Worried about marble's durability in the kitchen? Read my tale!

15 years ago

I took a vacation day from work today to start my holiday baking. I'd brought my ingredients to room temperature and was ready to dig in. Then I decided to add some "Christmas" to the room, so I lit the evergreen scented candle and hauled out my baking utensils. Wouldn't ya know, my son hadn't returned my mix master! Oh, for cryin' out loud. So I scrambled for my 35-year old hand-held beater and just chugged along. It was a bear to get the first batch of dough mixed well, but I plodded along. Washed all the utensils and then cleaned the counter to get ready for another batch.

Holy smokes! The *&%* glass container for the candle had a crack in it! And the dark green hot liquid WAX had oozed all over my marble counter! I just froze. There was about a 3" wide pool of wax smack in the middle of my island. I raced for the sponge and --

IT DISAPPEARED! Well, not in the first swipe, 'cause it was still hot so it smeared. But I swiped again and it all came up on the sponge.

There isn't even a shadow on the marble. Nothing. You'd never know it happened.

Oh, but I love love love my marble counters.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

erikanh
15 years ago
That's great news! I'm so looking forward to getting my marble counters! It seems like more and more people are discovering what a wonderful work surface honed marble can be.

Quick question, how often do you seal?

Erika
katieob
15 years ago
My stomach fell when I read the subject line, but what a pleasant surprise. Like Erika, I can't wait for my honed calacatta!
Related Discussions
Great blog about marble countertops. Must read.
Q
Comments (40)
I appreciate oldryder's first post - why wouldn't we want to take care of our belongings? I even took care of my old, nasty laminate. I've always used large cutting boards and trivets, whatever protection was necessary for the job. I'm careful of contamination and cross-contamination and clean thoroughly as I cook. I am forever grateful to romy for turning me on to the Range Kleen pads and I don't just use them on the marble. I protect all my surfaces. I keep two out at all times, one next to the range and one as a beverage station next to the fridge. It works with our lifestyle. I've had our Danby several months now and I couldn't be happier with it. No stains, etches, or chips. We don't cover all the surfaces and we're still under construction so it's had its share of tool drops though I don't recommend that. I love the variation of very light to dark and of course the sparkle which is difficult to capture in photos. I originally wanted mostly white with gentle veining, but love the interest and texture the veining gives. I also have an antiqish (we're guessing 1930's) polished marble side table. It is still beautiful. It is not babied and does have water ring etching though you wouldn't know unless you're at an extreme angle and the light is just right. In fact, I did not know it had etches until I got on my hands and knees and looked for it. I've used it as en entry table with a chair next to it so it does get abuse-drinks, keys, drop zone. Patina in the upper left corner. I also agree with peony4s wise words, although I asked quite a few of my friends' early 30's kids (male and female), and my 20 something daughter when I was in the choices phase, and they all picked the marble and love it now. Christina222's quartzite and marble combo is gorgeous. Maybe that's the best solution for you, especially if you love polished.
...See More
What I worried about needlessly and should have worried about mor
Q
Comments (18)
Okay, off topic, Sally, please, please do a new post, for your reveal. I do enjoy all the white kitchens but for many reasons did not do one myself; we non-Somethin's Gotta Give remodelers need more inspiration photos! Was that Costa by the way? It's gorgeous! On topic: When one measurement changed, I did not think through how that impacted the rest of the plan. Despite research on the web and the store, when I received my microwave trim kit, the cabinet needed to get deeper than planned. I figured out pretty last minute that we now had a tiny unacceptable walkway and we moved the fridge over. We were so busy congratulating ourselves on our narrow escape, but the ride wasn't over. I didn't think about the 3 upper spacious cupboards that would now be microscopic when installed. The cabinet maker cut me a pretty good deal to redo that set with fewer but bigger doors. He definitely went above and beyond, and given what everyone else has posted about contractors, I am so very grateful that it got corrected as it did. Another one I did not think about soon enough was making a Ceiling and Texturing Plan. This is not the same as a Lighting plan, although lighting obviously figures into the equation. We did parts (not all) of this project DIY. We hadn't realized some areas that we needed to mud better because they would not be covered by tile or cabinet (ie above the window) and he had to add some hot mud last minute. Given the contractor we got (a personal rec), that was only a small upcharge. Also, be aware that once your texturing is underway, the room is sealed off. You can't supervise unless you are sealed in too. I would send in a big map or go over it with blue tape that you remind him to pull off before he starts that area. Like another poster, I also did not figure out that I wanted my ceiling light hung from a different position. I will not retexture, my husband is adamant that I find a table fixture that can be hung to correct position by a chain and a hook. It is what it is. The height and exact placement of the hood was not ideal. I was adamant that it be within the manufacturer's specs so that it worked properly. However, there were several inches of leeway within those guidelines. Have everyone pretend to be cooking and see what they think. It should have been higher to avoid my husband bumping his head. He is learning. But that was definitely a mistake.
...See More
About to enter The Twilight Zone now - a rambling tale.
Q
Comments (20)
Thank you, thank you all. This has indeed been an interesting journey. DH retired 3 years ago and he resisted the idea for a long time. But one day last year I mentioned that one of the larger homes that backed up to the woods had just come on the market and he surprised me by agreeing to see it. Then he floored me by making an offer. Most of the homes in this community sell quickly, usually by word of mouth which is how I found this one. My friends who live there told me the day it went on the market. Joanie - You asked how we chose this community. That was probably the easiest part of this process. We used to drive past the entrance when we took the dog to the vet and every now and then DH and I would drive through. This community is 13 years old, has 235 individual homes and 30 townhouses reserved for lower income seniors. There is a clubhouse, outdoor pool, tennis and bocce courts and a very active group of residents. As with so many other real estate decisions location was key. We have many over 55 communities in this part of South Jersey and I know of 5 more that are being built. Most of the newer ones have larger units and more options but they're not necessarily better construction and most of them are in towns with high taxes. Toll Brothers is building one on a golf course in my town. These are all townhouses and the taxes for a 2100 sq ft home are over $15,000. Our development has 8 different models ranging from 1500 sq ft to 2150 sq ft - we choose the larger one in hopes that some day we might have grandchildren who'd like to visit. We have a 2 car garage, a kitchen, family room, living room/dining room, master bedroom and guest room on the first floor. The second floor has another guest room and a loft. The lots are small and the houses are close together which is why we wanted one in the rear with a private patio and backs up to woods. The monthly HOA fee is $135 which covers yard care, snow removal and recreational facilities. Once DH realized that this move made sense he threw himself into planning the remodel. He comments that if we're giving up this home that we love then he wants to make the next one 'ours' too. So while they all seem to look alike on the outside we're completely remaking the interior. I've heard him talking to our friends about our move and he now says that he should have done this earlier. Giving up our big home, yard and pool will free us from many of those home ownership worries plus there is the financial savings - our taxes will be halved, utility costs will be significantly lower and we plan on spending more time at our vacation home in NE PA. DH is near 70 and I'm a few years behind and he has health limitations that prevent him from strenuous activity. We won't have to switch doctors or hospitals, all 3 adult kids now own their own homes and live within 30 minutes. I'll actually be closer to Wegman's and the Wellness Center where I try to do pool exercises 4 or 5 times a week. I can easily drive or take the Hi-Speed Line into Philly or take NJ Transit to NYC. I'm the social butterfly in the family while DH is reserved, quiet and definitely not a joiner. They have regular card games in the clubhouse but DH wouldn't dream of just walking in. I'm hoping he'll met someone who will ask if he plays pinochle - that would make him a happy camper. My girlfriend and I have already signed up for the September bus trip to NYC. Thanks again everyone for your encouraging words. Maire
...See More
Is Colorado marble, like Lincoln, as 'durable' as Italian marble?
Q
Comments (21)
If you’re looking for a domestically quarried marble on par with those quarried in Italy, look at Alabama White (a.k.a., Sylacauga) marble. These two images are from ABC Stone: “One of the most important characteristics of Alabama White marble is its strength,” said Jacob Swindal. “Even in a 2 cm slab, Alabama White requires no epoxy injection of fiberglass mesh backing. The material also displays translucent qualities in these thinner applications, which can be quite appealing to the design community here in the U.S. and abroad.” -Excerpted from Alabama White Marble’s Comeback SYLACAUGA, Alabama – The belt of white marble that runs beneath this central Alabama city once yielded gleaming columns, panels and other architectural elements found in monuments, government buildings, hotels and banks across the nation. For several decades, however, creamy Alabama marble has been in short supply for high-profile commercial and government projects. A new venture spearheaded by Bessemer businessman Roy Swindal and his family, along with international backing, intends to change that. Their plans for Sylacauga Marble Quarry would return Alabama white marble to its heritage as a prized construction material, used in the interiors of the U.S. Supreme Court, the ceiling of the Lincoln Memorial and in many other notable structures. -Excerpted from Sylacauga Marble Quarry venture plans rebirth for Alabama white marble
...See More
tetrazzini
15 years ago
Ditto!
gglks
15 years ago
any pics for us????????
rnest44
15 years ago
I love stories with happy endings! Pics of all your yummy baking on those marble tops?
kateskouros
15 years ago
please don't scare me like that again. i need a valium.
alice462
15 years ago
I was afraid to open this post as we are at the fabrication stage of our marble island.......what a relief to read that I do not need to have yet another....."Well, Honey, about that (countertop, island, stain, paint, cabinet, appliance, etc) choice I made"......whew!
oofasis
Original Author
15 years ago
I can remember back when I'd begun to look for slabs, very early on in the process. I always knew I wanted Carrara marble, not granite or any other surface. I knew this years before we ever even contemplated a new kitchen. But, without exception, every sales person in every slab yard strongly discouraged me from using marble for a counter surface in the kitchen. And more discouragingly, most of them wanted me to sign waivers. At that time I didn't have any "facts" or real life experience about living with marble in the kitchen. I was so confused -- how could a natural material that has been used in homes for centuries be such a poor choice today?

Even after I'd found GardenWeb and read the experiences of those who already had marble in their kitchens, the people at the slab yards were still skeptical. I'm so grateful I didn't let their ignorance of the stone's qualities deter me. I will admit, however, to a strong measure of paranoia for the first couple of months after the Carrara was installed. But once I had a chance to see that staining was a non-issue and that etch marks were best seen by my eyes only -- not my family's eyes, and certainly not my guests' eyes (I'd practically have to tilt their heads with one hand and point to the etch with another!) -- once I saw that this aged stone of Renaissance masters could hold its own in the 21st Century in my little kitchen, I was gratified with my leap of faith.

Erika, the last time I sealed was a bit less than a year ago. Installers sealed it, and I resealed (too enthusiastically, and with so much sealer that I had to remove all the gumminess of my work and re-seal again).

Yesterday's baking prep was done at my 8' island. Lots of room to spread out. It was so wonderful to have a seemingly endless stretch of marble surface to roll out my dough and to cool my cookies. I made Linzer tarts and there were plenty of of raspberry and pomegranite jelly spills as I worked on filling the cookies. No stains, easy clean up, great looking cookies.
danielle00
15 years ago
Oh, I'm so glad you posted those pictures-- once we decided painted white cabinets weren't for us and realized that soapstone is hard to come by around here, we started considering somewhat darker cabinetry with marble.. yours looks lovely and it is great to hear that it has been durable and relatively hassle-free.
rmkitchen
15 years ago
I am so glad you posted this! I love reading good stories about marble and think the more there are out here the more comfortable potential marble lovers can be. Sometimes I feel like the PR for white marble because of all the touting I do -- we've only had ours since May of this year, but we're total slobs and haven't had any problem which couldn't be rectified: tomato sauce, lemon, coffee, tea, grape juice ... so far the only staining has been on our butcher block counter! That's kinda funny, I think.

Just to add my experience: I only sealed after installation (seven months ago). The only area which was resealed was an area to which I had to apply a poultice (which lifted the rust out just like that!). I'd thought I'd have to seal more often but since it's holding up so well I guess not.

Marble really is a wonderful kitchen countertop material! Thank you, oofasis, for spreading the word!

Worried about marble's durability in the kitchen? Read my tale!

Comments (10)

erikanh

katieob

Related Discussions

tetrazzini

gglks

rnest44

kateskouros

alice462

oofasis
Original Author

danielle00

rmkitchen

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

Worried about marble's durability in the kitchen? Read my tale!

Comments (10)

Related Discussions

oofasisOriginal Author

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US

oofasis
Original Author