I would not want stainless steel. I find it impossible to keep looking good..... streaks, etc. I just put in a ceramic white subway backsplash. Probably too early to opine, but it is infinitely better than my previous stone one. My suggestion is something that is flat, not beveled, larger format and has very narrow grout lines. And seal the grout.

The easiest backsplash I ever had was a sheet of mirror that had a small beveled edge. Yes, you can see every spatter which is a good news bad news situation. But everything cleans up easily with your window cleaner of choice - Windex or vinegar and water or Sparkle - whatever. If you miss a spot and something dries on, a single edged razor blade at a shallow angle will get anything off and a quick swipe with a micro fiber cloth and your cleaner - you're good to go. I also loved how it bounced light around and I could see what was going on behind me while I cooked!

Maybe a sheet of back painted glass? that would keep it "modern" and avoid stainless (although I have never had an issue keeping my looking nice - I just avoid the stainless "cleaners" that seem to just be an oil that shows smudges / fingerprints - and just stuck to Dawn...)

I think stainless is easy to keep clean. Just spray it with Greased Lightning spray cleaner. I use it for my stainless hood and it's terrific.

Have you considered a sheet laminate backsplash? Laminate can be beautiful, no grout, and it's neither glass nor metal, so it won't heat up when you're cooking, and you'll never see grease smears.

Cooking is a daily messy affair in my house too -- sometimes breakfast, lunch, and dinner! I went with a solid granite backsplash (no grout hallelujah!) but I love eam44's suggestion and picture too!

Thank you all. I have not considered a laminate backsplash. My counters are laminate and if I get new ones they will be laminate, too, and I think that would be too much laminate even for me.

Solid surface can't be beat for a backsplash. Huge color selection, no grout, very sanitary and easy to clean.

We had a mirrored backsplash two remodels ago (previous home). We loved it, but alas, it did crack -- and it happened while frying latkes on a back burner. I'd probably opt for stainless (which I hate cleaning) or tile (which is easy if it's sealed properly) or solid surface. Or frying less, which would probably be the best solution I the long run ;-)

I had white tile with narrow white grout lines that were sealed. After 20 years it was still all white and looking like new.

Directly behind the range I am going with stainless steel with rolled edges no pattern just plain flat. You can consider large format porcelain tile, big enough to not require grout. I had just clear glass over painted wall in one house which was very easy to keep clean.

Stainless steel backsplash with a quilted pattern. That is what you see in restaurants. Easy to clean, and the quilting means it will show less than a smooth stainless backsplash. It is also not expensive, an added bonus.

QUILTED SS JUST BEHIND THE RANGE:

QUILTED SS ENTIRE BACKSPLASH:

RESTAURANT QUILTED SS BACKSPLASH:

I'd do man made quartz.

ITA with JC. Solid surface. Or painted glass. I once had plexiglass over wallpaper behind the range -- it was in the house when we bought it, and while I did not at first like it, it proved very functional.

Oh my goodness, sjhockeyfan, you do not know how much I WISH less frying was one of the options! But we've been living together for a quarter century and he has neither fried less nor dropped dead of a heart attack, so I'm giving up my fantasies and just aiming for something easy to clean.

People mentioning glass and mirror BS made me remember that my father's house had a mirrored backsplash 30 years ago. It also had pink walls and white Z-brick...Wow, that was a kitchen!

I like the look of stainless steel, I'm not sure about the quilted look, it may be a little too Waffle House, especially when combined with laminate. What about stainless steel tile?

I would definitely stay away from anything with grout. I have a smooth finish stainless steel behind my stove and find it very easy to clean and keep looking nice. I do think that you need to find the right cleaner for different kinds of stainless. The one that works great on my fridge leaves streaks on my backsplash and hood. I find that a mild dish detergent and microfiber cloth works best on these.

Stainless. You really don't need to baby it. Just clean with soap and water on a microfiber cloth. No special cleaners needed. In the metal industry plain old alcohol is used to shine it up. My stainless warming shelf came out of the box pretty marred in spots . I was a bit worried that it was etched and DH laughed at me. He simply took a rag and some rubbing alcohol. ln less than 5 minute and no spots or mars. People overthink this stuff. Stainless has been around forever. Marketers prey on the consumers with new kitchens,appliances etc. about a lot of things. Selling "specialized" products for every little thing. :-(

I like the look of this tile. Any reason not to use a tile if I'm going with stainless?

Too many large grout lines. I had solid granite and it was totally easy to maintain. Spritz, wipe, done.

Maggie, that is a really pretty stainless backsplash. I'm assuming that the "grout" lines on it are really stainless and it comes in sheets? Of course, it won't be as easy to clean as a smooth sheet of stainless, but a great alternative to actual grout with tile.

"What about stainless steel tile?"

You can get tile in stainless steel which will need to be grouted as mentioned above, which won't solve your issue. You can also get sheets of stainless steel with a subway tile pattern embossed on it. I am linking this website, stainlesssupply - while I have never bought from them, I just liked how after you choose your pattern on the website, you can then pick whether you want a brushed finish or not, the thickness of the sheet that you'd like, whether you want edging or not, how it will be mounted, and other choices. There may be a place local to you that you can have these choices as well.

Hey, Martha likes a stainless steel tile look behind the range.

Remember that any tile, or sheet material with grooves or crevices, those grooves and tile edges will be grease traps. Go for a solid piece of glass, laminate, solid surface, or sheet of stainless (which I think would look great with navy cabinets).

I would worry less about the bs material and more about the quality of your vent hood.

eam, I've had thoughts about the vent hood, too. Ours is pretty minimal, and I was thinking more suction in the hood would equal less "fry" smell throughout. But that's a topic for another thread ;-)

Why not have something he props up there just when he fries, then he can wipe it down when not in use.

Yes, a GREAT hood is absolutely essential. Spend the money - you will never regret it. And be sure it is vented OUTSIDE - no ventless hood will help with frying. Do remember, that with constant frying, one must do regular cleaning INSIDE the hood. Most restaurant fires are caused by improper cleaning of vent hoods. Most restaurant use outside commercial cleaners, but apparently they don't alway do what they say they did and a grease fire happens. My daughter is in the business and she says it's a constant problem. Choose your hood based on ease of cleaning inside the hood/the fan/extractor area.

solid surface., we did full granite B/S and it was one of the Best decisions we made in our re-model.!! so, so easy to clean and no grout!!! if u are going with laminate, then do a laminate b/s in a different laminate if your counters are busy...

My mom has had a laminate counter and backsplash for 35 years. In her wisdom she chose a an off white color with a very subtle random pattern. I think it still looks great.

They're recently retired and they're renovating the house. I advised her to leave the counter and backsplash alone. It's not on trend, but it's in great shape and virtually maintenance free.