Placing hot pans on engineered stone countertops

Engineered stone countertops are made up of 93% natural quartz, one of nature’s strongest stones. They are said to be better than other countertop materials because they offer an exceptional combination of form and function and provide a durable, diverse, and practical surfacing material for your kitchen countertop.

Engineered stone countertops are stronger than granite or concrete countertops. They have a flexural strength of up to four times that of other natural stones. They are 99.9% solid, providing almost no space for harmful bacteria and other microorganisms to grow, develop, and accumulate. Wine, water, cooking oil, sodas, and other common household chemicals do not affect the surface of these countertops. They are very easy to maintain and do not require regular sealing and cleaning to remain shiny and looking new.

Aside from their ability to resist stains, cracks, scratches, and other chemicals, engineered stone countertops are also known for their heat-resistant property. You can place hot pans directly on the surface without damaging it. Unlike in other types of countertops, you do not have to worry if you forgot to place a trivet under a hot pan. However, it is still not advisable to continuously and regularly place hot pans directly on your engineered stone countertop surface.

Listed below are some tips that you can follow to protect your engineered stone countertop from extreme heat:

Avoid regularly placing hot pans directly on the surface of engineered stone countertop. Heat does not really damage the surface, but it can affect the integrity of the sealer and discolor it. However, sealer marks can be repaired by applying a new coat of paste wax on your countertop. But to avoid this inconvenience, make it a habit to use pot holders and trivets often.

Most engineered stone countertops are heat-resistant but not heatproof. This means that the surface may be safe from heat but its internal parts may not, so it is still recommended to avoid placing hot cookware on the surface. A very hot frying pan can damage the resin binders of your engineered stone countertop when it is placed directly on the surface.

Use trivets or hot pads when placing heat-producing kitchen appliances on your engineered stone countertop. The surface is generally resistant to the heat from hot plates and other heat-producing equipment of up to 350 degrees Fahrenheit only. So kitchen appliances that produce heat higher than 350 degrees Fahrenheit should not be placed on top of your countertop.

Take advantage of the built-in trivets made of brass, copper, or stainless steel that some brands of engineered stone countertops offer. If your countertop has none, you can use place mats, hot pads, or portable trivets.

Keep lit cigarettes away from the surface. They may cause little or no damage at all to your countertop, but if they start a fire, then you may have to say goodbye to both your house and your engineered stone countertop.

Avoid placing hot curling irons and rollers directly on the surface of your engineered stone countertop. Also, do not use the surface to iron clothes on to prevent burn marks on the surface.