Lady in red, who cares?

Lady in red, who cares

Both women are wearing a red apron Both are famous for their cooking Both prepare food in copper pans Who cares about their countertop? When did we start caring for our countertops? What happened and what is waiting for us in the

near future?

Early Countertops 1

Early Countertops 1

We see a kitchen at Pompeii where a kind of engineered stone is used

We see Asian kitchens A kind of European castle kitchen A large wooden table, todays countertop

Early Countertops 2

Early Countertops 2

Old paintings give us a good idea about materials used in early kitchens. Google for example “Pieter Aertsen” who lived from 1508-1575

The materials used in ancient kitchens were often natural stone or clay for hot areas and wood for the preperation tables and tubs

Keeping it clean was all the maintenance that was done, there was no real care

The Merchant's House Museum

The Merchant's House Museum

29 East Fourth Street, New York, NY 10003 Original furniture from 1830 can be seen More info: http://merchantshouse.org

Formica since 1931

Formica since 1931

Formica was invented by Daniel O'Conor and Herbert Faber and first produced in 1913

In 1931 Formica was used as a decorative material

It would change the kitchen and make it a colorful place to prepare food

Colorful Countertops

Formica care

So many options but the first question was: “how do I care for this laminate product to keep it like new?”

The answer was: “no special care needed, just clean your top with a bit of soap and water”

Corian since 1968

Corian since 1968

Invented by Donald Slocum Corian was introduced as the first decorative

sheet material with seamless joints Thermoforming, even 3D is an option Corian sinks are available

Corian care

Corian care

The question was: “how do I care for this acrylic product to keep it like new?”

The answer was: “no special care needed, just clean your top with a bit of soap and water”

You can use a green pad and some soft scrub to polish little scratches and stubborn stains

It still works after more than 40 years in todays kitchens

CaesarStone since 1987

CaesarStone since 1987

Moshe Narkis, a professor at the Polytechnic, found the right formula to create Quartz countertops

2 cm slabs found their way to Europe Soon the rest of the World followed CaesarStone, the leading innovator in quartz

CaesarStone care

CaesarStone care

This quartz material is so tough, is there any care needed?

The answer is: “no special care needed, just clean your top with a mild cleaner and water”

You can use a green pad or some soft scrub to take away stubborn stains

Dry your top with a paper towel

21th Century, the Ceramics

Ceramic brands

Laminam was the first producing 3 mm clay based ceramic slabs

Kerlite, made in the same Laminam factory Techlam by Levantina Neolith makes larger and thicker slabs Dekton by Cosentino is not clay based but

sintered with fly ash Lapitec by Breton is also sintered with fly ash

Ceramics care

Same as previous materials A mild cleaner and you can use some soft

scrub to take away stubborn stains Dry ceramic top with a paper towel

Countertop cleaning

What do we need?

Men like power tools

Wood care

Granite care

Granite care, a true story...

A shining granite counter top really makes me feel like the kitchen is clean. I’d get so frustrated when, even though I wiped the granite countertops with a microfiber cloth and granite cleaner, I’d see streaks left behind (total first world problem, I know).

The problem is especially visible on our black granite countertops. (Did you know that this variety of granite is called Uba Tuba? How random and funny is that?)

Anyway, guess what! I discovered the simple, simple answer: Spray the granite cleaner on the microfiber cloth, and not too much of it either. Then wipe the counters and wipe again with a dry part of the cloth. And look! Yippee!!

Source: http://seemommydoing.com/2013/01/

The Future of countertops

Houzz.com

Houzz.com

Houzz.com

Future Lady in red?

Future Lady in red, weekend chef?