A Guide to Cooking in a Kitchen With Stone Countertops
Using natural stone for your countertops means you’ll have a breathtakingly beautiful kitchen. The durability of granite, quartz, or marble also makes for an excellent long-term investment. If you don't have experience with these materials, here’s what you should know about prepping food on stone countertops.
Food Prep
Some natural stones, like granite, are somewhat porous, so if the sealant is damaged, bacteria from raw meats can seep into the surface. Although disinfectants can clean away contamination, they’ll also strip away the sealant. When dealing with food items that aren’t yet safe to eat, lay down a liner to protect the countertops.
Acids, like vinegar or citrus juices, can leave etches behind on marble countertops. Be mindful of the pH level of ingredients during food prep. Wipe any acidic ingredients up quickly with a soft cloth. Have resealing performed annually.
Cutting
It’s okay to chop food directly on a stone surface occasionally, but you shouldn’t make it a habit. Because they’re so tough and durable, granite and quartz can easily dull the edges of knives. Although the protective sealant will guard against staining, repeated exposure to strongly colored foods like beets or carrots could discolor the underlying surface. Therefore, utilize a cutting board.
Baking
Marble countertops are popular with professional chefs because of their ability to stay cool. This makes them ideal for anyone working with pastry, pasta, chocolate, or other temperature-sensitive foods. If you’re planning on doing any kneading, pie-crust rolling, or other baking work, you can work confidently directly on the marble surface. Just avoid sharp-edged tools like cookie cutters since they can dent the soft stone.
Heat
Natural stones have wonderful heat resistance, but setting a pan fresh off the stove or out of the oven onto the surface can cause discoloration. It could also damage the protective sealant and leave the countertop vulnerable. Lay down a trivet or hot pad to protect the area from any objects that are over 300 degrees.
If you’re interested in adding beautiful stone countertops to your home, reach out to Stones & Granite of Lexington. Located in central Kentucky, this creative and reliable team offers custom installations of natural stone that will suit any kitchen style. Family-owned and -operated, they’ll help with all your countertop needs. Call (859) 253-4070 to request a free in-home estimate, or find inspiration in the gallery of completed projects on their website.