There are many parts of an outdoor kitchen that will grab your attention. Bright shiny grills and built-in kegerators… but there is one piece that will be looked at the most… the countertops!
Not only does it take up the most space visually, but it’s one of the few things your guests are allowed to touch while you’re grilling! Needless to say, a dirty or improperly maintained countertop is going to stand out like a sore thumb.
Luckily for you, our team here at Synergy Outdoor Living knows how to keep your kitchen looking brand new for years to come! That’s why we put together this quick guide to give you the basics of caring for your outdoor kitchen countertops. Let’s get started!
Why We Use Granite Countertops in Our Outdoor Kitchens
Granite is one of the most popular countertop materials for both indoor and outdoor kitchens. It’s heat resistant, scratch resistant, and best of all… it looks great!
Granite also is available in many different colors and styles, so you can find the perfect match for your kitchen.
Sealing Your Granite Countertop
Granite is a very porous material, which means that in its natural state it can easily absorb stains and spilled liquids. However, this problem can be solved by a process known as sealing. By sealing your countertop, you are essentially creating a barrier that will make it much more difficult for staining agents to penetrate the surface.
To protect your countertop, we recommend sealing it at least once a year, preferably twice. But don’t worry, the process is actually quite simple! You can do this yourself with a granite sealer, easily found online or in most hardware stores.
Sealing your granite 1-2 times a year is ideal, especially when outdoors and exposed to the weather.
Here are some of our recommendations for the top granite sealers, courtesy of This Old House:
Simple Clean Up
One of the reasons we love using granite countertops in our outdoor kitchens is because they’re so easy to clean, a little soap with warm water will do the trick! For any spills, avoid wiping the spill and instead blot with paper towels or a soft cloth as soon as possible.
For a deeper clean you can make in a pinch, check out our DIY granite cleaner:
What Not to Do
Although it is a simple surface to clean, there are a few things you’ll want to avoid doing to keep your countertops in tip-top shape. Even when sealed properly, granite is not impervious to staining, so it’s important to take care when using products that may contain dyes or other staining agents. Here are a few things you’ll want to avoid:
- Using harsh chemicals or cleaners
- Placing hot pans directly on the countertop
- Cutting directly on the counter
It’s also important to always place a coaster under drinks to prevent those pesky rings from staining your countertop.
Remember: when placing hot plates or pans on the counter, ensure you have a heat protectant mat or trivet down first.
What products you should avoid when cleaning granite countertops:
The cleaning and sealing products we’ve mentioned before are all specifically designed to be safe for your granite countertops.
Despite how safe some household cleaners seem, there are some general cleaning products you’ll want to avoid as they can damage or etch the surface of your granite:
- Windex
- Clorox
- Glass cleaner with ammonia
- Lysol wipes
- Acidic or abrasive cleaners
Ready to Get Started? Call our Designers at Synergy Outdoor Living!
Keeping your outdoor kitchen looking brand new can be simple if you take the proper steps along the way. Ensuring your granite countertop is sealed regularly will make the overall process much easier.
Our team of designers and installers at Synergy Outdoor Living has years of experience designing and installing some of the most beautiful outdoor kitchens in Florida. If you’re ready to start designing your dream outdoor kitchen, give us a call today!
