The natural qualities of soapstone make it a stunning choice for your outdoor kitchen. It withstands rain, sunlight, and cold temperatures. Because it is a dark stone, under direct sunlight it can get very hot to the touch. Use caution if it has been sitting under the sun all day.
Soapstone's natural qualities make it the perfect material for outdoors. It's thermal qualities allow it to withstand the winter temperature with freezing and thawing.
Soapstone countertops will never fade with direct sunlight, but some homeowners choose to evenly darken the natural color with wax or mineral oil. If you do enhance the surface, there will inevitably be some follow-up waxing or oiling involved.
So when it is heated and cooled, soapstone stays relatively static, and it is therefore much less likely to crack and spall than other natural stones like granite.
Soapstone retains more heat than any other material. Compared to other stove building materials, soapstone has the capacity to store twice as much heat as steel.
Soapstone is both chemical resistant and heat resistant, so you can set hot pots and pans directly on soapstone without risk of cracking or scorching. Soapstone is much softer and more prone to scratching than granite or quartz however, so preparing food directly on your soapstone counters could easily scratch it.
Since soapstone countertops do not crack easily, they are more durable than other countertops made of natural stone. Its non-porosity feature also means that your soapstone countertops can serve you for a long period without requiring sealing.
Soapstone Tiles and Wall Panels
Soapstone is heat resistant and does not burn. That makes it an excellent wall covering behind wood-burning stoves and ovens. Fireplaces are also lined with soapstone to create a hearth that quickly absorbs heat and radiates it long after the fire is out.
Overall, marble tends to be harder and more durable than soapstone. The durability of marble has come into question mostly because of common misconceptions or myths about the nature of marble.
Does quartz fade in sunlight? Yes, it can. However, this typically only happens if you've used indoor quartz outside or exposed the countertop to direct sunlight for prolonged periods every single day. Under normal conditions, discoloration from sunlight is relatively rare.
When exposed to direct sunlight, granite can get very hot. The darker the color of your stone, the more heat it will absorb.
Because it requires no sealing, soapstone is relatively low-maintenance. With minimum care, your new countertop can retain its good looks for many years. Enhance your counter's natural darkening progression by applying mineral oil to the surface every week or two and rubbing it in thoroughly.
Thanks to its mineral composition and nonporosity, there is no need for soapstone to be sealed to keep moisture, bacteria and food particles from penetrating its surface, as is often required for porous stones such as granite and marble.
While marble and quartz aren't great for outdoor countertops, there are two natural stones that work well outside, Soapstone and Granite.
Natural stones with high energy density and excellent thermal conductivity are soapstone (by far the best) and marble. These are perhaps the best stones for absorbing large amounts of heat quickly.
Today heat it to 105-110 degrees in the oven or even place on a sunny window sill for the day. The only thing we don't recommend is a microwave. The correct temperature is that you want to be able to handle it, but not hold it.
Soapstone is valued for it the way it helps one prepare for changes in life. It is also thought to promote truth, logic as well as rational and creative thinking. Soapstone's physical benefits are said to be balancing the digestive system, reducing irritation and skin rashes, sun burns and allergies.
A Soapstone firebrick's special mineral properties make it ideal for lining fireplaces. Soapstone can withstand great changes in temperature without cracking. A Soapstone firebrick is so dense that it absorbs heat and then radiates slowly for hours, improving your fireplace's efficiency.
It can be used in the oven, on the grill and on the stovetop (also like cast iron), although heat diffusers are recommended for use on electric ranges.
Another benefit of cooking in soapstone is the capacity to retain nutrients is higher than in modern utensils, says Harini Balasubramanian, a registered dietitian and a certified diabetes educator. “It retains 98% nutrients of the food cooked in it. It cooks food in 15% less time than modern cookware.
Mineral Oil is Your Friend
Having a dedicated routine to clean and maintain your soapstone can help minimize the chance for your countertops to get scratched over time. The most essential cleaning tool in your arsenal to help reduce any scratches or scuffing is finding and using the right mineral oil.
Natural soapstone colors come in a selection of hues. Typically, the color options range from a palette gray, green, black, or blue-ish gray. Additionally, there some options may have swirls of quartz and white.
Unlike other mineral stones, soapstone comes in limited color options. Its typical color options are green, black, white, bluish gray, and gray.