I’ve read about and posted questions about soapstone here. The one thing I haven’t asked though is, does anyone here have soapstone in their own home and live with it on a day to day basis? I’m aware that it scratches easy and also stains. But how does it look down the road when it has the so called patina or wear and tear that makes it appealing. And any other comments about it.
Thanks
Rupert
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Replies
I used to, had it when the tops were something like 80 years old. Sweet looking, easy to live with, but oh my god, try to keep a set of glasses or china. It is like any "hard" top, tread lightly and keep a broom handy.
I don't have it in my countertops, but plan to someday. We do, however, have a Woodstock Soapstone woodstove with 1" thick soapstone panels set in a cast iron frame.
We've had this stove for over 10 years. It gets daily use about 8 mo. of the year and we've cooked on it during power outages.
It's been scratched, had stuff spilled on it and picked up soot stains once when I let the chimney go too long without cleaning.
Result: At the very worst, I can have every sq. inch of soapstone on that stove looking like the day it was new in 30 minutes with a pad of 000 steel wool.
I love the stuff.
Jules Quaver for President 2004
I have it.
I love it.
If I didn't have it, I'd get it.
Edit: forgot...Regarding your comment "it stains". I've never had a problem, and we beat out countertops daily. It's pretty much an inert and non-porous stone. Now, when it does oxidize (darken), it can oxidize unevenly, and some may confuse that uneven darkening with staining. That's why mineral oil, applied once a month for 4-12 months, is recommended to encourage even oxidaton.
Edited 1/26/2003 10:56:26 PM ET by Mongo
I have some by my welder and cutting torch it marks steel and stays put until you cut of off.