In a wood stove, its thermal mass radiates heat comfortably for hours after the fire has died. This quality made it a top choice back in the day before we enjoyed “instant-on” heat in our homes. For countertops, its density makes it nonporous, so it does not harbor bacteria. Overall, soapstone is a very “easy care” material. It should be obvious that a stone used in a wood stove can handle a hot pan with no worries.
The downside, in comparison to granite or quartzite, is the relative softness. It’s not as chip resistant, and you can mark it by cutting directly on it, rather than on a cutting board. Soapstone mends easy though. If you nick it with a knife, fine steel wool or sandpaper smooths it out. Re-oil the entire surface as the finishing touch.
In addition, because it’s so dense, it’s impervious to moisture. In fact, it does not even need to be sealed. A light coat of mineral oil every few weeks works fine and gives it an attractive sheen. It’s up to you.
Compared to nearly any other material choice, soapstone offers the best stain resistance. Red wine and tomato sauce, for example, are notorious for staining just about anything. They don’t penetrate soapstone the way they can with marble and granite, which should be sealed regularly.
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