If you had to choose a type of counter for an outdoor kitchen, what would it be?

AnnaG

I am planning to build an outdoor fireplace and an outdoor kitchen for my eggs. I am wondering what is the best surface for a counter-top? Granite, brick, formica, etc....

Any ideas and real world experience suggestions would be welcome!!!

Thanks...

...AnnaG....

Thatgrimguy

I would and did go granite. Whatever you do, solid stone or polished concrete is a huge advantage over tile or brick tops. 

hapster

I have a stainless steel table next to my large which is in a nest... That said, if I had a patio on which to build something; I'd probably go with sealed concrete

ksmyrl

+1 for granite. Love mine and you can put hot plate setters and accessories right on it and not have to worry about it.

Mattman3969

Granite with a Leather finish but I am kinda partial to natural stone

mrosener

Another vote for granite.

mokadir

Granite was my choice also. Beautiful, practical and should last millions more years.

AnnaG

Thank you for sharing those beautiful pics!!!! Looks like granite is leading the poll....

Eggcelsior

I'd go quartz. Non-porous so it won't absorb anything and doesn't need to be sealed.

Wolfpack

One word of warning in regards to granite outside- if it's in direct sunlight it will fade fairly quickly. Keep sealing and polishing and colors will come back but it's far from maintenance free. +1 on the leather finish

Mattman3969

Eggcelsior said:

I'd go quartz. Non-porous so it won't absorb anything and doesn't need to be sealed.

This is cool if it is not in direct sunlight ever. The resins that hold hold the quartz pebbles in place are not UV resistant and will fade in a matter of months. This is why we have to store our quartz inventory inside.

Mattman3969

Wolfpack said:

One word of warning in regards to granite outside- if it's in direct sunlight it will fade fairly quickly. Keep sealing and polishing and colors will come back but it's far from maintenance free. +1 on the leather finish

The lighter color granites are way less to susceptible to the fade and even more so the ones that come from India. The leather finish gets rid of any color enhancing resin(not UV stable) and kinda take the stone back to its natural state.
To the OP any honest fabricator can tell you which stone will hold up outside over the long haul. If you find something you like you can PM me with any questions and I will try to help. Granite is what I do and have done for the last 10yrs.