Stainless Steel Countertops
Convenient and Professional
It is quite sure that if you find yourself inside the kitchen of a big restaurant or a plush hotel, you will
most certainly see stainless steel countertops. Stainless steel is the preferred material for big kitchen
operations because of its looks and its convenience.
In large commercial kitchen operations, where excellent food preparations are the norm, cleanliness and
professionalism is a must. The best material by which you can express these qualities is stainless steel. Because
of its smooth and shiny surface, stainless steel looks spotlessly clean and very professional. Additionally,
stainless steel also has a very sleek look that usually enhances the modernity of a kitchen.
These attractive qualities are the reasons why stainless steel countertops are steadily growing in popularity
even among modern homeowners. If you are on the market for a modern and clean looking countertop, your best choice
is a countertop made of stainless steel. Not only will you have a professional looking countertop, but it will also
provide you with a lot of convenience. The surface of this metal is also highly non-porous therefore there is no
way that water nor dirt can penetrate its surface. That means, cleaning and maintaining its surface will be very
easy.
What Are Stainless Steel Countertops Made Of?
Stainless steel is actually made of two elements: nickel and chromium. The property of stainless steel that makes
it resistant to rust and corrosion is the proper ratio between these two elements. There are different grades of
stainless steel used for different applications. The grade of stainless steel that is typically used for countertop
purposes is number 304 stainless steel with gauge ranging from 18 to 20. The lower gauge number means the metal is
thicker. Some commercial kitchen applications will even get gauge 16 to make their stainless steel countertops
stronger and more long lasting. But it will add to the cost because a square foot of stainless steel ranges from
$85 to $200.
Advantages Of Using Stainless Steel Countertops
Countertops made of stainless steel offers many benefits to their users. Below are some of the qualities that you
will like about them.
• Rust and corrosion free – you won’t need to worry about your countertops getting rusty and dirty because
they are totally corrosion and rust resistant.
• Clean and professional look – if you are the type who can’t stand a dirty kitchen, this is your best choice.
Stainless steel’s smooth and sleek surface radiates cleanliness and professionalism.
• Solid non-porous surface – this metal’s density will not permit any foreign substance whether liquid or
solid to penetrate its surface. No amount of bacteria or molds will be able to multiply on its surface.
• Very flexible – stainless steel is easy to work with and very flexible. You can integrate countertop sinks,
soap dispensers, etc. on its surface to lessen surface joints.
• Heat resistant – being made of metal, stainless steel countertops will easily tolerate your hot pots and
pans. This metal is in fact used to make pots and pans and all sorts of cook wares.
• Very easy to clean and maintain – with just a soft cloth dipped in warm water with mild soap, you can easily
clean off dirt and grime on the surface.
• Stain-free – with the right nickel and chromium ratio, stainless steel is just like that – 100%
stain-resistant.
Some Downsides To Owning Stainless Steel Countertops
You also need to consider some of the
things that make owning stainless steel countertops a bit difficult. Here are some of them.
• They are pricey – with its market price of $85 to $200 per square foot, it is not really that
affordable.
• Metal Noise – since it is made of metal, you cannot avoid making accidental noises unless you are ultra
careful in using it which is not always the case.
• Prone to scratches and dents – if you are not careful about your kitchen knives and heavy objects, you might
cause accidental scratches and dents on the surface.
• Not a DIY project – stainless steel is a metal that needs to be handled by skilled hands. This is definitely
not a DIY project.
Caring For Your Stainless Steel Countertops
Stainless steel is quite expensive therefore you need to take care of your stainless steel countertops if you want
them to stay long. It is not that much difficult though to keep their shine and their clean look. In cleaning their
surfaces, you need to avoid using the following: cleansers that contain acid and harsh chemicals, steel wool and
brushes with hard bristles. Limit your cleaning materials to mild soaps, soft non-abrasive cloths and warm water.
Always wipe off water and other dirt as soon as you see them on the surface. Don’t let them harden because they
will be more difficult to remove.
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