Hot Pans, Thermal Shock And Your Granite Countertops - Colonial Marble & Granite (2024)

  • January 19, 2021
  • 11:43 am

You want a beautiful kitchen but you also want a durable, long-lasting kitchen. This is where granite comes in! The beauty of granite is undeniable and when you add to that how tough it is, it can be the obvious choice for your kitchen. But if granite is so tough — can it stand up to hot pots and pans straight out the oven?

Always use a trivet or a potholder; like many natural stones, granite has an incredibly high heat tolerance. The short answer is “yes, but you probably shouldn’t.” Because of granite’s heat tolerance, you can take a hot pan directly out of the oven and put it directly on your countertop. Granite is naturally heat resistant, and heat damage would occur only if the granite was heated unevenly. So briefly putting a hot pan down on your granite countertop isn’t going to cause long-term damage.That said, we don’t recommend putting hot pans on granite countertops — not for the granite’s sake but for yours. If you leave a hot pan on granite, it will heat the granite; then, when you remove the pan you have a hot granite surface that could burn you or someone else.

Is Granite Considered to be “Heat Resistant?” “Heat-Proof?”

For something to be heat resistant or heatproof (they mean the same thing) it must be able to withstand high temperatures and not exhibit damage. This includes melting points and thermal shock. As an igneous rock (formed out of the fire of a volcano), granite is one of the tougher natural stones in the world. It can withstand temperatures of up to 1,650 degrees Fahrenheit and has a melting point of about 2,300 degrees Fahrenheit.

Thermal shock occurs when a material undergoes a drastic change of temperature in a short time. If you’ve ever cracked a hot coffee pot by running it under cold water, you have witnessed thermal shock.

Thermal shock is exceedingly rare for granite countertops. The typical home chef/cook wouldn’t expose their countertops to the temperatures that would cause granite to snap.

Thermal shock can be exacerbated if the temperature fluctuation is uneven throughout the material. As a material cools or heats too rapidly, tensile stress between the surface and inner layers develops. Depending on the chemical makeup and bonds of a given material, the tension between layers will force the chemical bonds to break.

Is Granite the Most Heat Resistant Countertop Option?

Granite is considered to be the most heat-resistant and popular countertop option. It requires extremely high heat and pressure to form in the first place, so it takes a similar high heat and pressure to damage it. The only other natural stone that can even compare to granite is quartzite. The difference in heat resistance between the two stones is negligible; however, granite is more popular because of its outstanding beauty and durability— which therefore potentially increases a home’s value.

If Granite is So Heat Resistant, Could You Use it as a Cooking Surface?

Yes! Because granite can withstand and conduct heat, you could heat it and use it just like a piece of cast iron. One of the more popular ways to do this is to put it on a grill to provide a flat, portable cooking surface. Heat granite evenly and slowly. So, it’s best to put a cold stone in a cold over or on a cold grill and allow the stone to heat with the grill. Make sure the heat is distributed evenly throughout the surface of the stone. Bring it to temperature over 20 – 30 minutes before use.

For more countertop information and design inspiration, check out ourblogorcontactour team!

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    Hot Pans, Thermal Shock And Your Granite Countertops - Colonial Marble & Granite (2024)

    FAQs

    Hot Pans, Thermal Shock And Your Granite Countertops - Colonial Marble & Granite? ›

    Yes, in a nutshell, hot pans placed on granite surfaces will not immediately cause harm. Tempters as high as those found in a hot oven or stovetop won't be able to harm granite because of its exceptional heat tolerance.

    Is it okay to put hot pans on granite countertops? ›

    Homeowners don't need to worry about damaging their countertops with everyday use because granite is quite heat resistant. Placing a hot pan on a well-maintained granite slab will not cause it to crack or weaken. Just remember that repeatedly placing a very hot pan on the same spot may cause granite to discolor.

    Is it safe to put hot pans on marble countertops? ›

    Most natural stone countertop surfaces are resistant to heat, which is why they are preferred in kitchens. Marble is heat resistant, and it can stand up surprisingly well to hot pans. If you put them in your bathroom, styling tools should not cause damage while they heat on the bathroom's countertop surface either.

    What countertop can you put hot pans on? ›

    The only countertop materials that you can safely set hot pots and pans on are Soapstone and sintered surfaces; in fact, they are recommended as countertop materials for that purpose.

    How much heat can a granite countertop take? ›

    Granite is an igneous rock that is formed over millions of years by volcanic activity. This naturally occurring geological process ensures that granite countertops can easily withstand temperatures of 480 degrees Fahrenheit and likely up to 1,000 degrees or more.

    What is a good cleaner for granite countertops? ›

    For all its temperamental qualities, natural stone is quite easy to clean; regular soap and water are truly all you need to keep granite surfaces clean and sparkling.

    What is best to seal granite countertops? ›

    Penetrating Sealers

    Impregnating or “penetrating” sealers protect granite by plugging up the porous surface with hardening resins. Available as water- and solvent-based products, these sealers soak into the pores and then leave behind hardening resins as the product dries.

    Can a hot pan crack countertop? ›

    However, while brief encounters with a hot pan won't hurt your granite countertop, use of a trivet on a regular basis is recommended. Having this barrier between a hot pan and your countertop will help reduce weakening of sealants, staining, and cracking.

    What damages granite countertops? ›

    Oil, fruit juices, wine, coffee, and other acidic substances are the most common culprits in granite stains. In fact, your granite water damage is even possible if your water is mineral-rich.

    What is the downside to granite countertops? ›

    They can be porous.

    If you don't seal your granite countertops, or the stone was poorly sealed from the start, there is a chance that liquids could be absorbed, creating long-lasting stains.

    Can you use Clorox wipes on granite? ›

    The reason you should avoid Clorox wipes on granite countertops is that they contain large amounts of citric acid. As citric acid is very strong, these ingredients can break down the sealant that is placed on the granite kitchen worktops which is there to protect it.

    Can you use dawn on granite? ›

    Here are all the types of surfaces you can clean with Dawn® Powerwash: Stainless steel appliances, pots, handles, and fixtures. Light and dark granite countertops and backsplashes. Quartz countertops and backsplashes.

    How often do you have to seal granite countertops? ›

    Typically, granite should be resealed every 12 to 18 months. Nevertheless, there are some other factors that come into play when determining how often to reseal granite countertops. For example, a lighter colored granite will need to be resealed more often because it is typically more porous.

    Can you put a hot pan in a granite sink? ›

    As with all types of sinks, granite composite kitchen sinks are heat resistant. However, they are not heat-proof when it comes to extreme temperatures such as a hot pan taken off the hob and placed directly into the sink. The acrylic resin in the mix of a granite composite sink could warp or melt.

    Can you put a hot pan on quartz or granite? ›

    Unlike natural stone, Quartz countertops should not be exposed to hot pots and pans. A quartz countertop can withstand up to about 150 F before it takes damage. The most common result is a discolored ring on your countertop if a hot pan touches the quartz countertop surface.

    At what temperature does granite crack? ›

    However, if you seal your granite countertop, it won't even absorb the water in the first place, so you won't have to worry about it getting cracked. Granite is also extremely resistant to heat. It can withstand temperatures of up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit.

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