Choosing quartz as the material in your kitchen is an economically fantastic choice, as quartz kitchen countertops can last up to 15 years. Taking care of the quartz could allow your kitchens to last even longer, but can you put a hot pan on quartz? What is the best way to protect your countertop from heat and other damages?
Is A Quartz Countertop Heat Resistant?
Choosing to have a quartz countertop in your kitchen offers a huge list of benefits. Quartz countertops are in fact heat resistant meaning they are very safe to have in your kitchen. Even though quartz countertops are heat resistant, they can be damaged by heat visually.
Therefore, you can class quartz countertops as heat resistant but not heatproof. Quartz is made from a naturally occurring mineral and is composed of both silicon and oxygen, meaning it is tough and durable. This material means that it can be used safely in your kitchen as it is fire resistant. When you place a hot pot or pan on a quartz countertop it will not cause immediate damage but it should not be left there for a long period of time.
Why You Should Get A Heat Resident Countertop
Making sure that your kitchen countertop is heat resistant will improve the safety within your home. If your quartz kitchen countertop is heat resistant, it means that if there is any chance of a fire, the countertop will not catch alight. This is very important as most common house fires start within the kitchen and having a heat-resistant countertop will mean the fire is less likely to spread quickly. It is also more economically beneficial to choose a heat-resistant kitchen countertop as they will damage less and need repairing or placing less often.
Can You Put Hot Cooking Utensils On A Quartz Countertop?
The quick answer is no, you should aim to not place a hot pan on a quartz kitchen worktop as the heat from the pan will cause the quartz to burn. The resin that is in the quartz material can only withhold 150 degrees in heat before it reaches its maximum. Therefore, if you place a hot pan on the countertop the resin could burn and cause permanent aesthetic damage. The burns will show as dark marks or yellow stains.
How To Protect Your Quartz From Heat And Other Damage
Quartz kitchen worktops are robust and durable, therefore they will last you up to 15 years. Although, quartz material is sensitive to high heat and can be burnt if you place a hot item on top for too long. These burns will show in dark marks on your quartz countertop. It is best to keep protective items near your stove in order to make sure you do not accidentally place a hot pan on your quartz worktop. Here is a list of ways you can easily prevent your quartz countertop from heat damage and other aesthetic damage:
- Use Protective Mats Under Hot Utensils
- Clean food spillages straight away
- Choose cleaning supplies carefully
- Choose cleaning clothes carefully
1. Use Protective Mats Under Hot Utensils
Using protective mats and coasters under hot pans, plates and mugs will help prevent your quartz worktop from damage that could lead to you needing to replace the worktop. If you do place hot coffee mugs on your quartz counter, the heat from the mug can end up burning the quartz. These burns are not removable so prevention is key.
2. Clean food spillages straight away
It may be tempting to put off the cleaning and leave it until later on in the evening, or even the next day. Although, if you would like to maintain the pristine condition of your quartz worktop, you will need to attend to all spillages straight away. This applies especially with food spillages as the dirty marks can seep into the quartz. These marks can be removed depending on what the stain is. Substances such as coffee and oil can create larger stains that are harder to remove.
3. Choose cleaning supplies carefully
Quartz is a very durable material to use in your kitchen but it does have sensitivities to some kinds of chemicals, especially certain chemicals that are in cleaning products. Chemicals such as bleach are not the ideal cleaning product to use when you are maintaining your quartz countertop as they may create yellow marks. The best cleaner to use is simple warm soapy water as this is a less harsh cleaning method.
4. Choose cleaning clothes carefully
Just like above, there are certain types of cleaning clothes just like cleaning products that you should avoid using when you are maintaining your quartz kitchen counter. If you decide to use an abrasive cloth such as a scour or scrubber, this may create scratches on your quartz worktop that can not be fixed. It is always best to use a soft cloth such as a microfiber cloth when you are cleaning your quartz worktop to make sure that you do not scratch the top layer of quartz.
Avoiding Placing Hot Pans To Protect Your Quartz Kitchen Worktop
A quartz kitchen countertop is one of the most durable and solid materials to use in your kitchen. To keep your quartz kitchen countertop looking pristine you should avoid placing hot materials on top of it for too long. Taking care of the quartz will help your worktop to look as if it has just been fitted. Call in Marble Concepts to cut and install your stunning quartz countertops today. Get your kitchen or bathrooms renovated with quartz today. Give us a call at 215-396-7393 today to learn more.
FAQs
Can You Put Hot Cooking Utensils On A Quartz Countertop? The quick answer is no, you should aim to not place a hot pan on a quartz kitchen worktop as the heat from the pan will cause the quartz to burn. The resin that is in the quartz material can only withhold 150 degrees in heat before it reaches its maximum.
Will a hot pan damage quartz? ›
Quick Answer: Can Quartz Counters Take the Heat? Unlike natural stone, Quartz countertops should not be exposed to hot pots and pans. A quartz countertop can withstand up to about 150 F before it takes damage.
Will a hot pan damage marble? ›
You can usually put hot pans on marble without severe damage. However, you shouldn't place a piping hot pot on marble that has just come off the stone because it can discolor the surface. This is no different than granite or quartz countertops.
Can heat crack quartz countertops? ›
Sudden exposure to extreme heat could cause the quartz stone countertops to crack. The resin (non-stone) component of a quartz surface will become damaged at temperatures hotter than 150 degrees Fahrenheit.
Can you use a crockpot on quartz countertops? ›
Do NOT use crock pots or electric skillets while in direct contact with your Quartz surfaces. Always place them on a trivet or cutting board to protect your countertop. As with any natural stone, certain exposure to heat may cause cracks due to thermal shock.
Can I put a hot cup of coffee on quartz? ›
The low threshold makes quartz more likely to burn or break when in contact with heat. Therefore, you can put a hot mug of coffee on your countertop, but a searing hot pan or boiling pot of water could leave a burn mark. Over time, coffee mugs and teacups could leave burn marks as well.
What countertop can I put a hot pan on? ›
Granite performs well when exposed to heat, though trivets, cooling racks and coasters are recommended to prevent staining, scratches and discoloration. Granite typically requires annual sealing to protect the stone from staining and taking on moisture damage, but is easy to clean during/after everyday use.
How hot is too hot for marble? ›
Heat resistance: All natural stone, including marble, is heat resistant up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. You can lay a hot pan or dish on your marble countertops without a trivet.
Will heat crack marble? ›
Answer and Explanation: Marble begins to weaken and will potentially crack at around 200 degrees Celsius, or 329 degrees Fahrenheit.
How to protect marble countertops from heat? ›
To do this, you should always use hot pads or trivets when available to protect the counter when placing hot cookware and countertop appliances on it. Investing in some coasters is also a great option to keep heat sources from directly touching the marble.
Harsh chemicals and abrasive cleaners can dull the polished finish of quartz, diminishing its lustre. Bleach, nail polish remover, oven cleaner, and other potent substances can weaken the bonds between the quartz and resins, leading to damage over time.
How do you protect quartz countertops from hot pans? ›
Protect your quartz countertops from extreme heat with hot pads or trivets. While you know that placing a hot pot on your quartz countertop can ruin it, you can sometimes forget. For functionality, keep these protective items near the stove to avoid accidentally placing hot items on the countertops. Use coasters.
Can I put a toaster on a quartz countertop? ›
In summary, yes, you can use a toaster on a quartz countertop. Just be mindful of the heat and take precautions to protect your countertop from potential damage. With a few simple steps, you can enjoy the convenience of your toaster without worrying about harming your beautiful quartz surface.
What Cannot be used on quartz countertops? ›
Harsh, abrasive cleaners, pads, and sponges should be avoided since they can permanently harm countertops. Scrubbing too hard can leave a dull surface or cause superficial scratches. Oven cleansers, grill cleaners, paint removers, dishwashing detergent, and other high pH cleaners should not be used on quartz surfaces.
What temperature is too hot for quartz countertops? ›
Once installed, you can expect your quartz countertops to withstand heat up to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If exposed to temperatures above this range, the resin binders within the quartz slab can change their chemical state — often impacting the color of the quartz.
What dulls quartz countertops? ›
Traces of food residues may be dulling your quartz countertops without you even noticing. Thankfully, with quartz being a non-porous material, it's nearly impossible for any stains to be permanently absorbed into the stone. It's easy to get rid of this film of food with a sponge, water, and a clean cloth.
How do you remove hot pan marks from quartz countertops? ›
If the scorch marks don't budge, smear a paste of baking soda and water on the affected area and let it sit there for a few minutes. Wipe off the paste and lightly scrub the surface to remove the marks. If the burn mark is severe you may require specialist heat damage repair.
How hot is too hot for quartz? ›
Once installed, you can expect your quartz countertops to withstand heat up to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. If exposed to temperatures above this range, the resin binders within the quartz slab can change their chemical state — often impacting the color of the quartz.
Can you damage quartz countertops? ›
Quartz counters are highly durable, but they can still be scratched, stained, or damaged if you don't take care of them properly. To make sure your quartz stays pristine for years to come, make sure to avoid the mistakes listed above and clean your counters regularly.
Can you put a cup of tea on quartz? ›
Generally, quartz can withstand heat up to around 250 degrees Fahrenheit or 120 degrees Celsius. Placing a cup of tea or coffee directly onto a quartz surface shouldn't present a problem. However, we'd recommend exercising caution and using coasters and hot pads if you plan on placing hot items on your quartz surface.
