Countertops: Steel Has Stolen Our Hearts

Hey, Counties!

How’s that isolation going? We hope you’re healthy and safe. Welcome to episode 2 of Counter Programming with Shira & Arielle. Last week, we learned about marble. Make sure to listen in so you can find out why marble just isn't cutting it.

As always, each episode of Counter Programming will focus on a counter of some sort. In this episode, we're continuing our series on counter*tops.* Today, we steal your attention over to STEEL countertops.

You can reach us by email to tell us how YOU feel about steel - counterprogrammingshiraarielle@gmail.com. 

You can also reach us on Instagram - @counterprogrammingpod.

SEND US PICTURES OF YOUR COUNTERTOPS! WE’LL SHARE THEM ON OUR SOCIAL MEDIAS!

In this episode, we share what we're up to during isolation. Arielle and her roommates made brunch. She also got a mask from her friend, Rebekah. If you’re in the market for a mask, reach out to Rebekah on Instagram. Shira shares her feelings of anxiety regarding all things COVID. We then shoutout the Institute of Southern Jewish Life. Shira and Arielle recently attended a Zoom call with their former colleagues. We discuss Passover during isolation. We encourage you to drink Bartentura during Passover. 

STEEL:
Steel is a hard, strong, gray or bluish-gray alloy of iron with carbon and usually other elements, used extensively as a structural and fabricating material.

Notable landmarks made of steel:

1. The Brooklyn Bridge
2. The Pittsburgh U.S. Steel Tower
3. The Gateway Arch in St. Louis
4. The Golden Gate Bridge
5. Taipei 101

Steel history from Oldhouseonline.com:

• Sheet metal was in many kitchens in the late 1800s
• Metal then went from sinks to countertops
• By the 1920s and 30s, monel came about, and it became popular for counters and cabinets
• Metal became enameled in many kitchens
• Steel is very impressionable and therefore an opportunity for artists
• In the 1950s, stainless steel replaced monel because it’s nearly indestructible

Benefits of a steel countertop:

• Great for cleanliness and getting rid of bacteria
• Non-porous 
• It’s a little more expensive than granite 
• Builds up patina (green or brown film that strengthens the structure)

Disadvantages of a steel countertop:

• It can show cuts and scratches over time
• It can dent easily
• Some people think it looks “cold”
• It’s a noisy material
• Fingerprints linger on steel, so it needs to be wiped down often

Would Shira and Arielle get steel in their future kitchens? UP IN THE AIR.

Come back next week as we explore another countertop. 

Thanks for tuning in! Leave us a review on Apple or a comment on Castbox.

Tweet at us. Here’s Shira. Here’s Arielle.

Thank you to Daniel Tureck, our engineer.

Thank you to Caio Slikta, our logo designer.

Our music is called Tennessee Hayride and it’s by Jason Shaw.