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Soapstone Counters and Dishwashers

16 years ago

I need to choose a dishwasher and hope that I will be able to install soapstone counters. I thought I would choose a mid-range model, such as the Kitchen Aid I had before. But I seem to remember a discussion about venting from the top being a problem. My question: For those who have soapstone counters, what dishwasher did you choose? Is a Miele my only option?

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Comments (12)

debbie_2008
16 years ago
If what you mean would be vents along the top of the door of the dishwasher, I think you are fine. Formica I believe would be the problem.
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weissman
16 years ago
Only the DWs with completely hidden controls vent out the top. My KA vents out the front top. I don't think you'll have a problem.
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I redoing my kitchen (plan to start in a few weeks) and although I am using silestone rather than soapstone, I face the same issue re: supporting the weight of the countertop over the d/w. In my case, the d/w will be between the sink cabinet and a stove. My cabinet installer is placing a 7/8" wood panel between the d/w and the stove in order to support the countertop. By the way, soapstone would be my first choice but I have a small, windowless kitchen and so want to use a light colored countertop, thus the choice of Silestone in Blanco Maple, a light grayish-white (should work well with SS appliances, as does soapstone).
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Wow, its great to see feedback on some Portland providers. We have been giving our kitchen a makeover as well, it all started with me falling for a Bluestar range...which then made it apparent the rest of the kitchen needed work to make it stand up to the range. We have our original cabinets from when the house was built 80 years ago, we did have to resize a few of the wall cabinets as they hung too low and made the counter useless. They had been refaced at some point with some lightly stained maple, and after getting quotes to paint our small kitchen cabinets in the range or $1800 we painted them ourselves with Miller primer/paint. I performed all of the electrical work, we just had to have a contractor run the gas line as we originally had a wretched electric stove. We are now at the counter decision, and are leaning towards soapstone. We got one bid and it just seemed way too high for the amount of work soapstone takes (no polishing or sealing), I just don't see how it can have $1800 in labor if I compare the cost of "DIY" from Teixeira cost. We have two straight counter tops, nothing fancy. I could screw it up and do it twice for what the quote we got was. If we had to pay the bid price of $3000+ for soapstone, I couldn't justify it. We have old cabinets, so they are a shallow depth...which means the counter is not "standard" and would have to be completely replaced if we ever replaced the cabinets. However the DIY price is a bit easier to consider. We also got our Bluestar at BASCO, but just the 30". They had a great deal going last year that saved $300 off the standard price. One complaint is that their delivery guys dented the side panel, pretty big mistake for guys that deliver high cost (heavy) appliances every day. This reminds me I need to call and finish getting credit for the damage as they offered. We found some soapstone slabs at Casa Bella and a few other spots around town, i think we found 3 warehouses with SS slabs in stock...I just hate how they can't tell you the price of it. It really seems like they have a racket going with the installers and can just make up whatever price they want. None of them would even tell us a "real" price, seems shady to me. Perhaps that is how stone is sold, but I'm not down with that game...just seems to leave too much room to just jack up the price if they don't like your fabricator or something.
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Thanks for all of your help. (I had tried the float - the GE website explained the very scientific method of whacking it with a wooden spoon!) The plumber replaced all of the plumbing to the dishwasher when he was here yesterday and it works now. :) Still have to solve the problem of attachment. I figured I would try calling GE for side clips first (great idea, granite-girl) and if that doesn't go anywhere, try the epoxy. Again, thanks for your help. It is so nice to have this forum for questions like these! (And helpful people on the other end willing to take the time to answer them!)
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This is exactly what my decision was in an old house with original cabinets in bad shape, laminate counters in bad shape, and antiquated appliances that didn't work well. So, I found new to me appliances on Craigslist that fit the layout, and spent the money on the stone. Total cost for appliances: Stove $395 (original price $2600), Built in fridge $600 (original price $7500), dishwasher $100 (original $800) and I splurged on the vent a hood because it was period appropriate. Then I got the stone I wanted and spent the money I needed to for both the perimeter soapstone and the walnut island. You can always replace appliances easily. The counter tops are a bit more tricky. I am finding the longer I have these appliances that I may hang onto them until I sell the house. The cost savings allowed me to splurge on quite a few items and I don't regret it.
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vwhippiechick
16 years ago
We have soapstone counters with an Asko dishwasher - no problems.
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earlygirl44
16 years ago
I'm doing a Jenn-Air with Soapstone ... anyone know if this is a problem ?? it does have hidden controls..
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kevinb_flyguy
16 years ago
Absolutely no problems with soapstone and dishwashers. If you're worried about steam getting n or around it, don't be. It will not hurt it at all.
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debbie_2008
16 years ago
I believe it is the wood used under laminate (such as formica) that would be a problem, NOT solid surfaces.
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borngrace
16 years ago
It was me and it was a kitchenaid. I will never buy another kitchenaid. It was such a lemon. I have had 2 old old kitchenaids that cleaned like workhorses, I think the new ones are total cr$%p.

This time I will buy GE monogram.
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sweeby
16 years ago
My two KitchenAids work really well, I think -- And they have completely hidden controls and are installed under soapstone. No problems I can find...
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saskiasmom
Original Author
16 years ago
Thank you to all who have responded thus far. I really liked my last Kitchen Aid until it gave out just prior to deciding I had to do over the entire kitchen. I've been doing dishes by hand now for quite awhile and can't wait to get the drainer off the counter!
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sombreuil_mongrel
16 years ago
I didn't know they made soapstone dishwashers; sounds heavy. FWIW, I wouldn't have the DW match the countertops- too matchy-matchy. Maybe a calacatta marble DW; that would provide a nice contrast to the soapstone countertops, and not be too dark.
Casey
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sleepydrj
16 years ago
Sombreuil,
We had a friend that installed the marble face on their Bosch. It was a huge pain. Constantly having to adjust the springs just right so it would open and close easily.

So we chose to install a Bosch with a boring wooden front panel and this works quite well with our soapstone.

Back on thread,
Our Bosch with completely hidden controls poses no problems at all with our soapstone counter. I can't imagine what the original post was referring to. Our Soapstone tends to stay quite dark without oiling anyhow, but there are no issues of any kind near the dishwasher.

Sounds like someone was spreading FUD (fear, uncertainty, doubt) about soapstone??
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borngrace
16 years ago
We had what I'm guessing was a condesnsation issue with our soapstone where it was installed over the dishwasher (no where else). If anything was left on the counter white rings showed up (that did not disappear with oiling) and that area of the counter in general had a bigger problem with fade off.

The kitchenaid dishwasher was a total lemon anyway - so it may have been it, it may have been an installation issue -- maybe installed too far back/too far front - don't know.

Not trying to dissuade anyone from Soapstone -- it was my only choice for my last kitchen and I'm not considering anything else for this kitchen.

Here's the pic that was posted before you can sort of see the wide spots that get left where the toaster and dog treat canister are also:
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