Quartz worktops can look beautiful in almost any kitchen as they offer a sleek and stylish design that can be tailored to your needs. Due to their aesthetic appeal and affordability, it is natural to ask questions about their durability. More importantly, can you put hot items on quartz worktops?
Quartz worktops are tough, but they do have limits when it comes to heat.
- Most quartz worktops can handle heat up to 150°F (65°C) without getting damaged or discolored.
- They can usually take temperatures up to 302°F (150°C) before there’s a risk of cracking or warping.
However, not all quartz is made the same. The quality of the worktop really matters. Higher-quality quartz may handle heat better than cheaper options.
To be safe, it’s always a good idea to use trivets or heat pads under hot pots and pans. This helps keep your worktop looking great for years to come.
One of the best things you can do before buying a worktop for your kitchen is to do your research because it helps you avoid damaging it once it is installed. That said, keep reading this article to find out everything you need to know about a quartz worktop’s resistance to heat.
Hot Items on Quartz Worktops
To further expand on the answer provided above, there are several factors that need to be considered when trying to determine whether or not hot items can be placed on a court worktop; these include:
- The quality of the worktop: A good-quality quartz worktop will be harder to damage than a low-quality one.
- The climate: A quartz countertop should stay relatively cool throughout hot months, however, it can get pretty cold during the winter. Placing a hot item can have a more severe effect on a cold countertop.
- How hot the item is: It is not advisable to place anything over 60C (150F) directly on the worktop.
Another consideration to make is what the item is. For example, placing a hot pan on the worktop can cause damage to the quartz. On the other hand, placing a cup of tea directly onto your countertop will not cause damage in most cases.
How To Protect Your Quartz From Heat And Other Damage
Quartz worktops are strong and long-lasting – they can stay in great shape for up to 15 years! But there’s one thing you need to watch out for: heat.
Quartz doesn’t like high temperatures. If you put a hot pot or pan directly on the surface, it can leave burn marks, especially dark spots that are hard to remove.
To avoid this, it’s a good idea to keep heat-protective items like trivets or mats near your stove. That way, you’ll always have something to rest your hot cookware on without damaging your worktop.
Here are a few simple tips to protect your quartz countertop from heat and other kinds of damage:
- Always use a trivet or heat mat when placing hot pots, pans, or trays on the counter.
- Avoid placing hot appliances like slow cookers or air fryers directly on the surface.
- Clean up spills quickly, especially if they’re acidic (like lemon juice or vinegar).
- Use cutting boards instead of chopping directly on the countertop.
- Don’t drag heavy items across the surface – this can cause scratches.
What Happens if You Put Something Hot on a Quartz Worktop?
If something is above the recommended temperature for a quartz worktop, there are several ways in which it can get damaged. The most common are:
- Warping happens due to prolonged heat.
- Cracks are typically formed from sudden temperature increases.
- Discolouration can occur from prolonged heat above 60C (140F) or very hot liquids, such as boiling water, tea, or coffee being spilled on the surface.
A lot of the time, you can get away with it, especially with a high-quality quartz worktop. That said, if you do accidentally put a hot pan or spill some hot coffee on the worktop, it is best to remove it as quickly as possible.
Can You Put Cooking Appliances on a Quartz Worktop?
In most cases, it is perfectly fine to use cooking appliances such as toaster ovens, air fryers, and microwaves on a quartz surface.
However, these appliances could cause some slight discoloration after prolonged use. So, if you use your appliances often, it is best to use either trivets or heat-resistant mats.
Can You Put a Hot Cup of Coffee or Tea on a Quartz Worktop?
Tea or coffee that is in a cup should cause no issues for the worktop. If you spill the tea or coffee on the quartz worktop wipe it up quickly and again there should be no issue. That said, if you leave the hot liquid there for long enough, it could discolour the quartz.
Using a coaster is one way to make it even safer to put hot tea or coffee cups on the worktop, especially if you struggle with coffee rings being left behind every time you put your cup down.
Can You Put a Bowl of Soup on a Quartz Worktop?
It is safe to put a bowl of soup on a quartz worktop. Again, you can’t go wrong by placing something between the bowl and the worktop; a normal kitchen cloth will do.
Can You Put a Dinner Plate from the Microwave on a Quartz Worktop?
Most people don’t think about this, but putting a plate in the microwave will not make it hot, as a plate does not contain water. The food on the plate might get hot but by the time the heat is transferred into the plate and then the worktop, it should not be hot enough to do damage.
What can happen in extremely rare cases is if your worktop is very cold, it could cause the plate to crack if it is suddenly placed on the cold quartz worktop. So, if you live in a cold climate, you might want to place the hot plate on a dishcloth instead of directly on the worktop.
Can You Put Hot Pots and Pans on a Quartz Worktop?
You should never put a hot pan or pot from the stove or oven directly onto a quartz worktop. Yes, you could get away with it a few times, but eventually, the quartz worktop will become damaged. It is advisable to use a trivet or heat-resistant mat at all times.
Can You Put Hot Trays on a Quartz Worktop?
Hot trays used for baking should be treated the same as hot pots and pans. So it is best to use trivets or heat-resistant mats.
Can You Put Slow Cookers and Pressure Cookers on a Quartz Worktop?
Both of these items should be okay most of the time when used on a quartz worktop. However, when it comes to slow cookers it is best practice to use trivets or heat-resistant mats. Remember, a slow cooker will generate heat for a prolonged period.
Conclusion
We hope this guide has helped you understand how to handle heat around your quartz kitchen worktops.
Quartz is a strong and durable material. It won’t break easily, and it’s built to last. But even tough surfaces need a little care.
