salt lighting.

Are there any drawbacks to using Himalayan salt blocks?

There are some drawbacks, such as the effort it takes to heat the block and cook with it, but this depends on personal preference.

One potential drawback is that salt block naturally increases the level of sodium in your food, which is a nutrient most of us tend to overconsume.

Sodium is necessary in small amounts, but excessive consumption can be harmful to health. This is something to keep in mind when buying a salt block.