T&J Stone

Make a kitchen beautiful. ☝️We are a professional Granite Countertops manufacturer company that strives to give the customer an affordable and large variety of colours to choose from to create their dream kitchen at their price point.💯💯💯💯

Outdoor kitchen is a great bonus for any home. Whether you usually invite many guests or if you simply prefer to spend time outdoors and enjoy all seasons, an outdoor kitchen is not only an extension of your family's living space but also increases the value of your home. In addition, it is much easier and healthier to cook outdoors.

When building an outdoor kitchen, some things are a matter of course, such as a stainless steel grill, a stone fireplace and fine teak outdoor furniture. By using natural materials such as T and J stone, you add a feeling of coziness to the outdoor kitchen. In addition, such materials are environmentally friendly, which is always an important aspect.

Another thing to keep in mind is the countertop surface. It requires something big enough for you to be able to cook it and serve dishes while everything can withstand harsh weather and temperature changes. And that is why natural stones are the first choice for homeowners with outdoor kitchens.

In this blog post, we tell you why we believe that granite is the best natural stone for your outdoor kitchen.

What makes granite Countertops a perfect material for your outdoor kitchen?

Granite is probably the best material that homeowners can use for countertops in their outdoor kitchens. The stone is so durable that it can easily withstand hot summers, rainy springs and autumns as well as cold winters in Sweden. Granite is much appreciated by homeowners as it is available in lots of shades and textures to choose from. Whichever style you choose, you do not have to worry about the stone fading under the sun's rays. Sunlight can make dark granite varieties hot, so it is best to buy a lighter shade in case your kitchen is not equipped with sun protection. In case you want to harmonize your kitchen with the nature in the surroundings, we recommend preferring a sanded surface treatment instead of a polished surface treatment.

Maintenance of granite slabs outdoors

Your new granite countertop Kitchen will look great. But how do you keep it in the same condition? Sunlight and rain will naturally wash away food stains, but in case the surface is porous, it is recommended to use some kind of coating to avoid stains from, for example, wine or mustard that are not as easy to remove.

Otherwise, for regular cleaning, you can rinse your granite countertop with a hose and then use non-abrasive detergent to remove dust and dirt formed by pollen, food stains and other dirt that occurs outdoors. A good way to avoid dirt that forms on the worktops is to cover them with a cover or roof when the outdoor kitchen is not in use.

Sun, rain, hail and snow take their toll on the worktops. Just like other natural stones that wear out over time under the influence of external conditions, a granite countertop will wear out over time in an outdoor kitchen. By covering them and regularly treating the surface, you get a much increased life on your disc.

Granite sets the bar high when it comes to materials for countertops in outdoor kitchens.

Do you rent a granite worktop during the hot summers and cold winters?

Even if granite can withstand temperature changes, it is still not a good idea to leave a slab in an outdoor kitchen exposed to the sun. On a hot summer day, the surface of the worktop will be hot already in the afternoon. Use a cover, parasol or other shade to cover as much of the countertop as possible. Then it will also be much cozier and more comfortable to sit at the worktop.

During the winter, make sure to protect the worktop from snow and frost in case you want to extend the life of the worktop. It is people who live in geographical areas with four seasons that have the most trouble with constant freezing and melting.

Granite is not only an extremely robust, but also visually appealing natural stone that is not only suitable for the kitchen worktop, but also for cladding. A granite countertop can withstand many daily challenges in the kitchen, but it also has a major weak point. Your kitchen planner will explain the advantages and disadvantages.

Granite - robust natural stone

Granite is very hard and robust , harder than marble or slate, for example. The massive deep rock forms within the earth's crust when magma solidifies. Granite is rich in quartz countertops and feldspars. Cuts and scratches with knives or bumps from other objects can therefore only do little to harm a granite worktop. It is also heat-resistant so that hot pots can be placed on it without any problems.

The natural stone speaks for its dark look, which gives every kitchen a touch of elegance.

Granite countertops are also easy to clean. The mopping up of leftover food and liquids should still be done relatively quickly. How long the surface remains flawless and shiny depends on the respective pretreatment and daily care of the worktop.

Do the granite countertops fit in the kitchen?

Natural stones have a special look and create a noble or exclusive atmosphere. However, that doesn't go with every kitchen interior. Nevertheless, granite is a more restrained variant: a marble worktop with its extravagant marbling, for example, attracts attention much faster than the restrained gray of a granite kitchen worktop. There are also different types and therefore different patterns and colors of the stone.

A worktop made of natural stone can appear massive and bulky. A granite worktop can be very dominant in smaller kitchens in particular. Whether thinner or thicker granite slabs are chosen also depends on the structural requirements and current design trends in the kitchen.

If you are bothered by the fine patterning of granite slabs, which may seem restless to some viewers, limestone slabs or a ceramic worktop may be  a sensible alternative.

Our online kitchen magazine provides more tips and tricks, interesting facts about kitchen planning and design ideas for your kitchen

Plan your dream kitchen now!

Natural stone slabs have many benefits, but are not recommended without reservations. As with all natural stones, proper care and warmth for granite kitchen worktops for good reasons should not be neglected.

Cleaning granite countertop

The daily maintenance of your granite worktop is all and finally. Granite countertops in the kitchen are actually uncut. In everyday use, wipe the kitchen worktop with a damp cloth or a little neutral soap enough.

The rule is: the sooner, the better! Granite kitchen worktops are - like other natural stones - sensitive to acid. Although this applies less to granite than to marble, acids (e.g. vinegar, wine, lemon juice) can attack the surface.

Like marble, granite is an open-perforated stone with fine cracks, small holes and stitches even after polishing. Therefore, liquids can be soaked in stone relatively easily.

Tips for cleaning and care: Granite Countertops

It's best to follow these tips to protect your granite countertop:

·         Eliminate liquids and leftover food as soon as possible. Liquids and acids do not have time to penetrate the plate.

·         Consider the choice of soap you use. We recommend a mild neutral cleaner or special cleaner for natural stone slabs for cleaning and maintenance of granite worktops.

·         Always cut fruit on a board, not on a counter. This will prevent fruit acid from damaging your granite kitchen countertop.

·         Pay attention to regular impregnation and possibly even sealing.