Never place a heated pan from a stove directly onto a countertop. Most people learn this lesson during their first cooking experience. You might wonder why. Solid stone countertops are the norm. So, stone can also be used for hot dishes without causing damage.
A hot pan can cause very little damage to solid stone countertops. But most countertops are not 100% stone. Even a nice granite counter has a surface layer of sealant that prevents water from seeping into the slightly porous natural stone. So, you can melt, discolor or peel back the sealant from your countertop with regular heat applications. Quartz are an exception.
Quick answer – can quartz counters take on the heat?
Unlike natural stone, quartz should not be damaged by hot pots and pans. Quartz can withstand 150 f before it begins to crack. If hot pans touch the countertop’s surface, you will see a discolored area on your countertop. So, some standard safety measures can be taken in the kitchen to protect your countertops and prevent you from getting burnt by the heat. So, you can rest assured that quartz are safe using the potholders.
Quartz counters are composite stone slabs:
Composite stone, made from stone chip and resin combined and dried together, is artificial stone. Mixing quartz slabs with resin and color elements creates the primary colors of countertops. The countertop will also include chips and flakes, which will form part of the decorative grain. They cool to a highly durable stone, similar to natural slabs.
Composite stone countertops have several benefits:
Quartz kitchen countertops may be uniquely artificial, but they can also benefit from some technology upgrades over natural stones. The resin which binds the quartz together acts as a sealant and is water-tight. The quartz chips packed tightly together create a hard surface that is much more resistant to damage than granite countertops.
Quartz owners have the option to select the style, grain, color, and texture of countertops, which is more than what natural stones can offer.
Quartz countertops at the molecular level:
- Natural stone
- Crystalline molecular structure
- Excellent resistance to heat
- Porous
- Quartz composite
- Resin composite slab
- You can resist heat up to 150 f
Water stain-resistant:
Crystalline crystals make up the natural stone. The stones molecules are connected in a grid-like pattern. This is why the stone is so strong. Therefore, quartz requires different treatments than granite, marble, and soapstone countertops.
Natural stone is porous. Natural stone countertops can last for many years, but it is essential to seal them every couple of years.
High temperatures damage quartz:
Quartz has one problem: they are not as heat-resistant. The quartz composite countertop will be scorched if you place a hot plate on it. So, the most common result is a ring created by the bottoms of hot pots or pans. So, the top resin layer often darkens and changes color once it is scorched. The ring can be empty, or it could be a complete ring.
How to protect quartz against heat damage?
1. Use potholders & trivets:
Potholders consist of squares made of thick flexible fabric and cloth. These potholders allow you to reach for the oven’s pans with ease by grasping the handles of pots on the stove. So, you can also slip them under pots to protect countertops or table surfaces.
These potholders may be thicker and more rigid than those you already have, but they can also be very decorative. So, keep your potholders/trivets handy to be able to handle quickly or place a hot food item.
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2. Layout heat mats & towels:
You can think about heat mats as large trivets. This can also be done using bamboo rolls and wooden blocks and silicone mats, and towels. It is easy to place hot saucepans on the stovetop with heat mats, even if this is something you know.
3. Protect your curling iron:
Avoid using straightening or curling plates to cut quartz in bathrooms. If you use hot hair tools, scorch marks can form on your counter. For curling iron safety, make sure you have a place to rest your hair with a spoon rest or trivet-like bathroom mat.
4. Serving dishes:
Your pan may be up to 200 f, but your food inside will likely be much lower. Place your completed recipes in separate serving dishes. However, these dishes will heat up quickly, but they won’t become too hot.
5. Make sure to keep the sink clear of hot pans:
Make sure you have enough space in your sink to store each meal’s hot pans. So, clean a skillet, use a mixture of water and soap while it’s hot. Dropping the skillet in the sink is the best way.
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Replacing or installing quartz:
If quartz completes your dream kitchen remodel, don’t stress it. Quartz doesn’t require as much care as natural stone countertops. So, if you have older quartz with burn scars. So, a new countertop will allow you to personally care for the countertops and preserve the surface without the past marks.
BADGER GRANITE can provide the countertops you need for your bathroom or kitchen.
Conclusion:
Quartz countertops can withstand heat. As mentioned above, quartz can have up to 90% quartz. The rest of the material is made with pigments and resin. So, the resin can only tolerate temperatures between 150 and 150 degrees, using hot materials like a pan or pan right out of the oven could cause permanent burns to the countertop. I hope this information will be helpful for you.
