Meta description: Quartz countertops can withstand moderate heat and are more resistant than natural stone. Find out how quartz stands up to hot pans, heat damage, and more.
What is Quartz?
Quartz countertops are engineered stone made from approximately 90% ground natural quartz crystals combined with polyresin binders. This combination creates a non-porous, durable, and stylish surface perfect for kitchens and bathrooms.
Unlike natural stone countertops like granite or marble, quartz is non-porous, so spills and stains don’t penetrate the surface. The resin makes quartz more flexible and resistant to cracks and chips. Quartz comes in a wide variety of colors and patterns for an eye-catching look.
How Heat Resistant is Quartz?
One of the most common questions homeowners have about quartz is whether it can withstand heat from hot pans, bakeware, and more. The short answer is yes, quartz has excellent heat resistance compared to other countertop materials.
Quartz can withstand moderate heat up to about 150°F before potential damage may occur. Quartz manufacturers advise using trivets or hot pads when placing extremely hot pans directly from the stove or oven onto the counter.
However, brief contact with hot pans or plates from the microwave will not harm quartz surfaces. The material is more heat resistant than natural stone alternatives like marble or granite.
Hot Pans and Bakeware
When cooking at high temperatures, pans, pots, and bakeware can get extremely hot. As a general rule, exercise some caution when placing hot objects from the oven or stove directly onto quartz.
- Allow pans to cool for a few minutes first.
- Use potholders or trivets for added protection.
- Don’t leave flaming hot pans on quartz for extended periods.
Quartz can handle Brief contact with hot pans, but it’s smart to take precautions. Letting pans cool even briefly prevents exposing the countertops to drastic temperature changes that may lead to damage over time.
Does Quartz Burn or Scorch?
For the most part, quartz resists burning, scorching, and permanent heat damage. When cared for properly, quartz maintains its smooth surface without marks from hot cookware.
However, extremely high direct heat could potentially scorch quartz. Cigarettes, flames, or appliance malfunctions reaching over 300°F could scorch the resin binders. But under normal household use, quartz withstands heat well.
To prevent scorching:
- Don’t place flaming pans or oven racks directly on quartz.
- Use insulation like potholders for removing hot items from the oven.
- Keep lit cigarettes, matches, and open flames away from the countertops.
Is Quartz Better Than Granite for Heat?
Quartz has superior heat resistance compared to natural stone countertops like granite or marble. Granite is also durable, but more porous than quartz.
Granite can crack or chip under extreme heat, and hot pans may potentially leave stubborn marks or discoloration. Quartz has greater heat tolerance thanks to its flexible resin binders. Small hot pans are less likely to damage quartz than granite or marble.
Both materials require some care around extreme heat. But quartz can better withstand typical cooking heats up to 150°F. For busy kitchens, quartz provides more confidence for hot pans and bakeware.
Heat Tolerance Comparison
Here’s how quartz stacks up to other popular countertop materials regarding heat resistance:
- Quartz: Moderate heat resistance up to 150°F. Minimal risk of scorching or burning with normal use.
- Granite:Low to moderate heat resistance. Risk of discoloration and cracking under extreme heat. Requires more caution with hot pans.
- Marble: Low heat resistance and prone to scorching. Easily stained by hot pans and oils.
- Laminate: Very low heat tolerance. Prone to bubbling, discoloration and delamination under hot pans.
Quartz has the highest overall heat tolerance beside high-performance materials like sintered compact stone. Natural stone and laminate have lower thresholds before potential damage may occur.
Is There a Heat-Resistant Quartz?
Some quartz varieties boast even better heat resistance than the standard 150°F threshold. These “high heat” engineered stones up the protection for busy kitchens.
Cambria and Cosentino currently offer specialty quartz lines claiming 180°F and 212°F heat resistance respectively. However, always exercise some caution with hot cookware, even on heat-resistant quartz.
Tips to Prevent Heat Damage
- Use potholders to remove hot pans, pots, trays, and baking dishes from the oven.
- Allow cookware to cool briefly before placing directly on quartz counters.
- Avoid prolonged direct contact between hot pans and quartz.
- Use heat trivets and hot pads for placing piping hot items from the stove or oven.
- Keep open flames away from the countertops.
- Immediately wipe spills as they occur to prevent hot liquids from penetrating joints.
- Don’t cut food directly on quartz counters. Use a cutting board instead.
With some basic precautions, quartz offers excellent heat resistance for busy kitchens. Brief contact with routine hot pans and cookware will not damage today’s high-quality quartz.
FAQ About Quartz Heat Resistance
Can quartz counters withstand heat?
Yes, quartz has good overall heat resistance around 150°F. It can handle normal contact with hot pans, but extremely high, direct heat may damage the surface.
Does quartz burn or scorch easily?
Quartz is unlikely to burn with normal kitchen use. Scorching is only a concern from prolonged direct contact with excessively hot items over 300°F.
What happens if you put a hot pan on quartz?
Brief contact with a hot pan fresh from the stove or oven will not harm quartz. Allow pans to cool for a few minutes before setting down to prevent potential damage over time.
Can you put pots straight from the oven onto quartz?
It’s best to allow hot pots, pans, and bakeware to cool for a few minutes before placing directly on quartz counters. Quickly setting down hot items is OK, but extended direct heat exposure can damage the surface.
Is it OK to cut food on quartz counters?
Avoid cutting or chopping food directly on quartz, as knives can scratch the surface over time. Use a cutting board instead to protect your counters.
Does quartz stain from hot pans?
Due to its nonporous surface, quartz resists stains from spills, hot pans, and oils. However, wipe up spills quickly to prevent excess heat penetration in counter joints.
Conclusion
Thanks to its durable composition and resin binders, quartz offers better heat resistance than natural stone counters. While quartz can withstand typical cooking heats, take precautions with extremely hot pans and prolonged direct contact. With proper care around extreme temperatures, quartz provides stylish and worry-free countertops for kitchens.