Granite is really hard to damage or crack, but why tempt fate. Heat – The verdict is still out on placing hot pots or pans on granite. If you have thick granite that is treated with a sealant that protects it from high heat, you can put your pan right on top of the countertop.
Granite is a stone that's strong enough to support the weight of small appliances and cutting boards. However, it's prone to damage from sharp objects like knives. Avoid using your granite surface as a cutting board. This can cause chips, scratches, dings, and other damage.
The natural stone is mostly scratch-resistant or at least hides small scratches well, due to the depth of its colour and patterns. Granite will only be scratched by another piece of granite or with specially sharpened tools designed to cut through the material.
Granite is also fragile, so they must be handled with care and have space to store the slabs before they can be installed. It is preferable to keep them standing up when storing them, but also be extra careful that they don't fall over, especially on each other like dominos and crack.
Granite can be permanently stained if you seal it with a preexisting stain. It can crack when hit by a hard, sharp object like a meat cleaver. Because it's so heavy, granite often requires additional structural support with spans and cantilevers.
Placing a lot of weight on granite countertops can cause them to crack and split. This means do not sit or stand on them. If you are making a large dinner, try to set as much as possible in areas where there is more support.
There is a misconception that granite countertops chip easily: they don't. In truth, granite is one of the most rigid materials out there, though it's liable to chip given extreme pressure. Avoid chips by keeping the countertop clean and sealed. Also, make use of trivets.
A knife blade will not scratch granite. Conversely, only cut directly on your granite countertop if you want to ruin your good knives! Granite is harder than your knife blades and will dull them very quickly if you use the countertop as a cutting surface. Always cut and chop on a wooden or plastic cutting board.
Remove Stubborn Stains
If scrubbing doesn't work, the spot might require a razor blade. Use the blade to scrape away any gunk or build-up on the countertop. Don't worry, you aren't going to scratch the surface.
Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.
It has a natural water resistance that helps protect it. However, it isn't water-proof. Because granite is a stone, it is also naturally porous. And while it won't absorb in the same way as, say, sandstone or limestone, it will still absorb bits of moisture that can eventually damage your counters.
Clorox and Lysol sprays and wipes are convenient, but they are not safe for granite countertops. They rarely contain bleach, but they do generally contain citric acid to help remove soap scum. Avoid using bleach as well.
As a 7 on the Mohs scale of hardness, granite is an extremely strong countertop material. It's naturally resistant to erosion, which makes it a great choice for busy kitchens. It's also scratch and heat resistant, though you should still treat it with care to keep it in peak condition.
In comparison to other countertop materials, granite has the capacity to last longer than other materials. Most granite and other natural stones can last anywhere from 100 years or more; whereas marble countertops last an average of 20 years.
However, although it is extremely difficult to scratch the surface of a granite worktop, it is not impossible and when this does happen it can ruin the overall aesthetic of your counter.It may be as a result of repeated exposure to cutting food on the surface with a knife or even setting down your keys in the same ...
While you can cut directly on some stone countertops, it is not recommended. Granite is one of the most durable countertop materials you can buy, and it can certainly withstand cuts from a knife blade. However, if your granite has a sealer on it, cutting can eventually wear down the sealant.
Durability: Quartz is one the hardest materials on the planet. This means it has a higher scratch resistance than granite and won't chip or crack easily.
DO NOT put hot pots, pans or appliances such as toaster ovens and slow cookers directly on your counter top's. Such items can cause serious damage to your stone or quartz counter tops.
Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.
This includes melting points and thermal shock. As an igneous rock (formed out of the fire of a volcano), granite is one of the tougher natural stones in the world. It can withstand temperatures of up to 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit and has a melting point of about 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Taking the time to care for your granite will help maintain the natural beauty of your countertops. Quartz, on the other hand, is much easier to clean and maintain. Because quartz is a manufactured product, it is non-porous and more resistant to staining. Quartz is also well known for being GERM-FREE.
Granite is no stranger to compressive strength; pressure comprises half of its life cycle. It can resist up to 250 MPa (about 36,260 psi) of compression before it fails. In comparison, concrete used in construction can only resist half of what granite can.
Placing hot appliances on the countertops
Even if your countertops are tough, heat from heat-producing appliances such as ovens can destroy them. So always work at preventing damage to the countertops as much as possible. You can easily do this by placing a barrier between the appliances and countertops.
You must be thinking about standing or sitting on your countertops and unsure whether your countertops will take the weight, right? Granite is fairly thick, often at the very least ¾ of an inch. If the weight is evenly distributed over a large area, the countertops can hold up to 1000 pounds.