Soapstone for the counter. But for the backsplash, I don't like soapstone as a backsplash because it would be too dark. I recommend that for just behind the range you have a stainless steel panel, and those are inexpensive too, you can buy them to order online or at Home Depot. Then for the rest of the kitchen backsplash, perhaps a classic cream subway tile, or also the 4x4 square tiles are making a strong comeback, and the 4x4 tiles would go great in your mid-century home.

Stainless. With an integrated sink. Or copper. Or Pyrolave, or lavastone, or ipe, or anything that doesn't involve plastic resins.

This is why commercial kitchens have SS countertops and backsplashes.

The SS can be plain or embossed. It's going to be custom no matter what.

Any large-scale porcelain tile will work for the backsplash but it will never match the countertops. This product below is 24" x 28" so the seams will be minimal.

soapstone - pricey but gorgeous, look for the hardest version

stainless steel - will give a commercial kitchen feel

granite - try to find Virginia Mist or something similar, it mimicks soapstone. not all granite is busy.

Virginia Mist thread

I have stainless steel because I can't damage it. (I DO still put trivets under hot glass bakeware because I am wary of thermal shock to the pans. I probably don't have to.)

I have a tile backsplash as I didn't want a super industrial look--my 1950s home originally had a tile kitchen so that's my compromise.

You don't need trivets with tile of course, but any dough rolled out on it will look funny. :)

Thank you everyone. For anyone that has answered on the thread do you have an induction slide in range? Have you had any issues with the countertop you have next to the range or backsplash behind it?

I'd love solid surface countertops, but the heat rating to be next to the range isn't high enough. Also I see people put quartz behind ranges all the time, but it doesn't seem like the heat rating is high enough there either. Also I've read the 300+ comments on house about it.

Thanks again everyone

I have a gas range in one kitchen and an induction cooktop in the other. We have a regular old subway tile backsplash in one and soapstone in the other. No problems with either. Attaching pics, the soapstone backsplash is trying to decide it it wants to be oiled or plain so excuse the blotches :)

The induction cooktop doesn't get hot. The pots and pans get got.

Soapstone is an excellent choice. You could do a tile backsplash if it's too dark for you.

Or, go w/actual 'Lava' in the form of Basalt. many diff finishes and ranges of colors

The oven vent in a range (gas, coil, or induction) is what usually causes backsplash discoloration.

The cooktop portion of a range usually won't have any effect (except for some of the higher BTU gas models that are often installed incorrectly).

Follow installation instructions, use a rear riser when needed, don't pay attention to the glamor shots in range advertising that often show "island trim" in a non-island setting, and be aware what materials can crack or discolor with oven use when they are installed too close to the rear vent (if there is one). Phew.

Do you want something you can set a hot pan on? Then get soapstone or stainless. But if you're just worried about ambient temperature near the countertop, get anything you like, including solid surface. It's going to stand up just fine to normal ovens and an induction cooktop. After all, it came into use decades ago, when less-insulated ovens poured way more heat directly into the room. And as mentioned above, induction cooktops don't really get hot. As long as you are using trivets under your hot pans, any modern countertop material should be fine.

Dekton

Soapstone, or a PLAIN black honed or leathered granite with any tile splash. The least pricey option as well.

You're not going to burn up either of them. Soapstone is antimicrobial, can not be burned - the reason it was in your biology lab with those Bunsen burners.

Ovens are encased in built in cabinetry every day! Those prone to catching fire? Not unless you leave the pizza box in there : )

@mcarroll16 @fori @BeverlyFLADeziner thank you this is what i was after. im not worried about setting hot pans on the counter. I’m trying to make sure the surfaces near the range will be safe.

someone mentioned its the oven heat that causes discoloration of counters… do you think it wouls be risky to use solid surface as a backsplash behind the range or even formica laminate?

What are the specs for your range choice? Those are what will give horizontal clearance to combustibles distance.

“do you think it would be risky to use solid surface as a backsplash behind the range or even formica laminate?”

Both are made of plastic, so yes, it would be risky. The range will vent out the rear top of the range/oven, throwing heat at the plastic containing backsplash. Now, if you had a rangetop or cooktop, with separate wall ovens, that scenario would lessen the risk.

FWIW, I’ve yet to hear of laminate being used as backsplash behind a cooking surface.

@DeWayne i think thats what i posted in y original post. It says surrounding counter, floor, etc must be able to with stand up to 200 degrees.

@darbuka i currently have laminate behind my stove top, but as you said its a separate stove and oven so thats different.

What you can use depends on the stove top / oven / combined range you are using.

I have an older electric range and a Formica backsplash that has been there since 1970. I had painted drywall in my last home with an older gas range. Because the ranges were both stand alone ranges they were insulated and the venting for the ovens on both units comes out under the control panel toward the burners on the stove. The wall doesn't get hot enough to catch on fire or melt the Formica.

My brother bought a high powered commercial gas range that was not designed to be placed in front of a wall. He had to have a heat shield installed behind the range to protect the wood framing behind the backsplash and wall.

How about a quartzite? We have Taj Mahal (in case you don’t want darker gray counters with your warm wood cabs; there are still lighter TM slabs to be found, which would look great with your cabs) and have no issue with heat. We were told we could put a pot right onto the stone.

" We were told we could put a pot right onto the stone."

According to the Natural Stone Institute, the trade association of the industry, you were misinformed.

200*F isnt terribly hot and I think most countertops can wthstand that but ask how the material disperses heat.

When we remodeled, we were told that the cabinet finish was more at risk from the heat than the countertop. We had a thin layer of insulation placed between the range and cabinets. We opted for Corian countertops I‘ve always used hot pads, too.

I think you have misread somethings I have never seen install instructions naimg the floor and the heat it can withstand. Kitchens have had wood, laminate , vinyl all of those choices and never an issue. I think you have been given great advice so listen to it. I agree soapstone is a perfect choice