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.
Crockpots are not going to injure, stain or burn your quartz countertop. Most crockpots have legs or stands, and if you take the inner crockpot out and rest it on the table top, as long as it's not over 400-425 degrees, you are safe.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Once installed, you can expect your quartz countertops to withstand heat up to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
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.
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.
Quartz can be more expensive than other countertops but is generally cheaper than natural stone and other luxury options. It does require professional installation and can discolor when exposed to high temperatures and extensive heat for long periods.
Your coffee pot, a bowl of soup, or mug of hot tea won't damage quartz surfaces.
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.
Be mindful of the surface you place it on
A wooden surface isn't completely heat proof, so if you can, place your slow cooker on granite or tiled service. The surface should also be flat and hard so there's no risk of the slow cooker falling over or spilling.
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.
This will dull the finish of your countertop. Chemicals such as drain cleaners, paint strippers, or products containing Hydrofluoric acid, Methylene chloride, or trichloroethylene will also discolor quartz countertops. You can use the same sponge and circular scrubbing motions as you would for cleaning water stains.
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.
If you have a quartz countertop, you should be able to use Dawn Dish Soap without any issues. However, if you notice any discoloration or staining, you might need to switch to another brand of dish soap.
Windex is considered a base and has a pretty high pH level, which means it could be damaging to quartz. Some cleaners say it's okay to use in small quantities, while others warn against it. For the safest and most sure option to keeping your quartz clean, skip Windex and opt for a mild cleaner like dish soap.
The safest daily cleaner for your quartz is dish soap. But you can use any mild PH-neutral cleaner without issue. To keep your counters in good condition, put potholders down before placing hot pans on the counter, clean the counters daily, and address spills as fast as possible.
Magic eraser may also be used to fight tough quartz stains, simply wet the magic eraser and apply in gentle, circular motion. Clean the area thoroughly with water and dry with a clean towel after. For tough to fight grease residue, you may use degreasing cleaners.
Everyday Cleaning – Just Use Water and a Paper Towel
Regularly cleaning your quartz countertop is an easy way to ensure that it remains in peak condition. By periodically washing your countertop, you can remove surface stains and daily signs of wear and tear.
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.
Heat Resistant: Granite countertops will not melt, blister, nor change color when exposed to heat. Unlike Quartz, Granite is one of the most heat-resistant countertops on the market. If you take a hot pan out of the oven, you can place it directly on your countertop surface without any harm!
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.
Overall, quartz has a strong heat resistance and won't change shape or color when exposed to routine heat. Still, excessive and prolonged countertop heat can damage quartz, so you'll want to use a trivet or pad between the countertop and any hot cookware or heat source, such as electric frying pans or curling irons.