Is it okay to put hot pans on granite countertops?

The heart of the home, the kitchen, requires intense attention and thought during its renovation and design. Every decision, from ceiling design to flooring, requires attention to detail. And one such very important detail is the kitchen countertop. Talking of kitchen countertops, some very popular options are granite, marble, and quartz, which need to be properly cared for to actually be beneficial and durable.

Granite is lauded as one of the best-selling countertops for kitchens. The natural stone is well-liked by homeowners for its beauty, exhaustive options of colors, and durability. But there still lie concerns about the stone’s heat resistance and its potential against cracking.

But do hot pots and pans really damage granite countertops? Let’s look at how much truth these widely believed stereotypes hold.

Can granite countertops crack due to hot pots? 

The answer is no, but it has its own exceptions. While granite is strong and durable and can weather extreme temperatures, a continuous habit of leaving a hot pot on it or for longer durations can potentially damage your countertop. To better understand this, let’s look at how granite is formed. 

The Formation of Granite

The igneous rock is formed under extreme pressure and heat from the slow crystalization of magma beneath the Earth’s surface so a little heat got nothing on your granite countertop. 

The hot fluid can range from 1,300 degrees to 2,400 degrees creating lava, granite, and other igneous rocks from the cooling process. Granite’s special composition of quartz, feldspar and other minerals gives it its color. In conclusion, the natural stone is made under very, very extreme temperatures.

The Heat Resistance of Granite

When working with granite, the primary concern is it cracking. But you need not worry about your granite countertop being affected by your hot pots, pans, and everyday use since granite is quite heat resistant.  A well-maintained granite slab will stay unaffected by your hot pans, so you need not worry about it cracking or weakening. 

But do keep in mind that placing an extremely hot pan on the same spot repeatedly can discolor your granite. But it is not something that should keep you from trusting granite since these discolorations can be done away with by using a poultice for granite stain removal, or by taking professional assistance to help with more stubborn stains. 

One exception when cracking could actually happen is when temperatures change rapidly from one extreme to another. If you are to place an ice bucket on the countertop and then immediately place a boiling pot of water in the same spot without letting the granite warm up or cool down, it could potentially crack.  

This is no different than when glass cracks or stainless steel warps when a quick and drastic change in temperatures occurs. But when talking of your normal, everyday use of granite countertops, they will prove to be as durable as ever. 

The Durability of Granite

Granite is hailed as one of the strongest stones in the world, and for good reason. Not only is this natural stone heat resistant but a very hard material to scratch. To top it all, granite that is properly sealed will last for many years since the sealing helps protect against stains. 

In fact, a properly treat slab will not need resealing for another decade, while other slabs will require such attention every year. Granite is a safe and easy bet considering you will not have to worry about its wear and tear.

Choose any color or pattern you wish to, but take good care of it and have it sealed so it can remain strong and resist heat, stains, and scratches. Do not worry about it cracking or damaging your surface with hot pots and pans when it comes to normal use. Proper cleaning and sealing will help it weather abuse well and for a very long time. 

In conclusion,

If you are to put a hot pot or pan on a granite countertop, the heat from the pan could possibly cause a chemical reaction with the granite, leading to discoloration of the countertop. So, better to use a hot pad or trivet rather than deal with discoloration and any such consequences.