For any homeowner who has gone through a kitchen remodel or renovation, you will surely understand the feeling of having a kitchen that is too nice to even cook in. However, this should not be a problem since a little knowledge will go a long way in keeping your culinary investment new and shiny for many years.
This article will, therefore, take you through the different countertops materials and their various capabilities when it comes to withstanding different heat temperatures.
With that said, can you put hot pans on your countertops? Let's find out.
Yes and No, depending on the material of the countertops. Not all countertops are created equally, meaning that to some, the hot pans can have severe effects while other countertop materials can withstand the heat of hot pans. It is advised to always use a trivet for your countertops to transfer hot pots and pans around. Trivets will go a long way in terms of protecting your countertop investment.
With this, continue reading to have a clear picture of the different types of countertops that you can place hot pans on.
It is also important to note that you should use care when setting a hot pan in a kitchen sink. Some sinks like granite composite sink material can melt at certain temperatures.
Granite stands out among the most durable countertop materials for your kitchen. Under normal circumstances, granite countertops cannot be damaged with hot pan heat. This is because granite is a 6 on the Mohs scale of hardness. This ranking shows the density and strength of a granite material, which surpasses many of the other available countertop materials.
Therefore, heat does not have a huge impact when it comes to damaging a granite countertop, even if you place the hot pan directly on the granite countertop. However, leaving an extreme heat source for an extended period can damage the granites' surface. The damage that can occur includes a slight softening of your granite countertops, leading to gouges in extreme scenarios and discoloration. To be safe always use a trivet. Further, heat can damage your sealer used to protect your granite from staining.
Whether you are looking for a kitchen, remodel on your existing kitchen or wish to design a kitchen for your new home, the best most significant decision to make revolves around the countertops. The kitchen is the busiest room within the house. Its countertops are therefore expected to shoulder a daily defense against sharp knives, hot pans, and much more.
With a wide variety of surface materials to choose from, it is essential to narrow down to what best suits your kitchenette habits and needs. And the best news is that most of the current countertops choices are heat resistant, including:
You can put hot pans on your marble countertop. However, since marble countertops are much softer than granite, you have to keep in mind that they are prone to thermal shock and minor surface cracks.
Marble is also very porous, and sealers have to be applied. Exposing them to continuous, direct heat, therefore, scorches the sealers, leaving a mark on your marble countertop.
Even though it's unlikely to experience any problem, when placing hot pans on your marble countertops, you should still make use of trivets to avoid continuous marble repair and scratching.
You can place hot pans on granite in a hurry to prevent injury but it is not recommended due to thermal shock. It is best to use trivets when setting down hot pans.
Although granite is an igneous rock, it emanates from the geological process, which takes place at very high temperatures. Therefore if your kitchen countertops are made from granite, there is virtually nothing that can be done to attain the igneous temperature, which starts from around 600 degrees Celsius. This means that your granite countertop will not melt once you place a hot pan on top.
Therefore, just like other protective items used in cooking, you need to make use of hot pads, potholders, and trivets to protect your countertop.
Quartzite is a natural stone that can resist heat better than quartz which means you can put a hot pan on your quartzite countertop. However, if the temperature gets too high, there is a possibility that you will damage your countertop.
Quartzite is better at heat resistance than quartz, making it a better option for setting hot pans directly to the countertop. However, since it's less resistant to stains, it is vital to ensure you make use of trivets to protect it against stains.
Ceramic tiles are made in such a way that they are heat resistant. Unlike many kitchen countertop surfaces, ceramic tiles can easily take in the heat from hot pans and pots. However, even though ceramic tiles are incredibly durable, the grout joints do not mean they are prone to cracks when extreme heat is applied.
Although ceramic countertops are durable, constant temperature changes have the possibility of cracking your countertop. This is why it is always advisable not to place hot pans, hot skillets, and heat-producing appliances directly on your ceramic countertop. Remember, ceramic tiles are formed with extreme heat, meaning they can also be deformed with extreme heat. Therefore ensure you make use of hot pads and trivets in protecting your ceramic countertops.
Wood counters involve the use of wood strips which perfectly put together to form a countertop. This makes them a durable, functional, and attractive countertop option. Wood countertops are easy to clean and maintain with the scratches and cuts being easily removed through sanding the wood counters with sandpapers.
However, despite the many advantages associated with wood counters, they are not made to last forever. They cannot resist extreme heat since wood naturally contracts and expands when exposed to heat. With this, placing a hot pan on your wood countertop is a bad idea that must be avoided.
Exposing your wood counter to direct heat will, therefore, expand the wooden countertop. This, on the other hand, will make your wood look terrible and unfit for your kitchen. To eliminate such a problem, it's advisable to ensure you use hot pads and trivets before placing the hot pan on the countertop.
The laminate countertop can easily be damaged by direct heat emerging from the hat pan. This, therefore, means that you should not place any hot container on your laminate countertop. Keep in mind that laminate countertops are plastics. And plastics feature a high melting capability once exposed to heat. Even a moderately cold pan can deform a laminate countertop since plastic does not have enough structural capabilities.
Laminate countertops heat damages are irreversible and even worse is that meting and burns are rarely covered by a warranty since they are a direct result of misuse.
To avoid such problems, laminate countertops manufacturers always emphasize the need to use a trivet or insulted heating pads to keep them hot away from the plastic surface. You can also settle for laminate countertops with the ability to withstand up to a specific heat temperature. Although such laminate materials come at a higher price and still have a higher possibility of being damaged by direct heat.
Granite does not get affected by frequent exposure to direct heat within your household. This is because granite is highly resistant to heat temperatures of up to 480 degrees Celsius. It can also withstand temperatures of up to 1,200 degrees Celsius. But to prevent possible damages, ensure you avoid extreme temperature changes, including placing something cold within your granite counter right away after placing a hot pan on that area. This is a significant reason why granite is considered the best countertop material even though they have a higher price.
Yes, granite can warp due to specific reasons. The first reason for having warp granite arises when the granite is not firmly held during installation. To avoid such a problem, then the use of the best PL premium instated of silicone in sticking the granite to a ruffled top is advisable.
The second reason for granite warping depends on the types of granite used. Research shows that granites with low porosity and small grain size have low warp capabilities as compared to other granites.
Therefore, slabs that feature the lowest thermal expansion co-efficient rational to slab planes tend to suffer from the highest deformation.
To ensure that you have a well-balanced granite countertop that is free from warping, ensure the right type of granite is used during the installation.
Granite sometimes warps when it is still in the form of a slab. Granite providers tend to discount these slabs or send them back to the provider.
While there are many different types of countertops available for every homeowner, it's always advisable to choose a countertop material that perfectly fits your kitchen needs. For kitchen owners with a tendency to place a hot pan on their countertops, then going for a countertop option with the ability to withstand the hot pan's heat is the best idea. However, the long-term placement of hot containers on even the best countertops will eventually have adverse effects. This leaves you with only one option of maintaining your expensive countertops, which is to apply trivets for your hot pans.
