I have had a crackle backsplash for two years. It's so easy to keep clean it's hard to keep from laughing when someone warns that crackle will suck up dirt and grease.

I have Sonoma Tile (Stellar line I think). The crackles aren't open fissures. There's actually a glaze over the top and the sides and there wasn't even any lateral grout migration.

I love the look of crackle. You really don't see all the little lines, but they impart a little life and character into an otherwise plain tile.

I also have had a crackle tile backsplash for almost 2 years with no problems. The installer sealed it when he installed it, but I haven't sealed it since then. I actually haven't gotten much on my backsplash, but the occasional tomato sauce splatter has washed off fine. My tile is Grazia Rixi and I really like it.

Here is a link that might be useful: Grazia Rixi

I love it. I just wipe with a damp cloth and it washes right up.

I too have Grazia Rixi. It's been in since '09 without a problem. And I don't think it was sealed when installed.

Another Rixi. Clean as a pin after 10 months and counting. Gorgeous stuff.

Thanks so much to everyone for the reassurance!

Sorry, but crackle tile can be a bad choice for a backsplash depending upon your oven/stove. I have Sonoma, too--lots of it, including my countertops. I didn't know that even after sealing, it will continue to "crackle" for about 90 days and should be babied and re-sealed multiple times. In any case, if you have a Lacanche stove, the gas oven exhausts at the top of the stove toward the backsplash. It has stained my backsplash in a very obvious way. The two colors of tile, by the way are creamy crackle and butter. It does, indeed, get into the "crackle" and it is uncleanable. I have learned to lean a silicone bread board in front of it now to prevent more staining, but the damage is done. This has been discussed on the Lacanche conversations some years ago....

Interesting.
I have Rixi for 2 years and no issues. It looks.brand new
I was wondering if it should be sealed periodically and what is the best product.