Are Quartz Countertops Heat Resistant?

Quartz is a popular material for kitchen countertop construction for many good reasons. But are quartz countertops heat resistant? While they are durable, you should avoid exposing them to heat sources like hot pots or pans. Here’s more information on the heat resistance of quartz countertops and what you can do to prevent or fix heat damage.    

Can Quartz Countertops Resist Heat?

Quartz is the result of several minerals changing because of exposure to high amounts of heat and pressure. So, it stands to reason that the material would endure against the elements that form it. But while quartz countertops are somewhat heat resistant, they certainly aren’t heatproof. 

So how much heat can quartz take? Though quartz itself can withstand extremely high temperatures, the manufacturing process makes countertops more susceptible to heat. The resin that binds quartz countertops can only withstand temperatures up to 300 to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on the kind of resin.

Prolonged or repeated exposure to sources of intense heat above can alter the chemical makeup of the resin and potentially discolor your quartz countertop. In some cases, the heat can even cause your quartz countertops to crack or split, like a dish that overheats in the microwave. So, be sure to look into how much resin your quartz countertops contain and proceed accordingly when considering heat resistance.

Protecting Your Quartz Countertops From Heat

Quartz countertops are highly durable, so caring for them can be hassle-free. Special cleaners can maintain the bright shine that makes quartz such a desirable material for your kitchen. The ease of care doesn’t mean you shouldn’t take precautions to prevent damage, though. Here are a few tips for keeping your quartz countertops safe from heat damage.

Avoid Setting Hot Pots and Pans Directly on Quartz Countertops

Cooking involves a lot of moving parts and details to observe, so it’s easy to just take a pot off the stove and set it down on the counter for a moment. While that is the quickest way of dealing with a hot pot, it isn’t the best thing for your quartz countertop. Though you may not cause damage that is visible to the naked eye, you could be scorching the resin binding within the quartz. 

If you absolutely have to place a hot pot, pan, baking sheet, or dish on a quartz countertop, put them on a hot pad, trivet, or even a folded towel rather than directly on the counter surface. Once they’re cool enough to handle safely with your bare hands, you can place them on the quartz. The best option, however, is to simply let the item cool down on the stovetop and avoid the matter of heat exposure altogether.

Limit Sun Exposure

It’s great to have a kitchen with a lot of natural light to help reduce those energy bills. And watching the sunrise with breakfast is a pleasant experience. But all that sunlight in your kitchen has a drawback. While the heat from sun exposure isn’t enough to cause significant damage to quartz countertops, it can alter their appearance over time. 

Constant sunlight can leave you with countertops with sections with noticeably different colors throughout your kitchen, depending on how much sun is getting into the room. Fortunately, you can prevent sun discoloration by keeping blinds or shades on the windows that directly let light onto your countertops. Hanging curtains can also limit sun exposure and add an extra layer of color to your kitchen.

Be Mindful of Hot Drinks

Your morning coffee or tea may be quite hot when you first pour it, but it might not be sitting around 300 degrees Fahrenheit. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t a risk of quartz countertop heat damage thanks to that steaming hot mug. Water hot enough to boil is capable of heating a cup to a temperature that could discolor your quartz over time.

If you like to take your hot beverages at the kitchen counter, use a coaster to prevent the transfer of heat. Another option is using a thermos or other apparatus that doesn’t heat up significantly when you pour hot liquid into it.

Keep Hot Appliances off Your Quartz Countertop

Pots and pans from the stove aren’t the only heat-generating concerns for your quartz countertops. Coffee makers, toasters, convection ovens, and air fryers all put out enough heat to cause damage, especially when used consistently. Though most modern appliances are designed to contain heat as efficiently as possible, it’s important to be as careful as possible to prevent heat damage.

Considering the necessity of these appliances, it can be easy to overlook the effects their use may have on your quartz countertops. If you can help it, try to set any heat-generating appliances on surfaces other than the quartz countertop. Extra large trivets or hot pads can help prevent damage from appliances with a low clearance.

How to Fix Heat Damage

The first visible sign of heat damage is yellow or brown scorch marks left on the surface of your counter. These marks are especially noticeable on white quartz countertops, but they can show up on other hues of quartz. You will typically see them appear after setting a hot pot or pan on your quartz countertop. Even lower temperatures can cause damage with repeated exposure.

If you notice scorch marks on your quartz countertop, lightly scrub the surface with warm water and mild soap. Avoid using too much pressure, harsh chemicals, and abrasives because they could create scratches and nicks. If the scorch marks aren’t too deep, they should go away.

For deeper marks, use toothpaste or a mixture of baking soda and water. Let the paste sit on the scorch marks for up to five minutes before gently scrubbing with a soft toothbrush. Once you’re satisfied, rinse the surface with warm water and wipe it down with a clean cloth.

But what if the scorch marks are too deep to remove with gentle scrubbing? Then, it may be time to get crafty. One option is to adhere a cutting board to the countertop, which works if you don’t need to remove the board to clean it. You could also attach a trivet or piece of tile to your quartz countertop to hold hot items so you avoid any further damage to your countertop in the future.

Options for More Heat Resistant Countertops

If you’re looking for countertop materials that can withstand heat, some options include granite, concrete, stainless steel, and quartzite.

Granite and concrete are customizable enough to fit in any contemporary kitchen, though a professional should be the one to handle their installation. Stainless steel countertops are the go-to for industrial kitchens, so they can certainly stand up to the rigors of at-home use. 

Quartzite vs. Quartz

Though they sound similar, there are some key differences between quartz and quartzite, especially in countertops. Manufacturers fabricate quartzite countertops with more natural stone and less heat-sensitive synthetic materials like resin, whereas quartz countertops contain a higher ratio of synthetics to quartz stone. Because the presence of synthetic materials can lower your countertops’ heat resistance, it is vital to understand the details of quartz vs. quartzite, as their maintenance isn’t the same.

For quartz countertops, the quality of the material and the installation are key to ensuring long-lasting results, even under hot conditions. Fortunately, kitchen countertops experts are available to help you make the best possible choices for your needs. Be sure to hire a quartz countertop pro near you for the installation, and maybe invest in some decorative trivets while you’re at it!