Quartz countertops are engineered stone surfaces made from roughly 90% ground quartz blended with polyester resins and pigments. They have become an immensely popular option for kitchen and bathroom countertops due to their attractive appearance, durability, and resistance to stains, scratches, and heat. However, some homeowners may wonder – can quartz countertops burn? Let’s take a closer look at how resistant quartz is to heat damage.
How Heat Resistant Are Quartz Countertops?
Quartz countertops are engineered to be very heat resistant and can withstand brief exposure to moderately hot cookware. According to most manufacturers, quartz countertops can tolerate direct heat exposure up to 150°F before there is any risk of damage. This means quartz can generally handle:
- Hot pots and pans off the stove or out of the oven
- Warm platters and dishes fresh from the oven or microwave
- Setting down curling irons and hair straighteners briefly
- Candles and wax warmers, provided the flame doesn’t directly touch the countertop
Temperatures above 150°F, especially sustained heat, may start to pose a risk of quartz countertop burns or damage. However, quartz is still far more heat tolerant than many other countertop materials like solid surface, laminate, marble, or even some natural stones like granite.
What Temperature Can Damage Quartz?
Quartz can withstand brief contact with materials up to about 150°F before risking any damage. Sustained heat exposure above 150°F, however, can start to cause quartz burns or permanent damage. According to most manufacturer warranties, examples of excessive heat sources that may damage quartz include:
- Pots or pans directly from a hot stove or oven over 150°F.
- Setting very hot hair tools like curling irons or flat irons directly on the surface.
- High temperatures from appliances like electric griddles or crock pots resting directly on the quartz.
- Direct contact with the flame from candles, sterno warmers, or gas stoves.
- Leaving hot cookware on the countertop for an extended time allowing transferred heat to build up.
While quartz can withstand brief contact with very hot materials, prolonged exposure to high heat can cause cracks, marks, or discoloration over time.
Signs of Heat Damage on Quartz Surfaces
How can you tell if your quartz countertop surface is starting to show signs of burn damage from excessive heat exposure? Here are some common indicators:
- Discoloration – Sustained heat can cause faint discolored spots or rings on the countertop surface. This occurs as the resin begins to break down and the quartz aggregates change color.
- Surface cracks – With significant heat exposure over 150°F, the natural stone and resins in quartz can expand at different rates which can cause surface cracks and fissures.
- Melted spots – Direct contact with very hot items like the base of a flat iron or curling iron can potentially melt the resin if left for too long, creating damaged glossy spots.
- Blistering – Prolonged heat exposure can make the resin bubble up and blister if it starts to burn and separate from the stone aggregates.
- Etching – High heat over time may eat away the glossy finish and create rough, etched areas. This is often seen around the edges of hot cookware left for extended periods.
- Dull spots – Sustained high temperatures can rob areas of quartz countertops of their vibrancy, leaving dull ashy-looking spots.
Fortunately, most minor heat damage like faint discoloration or minor surface marks can often be buffed out through careful polishing. But deep cracks, bubbles, or melted areas will likely require a countertop repair or replacement.
Best Practices to Avoid Quartz Burns
Quartz countertops are resilient against moderate heat exposure. But to keep your countertops looking pristine and prevent damage, follow these best practices:
- Always use trivets or hot pads when setting hot pots, pans, bakeware, etc directly from the oven or stove.
- Avoid leaving hot hair styling tools like curling or flat irons sitting on the counter when not in use. Store on a heat-resistant silicone mat instead.
- Don’t leave simmering crockpots, electric griddles, or other heated appliances running directly on quartz surfaces. Use a trivet underneath.
- Keep all open flames like candles, torches, or gas burners away from directly touching the quartz.
- Wipe up spills immediately and don’t allow excess heat to build up from liquids like hot coffee or tea sitting on the counter.
- Run cold water over spots where very hot items were placed to quickly dissipate residual heat.
- Use insulated oven mitts or “hot pads” when handling anything directly out of the oven.
- Don’t cut food directly on quartz countertops. Always use a cutting board.
Following these precautions will help prevent quartz countertop burns and allow you to enjoy this low-maintenance surface for decades.
Can You Put Hot Pans on Quartz Countertops?
What about setting hot pans straight from the stovetop or oven directly onto quartz counters? As a manufactured stone, quartz can briefly tolerate moderate hot pan contact, but it still poses some risks, especially with very high temperatures. Here are some guidelines:
Pans Up to 150°F
Warm pans fresh off the stove or oven that are under 150°F may be placed briefly on a quartz countertop with very low risk of any damage, especially if placed on a trivet. However, prolonged direct contact could allow heat to build up, so they should still be removed once they’re no longer needed on the countertop.
Pans 150°-300°F
Moderately hot pans in this temperature range are not likely to cause immediate damage when briefly placed on quartz. However, direct sustained contact over several minutes can potentially lead to discoloration, dull spots, or etching over time as heat transfers to the countertop. Use trivets when possible and remove pans once no longer needed on the surface.
Pans Over 300°F
Extremely hot pans exceeding 300°F or more pose a high risk for quartz countertop burns if placed directly on the surface. The abrupt intense heat can potentially cause cracks, bubble blisters, immediate discoloration, or melted resin spots. Always use a hot pad or trivet and avoid leaving extremely hot pans on quartz.
The temperatures pans reach depend on factors like material, heating time, and stove temperature. Cast iron, for example, can hold more heat than stainless steel. While brief contact with hot pans under 300°F is generally OK, sustained direct heat exposure at high temperatures can damage quartz over time. Using trivets provides an extra layer of protection.
Can Quartz Countertops Crack from Heat?
While quartz countertops are engineered to be quite heat-resistant for a solid surface material, they can potentially crack from excessive direct high heat over time. Here’s what to know:
- Sudden Temperature Changes – Exposing any section of a quartz countertop to sudden swings from very hot to cold can cause thermal shock and immediate cracking.
- Sustained Heat Exposure – Prolonged contact with heat sources over 150°F allows heat to penetrate deep into the countertop and can gradually cause cracks from the inside over months or years.
- Improper Installation – Cracks can form if countertops are not properly reinforced or allowed to freely expand and contract.
- Direct Flame – Allowing direct contact with flames from gas burners, cigarettes, candles, etc. can crack, scorch, or burn quartz.
To minimize the risk of heat-related cracks, always use trivets with hot items, clean up spills promptly, and avoid exposing quartz to sudden large temperature swings. Quartz will likely show signs of other heat damage long before cracking occurs.
Can You Put a Griddle on Quartz Countertops?
Electric griddles are another popular countertop cooking appliance homeowners might wonder about using on quartz surfaces. Most quartz manufacturers recommend avoiding direct sustained contact. Here’s what to know about using griddles on quartz:
- Use a Trivet – Placing an electric griddle directly on quartz allows intense concentrated heat to build up which can damage the solid surface over time. Always use a trivet or hot pad underneath.
- Watch the Temperature – Griddles often heat up to over 300°F. Even through a trivet, the sustained high heat can potentially discolor or dull the quartz surface below over time.
- No Preheating – Don’t preheat the griddle while it’s sitting directly on a quartz countertop. This enables heat to concentrate and penetrate into the surface.
- Limit Cooking Time – Cook in short intervals instead of leaving a hot griddle running for prolonged periods to minimize heat transfer.
- Use Pot Holders – When removing the griddle, remember the base may still be very hot. Always set on pot holders instead of directly on quartz.
With proper precautions, electric griddles can be safely used on quartz surfaces. But direct extended contact with their intense heat can risk damaging quartz over time. Using a trivet provides an extra layer of protection.
Can You Put a Crockpot on a Quartz Countertop?
Slow cookers like crockpots reach simmering temperatures between 200-300°F. Can they safely be used directly on quartz? While quartz can withstand moderate heat, the sustained direct contact under a crockpot risks gradual heat damage over many hours of cooking. Here are some tips:
- Always place the crockpot on a trivet or hot pad, not directly on the quartz surface. This prevents excessive concentrated heat transfer to one spot.
- Avoid preheating the crockpot while sitting on a quartz counter. Instead, use a different surface like the stove or place on a trivet first.
- Limit extended cooking times. The longer a hot crockpot runs in one spot, the more heat can penetrate the quartz and cause discoloration or dulling even through a trivet.
- Take care when removing the crockpot base, as residual heat can still damage counters. Set on pot holders, not directly on the quartz.
With proper care and trivets, crockpots may be used on quartz surfaces without issue. But direct prolonged heat contact risks gradually damaging the solid quartz surface over time through discoloration, etching, or cracks.
Can You Put a Coffee Maker on Quartz Countertops?
Many daily kitchen appliances like coffee makers only reach moderately warm temperatures under 150°F. Are they safe to place directly on quartz counters?
The warm – not hot – base of a coffee maker generally will not damage quartz countertops with normal use. However, taking a few minor precautions can provide added protection:
- Place on a small trivet or silicone pad if desired to prevent scratches and help dissipate residual warmth.
- Avoid prolonged direct contact by occasionally moving the coffee maker a few inches.
- Be careful of drips and spills which can heat up if left to sit on quartz.
- Don’t allow coffee pots or carafes fresh from the heating plate to directly contact the countertop.
With routine care and caution around drips, coffee makers may be safely used directly on quartz countertops without risk of any burns or damage to the solid surface.
Can You Put a Toaster Oven on Quartz Countertops?
Toaster ovens can reach baking temperatures between 300-450°F. While quartz can withstand moderate heat, placing a toaster oven directly on a quartz counter could pose problems.
The high, concentrated heat on the bottom of a toaster oven runs the risk of gradually damaging quartz with sustained direct contact. Melted spots, discoloration, bubbling, and cracks could occur over time.
For safe use of a toaster oven on quartz, always place on a heat-resistant trivet, silicone pad, or wood board underneath. This creates a buffer against the intense bottom heat of the appliance. Avoid any direct preheating with the toaster oven sitting directly on the quartz as well. With proper heat protection, a toaster oven will not damage your quartz counters.
Is a Quartz Countertop Heat-Resistant Like Granite?
Granite countertops are renowned for durability and heat resistance. But how does quartz compare when it comes to handling hot cookware or ovenware?
Quartz offers excellent heat resistance for an engineered stone but falls slightly short of granite in very high temperature tolerance. Here’s a basic comparison:
Granite
- Withstands temperatures up to 550°F before risk of damage.
- Resists staining or discoloration from hot pots/pans.
- Less prone to thermal shock cracking.
- Heat rarely penetrates below surface with proper sealing.
Quartz
- Withstands temperatures up to 150°F before damage risk.
- Hot pots/pans over 150°F can discolor and dull surface.
- Not as resistant to thermal shock cracks.
- Heat penetration into surface more likely.
While granite countertops have a clear heat tolerance advantage, quartz offers much better scratch, stain, and water resistance. For most kitchen uses, quartz offers excellent heat resistance as long as very hot items are used with care.
Is There Such Thing as a Heat Resistant Quartz?
Standard quartz countertops are engineered to be fairly heat-resistant for everyday cooking tasks. But some varieties are produced to have even higher heat tolerance:
Thermoquartz
Some manufacturers like Cambria offer proprietary “thermoquartz” designed to withstand brief temperatures up to 300°F without damage. This makes it comparable to granite.
Fireglass Quartz
Fireglass quartz contains special resins to increase heat tolerance substantially. Brands like Compac and Vicostone market Fireglass varieties that can briefly handle temperatures over 570°F.
However, even these heat-resistant quartz options cannot match the sustained high heat durability of granite. They simply provide a higher initial burn threshold that’s more forgiving to brief high heat exposure when cooking.
At What Temperature Does Quartz Melt?
Given enough sustained heat, quartz countertops will eventually sustain damage at high enough temperatures as the resin components reach melting points. But at what temperature does quartz actually melt?
The exact melting point depends slightly on the formulation, but most standard quartz countertops will begin melting somewhere in the range of 300°F to 500°F. For reference:
- The quartz mineral itself melts at approximately 2,970°F.
- Polyester resins melt between 200-500°F.
- Other polymers and pigments burn off between 150°F to 350°F.
With enough prolonged direct heat exposure, the resins binding the quartz will deteriorate and begin melting well below the quartz itself. This can create permanent damage like glossy melted spots, cracks, and roughness from burned off resin.
Can Quartz Countertops Be Repaired from Heat Damage?
Minor heat damage like light discoloration or surface etching may be repairable on quartz countertops. But severe heat damage often requires a full countertop replacement. Here’s an overview:
Possible to Repair
- Superficial dull spots or rings often buff out through polishing
- Faint discolored spots can sometimes be sanded and re-polished
- Small surface indentations might be smoothed with epoxy fills
- Minor surface scratches or scorches may be gently buffed and re-finished
Typically Not Repairable
- Deep burns, bubbles, or melted areas in the surface
- Pervasive discoloration not fixed by sanding/polishing
- Large cracks or fissures in the quartz surface
- Etching and roughness from burned off resin
While professional countertop repair specialists can sometimes work magic, severe quartz heat damage often necessitates a full replacement or very noticeable repairs. Prevention is key!
Using Trivets and Hot Pads on Quartz
One of the most important precautions when using quartz countertops is to utilize trivets, hot pads, and other insulation when placing hot items. This helps prevent heat damage and quartz countertop burns. Here are some tips for effectively using trivets on quartz:
Place Trivets Under All Hot Cookware
Get into the habit of using trivets under any pots, pans, or baking dishes coming straight from the stovetop or oven. This includes items that may not seem dangerously hot but are still fresh from heat sources over 150°F. Trivets create a protective air gap insulation.
Use Thick, Heat-Resistant Trivets
Thin simple trivets may look nice but provide little real insulation. Choose thicker trivets made from materials like dense wood, silicone, stone, or metal that won’t themselves burn or melt from hot cookware placed on them.
Avoid Leaving Trivets on Quartz When Not in Use
Some decorative woven or delicate trivets can actually scratch, scorch, or discolor quartz if left sitting out. Remove trivets when not actively being used.
Put Trivets Under Appliances Like Griddles
Any heated appliances used on quartz should have trivets placed underneath, even when off, to protect from residual warmth. This includes griddles, crockpots, coffee makers, etc.
Let Cookware Cool Slightly Before Removing Trivets
Don’t immediately place hot pots or pans directly on quartz after lifting off a trivet. Let them cool briefly first so residual heat dissipates.
Use Separate Trivets or Hot Pads for Removing Items
Use dedicated pot holders or silicone hot pads for lifting hot cookware off quartz surfaces, not the same trivets that were underneath them.