Replies

1. 
   Adrian_Wilson | Jan 30, 2001 05:09am | #1

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   Material of choice for really high use places like commercial kitchens, but it dents and dulls; wouldn't bother me much I don't think, but it's all pretty subjective.

1. 
   Don_Papenburg | Jan 30, 2001 03:00pm | #2

   *Dave , I have ss counter top now and I like it . Mine is high in chrome (magnetic) and shows the scratches . If we used it again it would be one with less chrome and with a brushed finnish. Don

1. 
   G.LaLonde | Jan 30, 2001 04:24pm | #3

   *Dave, We have all stainless tops in our kitchen. My wife is a terrific cook and actually USES the kitchen. We have lots of company and get-togethers so it gets a workout. We had them before in our other home and she wouldn't have anything else. Countertops are like sinks....you get what you pay for. Go heavy gauge, brushed, with quality stainless. You should look at large samples that have seen use before you buy. They are very practical. Easy to use and clean up. Ours look like the day we installed them and they are almost 10 years old. If you like the look, I would certainly recommend them.

1. 
   Russ_Peters | Jan 31, 2001 05:05am | #4

   *Dave,One of the laboratories I work in has had stainless steel countertops in it for about twenty years. Theylook to me like what you might find in a commercial kitchen. The countertops have held up well considering the use they have endured. These tops do have fine scratches everywhere, but it is not disagreeable. Good Luck.

1. 
   Bill_Biggs | Feb 02, 2001 03:41pm | #5

   *Plastic laminate is available in a wide variety of metallic finishes.It's regular p-lam with a thin layer of metal foil instead of the colored plastic layer.Same problems as p-lam(scratching,hot pots,etc),but way cheaper than a welded-up restaurant-type top.You can also buy sheets of solid metal in various finishes from p-lam suppliers.I've installed a lot of this.Goes on just like regular p-lam,ie. contact glue,routable,etc.Still not as durable as a restaurant-type top,but again,less expensive.Wear ALL your protective gear when working this material because of the hot metal fragments produced when milling(tablesaw,router,etc.)Used a lot in retail and mall stores,you might go to the local mall and check out the look.

2. 
   Stray_ | Feb 09, 2001 11:22pm | #6

   *I'm having 4 countertops with integrall sinks fabed up right now to be put in a college dormitory. Durable, but not cheap, especially if made custom. I think a commercial kitchen supply house would have stock sizes avalable. If you're fabing it yourself, more power to you!Some folks complain that they show warter spot, esp. if you have hard water. They do sell special SS cleaner if it bothers you.

3. 
   Alan_Kim | Feb 16, 2001 07:14pm | #7

   *I think stainless steel surfaces look fine after attaining the fine streaks and swirls from years of use.For general cleaning it may be a good idea to use stainless steel cleaning pads without using any type of abrasive agents.They seem to do a good job on our stainelss steel pots without dulling the surface like some other cleaning pads do.

2. 
   Dave_Palmer | Feb 16, 2001 07:14pm | #8

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   My wife and I are in the process of remodeling our kitchen and are considering all types of counter tops. Does anyone have experience with
   using stainless steel for a counter top? I have access to the tools to cut, form and weld the steel. I would probably use .050 thick material.

   What are the pro and cons to using this for a counter top? I would
   appreciate all comments and advice.

   Thanks!