Why Professional Chefs Prefer Granite & Quartz Countertops - All American Granite (2024)

FAQs

Why Professional Chefs Prefer Granite & Quartz Countertops - All American Granite? ›

Durability and Longevity

You could be considering finishing, maintenance, staining, durability, color, or any other of the number of aspects that come with different countertop options. But when it comes to specific interests, namely doing high level cooking in the kitchen, top chefs in the world prefer granite countertops.

Quartz is actually harder than granite and thus, more durable. In fact, quartz is nearly indestructible, and because it isn't porous like granite, it's easy to keep your countertops relatively bacteria-free. Be careful with cooking pans though: Quartz can be damaged by excessive heat, so use heating pads at all times.

Which is more expensive, quartz or granite? Both quartz and granite maintain their value for many years to come, and the materials cost approximately the same, with quartz being slightly less expensive. However, luxurious quartz products can be as expensive as granite slabs.

Quartz edges ahead of granite in this category. It requires almost zero maintenance because it is stain-resistant without needing to be re-sealed. While granite does not have this innate low-maintenance quality, sealing granite is easy.

Use a White Color Scheme

Not only does this color reflect light well and brighten your space, but it can also make the ceiling height look taller. Whether you use it for wall cabinets, countertops, or everything, this tip alone is sure to give you the appearance of a larger kitchen.

Everything from white granite and black granite countertops to granite slabs has fallen out of style. The second reason granite countertops have lost their appeal is that the preference for light, simple kitchens has replaced the trend of dark, warm kitchens. Designers quit wanting “movement” and instead wanted peace.

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.

That being said, granite is typically found in earthy colors like black, brown, tan, khaki, and white. On the other hand, quartz is bound in resin, which means it doesn't have the same crystalline structure or fissures found in granite. This gives quartz a much smoother texture.

In the years since that survey, granite has continued to lose ground to quartz. These days, home buyers are more likely to prefer quartz. In fact, the higher the price tag on a home, the more likely buyers are to be impressed with quartz countertops.

Can you put hot pans on granite? ›

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.

You shouldn't be using Clorox wipes daily, or even often, on quartz countertops because they have citric acid, which can be very harsh on your counter. Long-term use could lead to discoloration of your quartz surface.

Granite and Quartz can both be damaged by exposure to high temperatures since some of the elements contained within each one is susceptible to being damaged by intense heat. Granite is porous while quartz is not, so granite can suffer from spills and stains while quartz is more stain resistant.

Stone countertops are popular in kitchens for a reason. Granite is often cited as the most durable natural countertop material and is known for resisting cracks and chips. However, as a manufactured material, quartz vs. granite rates slightly higher on the hardness scale and is somewhat more damage-resistant.

Heat Resistant

When deciding what is the best material to use for kitchen countertops, heat resistance is one of the most important issues that comes up. Heat-resistant kitchen countertop material options are granite and other natural stones, quartz, copper, terrazzo, stainless steel, aluminium, and concrete.

Common Durable Countertop Materials

Quartz: offers excellent scratch resistance, and very high stain resistance, but may offer only moderate heat tolerance. Porcelain: offers high levels of resistance to staining, heat, and scratching.

Professional chefs know what it takes to deliver so take some tips from the experts. To start cooking like a pro, start with their preferred tool - a gas cooktop. Gas stoves offer an incredible experience with every use.

1. Quartz. Quartz is the most durable countertop material. A perfect choice for any kitchen or bathroom, quartz countertops contain a mixture of crushed quartz and resin.