I don't know the veracity of the oil holding bacteria statement. I do know that science labs use soapstone. It's density lends itself to being a clean surface as there is no pores for substances to seep into the stone and therefore no places for bacteria to hide. It's also chemically inert which means no etching.

Mineral oil is perfectly food safe. It's sold in drug stores as a mild laxative(read: to be ingested) and the amount of mineral oil left on counters after oiling is minimal. I use the mineral oil/beeswax combo. I oil my counters with a rag, then sort of buff them. The counters are not wet to the touch when I am done. There is not enough oil left on the surface to even mark paper.

I think bayareafrancy uses grapeseed oil and I've heard of people using olive oil.

As far as what EVERYONE is telling you, who cares? Unless they are all living and working in your kitchen, they shouldn't get a vote. And if they are working in your kitchen, then maybe it becomes a who uses it more question i.e. he does the dishes so he picks the sink run of counters, you do the cooking & baking so you pick those counters.

Is "everyone" the granite sales guy? ;-) I'd rather have food safe mineral oil on the surfaces I eat on than a chemical sealer (which granite often needs.)

As laxsupermom said, soapstone is what is used in science labs, and it's also been used as a countertop material forever, so IMO means it's tried and tested. Since it is non porous, it does NOT harbor bacteria.

Teacup, the link here is great - lots of testimonials from soapstone owners, pix of soapstone both oiled and unoiled (rememeber, oiling is a choice, not an imperative), plus there's an embedded thread about soaptstone patina.

LOVE my soapstone and would not choose anything else, given the option.

HTH,
Eliz

Here is a link that might be useful: Soapstone

Really, really love my soapstone and would choose it again in a minute! That said, it does scratch and ding, and if you choose to oil/wax, it is a bit higher maintenance than some other surfaces. It's worth it to me. I use George's Club House Wax - a mix of mineral oil and beeswax. If you oil/wax properly, the surface shouldn't be oily to the touch.

Mineral oil is a common ingredient in most cosmetics. Lipstick and lip balm included, which you eat a lot of. (Believe me, you would not want to test your lipstick, or any of your cosmetics, for bacteria.)

But then, if you start testing things for bacteria, you'll find all kinds of things you don't want to know. Just ... believe me on this.

Soapstone is no more or less germy than any other kind of stone counter. Your cleaning practices have more to do with it than anything.

Someone with a background in chemistry recently weighed in on the mineral oil versus food oil question, and came down on the side of mineral oil. If someone has the time to track that down and link to it, it might be illuminating.

I don't know who "people" are in your case -- friends or contractors or granite salespeople -- but there is a lot of disinformation out there.

A lot of contractors are worried that if you haven't REALLY thought about it, you'll get one scratch and freak out and make them take it out. Or worse, you WON'T take it out, you'll just tell all your friends didn't watn you, and he let buy "bad soapstone" and trash his reputation or something. They just want you to be happy. And happiness, to them, means predictability, which means a nice, hard, grey granite like jet mist. Which is an option, if you're not sure.

Everyone here just wants you to be happy too! Which to us means getting what you really want, and what's really right for you, and not getting talked into anything, even by us soapstone freaks.

Yes, soapstone DOES scratch and chip. This IS reality. If you're someone who hates anything old, irons their underwear and can't concentrate when the Cream of Mushroom is ahead of the Beef Bullion, even when the doors are shut, then the jet mist is probably a safer choice.

Otherwise, go to a soapstone dealer and listen to people who actually know about soapstone!

Ditto on the mineral oil information: There is no need to leave a scum of oil behind on your counter. After I use my oil-beeswax mixture there is minimal residue- not enough to mark a paper. Actually I think with the "Bee's Oil" the mineral oil just acts like a solvent to help spread the micro-thin coat of wax. I oiled every few weeks during the first 3 months, but I think I've only oiled twice in the last year, and that was just to dress it up and show it off. I'd call my soapstone low maintenance and no problem. Also remember mineral oil has been refined for human consumption. It's not a food, but it is actually designed for consumption (laxative). But you shouldn't be cutting your veggies directly on your counter- this will ruin your knives...

As for the scratch and ding aspect of soapstone- this material is soft on the Moh's scale, but in practice, it comes in many varieties. Mine is very dark with nice veining. The darker soapstones are much harder, and mine is not scratched up after a year and a half of use. I have kids, I use the kitchen a lot-- but there are very few scratches, and mine are really not noticeable. I'm not banging things around, but I'm not on my tiptoes being careful.

Virginia mist granite is a nice substitute if you like the look of soapstone and can't handle the potential of scratches, but soapstone is really a wonderful choice for many people. I love mine and I'm really glad I didn't go for the granite alternative that some people tried to push.

I cook. I cook alot. I'm not a careful cook. In other words, my kitchen isn't a princess kitchen that doesn't get used. I've gotten one itsy bitsy scratch on my soapstone so far and it disappeared before I had time to address it. I'm not totally thrilled with my soapstone, but I'm happy with it. The best part is being able to take a skillet right off the stove and put it right on the counter without worrying about a hotpad. If you're interested in another aspect of caring for soapstone, see my post under the recent thread KITCHENS FOR PEOPLE WHO HATE TO CLEAN. (I wrote a diatribe on what I don't like.)
It is way more durable than granite sales people would lead you to believe, but it has its own pecularities.

I find it amusing and frustrating at the same time to hear what those who don't have a clue about soapstone have to say about it. I had a similar experience and was told is was extremely porous, among other things. That was something I already knew to be completely wrong, so it made it easy to dismiss everything else that person had to say on the subject.

Soapstone is actually less likely to harbor bacteria than many granites. Anything that stains without sealants (which not all granites do) is porous enough to make a nice home for bacteria. That said, most bacteria don't like other features of stone, such as the cool temps and lack of food sources, so it's not as big a deal even on granite as some would have you think.

Also, when you oil soapstone, the oil doesn't remain on the stone. It causes the surface to oxidize and change color, but the oil itself is wiped off.

food-grade mineral oil is ideal.

i had people try to talk me out of soapstone. it is because people are ignorant and want to sell what they are used to selling. they fear the unknown. i had people tell me it is "incredibly porous". ridiculous.

we're having our stone installed on tuesday-- i finally found a fabricator that appreciates it and knows what he is doing. keep looking around and you'll find someone with good information and some level of skill to give you the beautiful finished product YOU want, not what THEY want to sell you.

Love love LOVE our soapstone. It totally makes the kitchen. Our KD and some other people initially tried to talk us out of it, since it is not as mainstream as granite.

Our GC, bless him, actually got the job by pointing out that he liked everything about our historically-accurate plans except that they called for granite countertops. He had the honesty to say that he thought granite would date our kitchen remodel. We agree!

Now our KD is a true believer.

I agree with everyone else here -- There is SO MUCH MISINFORMATION being circulated about soapstone!

That said, soapstone, like every other countertop material, has its strengths and weaknesses.
More than most other countertops, it's NOT for everyone.
If you want 'pristine and perfect', then soapstone is NOT right for you.
If you want things to sparkle and you want to be able to instantly see that it's clean, then soapstone may not be your ideal countertop.

But, you may be a 'stoner' if:
- You'd prefer the subtle beauty of antique Oriental rugs to a modern Karastan.
- You enjoy polishing the family silver once or twice a year, but no more often.
- You honestly don't think "laugh lines" is necessarily a euphamism for wrinkles.
- You like to wear linen soft and rumpled rather than starched and ironed.
- Your idea of 'countertop repair' is a swipe of oil or a dab of 'Sharpie' marker -- when you remember to do it.
- But mostly, you're probably a stoner if you like the idea of your countertops aging like fine denim. ;-)

It sounds like you have been researching soapstone and know a fair amount. If you really love it and want it I wouldn't let anyone talk you out of it.

I think the phobia about germs that has overtaken the US in the 90s to now is also nonsense. Antimicrobial countertops and pens? We have all started to see the implications of over exposure to antibiotics, now how about over exposure to antimicrobials.

I also don't ever remember eating off the counter. I use a plate. I don't eat chicken but when I did I never laid raw chicken right on the counter either.

I found a dealer with onyx, granite, marble, soapstone and slate all in one room. They sell them all. They said soapstone is dense like slate. They say positives about all their stones. They don't oil any. They say you can if you want to.

Just say no to oiling soapstone. It is an evil plot by the oil companies to keep us reliant on foreign mineral oil. And the beeswax product, I mean who wants to put a substance secreted by some filthy insect on the counters? We don't even know if the wax comes from American bees, It could be from African bees! Wake up people! I have Amurrican-made soapstone in my true-blue Amurrican kitchen, no oil or bee-secretion need apply, thank-you-very-much.

IOW, I don't oil my soapstone, and it has darkened up nicely, and it's easier to maintain; one less step. Wipe and let dry, that's it.
Casey

I love the look of soapstone, but was nervous about the upkeep - we just put in antiqued cambrian black granite - It has the look of a dark oiled soapstone but no oiling required - just another option

First, and important message...please oil your soapstone. Don't listen to Casey! The dude is nuts :oP (I should probably say at this point that we're in the oil and gas business and encourage oiling in any form). But please, use Alaska crude...it's really so much better than mineral oil. Sure the 50 gallon barrel is a bit bulky for storage under the sink...and sure it's probably poison, but it's a nice thick oil! (The more you buy the more likely it is that I can finish my kitchen) :oP

OK Just kidding :o) But now for the reality bit...

I don't have soapstone, but I do have several unusual surfaces in my newly remodeled home. "Everyone" told me no crocodile tile (too dark) no onyx (too soft) no crackle tile (too porus) no chickens (too chickenie) no antique lighting (too dangerous...duh the wires were being changed) don't use brown in the master bath, don't hang the wallpaper in DS's room because it has a picture of a whiskey bottle (so small you can't see it).

And you know what....I did it all and everyone was wrong :) Go with your heart and quit listening to "everyone". The only "everyone" you might consider listening to is someone who actually has the elements you're considering (as you are hearing here) but everyone else...just don't waste your time :)

Igloochic,
finally, somebody gets me! :-)
Casey

Not all soapstone is extremely soft or easily scratched. Ours is quite hard -- it's Beleza -- and naturally dark. We've been using it for 8 months and have had no problems with scratches or dings. And we've never oiled it. It's darkened some on it's own but we just love it's natural state, which includes greenish inclusions and white veins.

Hi, everyone. Just stopping by. Igloochic, you still crack me up.

it's been two years (OK, 1.75 years) since my remodel. I still love love love LOVE my soapstone. People mention my cabinets first and then it's always the soapstone. I'd get it again in a New York second.

Oh, and I haven't oiled it for, oooooh, probably 6 months anyway. It could probably use it, but it's still beautiful.

Could someone please post a photo of their unoiled soapstone? I've seen photos of the oil/unoiled slabs on the soapstone webpages, but not any photos of soapstone that's been in place and has been "lived on". Does the patina develop evenly between heavily used and lightly used areas? And for those of you who are "oilers" -- especially in the beginning, do you move your bigger counter appliances (micro's) daily to oil the surface below? (obviously I've also been reading the "hate to clean the kitchen thread . . .)
Could you use baby oil as an oiling/air freshener combo? ; )

do you move your bigger counter appliances (micro's) daily to oil the surface below?

You don't need to oil it daily! Oh, golly. The first oiling will last for a couple of weeks (unless you scrub daily with a detergent). When I oil, I clear the decks completely, but I certainly don't do it on a daily basis, and I never did.

I was in a tiny apartment for a while and I got a 3x3 piece of soapstone to extend my countertop.

I also had a couple slabs of butcher block and when I'd oil those about once a month (with safflower oil - which will horrify many) I'd take the used rag and give it a once over on the soapstone. I bake often, daily or more, with breads/pastas/pastries that are prepared directly on the ctop and I couldn't have been happier.

I admit, I was already sold on it because I had worked as a designer for several years so was very familiar with all my options, but it worked great for us. Just so's you know.

"Everyone" is trying to talk me out of soapstone too...except for the people who actually have it. They LOVE it. It's rare around here...I've called oh...30 or more granite/stone dealers looking for it with 2 hits (I don't even want to get into the number of hours I've spent searching online). A good number of the granite people I talked to didn't even know what soapstone was. Here is one conversation

"silestone?"
"No, soapstone"
"What's it made out of?"
"Uh, soapstone?"

I could have gone into the details about it's mineral components but it was obviously a dead end :) Do what you love. I love sweeby's analogies :)

donka, I had similar experiences - people looking at me like I was from another planet.

Do you carry any soapstone?
> What?
Soapstone? For counters....and sometimes sinks....but I'm thinking about counters
> Soapstone? Like the stuff used in carvings?
I took that for a no.

Ended up with a fabulous granite, but still get to baby (and use a wonderful smelling mineral oil and insect excrement combo) a butcher block on my island. I also gently oil my stainless steel appliances w mineral oil. In my glee, tried the beeswax combo rag on the fridge. Took a lot of buffing to get that mistake off the fridge (what was I thinking??)

Is there a care or use mistake that should be avoided with soapstone?

Yeah - toxic sealers.
And you don't really need to use soap very often.

We've been using our new kitchen for about 9 months and we love our kitchen. But, if I had to remodel again right now the only thing I would do exactly the same is the soapstone. To me, it's the icing on the cake.

Just don't get us started! Look at the volume of response you've generated by asking soapstoners the validity of their selection. It is the favorite thing in our kitchen after almost 5 years. LOVE it! Would like to pave all surfaces with it. Look for excuses to add more.

What it comes down to is, due to the large investment a kitchen represents, no one wants to make an irretrievable mistake. People who do not understand soapstone repeat folk tales and whispers alerts into your ear when you venture too far from mainstream choices. Relax, do not obsess, it is not a life and death decision; it a materials selection and everyone will indeed survive after the remodel. We obviously all love the stone and so far it has not been toxic to any of us, mineral oil treated or left natural.

I plan on getting lots of soapstone and oiling it with olive oil. I've used a tiny dab of olive oil on my soapstone sample and it darkened up, didn't leave an oily film, and stayed dark for 6+ months before needing to dab a bit more. It didn't turn rancid or getting sticky either.

As per request, unoiled soapstone aged 9 mos.

Alberene soapstone, DIY, "church Hill" variety.
Casey

I was wondering if any of you with soapstone do much baking? I am seriously considering soapstone for my counters but I do a lot of kneading and rolling of dough on my current counters. Can I do this with soapstone. Does dough 'stick' to it more?

I've previously had butcher block and laminate counters which have been fine for this.
Thanks!

Soapstone is fantastic for kneading dough! Oiled or unoiled, my counter seems to be almost a non-stick surface. I use much less flour on the counter than I did with my laminate. I've only had my soapstone for about a month, and this was a very pleasant discovery.

I've had my soapstone counters for over two years and would never choose another counter surface. I cook a lot, knead dough on it, put my pizza stone right out of the oven onto it, entertain on it and haven't oiled it for months. No, it doesn't patina evenly on heavily vs. lightly used areas, but it blends beautifully and it all just works. If you love it you should have it and you'll never regret the choice.

Yeah it seems like "everyone" is the majority of people who grew up thinking granite was the ideal countertop. I don't have soapstone, but I do have quartz. Out of all the stone countertop choices I think it is literally the most care-free.

If you don't like the idea of bacteria, quartz is non-porous. If you don't like the idea of sealing your countertop, like granite, quartz doesn't have to be sealed. If you're looking for the look of soapstone that won't scratch or stain, quartz might be your best bet. There are a few options out there for quartz, but Caesarstone is the only one that has a lifetime warranty. Something to think about...

trailrunner does all sorts of kneading and rolling on her soapstone counters-- do a search for "challah" and you'll see the fruits of her labor.

also, I had my soapstone installed today-- it is gorgeous and I can't imagine a better choice for our kitchen.

Ooo...congrats danielle!! Pics!

Mongrel; thanks for the picture! gorgeous!