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.
Your coffee pot, a bowl of soup, or mug of hot tea won't damage quartz surfaces.
Quartz is made up of mostly quartz mixed with resin. The resin in the quartz is highly affected by heat, and this is why placing a hot pan on quartz is so strongly discouraged. If you were to put such high heat on quartz, the resin is very likely to burn and the countertop's coloration would be significantly impacted.
The quartz itself can often withstand temperatures of up to 300 degrees, but you don't want to damage the resin coating either, as this can cause burn marks on your counters or even small cracks. Additionally, exposure to anything below freezing (32 degrees Celsius) can also crack 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.
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.
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.
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.
Granite. One of the most heat-resistant options for kitchen countertops is granite. This natural stone is formed underground through a natural process incorporating high pressure and temperatures. Typically, the heat generated by cooking will not be high enough to cause damage.
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.
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.
Generally, quartz is less expensive than granite, but many factors influence the total price of a project. In this article, we'll look at the differences between natural granite stone and engineered quartz stone and the factors that affect pricing so you can determine which material is best for your design project.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Yes! If you're ready to turn up the heat in your space, consider utilizing the same surface you love for your kitchen countertop and cozy up with a breathtaking QUARTZ FIREPLACE SURROUND.
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.
Granite appeals to people who like all-natural materials, while quartz offers easier maintenance and slightly better durability. What's the difference between granite and quartz? Granite is an all-natural solid stone, while quartz is an engineered stone that is made up of crushed quartz and other stone byproducts.
Quartz counters do not need sealing due to their lack of porosity. Liquids and stains cannot penetrate non-porous materials because they have a built-in seal. Natural stone countertops, such as polished marbles or granite, have pores and small splinters that require sealing on a regular basis.
Typically, granite has higher heat resistance than quartz with the former up to 450 degrees and the latter up to 150 degrees. Despite these levels of heat resistance, both materials must not be in contact with hot objects for long hours as it stains and discolors its surface.