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.
Heat – Like scratches, the differences between the products are measured in degrees. Granite can withstand the HOTTEST pot, dish, crock-pot, or griddle without concern. Quartz is different in that the sustained heat of an uninsulated crock-pot or griddle WILL cause it to warp, crack, or discolor.
Avoid using both alkaline and acidic cleaner because they will break down the bonds between quartz and resin and cause long-term damage to the surface. Harsh and acidic cleaning agents such as vinegar, lime, lemon are going to erode the sealant of the countertops' surface over time.
Quartz countertops are made with up to 90% quartz. The rest of the material is pigments and resin. Since the resin can only withstand approximately 150 degrees, placing very hot materials such as a pan directly out of the oven will burn the countertop and cause permanent damage.
Quartz Countertops are Resistant to Heat
Quartz is the best countertop material for those who love to cook and bake. Because quartz is an engineered stone, it can withstand up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit, making it ideal for those who spend a lot of time in the kitchen, handling hot pots, pans, and the like.
Abrasive cleaners and scrubbers such as Comet or Scotch-Brite are not recommended, as they can scratch the smooth surface of quartz. The best way to care for your quartz is to prevent damage before it occurs. Use trivets or potholders under hot pots and pans to avoid heat discoloration.
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.
Do not place hot objects on the countertop– It may be made of tough material, but quartz is not heat resistant. Placing hot objects on the countertop makes it susceptible to cracks and heat patches.
Placing Hot Appliances on Your Countertop. While quartz may be highly heat-resistant, prolonged exposure will damage the resin causing it to discolor. Temperatures above 300° F can spell bad news for your countertop. Besides, sudden extreme changes in temperature may lead to slab cracking.
Unfortunately, the polyester resin in quartz can be easily damaged by heat from the toaster oven, electric frying pan, oven, crock pot, or any other appliance that produces a lot of heat.
Conclusion. Clorox wipes should never be used to clean your quartz countertops because the solution used in the wipes can potentially damage the surface. Instead, use warm water and mild soap, white vinegar and water or a quartz cleaner.
Don't put heat directly on counters: Yes, quartz is heat resistant and won't melt or burn if you put a warm pot or plate on it. However, it is stone, and sudden extreme changes in temperature can create thermal expansion and crack it.
However, prolonged exposure to liquids can still be damaging to the surface in the long run. Make a habit of cleaning up liquid spills and stains as soon as you can. Coffee, tea, fruit juices and soft drinks are some common examples of corrosive liquids that might erode a quartz surface after long-term exposure.
Most people put their slow cooker on the counter while it's in use. But there's actually a better place for it: the stovetop. The Kitchn says that this is the safest — and easiest-to-clean — option for your appliance.
Furthermore there have been instances of cracking when counters are exposed to prolonged periods of low heat such as when cooking with a crock pot. We recommend placing a trivet or thermal pad between your crock pot and countertop.
Quartz Countertops
What this means is that a quartz countertop is a heat-resistant material that can handle high temperatures sometimes, but not for prolonged periods of time. Using an air fryer on a quartz counter now and again might not be a cause for concern, but prolonged use can cause damage.
Your coffee pot, a bowl of soup, or mug of hot tea won't damage quartz surfaces. It's best practice to place a barrier of some kind between a slow cooker or pressure cooker and your quartz counter.
General Quartz Surface Precautions
Hot pans, pots, or small electrical appliances should not be used directly on top of your surface as this can cause scorching, dull areas, and cracks. Do not use crock pots, electric skillets, or griddles directly on your surface.
The bottom line is, yes you can cut food directly on your quartz counter. That's because this material is tough, hard and durable. It's actually one of the hardest materials you will come across. This means it's great at resisting cuts and scratches.
Don't place bags of ice or any other frozen material directly on quartz. The temperature extreme can cause quartz to crack.
Use Trivets and Mats
If you put hot objects such as pots or pans on the counter, it may break the fabricated quartz's seal and lead to an array of other problems. Make sure you protect the work surfaces by using trivets and mats under any hot object.
They are not completely indestructible — you should still use cutting boards, wipe up spills quickly, and use trivets to protect against hot pans and dishes. Because of the durability of quartz countertops, manufacturers issue generous warranties against manufacturing defects and damage.
Vinegar is very acidic and can cause the quartz to discolour or disintegrate. If you need to use vinegar for cleaning quartz, always make sure you dilute it with water.
Vinegar-based spray cleaner is another option to keep quartz countertops glistening. In a clean spray bottle, mix one-quarter vinegar with three-quarters water and shake it up. Just as with regular countertop cleaning, keep spraying and wiping across the counter, cleaning a few feet at a time.
For a quick clean, dish soap, warm water and a microfiber cloth are the best way to clean quartz countertops. Wipe the soapy mixture in circular motions and be sure to remove any residue with warm water and a dry cloth.