We have a brand new stainless steel bench!
A few years ago, our 17 year old stone bench developed a crack, which gradually grew until it finally spread all the way to the corner. It was only a matter of time before it split in two completely…
Pete thought it was a good idea to get a stainless steel replacement and his brother, wonderful Uncle Steve, arranged it for us. He came over and built a plywood template, then organised a company in Padstow to make the bench for us. It was surprisingly reasonable – only a few hundred dollars – but I suspect that was Steve’s trade price.
When we came back from Singapore, he popped over to install it for us…
At the end of the day, we had this shiny new bench…
Isn’t it gorgeous?
Pete and I are both thrilled with it, but let me sound a word of warning to anyone considering stainless steel as a bench top.
This is what it looked like after two weeks…
A metal bench will scratch the first time you put a bowl on it. I’d been pre-warned by both Pete and Steve, so I was mentally ready for it. But if you’re someone who loves smooth, unblemished surfaces, don’t get stainless steel as it will drive you bonkers. Fingerprints can be wiped off, but the scratches are there for good…
Having said that though, the bench is dead easy to keep spotlessly clean, as any residue on it is immediately obvious. And because of that, we’ve found ourselves treating it like stainless steel cookware – hot pots go straight onto it, as do rising bread doughs and freshly baked cookies…
Our kitchen is looking a bit mismatched at the moment, as we’ve only replaced the broken bench, leaving the stone one on the opposite side. That annoyed me for two days, but now my eyes have adjusted and I don’t notice it any more. I don’t mind the scratches either – I’ve decided to view them as patina!
Fig Jam and Lime Cordial 
Lovely bench. What a wonderful thing to have happen upon your return.
The scratches wouldn’t bother me. Great that you can put hot things straight onto it. In Spain in the bars they say to clean stainless steelworktops with gin to keep them shiny…but it does feel like a dreadful waste of gin!
I’m so happy you love your ss benchtop. Ours has worn to a well-used finish over the years. It is well-loved. I think once you go ss, you only want more so I imagine it’s just a matter of time until your remaining stone side goes thst way too.
Oh I want it now, but can’t justify it until it breaks! 😆
Interesting as I hope to have one soon. I’d probably still be in the habit of putting something under the pots, but it’s great that you can put hot pots straight onto it. A friend of mine who worked in catering uses baby oil to leave a lovely sheen, but of course, not to resist scratching.
I think the scratches really only show because there are so few of them. The more you ‘love’ your bench, the more integrated the surface will become. We’re moving soon, and the house needs a new kitchen that isn’t cockroach central and hopelessly laid out. I’m hankering after an island unit with a zinc top, but you’ve made me think stainless steel’s the way to go.
It looks wonderful Celia and beats my mountain wooden kitchen tops hands down. The scratches, as Kate says will merge over time and demonstrate your commitment and love to your kitchen. However, all is not lost! There are literally hundreds of ways to remove scratches from stainless steel. The methods will vary depending on the depth of the scratch. Google is your friend.
In Canada a bench is something you sit on! So thanks for the pic or I would have been totally confused….. the scratches will cease to be an issue the more it gets as it develops a patina. I have considered this type of countertop but haven’t pulled the trigger yet.
Hi Celia,
We moved into a new house last year and I asked for a stainless steel bench in the kitchen and laundry. My partner thought I would be manic about scratches but I was prepared and I absolutely love it – scratches and all. It is so easy to clean and I now think the scratches are all part of the appeal.
I’m getting a stainless steel bench as part of our renovation – I can’t wait to throw pastry on it!
I too was confused re bench (something one sits on!) but the patina on this will be great.