Here is what you need to know about Kitchen Counter Tops in Brass

Kitchen counter tops can be made with a wide range of materials. Those made in a brass are popular among people who love the metallic look and finish. These tops can be used in residential spaces, as well as in commercial ones like restaurants. When opting for brass counter top for your kitchen, there are some things that you need to know and keep in mind.

Safety of Use

Brass is an alloy of two natural metals – copper and zinc. These elements are naturally occurring and can even be found in the food or multivitamins that you eat. On its own, this alloy is non-toxic unless you consume it in very high doses. These surfaces can safely be used in homes or hospitality projects, provided that you use them for the purpose that they are intended for. While you can use a brass counter top to cut a slice of bread, this is likely to leave scratches on the surface that can be unsightly over time. You can east food that is left directly on a clean counter surface, but it doesn’t mean that you can throw your plates away. Brass has been used for centuries in food storage and drinking vessels, but it is always better to use plates, bowls, cutlery and other kitchenware made of brass than use the counter top.

The finish

Choosing a brass counter top does not mean that you are limited to a single finish of the gleaming metal. Many other finishes and can be incorporated into a kitchen counter top made with this alloy. Non directional matte finish is one of the most popular finishes used on brass. It is also the best choice because it allows the metal to adapt and change to the environment with a matte finish that quickly reacts once in use. Likewise patina adds a base color or pattern to the brass tops. It mimics the process that happens naturally. Brass surfaces after patination continue to react to their environment. The color is not permanent, and keeps changing over time. Some popular patinas include light brown, dark brown, and mottled variants.

Appearance

The appearance of a brass counter top varies from location to location, and is governed by the environment and natural weather conditions of the place where it is kept or used. Brass tops in an outdoor kitchen near an ocean look different from a climate-controlled, heavily used restaurant bar. In a typical residential kitchen, these countertops begin to show spots, which appear within the first few weeks of use. They usually appear near work areas such as the sink or cook top. These spots gradually overlap with each other to give a mottled dark brown look. This can however change with frequency of cleaning, minerals in the water, and type of use. In restaurants or bars, these counter tops are subject to heavy use and hence give you the feel that they have been installed ages ago. When used in outdoor locations such as a kitchen near the ocean, the alloy oxidizes and forms a green protective coating around itself. This gives it a rustic charm. In any setting, the counter top is sure to give you a dynamic finish that changes frequently.

Care and cleaning

Brass countertops are best cleaned with soft cloth and mild soap. They can occasionally be scrubbed with an abrasive sponge. Cleaners with ammonia, bleach, or citric acid are a strict no on such surfaces. These kitchen tops form spots easily from a wide variety of things – liquids, fingerprints, and so on. This is to be expected and the frequency of such spots depend on how you use the surface. When using spray cleaners or commercial soaps, it is best to test them to see if they darken the brass. Metal polishes too can be used, but maintaining a polished surface on a routine basis maybe tricky, and it is best to let the brass develop natural surface.

Brass can be a beautiful addition to kitchen counters when chose properly and maintained with care.