Granite Worktops -what do you think.

caringa

Itismehonest wrote: »

I've had polished black granite (well it has flecks in it so not completely black) worktops for over 10 years now & wouldn't change them for anything else. Obviously, don't go for thin ones, though. Ours are just over an inch thick, I reckon.

They're practically indestructible under normal household conditions. No, cups won't mark, nor hot pans.

Totally agree - I put hot pans, cups etc on it and chop food too and nothing has marked it. I have heard that you need to be aware of lemon juice and vinegar as these can eat into the granite but thats all that I'm aware of.

gallygirl

I have granite worktops in my place in Spain. I'm sure they're not the best quality but I've had no problems with them. They are the black/grey/white flecked kind so I suppose marks wouldn't show too badly. Very occasionally it will stain with tomato sauce or similar but a spray with multi-surface cleaner and it's clean again.

TBH, it never occurred to me to not put hot things on it, because, well, it's granite I suppose .

I had a top cut to size and polished for a unit in the bathroom. It's about 21" x 16" and 1" thick. Cost me €22, ready the day after I ordered it. Thinking of measuring up the kitchen, getting it cut and driving it back :rotfl:.

osdset

Putting anything hot on worktops is a bad idea use trivets or hot rods.

JournalGirl

If you can, go for the highly polished granite. We have the high polish in our utility room, and a matt honed finish in the main kitchen. The matt finish looks fab, but marks up with water marks and needs re-sealing quite often. The polished one has needed nothing more than a quick wipe and it looks perfect.

cyclonebri1

The problem you have is that as you say, "I have gone for black shiney granite".

It's the most difficult colour to keep perfect, every blemish shows and it does start to water mark, even if you re-seal.

Mine are just about impossible to stain as they contain just about every colour in the rainbow.
I leave water splashes and simply wipe down when done.
They simply don't get cleaned with any other thing than washing up liquid, and anti bacterial spray.

I do have 1 tip for you, try to avoid cans or anything heavy in wall units, if hit on the edge they chip readily, and you eyes are drawn to it every time.
We do have a small chip, no one owns up to it so I don't know how it happened, but it is now invisibly repaired with a clear casting resin.

This is the best thread on granite in the forum;

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/1742805