Yes, but you shouldn't. Although your knife blades won't damage the granite itself, they can wear down the seal over time. Plus, the granite counter is hard enough to actually dull your knife. That's why it's always a good idea to use a cutting board even if you have a stone countertop made from Granite or quartz.
Longer answer: Granite and glass cutting boards should be avoided if you want to preserve your knife edge. Both will dull a blade quickly, turning a sharp knife into a dangerously dull one. Use wood or plastic instead. I turned my glass cutting board into a protector under a coffee pot set up on a wooden table.
Longer answer: Granite and glass cutting boards should be avoided if you want to preserve your knife edge. Both will dull a blade quickly, turning a sharp knife into a dangerously dull one. Use wood or plastic instead. I turned my glass cutting board into a protector under a coffee pot set up on a wooden table.
Granite can break and crack under too much stress. The only thing worse than a granite piece too large is a large, cracked piece of granite. Don't do it yourself and don't cheap out on who you hire. Commit that it's a slightly bigger project and also get the chips done.
Cutting meat or vegetables on a granite countertop will both scratch the granite and dull your knives. Granite, glass, and any ceramic are terrible materials for a cutting board because they ruin the edge of your knife. Granite, soapstone, marble, and quartz will all be gouged and scratched by sharp knives.
Putting Hot Pans on Your Countertop
While granite is strong enough to withstand the heat of a hot pan without melting or cracking, it's best to place a protective barrier in between. Granite can handle the heat; it is an igneous rock, after all. Brief encounters with a hot pot will not hurt your countertops.
Using a mild soap and plenty of water, wash and rinse the area thoroughly. Dry with a soft cloth. Repeat as necessary. Clean stone surfaces with a mild liquid dishwashing detergent and warm water.
Avoid using your knife on surfaces made of glass, granite, marble, or ceramic. These materials are much harder than steel and will weaken your knife's edge. Even a quick slice on a ceramic dinner plate, a marble cheese board, or a granite countertop can dull your knife.
Granite is also extremely resistant to heat. It can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit. Sunlight, even in the hottest conditions, won't get even close to damage granite. It won't even cause the granite to fade.
The healthiest cutting board material is typically glass/stone or wood (hardwood, not softwood). These materials are either nonporous or have antimicrobial properties that make them more resistant to bacterial growth.
Avoid softwoods, toxic exotic species, chemically treated woods, highly porous varieties, and unstable or brittle woods when selecting material for your cutting board. By choosing the right wood, you can ensure a functional, hygienic, and long-lasting cutting surface for your culinary endeavors.
The chopping board brand Gordon Ramsay uses is John Boos Block. Boos Blocks are Butcher block styled chopping boards made in the USA with high quality sustainably sourced, hand-selected Northern Hard Rock Maple Wood.
Bamboo Cutting Boards
Bamboo absorbs very little moisture and resists scarring from knives, so they are more resistant to bacteria than other woods. Clean bamboo cutting boards with hot soapy water; sanitize if desired. Rub with mineral oil to help retain moisture.
Start by marking your cut line on the granite slab using a grease pencil or chalk. This will ensure accuracy throughout the process. Next, securely clamp the slab to prevent movement while cutting. Use a handheld saw fitted with a diamond blade and make slow, steady passes.
Glass and granite cutting boards are not recommended. Wood cutting boards should be made from hard, tight grained woods; rock maple, walnut, cherry, teak, bamboo, ash and birch. End grain checkerboard style wood boards are preferred.
Hires a third-party contractor to measure, cut, polish and install your countertops. In many cases, this contractor will outsource portions of the work to a fourth-party, further reducing accountability, causing delays, and increasing the price.
Any typical oil will work, for example vegetable or olive oil. Apply a small amount of oil to a soft, clean cloth, and buff the granite using circular motions. Don't forget to polish the edges of your counter! Oil will give your granite a nice shine, and also help it repel water.
We do not recommend using vinegar when cleaning granite surfaces. While it is certainly a naturally strong stone and can withstand high temps, the acid in vinegar causes etching, which makes the surface dull and damaged. Over time, it will lose its sheen and natural beauty as the sealant wears away.
Thirdly, chopping boards granite offer a lot of safety. Even when used frequently and over long periods of time, exposed to knives or meat hammers, they won't produce splinters, glass shards or sharp shavings, as is the case with less durable metal, wood and glass boards.
Moisture Is Your Knife's Natural Enemy
Setting physical damage and contamination aside, leaving your knives in the sink exposes them to a hidden enemy: moisture. Even if your knives are crafted from stainless steel, prolonged submersion in water can lead to discoloration.
Crystalline silica commonly occurs in nature as the mineral quartz, and is found in granite, sandstone, quartzite, various other rocks, and sand. Workers who inhale very small crystalline silica particles are at risk for silicosis — an incurable, progressively disabling and sometimes fatal lung disease.
Yes, but you shouldn't. Although your knife blades won't damage the granite itself, they can wear down the seal over time. Plus, the granite counter is hard enough to actually dull your knife. That's why it's always a good idea to use a cutting board even if you have a stone countertop made from Granite or quartz.
Other solid options include maple, known for its durability and knife-friendly surface, and walnut, which combines strength with natural beauty. Both will serve you well in a busy kitchen. For top tier non toxic cutting boards, we recommend Kyoku's End Grand Teak Wood Cutting Board.
The Hard Truth About Granite
Granite is one of the hardest natural stones available, rated just below diamonds on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness. This makes it incredibly durable and resistant to scratching. Technically speaking, you could cut directly on a granite countertop and not damage the surface.