You have to prepare pasta for your kid’s school party and in a hurry to wake him up, you place the pot of hot boiling pasta on the countertop. You come back to the kitchen to make the pasta and you notice a yellow-colored ring in the shape of the pot on your newly fixed quartz kitchen top. But wait! Isn’t the quartz countertop supposed to be heat resistant? That is what the seller also told you. But did you research about quartz being heat resistant yourself or not? No, you didn’t.

Is Your Quartz Countertop Heat Resistant Or Not?

Well, the answer is yes and no, both. Quartz is certainly heat resistant until a certain threshold. It can withstand heat to a certain temperature. This implies that there is a thin line of barrier between a quartz countertop being heat resistant and being not able to handle the heat. So, you can place hot pots and pans but they should not be very hot.

The reason that quartz countertops are only heat resistant to a certain point is that they are made up of 94% natural quartz and 6% polymer resins, pigments, and chips. Sometimes 90% of quartz is used and 10% is resin and pigments. The resin acts as a binding agent and turns the quartz into a strong and durable, non-porous, and scratch-resistant slab. But the drawback is that the polymer resins have a heat threshold of 150 degrees, so the stain mark you see is the resin being burnt and not the quartz itself. This means that you can place a hot cup of tea or coffee on your countertop but not a hot boiling pot or pan. Over time, hot cups may also cause stains and round ring marks on the countertop.

However, your quartz countertops are exposed to a fabrication process in which your quartz countertop slaps are cured at temperatures up to 180 degrees. The curing process causes the countertop to develop a resistance to heat, chips, and abrasions. This curing increases the heat resistance of a quartz countertop up to 300 degrees. However, above this temperature, your countertop will get damaged.

Ways To Protect Your Quartz Countertops From Heat Damage

There are many ways through which you can protect your quartz countertops and save them from being damaged by heat.

Do Not Place Your Hot Pots Or Pans Directly On The Countertop

If you need to place hot pots then make sure the temperature has somewhat subsided by leaving them on the stove only and then placing them on the countertop.

Make Use Of Trivets And Potholders

Trivets are decorative mats usually made of silicone, metal, or wood, which can be placed on your countertops, and pots and pans can be kept on top of them. They protect countertops and sustain heat themselves. Potholders are cloth made of thick fabric or material to hold the handles of the hot pans. Nowadays potholders are also made of silicone. Keep these both handy so you can easily reach for them when the need arises.

Towels And Heat Mats Can Also Be Used Instead Of Trivets

Heat mats are big and thick and are available in different heat-resistant materials. They protect your counter space. If you have nothing then simply place a thick towel to prevent heat from damaging your countertop.

Apart from the kitchen if you have a quartz countertop installed in your bathroom then do not place your heated tools directly on it.

Damage Caused By Heat

The minimum damage that a hot pot or pan can cause is a ring mark on your countertop. If you notice a ring mark then try to clean it with a soft cloth and soapy water. If you do not notice a mark then the resin is most likely damaged inside. Although hot cups of tea or coffee are not likely to cause damage over time they may lead to permanent marks, fading, and discoloration. Too much placement of hot pots and pans may lead to cracks, chips, and scratches on your quartz.

Conclusion

Your quartz countertop gives your house an aesthetic sense of appeal. To retain its beauty, you will need to take care of it and protect it from heat damage. Moreover, get high-quality quartz counters from quartz countertop contractors Rockville so they last longer.