A few things we are asked most often — about living with STELE on marble, caring for it, cooking on it, and how we stand behind it.
Living with it
Will it scratch marble, quartzite, or granite?
No. The board is weighted to stay where you set it. A return-bent edge rests along marble, quartzite, honed granite, and quartz so it does not slide, and the underside is not a sharp edge against the stone.
Can I leave it out on the island?
Yes. That is how it is meant to live. The brushed finish is designed to sit out beside dinnerware and stone — not to be hidden in a slot. Fine marks from daily use blend into the grain.
Will it stay put while I cut?
Yes. The folded edge holds the counter so the board does not drift toward the range. The same edge keeps it still when you rest it over the prep sink.
Can I use it over the sink?
Yes. When the island is full, lay it over the prep sink for another stretch of workspace. When you are finished, return it to the counter or the dishwasher.
Can I serve from it?
Yes. Carry bread, fruit, or cheese straight to the table. The steel sits comfortably next to stoneware and linen, so you do not need a second platter.
Care
How do I clean it?
Wipe it, or place it in the dishwasher with the rest of the evening. Nothing soaks in. No oiling, no special soaps, no staining. Dry it and set it back on the island.
Do I need to oil it?
No. STELE is solid, non-porous stainless. There is no wood grain to condition and no finish to feed.
Will it stain or hold odors?
No. Because the steel is non-porous, garlic, citrus, and berries do not linger. A wash is enough.
Is it better for food than plastic or wood?
Plastic boards groove with every cut; those grooves can trap bacteria and shed microplastics into food. Wood is porous — it takes on moisture, color, and odor, and it cannot go in the dishwasher. STELE is solid 304 food-grade stainless throughout: non-porous, dishwasher-safe, and not a plated coating that can wear away.
Materials
What is it made of?
Solid 304 food-grade stainless steel, all the way through — corner, edge, and center. It is not plated, coated, or laminated. Handmade in the USA by Custom Fabrication and Coatings.
How is this different from other “stainless” boards?
Many boards sold as stainless or titanium are a thin plating (under 0.3mm) over another metal. That coating can chip and wear through. STELE is 100% solid 304, substantially thicker, which is why it can live on the island, span a sink, and take gentle heat.
Heat
Can I cook on it?
Yes. Because the steel is solid, you may set it on a gas burner, charcoal grill, or Big Green Egg. Keep the heat low to medium and increase gradually. Breakfast, vegetables, a fillet. Most of us use STELE to cut; the heat is there when you want it.
Can I use it on an electric or glass-top stove?
No. STELE is not for electric or glass-top stoves.
Can it go in the oven?
Yes. You can warm it and slide bread onto it, or use it as a cool surface for pastry, then rinse.
Warranty & shipping
What does the lifetime warranty include?
The structure, for as long as you have the board. If it ever warps, bends, or fails, email support@steleboard.com and we will replace it or refund you. No time limit, no fine print, no receipt hunt.
Is shipping included?
Yes. Complimentary shipping on every board.
When will it arrive?
Each board is handmade and inspected to order, then shipped at no charge. You will receive tracking when it is on its way.