Outdoor kitchens are a great addition to any outdoor living area. Not only they are the perfect place to have guests over on nice weather days, but they also can make your patio look fantastic. Choosing countertops for outdoor kitchens is the cherry on the cake, and it doesn’t have to be a hassle, so long as you are well-informed and know your priorities right.
There are definitely 2 things you want when selecting outdoor kitchen countertops. You want them to look great and increase your home’s visual appeal, but you also want them to last decades, withstanding the elements and the way you use them. Your priority should always be durability first. Select a material that will suit the style of your house and your cooking style. Your best choices is natural stone.
Granite
This stone’s durability can stand up against the harsh weather. Granite can withstand the heat from the sun and hot pans without any issues. once sealed, granite will be resistant against stains, mold, and mildew so even the messiest gatherings or rainiest days won’t pose a threat. This natural stone is already very easy to maintain, but with a proper sealant (Recommended sealer), it will be even easier to take care of.
Granite is a homeowner favorite because there’s a huge variety of colors and finishes to choose from. No matter what style you choose, you wont need to worry about it fading under sun exposure. Sunlight can make darker colors hot to the touch, so you might want to purchase a lighter color if your outdoor kitchen doesn’t have shading. If you’re looking for to match the look of nature with your outdoor kitchen, consider going with a honed or leather finish rather than a polished one. Overall, granite sets the bar high for materials to use in an outdoor kitchen countertops, but there are plenty of other great alternatives as well.
Quartzite
Quartzite is another beautiful option for your outdoor kitchen. However, it should be noted that quartzite is not to be confused with quartz, which is a man made material. Quartz should never be used in an outdoor setting because the resin used in the creation process will turn yellow when exposed to sunlight and weather. Quartzite, on the other hand, shares many of the same qualities as granite.
You won’t need to use any special cleaners for this material, soap and water will do just fine. With quartzite, you won’t need to worry about its color fading in the sunlight, making it another great choice for an outdoor kitchen countertop. like all natural stones it can withstand high temperatures.
Soapstone
You can’t go wrong with soapstone countertops for your outdoor kitchen. This dark, natural stone is very dense and non-porous. This gives soapstone the advantage that it doesn’t need to be sealed for protection against stains. It’s still a very soft material, can be scratched and nicked from sharp objects. Thankfully, you can always buff these out with a little sandpaper. Although sealing isn’t needed for maintenance, soapstone will darken if it’s exposed to liquids or oil from your hands. But the good news is, they can be simply washed off. Furthermore, if you choose soapstone for your outdoor kitchen, consider applying mineral oil to give it a beautiful dark shine. (More information about Soapstone maintenance)
Marble
Marble is recommended for outdoor kitchens in a honed or leather finish. Like all natural stone is heat resistant and harder marbles will hold better when exposed to the weather conditions. Rather than deal with constant maintenance, use the weather to your advantage.
Since you’ll be prepping food a lot on this surface, you should be aware that acidic food and drinks will leave etching and stains. However, if you’d like for your marble to age naturally for a rustic appearance, rain will work with you by washing out stains and blending in the etch marks. Marble is a very durable stone, so it will certainly hold up outside even with very little maintenance if you decide to let it age naturally. (Marble Care and Maintenance)