I recently was treated to a meal cooked by Wayne Wanamaker of Great Mountain Soapstone, on a piece of soapstone which was incredible. The food was cooked so that the meat and fish were seared on the outside and the inside was very moist. If one can cook on it, then one can surely have it as a countertop.
Guest blog by Wayne Wanamaker -
Soapstone is
becoming the “newest” oldest trend in countertops. It is gaining in popularity
with architects, interior and kitchen designers alike, as they are drawn to
soapstone’s soft feel and matte finish. It is becoming a highly coveted material and
is both a much needed and excellent alternative to quartz and granite.
When you
mention soapstone, the first thing that comes to mind is the carvings of the
Canadian Inuits. There are essentially
two categories of soapstone; Artistic and Architectural. Artistic soapstone (including
most soapstone from Canada) has a very high talc (a soft mineral) content,
approximately 80%, making it quite soft and ideal for carving and sculptures.
Architectural soapstone on the other hand has
a lower talc content, approximately 30%, making for a superb countertop and
sink material. It still has the appearance and properties of Artistic
Soapstone, but with the strength and durability needed for use in the home.
This grade of soapstone typically comes from the United States, Brazil or
India.
Soapstone’s
talc content makes it smooth and waxy to the touch, also making it very water
resistant and chemically inert as well as being absolutely stain
resistant. Red wine, lemon juice,
acids, oils, vinegars, etc. will not impact the surface. Unlike granite, there is no chemical sealing
required, and so no unwanted toxins on your counter surface. The only regular maintenance of soapstone
that is required is the periodic application of either food grade mineral oil
or a wax made from linseed oil and beeswax. While not required to seal the
soapstone, these two products can be used to enhance the color and pattern of
the soapstone.
Another huge
benefit to using soapstone is that it is heat resistant, which allows you to
safely put a hot pot directly on the surface with no fear of damage.
Soapstone can also be used to make sinks. They can be made to any size or configuration
leaving its design limitations to only ones imagination. The sinks are put together using a blind
mortise and tenon joint, fastened with epoxy and guaranteed not to leak for
life. The bottoms are sloped on all four
sides to the center drain basket. The sinks are also made from the same slab as
the countertop to ensure colour matching.
Soapstone is
also an excellent material for use on countertops and tables in outdoor
kitchens because of its non-porosity and stain resistance. Also its earthy,
organic appearance lends itself to the outdoor setting.
The design
possibilities with soapstone are endless for both interior and exterior
projects. When designing your next project, it might be worth it to consider
soapstone.
Great Mountain Soapstone currently stocks 9 colors, ranging
from grey/black, green/black, grey, charcoal, black to dark green. The slab sizes are similar to those of granite,
but can vary in size, depending on the colour, and are worth the time to check
out in person. We now have a full slab gallery showroom located in the
International Centre as part of the SOFA family of showroom. We are open Monday to Friday, 10 to 5.
