A stainless steel countertop can add beauty and functionality to your kitchen at the same time. It's a wonderful material for countertops, particularly in a very modern and contemporary kitchen. But even in a kitchen with a different décor, a stainless steel countertop can fit in and look natural.

For a modern look in a kitchen, stainless steel countertops paired with a stainless sink and backsplash give the room that truly contemporary look, especially if the refrigerator, oven or range are also done in a stainless steel finish.

Stainless steel counters have been used in commercial kitchens for years, and not for their beauty. Stainless steel is non-porous and offers better hygiene than many other materials. Because it's non-porous, there's no place for bacteria to become trapped in the surface.

You don't have to scrub this type of countertop. Instead, a wipe with disinfectant and you can be sure you have a clean surface to work with. That's not to say that you can never stain a stainless steel counter, because you can. If you use harsh cleaners and abrasives you can wear down the surface and corrode it enough that it will stain easily.

Also, if you leave an acidic food on the countertop, like vinegar or tomato, it can leave a stain. Use a mild cleanser designed for a stainless steel countertops and gently scrub in the direction of the grain pattern on the countertop.

Unlike a butcher block countertop where you might feel comfortable slicing or chopping food directly on the countertop, you should never do that on stainless steel because it can scratch. It's not easy to scratch this type of counter, but once you do manage to scratch the surface it can be difficult to remove or disguise.

By choosing random grain finished countertops you have a better chance of disguising surface scratches. Many of these can be scrubbed away, but deep scratches aren't easy to hide. Choose 304 stainless steel with a random or swirled pattern rather than general brushed stainless steel. Brushed stainless steel countertops lack the randomness as there's a consistent pattern that can make irregularities stand out.

A stainless steel countertop may cost more than other materials. It usually runs between $90 and $160 per square foot. But the material is so superior to others than the cost is worth it if you really want stainless steel counters.

When you consider the lack of maintenance that even the slightly harder to maintain brushed surface requires and the time you save by only have to quickly wipe the surface, the extra cost seems worth it. Not having to worry about bacteria growing since it's a non-porous material can also give you peace of mind.

You don't have to worry about the porous nature as you do with some popular stone materials, and you don't have to worry about chipping expensive ceramic tile or staining the grout. A stainless steel countertop is truly one of the most maintenance free countertops you can own.

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