As long as you don't put it behind the range, it would be fine. Use stainless or something easy to clean there. Grease is impossible to get out of the crevices of the rough texture of brick.

Look at Ann Sacks Foundation brick, which is a glazed tile in brick dimensions.

Here is a picture I thought of when I read this post. It is one I saved last year when considering backsplashes.

I don't have any details about it though.

We had brick at our old house with mortar. Like the outside of a house. It was HORRIBLE! Grease and dust gets in there and it's impossible to clean, and you scrape your knuckles trying. It was also really hard to demolish!

enduring, whoa. Scary kitchen. With that hood thingie and massive stove, I can imagine a spit for roasting unfaithful spouses.

There is thin brick and normal brick available glazed. The link below is for glazed thin brick from a tile maker.

Also Trikeenan has glazed brick.

Elgin Butler Brick.

Here is a link that might be useful: Glazed Brick from Fireclay Tile

Linelle LOL, I guess you're right it is spooky!

I was thinking of something more like this. It's from pinterest at the link below.
{{!gwi}}

I do love the Fireclay brick too - totally different look, but could go well with exposed brick,

Here is a link that might be useful: Pinterest Post

Brick can be sealed like any marble, granite or stone.
I think sealing it two times a year would be great against
grease. I love the earthy classic feel of a brick
blacksplash with the black countertop you are planning.
If you check out the link attached you can see what
I mean.
Hope they help.

~boxer

http://ths.gardenweb.com/forums/load/kitchbath/msg0700571915923.html

Here is a link that might be useful: brick backsplashes