Let's discuss solid surface countertops
tigergirl123
13 years ago
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Comments (87)I make a lot of refrigerator salsas, and use little vinegar, mostly Goya Bitter Orange juice, like is used in the Oaxacan habanero salsas. This is my current favorite. 2-cups dried Numex Suave Orange habaneros 5-dried Ghost peppers 1-small onion, sliced thin 2-medium carrots, sliced thin 6-cloves garlic, smashed 1-teaspoon white pepper 1-tablespoon table salt 1-1/2 cups Goya Bitter Orange juice. 1-cup water, maybe more Put liquids in blender, add salt and white pepper, and all dried chilies. Process until smooth. Do this first so they can start reconstituting. Preheat oven to 425 and place rack in next to highest position. In a large bowl, toss chopped onion, carrots, and garlic in a little olive oil. Spread parchment paper on a baking sheet, and spread veggies evenly over it, place in oven, and roast for 20-25 minutes or until some charring takes place on the onions. Remove, and let cool for five minutes. Pick up parchment paper, and funnel veggies into blender and process until smooth. You may have to add more water if it gets too thick Taste for seasoning, and store in fridge. This lasts me about a week or so. You can also use fresh habs and ghosts sliced in half and roasted with the veggies, but it does require a good vent hood on your stove. Damn, forgot to add the pic......See MoreSolid Surface counters??
Comments (24)There have been rare, but at least 1 or 2 postings here over the last few years of people who have in fact had cracks - not fissures, but real cracks - develop in their granite. At least one person cracked it from thermal shock and then THEY were in shock, LOL. Stone by its nature has numerous fissures, and much of what is sold as granite, actually isn't. Fissures can react to thermal shock by widening, hence the rare crack. Aluminum and cast iron leave marks on solid surface sinks. These marks are less, and easier to clean, than when I used to have the expensive cast iron Kohler Executive Chef sink. Way easier to clean, believe me! My worst problem with the Swanstone sink is rust marks from cans. Those are very difficult to get off, but they eventually fade after a few weeks time. I've told my DH to stop leaving cans in the sink overnight (we have to rinse cans of any food particles before recycling). And for those who have been using crock-pots et.al. on counters for years, be advised that the NEW crockpots run much, much hotter. Concerns were raised that crockpots were cooking food at too low a temperature to prevent bacterial growth, so almost all the new models cook at higher temps than the old ones....See MoreEducate me about solid surface countertops
Comments (13)Thanks for the tips! I have been reading up on the threads regarding solid surface counters and also checked out the finished kitchens board. Regarding my new kitchen, I will have a stainless steel undermount sink. Cabinets will be rustic pecan from Dynasty Omega. Hardwood floors in a medium to dark finish. Island countertop will be butcher block. I will not be installing granite as it is too expensive. (We are a couple of hundred miles from the nearest granite yard so mileage and time for templating and installation will kill us before the price of the granite is even considered.) That is why I am going with solid surface. I prefer a matte finish rather than shiny and am leaning toward darker, earthtone colors with a stone look. I know about the issues with the heat but have never had anyone in our household set a hot pot on the old yellow/gold laminate counter so I don't anticipate that as a problem. (My KD says you can't use griddles or the George Forman type of grills on solid surface without a trivet or hot pad underneath. Anyone have experience with this?)...See MoreLaminate or Solid Surface Countertops for Resale?
Comments (29)Until this past Saturday when I talked to a general contractor doing a neighbor's kitchen, I was all set to have laminate installed. I had already did the preliminary work of getting my space measured and all I needed to do was 'make he call'. When the GC told me the cabinets would literally fall apart when demolition started(I have tile)I thought I would have to leave the gross '80's tile. While going over the whole scenario with my daughter, she told me about a product she saw advertised at the mall that goes right over the existing tops. The company is called Granite Transformations(http://www.granitetransformations.com/home.html)and is a granite/resin combination. I had a rep out today and here's the scoop: A layer of luan is used on existing tops, some of the tile is 'knocked down' to accommodate the stove and sink, and then the product is installed over the top. Let me tell you, this stuff really looks like granite, but less upkeep, with no sealing involved, and can withstand temps up to 600+(??) degrees. It's an Italian product, and was first used for floors. Yes, it costs more than laminate, but I would need someone to come in and demo, repair walls, disconnect drains, dishwasher, disposal, put in new sink, and then re-install the whole shebang, but I won't need all of that, and they'll disconnect. The laminate plus the 'extras' would have been almost 3 grand. It will cost a little over $4 grand for the granite-like surface. Tomorrow will be decision day. ;o) patty_cakes...See Moreonedog3cats
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