Outdoor Kitchen Countertops | What You Need To Know

Granite Countertops

• Large variety of colors and finishes
• Popular choice and very easy to maintain
• Withstands extreme heat and sun
• Resists stains, mold, mildew with proper sealant
• Go for a lighter color if you don’t have proper shading

Quartzite Countertops

• Shares some of the same qualities as granite and looks like marble
• Will not fade in sunlight and cleans easily with soap and water
• Seal once a year to extend durability
• Cannot survive high temperatures from hot pots and pans.
• Vulnerable to sharp objects and staining

Soapstone Countertops

• Dark, beautiful natural stone
• Very dense and non-porous material
• Highly heat resistant and weatherproof
• Easy to maintain with just soap and water
• Weak to scratches and nicks, but can be buffed with sandpaper

Marble Countertops

• Beautiful abstract patterns
• Highly durable stone in general
• Acidic food and drinks will etch and stain
• Frequent rain and wind can wash away etches
• Maintain with regular sealing

Porcelain Countertops

• Available in almost any color and finish
• Can mimic and outperform natural stone
• Handles temperature extremes quite well
• Low maintenance, non-porous, etch-resistant
• Vulnerable to hard impacts and chipping

Concrete Countertops

• Custom pour shapes, can be an inexpensive DIY
• Sturdy, colorable material with durability
• Easy to clean and keep up
• Porous stone is weak against stains and bacteria
• Possibly prone to cracking if not properly sealed

Wood Countertops

• Rich, delightful, unique character built over time
• Varnishes and finishes make or break the weather seal
• Can swell if not protected against heat.
• Reapply finish often to maintain vivid colors
• If built and protected right, likely to last many years

Ceramic Tile

• Wide selection of stone types and finishes
• Much cheaper than a full slab of natural stone
• Heavier on maintenance to keep looking pristine
• Grout lines can build up grime and must be sealed
• Consider appropriate stone types for your climate

White Glass

• Extremely smooth and shiny pure white
• Super durable and resists chips and scratches
• Won't etch from acids or burn/scorch from pans
• Stainproof with no sealing needed for carefree cleaning
• High expense, no custom textures or patterns

Stainless Steel

While we love stainless steel for appliances and doors, it will not suit you well as a countertop. For starters, it retains heat—something you love in your gas grill, but not so much on your surfaces. It is also extremely reflective, so sunny summer days will be blinding. And finally, it's loud. Every single clatter against its surface demands attention. Trust us: save this for your fixtures.

Quartz

The stunning beauty and elegance of quartz is undeniable. Sadly, it simply can’t hold up to humidity and moisture in the long run. Furthermore, colored quartz resins have a reputation for yellowing under sunlight, giving the otherwise magnificent countertop an increasingly sickly, discolored appearance. Skipping it breaks our hearts, too.

Slate

The trouble with slate is that no two are alike and performance varies wildly. One holds up to staining and hard use; another will stain, scratch, and even crack with ease. Though higher-quality slate can happily last for years, the widespread inconsistency makes for a hard sell.

Solid-Surface

Commonly named “Corian” for its most popular brand, this acrylic polymer blend makes for interesting features with strong consistency throughout a mold. Unfortunately, it easily dents and scratches, is prone to discoloration, often fades or splotches outdoors, and doesn’t hold up well to heat. Better leave this one back inside.

Butcher Block

Beautiful butcher block countertops make a magnificent visual. They’re also the highest-maintenance surface you could probably pick for an outdoor kitchen. Upkeep is constant with coats of special oils to prevent mildew; and sanding every year. Frankly, the maintenance daunts even the most dedicated among us.

Ipe Wood/Brazilian Walnut

Ipe wood (or “Brazilian Walnut”) is beautiful, but harmful to the environment. Overharvesting and sustainability problems run rampant, and it’s often illegally sourced overseas. Additionally, it’s extremely hard and dense to cut. Gorgeous or not, many designers and architects won’t work with it.

Polished

• Popular choice that features a mirror-like gloss
• Brings out the richest colors and patterns of any surface
• Its less porous edge means it can be easily wiped down

Honed

• Matte finish with a duller appearance than polished leaves a soft feeling that is smooth to the touch
• Conceals the stone’s natural flaws easier and hides scratches better
• Darker finishes tend to show fingerprints and smudging and often fade

Leathered

• Sometimes called a “brushed finish” and named for its distinctly leathery appearance
• Doesn’t reflect light
• Naturally stain-resistant and effortlessly disguises blemishes and smudges

Flamed

• Exclusive to granite countertops, these create a faded, natural appearance
• Overall, will be more muted charcoal or tan, but the contrasting colors in grains will pop
• Rougher surface can be harder to keep clean and some find the texture unpleasant