I'd go for an induction cooktop and integrated oven every time. So much easier to clean and streamlined in appearance. If you don't want a join in the caesarstone, you could put a strip window as a splashback whichever you chose. Have you thought of using a polymer/acrylic panel as a splashback? We had it in our last house and everyone thought it was glass. It is approved to be used behind induction. Bunnings has them up to 3050 long (x 725 or 1220 high). They can be cut to size. They come in a range of colours and also designs.

I think you may find that all engineered stone is imminently about to be banned in Australia.

Very true littleswamp. I didn't remember that.

Thank you for your thoughts @kath

@littleswamp that is the first i heard of that. is this something that is expected to happen within the next year?

,

I would also be checking the rating on a window splash back against a gas cook top. I would check if it needs to be toughened glass, not just a standard window glass.

They are having a meeting this Wednesday when it is expected to be banned. I know because we are just starting a build and it is affecting my choices too

Thank you dreamer and littleswamp

@littleswamp if they end up banning caesarstone, what would your alternative be for your benchtop?

I’m looking at porcelain

Yes - seems the most useful but more expensive!

https://www.inkainteriors.com.au/blog/6-alternatives-to-engineered-stone. This article may give insights for alternatives.

@littleswamp. Dimitri has mentioned a window splash back, not a glass splash back….which are different.

Yes for the gas option, but he was going to use engineered stone behind induction and I was just giving him an alternative for that

I would choose the induction cooktop. The move is away from gas toward renewable electricty. The induction is also great to use, much faster and more efficient than gas. I understand it is more expensive to install, but if you are putting in a new kitchen, then why not future proof it as much as possibel. I also agree with Kaths comment about the streamlined appearance and easier cleaning.

Have a look at polytec xenolith.

I looked at this product when we were renovating our kitchen https://www.forest.one/products/product-ranges/solid-surface. You might also find this website useful https://archipro.com.au/article/kitchen-benchtop-materials-to-consider - ignoring the engineered stone.

Why not induction cooktop with a window splashback?

im thinking that would be ideal @wendyec however we are getting charged ridicolous fee to revert to a window splashback with the induction cooktop due to us already having signed the contract. we locked in induction with stone splashback.

the only reason we would be able to revert to window with gas is because the builder can waive the fees to change back to a window. the would waive the fees because they didnt inform us of the extra fees for induction such as 3 phase power and having to upgrade our oven.

thats why these are our 2 options

Thank you everyone for your insight/tips. its good to have those other options in case they ban caesarstone

@kath @kate @littleswamp @dreamer

I was talking to an engineered stone company rep today. They are reducing the silica content in the product and will still be able to sell it. Not sure how long the improvements will take to hit the market, or if this will satisfy regulators. Just an interesting snippet.

Thank you for the update @bigreader

did they say if that would affect the quality of the stone at all?

I didn’t ask about the quality. And being a salesperson, may not be the most reliable. But if they offer the same warranty I would expect the same quality.

Silestone has had low silica (40 and 10%) for a while and doesn’t seem to have an issue. Hope they are right - I did here commentary from other sources that said no level was safe. I think the meeting is on wednesday

*hear

Lendlease and Mirvac have said today that they will be joining with Bunnings and ikea and not using/selling any more engineered stone. They are all worried about the legal implications I guess

I’m not campaigning for it but it does allow Lendlease and Mirvac to use cheaper laminate as their standard developer offering and I bet they don’t drop their prices.

They can still use solid surface. The report put up by dreamer said no level of silicon was safe so it could all be banned.

why not use large tiles?

Porcelain slab is just a large tile

Looks like a blanket ban on all engineered stone from July 2024 …….

@littleswamp is there any news on how it will work if it is included in our contract now but we dont get up to the stage of adding stone until after July 2024

They are supposed to allow benches already in contracts but are warning to lock in the supply . Talk to your builder next week when dust, no pun intended, settles

The text of the communique is here: https://www.dewr.gov.au/work-health-and-safety/resources/work-health-and-safety-and-workplace-relations-ministers-meeting-13-december-2023

I have received an email from caesarstone (on the mailing list) that states they will’ transition their collection to a crystalline silica free formulation and this will launch in the first half of 2024’. They also say they are developing ‘further surface solutions’. There will be info on their website too I guess

I imagine other companies will do the same so for this of us putting in kitchens etc in the 2nd half of the year we might have more choices than we feared

https://view.design.caesarstone.com.au/?qs=e4fa8b6d5d5438882c35097a9e2b4ad9d86a747ebd641cd66db6f1550a929a8fde4a69009feb8301368d839d2e5d9f35dd0944b36bc1eae9d3b520d859f59a1e5b9faf3f2eef97b7ce043165b2705ae8

Sorry link doesn’t work

Given the recommendation to ban engineered stone was made in 2021, I guess the companies have had plenty of time to work out contingency plans.

Yes - it’s pretty awful that they have only decided to introduce the silica free product when forced and not when the medical issues were discovered.