Why Bakers and Chefs Prefer Marble Countertops

by Kevin Smith Author

When you start shopping for new countertops, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the number of choices on the market today. Granite, marble, quartz, soapstone--how do you decide? Ultimately, it depends on how often you use your counters and what you like to cook. Marble countertops from Atlanta, GA, are the surfaces of choice for chefs, bakers, and candy makers.

Temperature Regulation

Whether you’re an aspiring chef or a professional baker, you know that the ability to control the temperature of your food is essential to creating family meals and 5-star cuisines. This is why avid bakers and chefs love marble. It has this unique ability to draw and redistribute heat across the surface of the stone and away from food. If you’re kneading a ball of bread dough, the heat from your hands can alter the dough, making it more difficult to form. Marble absorbs the heat from the dough, keeping it cool while you knead. Marble is also good for making candy and molding chocolate. Once marble is properly sealed, you can pour melted chocolate and warm candy syrup directly on the surface of the stone. As you spread and mold your candy across the surface, the marble will pull heat from the liquid candy, causing it to harden at an even rate.

Countertop Comparisons

Granite is another popular choice for countertops but compared to marble, it’s usually more expensive. This is due to the fact that marble isn’t as durable as granite. Marble is softer and more porous than granite which means that does require more care and maintenance than other countertop materials. Granite can go two to three years between seals, but marble needs a yearly treatment to protect it from germs and staining. While you can use these surfaces for kneading and candy making, take care not to place hot pots on the surface. Although rare, natural stone can experience thermal shock from a sudden change in temperature, causing the stone to crack. Use trivets for hot pots and pans to prevent this from happening.

Marble Maintenance

Since marble is more porous, it’s also more susceptible to household acids like vinegar and citrus juices. If left unattended, acid-based foods and liquids will eat through the sealant and damage the stone underneath. Plot up spills as soon as possible with a cleaner made specifically for natural stone. Be wary about knives around your countertops and use cutting boards for meats and vegetables. Be proactive in cleaning your surfaces and your marble countertops from Atlanta, GA, are guaranteed to last a lifetime.