Soapstone Cooking Tools and Cooking Surfaces

Abstract

Cooking tools comprising a soapstone slab having an upper side comprising a cooking surface, and a lower side for facing a heat source, are provided. Cooking tools such as soapstone grills having an upper cooking surface which is a substantially flat, polished, and non-stick are described, as well as uses thereof. Soapstone compositions and characteristics suitable for use in cooking tools are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cooking tool for providing a cooking surface, the cooking tool comprising:
 a soapstone slab, the soapstone slab having   an upper side comprising a cooking surface; and   a lower side for facing a heat source, the lower side opposite the upper side.   
     
     
         2 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower sides are substantially flat and parallel to one another. 
     
     
         3 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the cooking surface is a flat, polished, and substantially non-stick surface. 
     
     
         4 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the soapstone slab comprises soapstone comprising about 40-50% talc and about 40-50% magnesite. 
     
     
         5 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the soapstone slab comprises soapstone having a ratio of talc:magnesite which is about 1:1. 
     
     
         6 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the soapstone slab comprises soapstone comprising about 5-8% chlorite. 
     
     
         7 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the soapstone slab comprises soapstone having a substantially homogenous distribution of talc therein. 
     
     
         8 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein less than about ⅕ of a total surface area of the upper side of the soapstone slab comprises veins. 
     
     
         9 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein less than 20%, less than 15%, less than 10%, or less than 5% of a total surface area of the upper side of the soapstone slab comprises veins. 
     
     
         10 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper side of the soapstone slab is free of veins having a continuous length which spans more than about 40% of its height or width. 
     
     
         11 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the upper side of the soapstone slab is free of veins having a continuous length which spans more than about 40%, more than about 30%, more than about 20%, or more than about 10% of its height or width. 
     
     
         12 . The cooking tool according to  claim 1 , wherein the soapstone slab is about 0.5-1.25 inches in thickness. 
     
     
         13 . Use of a cooking tool according to  claim 1  for cooking a food product. 
     
     
         14 . A method for preparing a soapstone slab of a cooking tool as defined in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 cutting soapstone to generate the soapstone slab, wherein the soapstone is cut on the bias to generate the upper and lower sides of the soapstone slab; and   polishing at least a portion of the upper side to generate the cooking surface.