Learn how well Quartz countertops take heat and find out your options if they have heat damage or become stained.
Every home cook has gone into a panic when they accidentally pull a piping hot pan straight out of the oven and quickly have to decide where to put it down. Quartz countertops are heat resistant, but does that mean they are a safe place to put hot pans? We have the answers to all of your questions about Quartz and heat.
As a general rule, Quartz tolerates heat very well, making it an excellent choice for countertops. Quartz is heat resistant up to about 300 degrees Fahrenheit. However, even though Quartz countertops are highly heat resistant, they can still become heat damaged if not cared for properly or overexposed to direct heat.
Quartz countertops meet the new standards for kitchen countertops. Consumers today expect countertops to be scratch-resistant, durable, and also heat-resistant.
This is an important feature for people who like to cook and want highly functional countertops. It’s the most convenient to put hot dishes and cookware directly down onto the closest countertop.
But does heat resistance mean Quartz can’t be damaged by heat? Keep reading to find out how well Quartz countertops can take the heat.
How Well Do Quartz Countertops Take Heat?
Quartz is an expensive natural stone that is often used as a countertop material because it is durable, scratch-resistant, and heat resistant. A heat-resistant countertop is extremely important in the kitchen because kitchens are most likely to be the place in the home where a fire could occur.
However, heat resistance does not mean heatproof or that the countertops cannot be damaged by direct and prolonged heat.
By now, you are probably wondering the difference between heat resistance and heatproof and what that means regarding Quartz Countertops.
While Quartz countertops are heat resistant, they are not entirely heatproof. This means that even though they can help and delay the spread of kitchen fires, they cannot resist damage from heat.
To understand why Quartz is heat resistant but not heat proof, you need to know what materials Quartz countertops are made of because most are not stone, but instead are engineered or a manufactured stone product. The materials that make up Quartz countertops help determine the amount of heat it can take before becoming damaged.
Natural Quartz vs. Engineered Quartz
While Quartz Countertops are available as a Quartz slab, most Quartz countertops are not actual stone. The cost of natural stone Quartz prevents it from being widely used. Most Quartz sold as countertops is engineered stone. Engineered stone is an artificial or manufactured product with some stone and synthetic materials. It is made of a maximum of only 90% natural stone and 10% other mixed materials.
The materials in Quartz Countertops are multiple combinations of the following:
- A Crushed up stone mixture which contains pieces of granite, marble, and some quartz
- Recycled materials like glass, ceramic, and plastics
- Binder from cement, resin, and coloring agents.
These non-Quartz materials mixed into the counters cannot withstand high heat temperatures.
In fact, the amount of heat that Quartz countertops can take is dependent on the type and quantity of materials mixed into them.
Quartz countertops are available from many different manufacturers. They will each have specifications for the materials used and the highest temperature they can withstand before being damaged. Check with your countertop manufacturer for important safety and heat information regarding your brand of Quartz countertops.
So far, we have covered what heat resistance is and how much heat Quartz countertops can take, but what exactly does this mean for how well they will function in the kitchen?
Most home cooks considering Quartz counters want to know what happens when you set a hot pan straight from the oven down on Quartz Countertops?
Let’s take a closer look at just how heatproof Quartz countertops are and what you can expect regarding heat damage with regular everyday use.
Quartz and Heat Damage
Because Quartz countertops are not 100% stone, they cannot take the heat exposure from a hot pan or dish being placed directly on them.
When a hot pan is placed directly onto a Quartz Countertop, it can immediately cause permanent damage and result in a burn mark called a scorch mark.
Most pans and dishes coming straight from the stovetop or oven will exceed 150 degrees, so even a moderately hot pan can leave burn marks.
Another thing to consider is not putting your slow-cooker directly on your counters because it can also leave a burn mark if it gets too hot. You can put a large baking sheet under it or even a cutting board to prevent the heat it gives off from damaging your counters.
If you are very protective of your countertops, you could even use a coaster or saucer under hot coffee mugs or teacups.
Usually, these drinks are kept under 150 degrees and should not be a concern. But, Quartz is expensive, so if you want to be sure to protect your investment and rather be safe than sorry, always put something under hot drinks.
If your heart is set on Quartz countertops, or you already have them installed and want to learn about preventing marks, there is an easy way to keep your countertops safe.
To prevent burn marks from hot pans and dishes, just make sure to place something underneath to protect the counters, like a potholder or a silicone heat-proof mat. As long as you do this, you will keep your counters safe.
Forgetting the hot pad or trivet could result in permanent damage. Try keeping hot pads and counter protectors in a convenient place near your oven and stovetop. If you see them often and they are easy to reach, it will be easy to remember to use them every time.
Quartz and Heat Stains
Does Quartz always stain when it comes in contact with something too hot?
Even if you have been very careful, it’s easy to forget always to use a trivet. Or maybe your slow-cooker spilled and hot food left a nasty yellow and brown burn mark on your countertops.
The great news is that if you have a burn mark on your Quartz countertops, it is not always permanent damage. Sometimes, but not always, the scorch and burn marks can be removed or repaired.
There are tricks to remove the heat stains yourself or, as a last resort, you can opt for a professional company to try to remove them. Some burns are not as deep and will come out with a bit of elbow grease. Others require professional repair or even replacement.
There are cleaning and repair options for dealing with heat damage stains on your Quartz counters.
- If the scorch marks are not deep, light scrubbing should remove them. Make sure to use a safe countertop cleaner or opt for soap and water.
- If the burns are too deep and you need something more abrasive, try wiping toothpaste or make a paste from baking soda and water on the marks and gently scrubbing.
- If the scorch marks remain, call a professional counter repair company and see if they professionally remove the stains. Their methods range from using commercial cleaning products to sanding and redoing the sealer or even cutting out and replacing sections.
If all else fails and the burn marks remain, you can always cover them up and hide them with a large cutting board or trivet. In fact, the scorch mark is probably exactly where you needed the trivet in the first place!
There is an upside to having a permanent trivet on your countertop. You will always have a place for something hot, so hopefully, you will never have to worry about burn marks again.
Final Thoughts
Quartz Countertops are heat resistant but not heatproof. This means while they can take some heat, too much will result in damage and stains. Some light heat stains can easily be removed with household cleaners, while others might be removed professionally. The most serious scorch marks will leave your countertops permanently damaged.