Granite is now one of the most popular choices for use as a countertop material in kitchens. If you don’t have one, there’s a good chance the person who lives next door to you does.
Granite countertops are low maintenance, attractive, and sophisticated in addition to being simple to clean. This is one of the factors that contributes to its comparatively higher cost in comparison to other countertop materials.
They provide a level of sophistication and originality to your cooking space that is unmatched by any other countertop option.
Granite is absolutely resistant to heat; nevertheless, it is not suggested to utilize temperatures that are too high on granite surfaces. If you are wondering if you can place a hot pan on your granite top, here is the brief answer: yes. Placing a hot pan with an internal temperature of around 1200 degrees Fahrenheit will not do any harm. However, the surface of granite will suffer irreparable damage if it is subjected to high temperatures for an extended length of time.
A place may be made to seem more shiny and brilliant by installing granite worktops in the kitchen. This is one of the simplest methods to achieve this effect.
You are going to have a great time working over the beautifully polished granite surface since it is so smooth. If you have recently redone your kitchen utilizing granite in the redesign, it most likely appears too nice to really use for cooking now.
Your blood undoubtedly begins to boil each time you see that your youngster has dropped a vegetable on the counter that has just been cleaned.
On the other hand, the thing that probably irritates you the most is when other people remove hot pans from the stove. Granite countertop surfaces that are subjected to high temperatures for an extended period of time may suffer irreparable damage.
The majority of people are under the impression that putting hot pots and plates directly on granite might cause it to chip or break.
When you consider that your cookware interacts with heat almost half of the time in the kitchen, does this make granite surfaces useless? Or is the “hot dread” associated with granite nothing more than an urban legend?
Let’s find out!
Contents
What Sets Granite Countertops Apart?
The super-awesome stone known as granite is obtained from deposits of igneous rock.
The process starts with molten lava that seeps into rock formations and eventually cools down as it does so. After that, rough and textured stone with the appearance of granite is extracted from the igneous stone beds.
Following the process of grinding, the stone is next carefully polished so that the surface is smooth and glossy.
Granite is a popular material for use in the construction of kitchen and bathroom countertops due to its natural beauty and one-of-a-kind character.
Mica, for instance, may have veining that is either black or brownish, while feldspar granite tends to have pink or red undertones.
Granite always features a diverse assortment of color palettes and pattern combinations at every turn. And the most enjoyable part is picking out the perfect stone in terms of its color and look.
The following are some of the primary benefits that come with having granite countertops in your home:
Unmatched Durability
Granite countertop surfaces are inherently more resistant to wear and tear than those made of other materials such as wood, glass, or Formica.
Granite has an exceptional resilience against the effects of wear and tear. It has the potential to become one of your most valuable assets in the kitchen if you take proper care of it.
Because it is made of a strong substance, it is very scratch-resistant. You don’t have to worry about getting any cuts or scrapes when you cut something on it.
Because of this, there will never be a need for you to retrieve your cutting board or be concerned about stains appearing on a granite countertop.
Eco-friendly Counter Top
Granite is a naturally occurring stone; because of this, it is one of the greatest alternatives for homeowners who are concerned about the environment when it comes to countertops.
A sealer may also be used throughout the installation process to further increase the product’s longevity.
Since the sealant includes just a trace amount of chemicals, you won’t need any cleansers that involve chemicals if you want to preserve your countertop in pristine condition. You will just need a soapy cloth and some water to do this task.
Granite is a material that can be recycled, meaning that you won’t be able to dispose of it by dumping it in a landfill. It is always possible to recycle it and use it again for other building projects such as making pavers or tiles.
Easy Cleaning and Maintenance
Granite has an exceptional resistance to stains. When cleaning various types of tabletop materials, you may need to use strong chemical cleansers.
On the other hand, granite can be cleaned with only a little amount of dish soap and warm water on a daily basis.
You may also spray some rubbing alcohol on your countertop every once in a while in order to keep it clean. Nevertheless, this will be the last bit of maintenance that is required of you.
Vinegar, ammonia, and bleach are examples of strong or highly acidic cleansers, and their use may actually cause the surface to degrade.
If you alter the pH, the natural stone surface you’re working with will lose its brilliance and become less durable. As a result, all you really need is a microfiber cloth and some soap to clean the glass.
Amazing Heat-Resistance
Granite is highly desirable among homeowners because it offers this advantage. Granite is resistant to the high temperatures that may be reached since it is a naturally hard and long-lasting stone.
You won’t have to worry about finding a secure spot to put down your hot pots and plates since it provides that for you.
Because granite does not become brittle or warp when subjected to high temperatures, it may be safely used in close proximity to cooktops.
There is a widespread misconception that granite’s surface may be harmed by heat in the form of cracking or warping.
When it comes to fire, granite can be destroyed by nothing short of a blowtorch; yet, the surface may be chipped by an impact from a large item.
But if this is the case, why is it known to become more brittle when exposed to heat?
How Much Heat Can Granite Withstand?
Granite is capable of withstanding heat, but it is still best to avoid using temperatures that are too high while working with this material.
Placing a hot pan with an internal temperature of around 1200 degrees Fahrenheit will not do any harm.
However, the surface of granite will suffer irreparable damage if it is subjected to high temperatures for an extended length of time.
The surface will eventually become smooth and texturedless as time passes.
Granite does have a surface that is resistant to heat, but when compared to other materials used for countertops, it is not as resistant to heat over an extended period of time.
This is due to the fact that granite countertops are fundamentally more well-known for their hardness and durability than for their resistance to heat.
Cooking on a stovetop or baking in an oven will not result in the production of any pans or pots that are likely to scratch or chip the granite surface.
That way, you won’t have any problems. However, the fragile layer of sealing that is on top of granite may be removed if very hot pans are placed on the surface of the granite.
After you remove this, your countertop will be much more susceptible to stains and scratches.
The heat from hot pots and pans is absorbed by granite surfaces when they are used as a surface for cooking.
For instance, you may speed up the process of cooling a dish by placing it on granite as soon as it comes out of the oven. This is due to the fact that the surface will soak up the heat that is being released from the hot dish.
Despite this, it is not recommended to use granite worktops in applications that involve heat.
As an alternative, you might protect the countertop in your kitchen from hot plates and pots by using heat mats or coasters.
Extreme Temperature Change – The Main Culprit
Granite is fragile not just when exposed to high temperatures, but also when subjected to rapid temperature shifts. It is possible for it to ruin the sealer that is already covering the surface of your countertop if it is exposed to direct sunlight.
The countertop of an outdoor kitchen is susceptible to damage from sudden shifts in temperature and precipitation.
The surface might get discolored and become damaged if it is subjected to the intense heat of the summers and the extreme cold of the winters.
On the other hand, it’s not all terrible news. There are some outstanding high-density granite countertops that are designed to resist the elements of the outdoors as well as significant temperature fluctuations.
How to Repair Granite Countertops
If the granite countertop has any discolored patches, fractures, or scratches, then it most likely need some kind of repair.
Make every effort to limit the amount of times the counter is used before the harm is dealt and resolved. The following are some simple solutions that may be used to repair the damage and give your granite surface the appearance of a brand new countertop.
Protecting the Sealant
The coat of the sealant is more likely to get discolored and keep the spots it produces. Discoloration and damage are almost certain to appear in the area of the kitchen in which you have placed hot pots and pans due to the fact that you have used this area so often.
On the other hand, you won’t have any trouble getting rid of the stains or scratches since they are just on the sealant layer and not on the surface of the granite itself.
Applying a moderate restorative solvent to the afflicted region on the granite counter is all that is required to restore the damage that has been done.
Applying the product with a gentle hand and rubbing it in will help remove the discoloration and expose the lustrous finish. After you have completed scrubbing, remove the paste or liquid by wiping it away.
Removing Stains with Baking Soda
Baking soda’s dual properties as a natural exfoliator and disinfectant make it an excellent choice for removing discolored layers from granite countertops.
The use of a baking soda paste is recommended in the event that your countertop has been stained with a substance that is difficult to remove, such as wine, coffee, fruit juices, or vinegar.
It is mild enough that it will not upset the pH mantle of the stone, but it will remove the stain in an impeccable manner. First, using some dish soap and water, clean the area that needs attention.
After that, spread a paste made of baking soda and water all over the affected region, and then cover it with plastic wrap and wait for it to dry.
In order for the baking soda to thoroughly remove the stain, you would need to let it a full day to work its magic. The next day, the area should be washed carefully with soap and water, and then it should be polished.
In order to eliminate persistent stains, you may further clean the area with some rubbing alcohol that has been combined with detergent.
However, granite countertops may get damaged if they are subjected to strong chemicals; thus, you should be sure to only use cleaners that are mild.
Granite surfaces are among the most durable counters to deal with, provided that the sealing has not been compromised in any way.
Repairing Granite Cracks
If you have found a fracture on your granite countertop, it is possible that the crack is either a hairline crack or a split crack.
Cracks that are just a hairline deep do not have a lip or a gap. They are also difficult to detect when they are there. On the other hand, these fissures will show up around sinks and over very thin areas of granite.
Cracks that have separated from one another may be seen as a space between them and can be felt when you touch the surface of the granite. They are generally the result of a significant impact and will need to be repaired.
Cracks are often patched with either a color-matched epoxy or an acrylic that acts as a glue to reassemble the broken components.
However, crack repair is not a process that should be attempted by the average homeowner; rather, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a professional for this reason.
Protection from Heat
To err on the side of caution, a hot pan should never be placed directly over a counter.
Always use a heat mat or a trivet made from silicone, ceramic, bamboo, or cork to protect your surfaces from direct contact with the hot pan.
Granite countertops are not only aesthetically pleasing but also very functional and long-lasting. They can withstand high temperatures as well as stains.
On the other hand, a granite surface will crack if it is subjected to high temperatures over an extended period of time.
Therefore, if you want to get a granite countertop, you should wait until your dishes have cooled down before putting them on the surface of the counter.
Granite countertops, if they are properly cared for and maintained, have the potential to give your kitchen an elegant and opulent appearance.
FAQs
Can you put a hot pan on a granite surface?
Because granite can withstand high temperatures without warping or cracking, homeowners don’t need to worry about their countertops being damaged by normal usage. A granite slab that has been properly maintained will not break or become brittle if a hot pan is placed on top of it. Just keep in mind that leaving a really hot pan in the same area for an extended period of time may cause the granite to change color.
Can you put a hot cup on granite?
When it comes to heat resistance, these natural stone surfaces are among the highest among those that are available for use as kitchen countertops or other surfaces in the house. Putting hot pots, hot pans, or hot things of any kind on your granite countertop will not cause any harm to the surface.
What should you not put on a granite countertop?
Rock Doctor suggests that you avoid the following on your granite countertops:
- Ammonia.
- Bleach.
- Vinegar.
- Cleaners for grout.
- Tile cleansers for the bathroom.
- Citrus-based cleaning products such as orange, lemon, or others.
- Cleaners for the glass.
- Hydrogen peroxide.
At what temperature does granite crack?
If you apply a reasonable amount of heat to the granite countertops in your kitchen, they will not chip or break since granite has a strong resilience to heat. Even a cast iron skillet heated to red-hot temperatures, which radiates at roughly 1300 degrees, is not hot enough to destroy the stone. The temperature must be at least 2000 degrees higher.
What type of countertop can you put a hot pan on?
Granite is one of the countertop materials that can withstand heat the best, mostly due to the fact that its natural formation requires very high temperatures in conjunction with incredibly high pressure. Granite is so durable that even the hottest pans may be removed from the oven and set directly on the surface without leaving any kind of trace or stain.