If your stainless refrigerator and stainless pots look okay, why won't a stainless backsplash? A backsplash gets touched (fingerprints) much less than an appliance, and really it doesn't get much ''splashed'' on it except right at the sink. Some on KF have stainless behind the range, and I have some friends who do - the steel isn't any harder to clean than other surfaces.

The comment about a glass overlay suggests you, or the carpenter, might be worried about scratches more than smudging? I haven't seen that problem in my friends' kitchens, I suppose it depends on how much stuff slides around on your countertops to whack the wall..

I have a sheet of stainless behind my range top ( search: finished mowed kitchen). It couldn't be easier to clean!

I think tanem meant "finished modern kitchen" not mowed kitchen! Her kitchen is beautiful. Suggest you check it out.

I've also been thinking about SS behind the range. It's interesting how the BS seems to be one of the hardest deciions to make. I like the clean look of SS b/c it doesn't compete with the granite and my thinking was it would be very easy to clean as well. Someone (can't remember who) recently posted pics of their SS backsplash although they used SS tiles - behind the stove only, I think. It looked great, but I don't think it would work with my kitchen style. I'm thinking just a sheet of stainless behind the range but may post some pics and get advice in the coming weeks.

I looked into it because we fry alot. They sell them online, ebay, and I've seen them on craigslist for definitely under $100. So i was actually looking for using it because its EASIER to keep clean. You should see the condition of my current stone backsplash vs the thermador stove. Its almost impossible to keep the travertine behind the stove clen.
For the new kitchen, i had them put in the stone backplash. I figure i can buy the ss one, and just bring it out when we're frying.

You could do a quilted stainless steel backsplash, and you won't have to worry as much about fingerprints and splatters showing. Quilted stainless is often seen in restaurant kitchens.

Here is a link that might be useful:

I am surprised someone said it is hard to clean. They must
never clean or they would know SS is used in industrial
kitchens for the very reason it is easy to clean. : )
I detest cleaning and I find SS to be the easy part of
my kitchen to clean.

But this is not a debate about stainless cleaning. I
need to get off my kitchen soapbox (stool) and help you
with pictures.

Here are some ideas.
~boxerpups

{{!gwi}}

Thanks everyone! I do think the contractor meant that stainless scratches and would not look 'polished' beyond day one. But we're going for a kitchen that is USEFUL not only good looking! drdannie...where have you looked to buy the ss bs on line? We're not planning to go with the one offered by the DCS company, seems more $$ than we'll need to spend. Thanks all!

I have been looking at this for an option behind the cooktop only. If you can't find any on EBay/Craigs, Home Depot and Lowes sells and number of varieties. Some are pricey like this Broan.

I highly recommend good lighting if you do decide on a ss backsplash. The reflective qualities of ss are gorgeous, especially in the evenings. U/C lighting is a must!

I forgot to add, make sue you get matte finish (that's what is pictured in most of these kitchens). Also, just check with a local fabricator. It's much less expensive.

My brother installed solid sheet stainless b/s with black granite counters. Runs behind sink and stove and they do a lot of cooking and entertaining with no complaints re: clean-up or concern with pre-cleanup appearance when guests are in the kitchen during food prep.

If you were going to use it as a countertop, I'd say yes, consider scratches as an imminent aspect of the finish. But as a backsplash? Not that many scratches. We've had our stainless backsplash behind the stove since 2004 and no scratches yet. It still cleans up beautifully and makes me smile. Honestly, I wouldn't have wanted anything else there, except maybe glass, but I'd have been more worried about that from a temperature point of view. We do have sicis waterglass on the rest of the backsplash, and I'll tell you I haven't had any scratching there, either!

We did the ss brick tile behind the backsplash and as a trim on the tile. Love it. Easy to clean, much easier than the fridge and microwave as I don't have teenage handprints on backsplash!! Here's a photo of mine.

Here is a link that might be useful: