Mario Batali Granite Piastra

[Food Network Fan]

Mario Batali Granite Piastra

Grill flatbreads, fish, seafood and more alla piastra—the traditional Italian method of cooking on a flat griddle stone over a hot fire. Mario’s versatile take on this classic cooking technique is cut from a unique type of granite that conducts heat beautifully—much like cast iron. Easy to use: just preheat the stone on the grill and brush lightly with oil. Features a raised grill surface on one side and flat griddle on the other. 10" x 14".


SUR LA TABLE EXCLUSIVE ITEM

[Food Network Fan]

Looks like something I would like to play with.

[chefboyrdavid]

I want one... guess i should buy my gas grill first!!!

[Food Network Fan]

But would it kill us all too? They are saying granite counter tops will.

Granite Countertops A Health Threat?
NEW YORK, July 25, 2008

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(CBS) If you have granite countertops in your home, you might consider testing them for the amounts of radon gas they give off, experts say, due to the potential that those amounts are above levels considered safe.

But marble manufacturers say flat-out that, "Radiation in granite is not dangerous."

Radon is "a cancer-causing natural radioactive gas that you can’t see, smell or taste," the Environmental Protection Agency explains on its Web site. "Its presence in your home can pose a danger to your family's health. Radon is the leading cause of lung cancer among non-smokers. Radon is the second-leading cause of lung cancer in America, and claims about 20,000 lives annually."

The popularity and demand for granite countertops has grown in the last decade, as have the types of granite available.

The amount of radon in the air is measured in "picoCuries per liter of air," or "pCi/L," and the EPA says 4 pCi/L is the level of radon exposure that requires someone to take action. The agency also says levels lower than that "still pose a risk" and "in many cases, may be reduced."

According to The New York Times, 4 picocuries is "about the same risk for cancer as smoking a half a pack of cigarettes per day."

The newspaper also reports that, "Allegations that granite countertops may emit dangerous levels of radon and radiation have been raised periodically over the past decade, mostly by makers and distributors of competing countertop materials. The Marble Institute of America has said such claims are "ludicrous" because although granite is known to contain uranium and other radioactive materials like thorium and potassium, the amounts in countertops are not enough to pose a health threat.
MORE HERE

[aoneil]

I want one of those too!!! It looks like fun.

I never heard that before about granite countertops. It is pretty interesting, hopefully I am not dying a slow death.

[Food Network Fan]

My brother asked me about this last night. It does make you wonder.