The most practical of all kitchen work tops

[HiawathaDidntBotherTooMuch]

What is it please? I don't want to have to worry about marks or stains, be able to put something hot directly onto it, no maintenance etc.

[PigletJohn]

money no object?

[HiawathaDidntBotherTooMuch]

Let's say yes

[Gozogozo]

Dekton (limited neutral colour range - approx 12 options - available from most site stone gold fabricators later in spring)

Heat proof & Stain proof & everything else proof that I attacked it with...

[Gozogozo]

That's silestone

[MothershipG]

Stainless steel, that's why it's in most restaurant kitchens.

[christinarossetti]

I was just wondering this.

A range of possibilities to cover all budgets would be fab.

What exactly is the problem with laminate for example?

[MothershipG]

Laminate isn't heat resistant so you'll scorch it if you put a hot pan on it and it also scratches. It is basically chipboard with a stuck on plastic layer so joins can look obvious and if water gets into them the chipboard may swell. If the edges are manufactured they are pretty sound but if they have to be added on site because of cuts they can be prone to lifting if not done really well.

The advantages are it is cheap and comes in a wide range of colours and finishes. There are some high quality brands such as duropal and bushboard.

If money were no object I would have stainless steel work tops and glass splash backs, but it isn't so I'll probably be using laminate.

[MycleanArse]

We've got slate, half inch thick. Reasonably cheap - DIY job. Can't believe more people don't go for it.
Had it for over five years, has n't chipped, stained, looks great with the odd polish.Day-to day just wipe down.

Wood - nightmare

[christinarossetti]

Ah, that's interesting about slate.

I can't make myself like granite for some reason, but have a soft spot for slate.

[ItIsntJustAPhase]

Never considered slate. Love it.

[EmGee]

Having the same debate as new kitchen planned for May/June. Have decided against granite and prob go for wood/engineered wood. I read somewhere recently (think it might've been on here or a link I found on here) that if you want your worktop to look as good in ten years as it does the day you fit it, use your common sense and use trivets for hot pans and chopping boards even for the hardiest of surfaces (granite etc).

[gobbin]

I have silestone. It's been bombproof, although I always use a trivet (always have on any surface, it's best practice and you can get simple silicone trivets in funky colours, here are mine...)

[Fourarmsv2]

We've got laminate in our very old kitchen that is perfect although I don't use trivets. Is it high quality or have standards gone down?

[WellTidy]

doesn't stainless steel scratch a lot?

love your trivets gobbin

[Eastwickwitch]

Silestone here too.
Trivets also, I'm too scared not to, even though I know it's heatproof.
I'm a big messy cook & it cleans like a dream.

[AlwaysOneMissing]

I am considering a new kitchen and this was a great question OP.

Is there any chance you would consider posting a pic of your slate worktops MyCleanArse? They sound lovely.

[christinarossetti]

We've always had laminate in houses that we've moved into and it's definitely not been the highest quality, but have never found that it scratches or marks with hot saucepans.

I don't own a trivet .

[MothershipG]

Stainless steel gets a web of fine scratches over time, I would say a patina, I think it improves its looks, I suppose some people might not like it. One of the other things I like is no need for trivets!

Is silestone expensive? I've read that it's very hard wearing, is that right?

[ItIsntJustAPhase]

I definitely prefer a matte look, which is why wood and slate appeal. Stainless steel sounds very shiny! Galvanised zinc looks lovely but is a bit too shiny a look for me.

[MyCatHasStaff]

I've just ordered quartz - is that the same as silestone? I have wood at the moment. Never again. I love the idea of slate, sounds great.

[PigletJohn]

stainless usually has a brushed finish. Mirror is available but shows marks. You can rub brushing with a green scourer (in the direction of the brushing) and it will conceal other marks.

Catering sinks and worktops seem to have a dull, less polished surface, and look grey. I don't know if it is a different alloy, or just not polished.

[HiawathaDidntBotherTooMuch]

Silestone and slate seem to be the suggestions. I can't gave stainless steel as the scratch type marks would really bother me. I have a stainless steel sink and draining board combo at the moment, and it is very practical, but definitely scratched.

I will have to cost it up. We have a lot of base units. Eight set last count, plus an island. It could be pricey.

[MycleanArse]

I'll post a slate picture tomorrow.

We also have a zinc worktop, would n't recommend it, I don't mind the 'deep' clean but day to day it is a pain. A friend hates his much longed for stainless steel kitchen and I imagine that with sticky fingered children it would be a whole new level of pain.

[MycleanArse]

PigletJohn what would you recommend for zinc?

I've thrown at it in various combinations:

Brasso, Barkeepers friend, various stainless steel products, electric drill with wire brush, soap filled pads, green scratchy.....

Current regime is Vim with a green scratchy followed by Auto glym but are going to try some fancy new food-grade slate polish next

[holmessweetholmes]

Good thread. We've just bought a house with crappy laminate worktops which stain really easily, so I'd like to replace them. Wouldn't go for stainless steel because it is quite a traditional farmhouse -style kitchen, but really fancy slate!