Your All-Weather SustainaPod Outdoor Kitchen comes complete with a 20mm natural granite benchtop. Because this is a natural material, there are a few common queries that arise.

How do I clean my benchtop?

Your SustainaPod Outdoor Kitchen benchtop arrives pre-treated and protected by Lithofin MN Stain-Stop, which includes a 20-year written warranty stating that the surface will remain water repellent and resistant to staining against normal, non-acidic household substances. The natural granite surface must be maintained according to the Lithofin cleaning and maintenance system. Lithofin Warranty details are included with product packaging.

Is my benchtop heatproof?

Whilst natural granite is extremely durable and resilient to heat, quick differences in temperature can cause problems.  For example, if the granite is sitting in the sun in summertime and is hot and you hose it down with cold water to cool it, shock can occur, and the benchtop may crack.

Protective trivets and heat pads should always be used underneath cookware such as skillets, saucepans, pots or dishes when removing hot items directly from any heat source (barbecue, cooktop) and placing onto the granite surface. We suggest covering your outdoor kitchen benchtop when not in use. Prolonged or sudden extreme temperature changes can create thermal shock cracks which are excluded from the warranty.

Can I cut directly on my granite benchtop?

The use of cutting boards and taking care not to drop or move heavy objects on the surface will help to ensure the long-lasting beauty of the granite. The resilient surface has been designed to withstand normal daily use. Whilst it is resistant to scratches, cuts and chipping, do not cut directly on the surface. Scratches and chips to the edge or primary surface may not be protected under warranty.

Help! I think my granite is cracked!

We often have customers tell us that their granite benchtop is cracked, however most of the time it is actually a naturally occurring fissure in the stone.

A fissure is defined in the granite industry as a “visible separation along intercrystalline boundaries or the voids between mineral crystals” and occurs through repeated heating and cooling during the stone’s formation.

A crack is a separation in the slab that occurs through man-made stresses such as transport, handling or installation.

You can tell the difference between the two through observation and touch. Fissures are long, hairline openings around the crystals in the stone. They can be deep within the stone or appear on the polished surface of a slab. Cracks are often wider and can include chipping, separation, or breakage around the area. When you run your fingernail over a fissure it will run smoothly across the gap, however, when you do the same thing over a crack, your fingernail will catch on the edge. This is because a crack changes the plane of the stone – one side is often higher than the other – whereas a fissure does not. Check the reflection of the gap. If you see one point of reflection, you have a fissure. If you see two points of reflection, it may be a crack because of the higher edge.

Whilst fissures can appear in any granite, our Colonial White colour is more likely to include fissures throughout the slab because it contains large crystals.

A fissure in your benchtop does not affect the structural integrity of the benchtop and, as such, is not covered under VerdeLife’s warranty.