Granite countertops are known for their resistance to extreme temperatures, as well as their durability. They typically exhibit no indications of damage even when exposed to temperatures as high as 800 degrees Fahrenheit.

While this is the case, you should know that this isn’t always the case. There is a limit to how much heat granite worktops can withstand before they fracture and break.

For example, a 3/8-inch-thick granite countertop has been shown to resist temperatures of approximately 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit. Before beginning any cooking on them or installing an oven, you should understand the restrictions of your granite worktops.

What happens when you expose your countertops to extreme temperatures?

Hot temperatures can activate the chemical mechanisms that give granite its natural beauty. This can cause discoloration on your countertop.

Furthermore, placing hot cookware on the surface of your granite countertop increases the risk of thermal shock. While rare, thermal shock is more likely to occur if temperature fluctuations are unequal over the granite surface.

When this happens, stress between the surface and inner layers of the stone can cause microscopic cracks in your countertop.

While granite countertops are extremely durable, due to their porosity, you must use a sealant to protect them from stains and other forms of damage. Placing hot cookware on your countertop frequently will weaken the sealant over time, making it susceptible to discoloration, liquid damage from spills, and other difficulties.

The most crucial reason for not placing a hot skillet directly on your granite countertop is to avoid potential safety hazards.

When you set a hot skillet straight on your granite countertop, it absorbs and retains the heat. When you eventually remove the pan, there will be no visible indication that the countertop surface is extremely hot, posing a severe safety risk.

If you contact the area soon after removing the hot object, you risk suffering significant burn damage. The simplest way to avoid this risk is to keep hot objects off your tabletop.

Things you shouldn’t place on your granite surfaces

The things you shouldn’t place on the granite surfaces include:

Direct sources of heat

According to the Natural Stone Institute, granite can endure temperatures of up to 480 degrees Fahrenheit, but this does not mean it can easily handle a hot skillet or even a slow cooker.

A significant thermal gradient, such as a heated surface over cool granite, might cause cracks in your stone surfaces. To be on the safe side, use cutting boards, trivets, or potholders as a barrier of protection for your stone.

Raw meat

While putting raw meat straight on your granite will not necessarily harm it, it is a poor idea for your safety. If you leave raw meat on your countertop, you risk spreading bacteria that could cause illness to you or even your loved ones.

Knives

If granite can withstand the power of a curb, surely it can withstand a sharp edge, right? Unfortunately, this is not a good idea. Doing so can also blunt your blades, making them unsafe to use. And you don’t want this, do you?

Spills

Pools of standing liquid, whether water, juice, or wine, will not look good on your granite counters. Why? If your countertops are not correctly sealed (or have been for a long time), water can seep down into the granite, discoloring or staining it.

Much stronger drinks, such as acidic wine and bright cranberry juice, can leave stains or etches that are difficult to remove. Always mop up any spills right away to avoid them.

Acids

Similarly, you should keep any liquid containing a high concentration of acids away from your granite. More than merely leaving a stain, some of the stronger acids, such as perfumes, vinegars, sodas, and nail polishes, can harm or etch your granite countertops.

If you have granite countertops in your bathroom, keep your personal care products carefully stored in a container or cupboard. As previously said, you should clean spills as soon as you notice them.

Hard impact

Even if a heavy pot or skillet feels cool to the touch, avoid dropping it on your surfaces. Granite is highly robust and rugged, although it can chip or shatter. Depending on the coloring of your granite, this can be pretty noticeable.

Chipping occurs most frequently near the sink and along the edges of granite countertops. Another common source of chipping is during handwashing dishes or loading and unloading the dishwasher.

Take extra precautions with these activities; otherwise, you may notice chipping on your counter’s edges.

Oils

Oils can readily drip down the bottles they are stored in, or if spilled, they can be challenging to spot on colored, shiny surfaces.

These viscous liquids can leave particularly insidious stains, so store oils, greasy items (e.g., cooked meat), and oily sauces in the refrigerator or cupboards. Also, it is usually a good idea to clean up immediately after any food preparation.

A significant amount of weight

While granite can withstand a lot, there is no reason to push its limitations. No matter how your kitchen or bathroom is designed, it’s best to avoid standing on your countertops, for example, at the very least, for your safety.

If you’re planning a large summer barbecue, try to distribute the weight evenly and use the center of your counters rather than the sides. If you need to paint the trim around your ceiling, use a ladder and avoid standing on the countertops.

Soap

You should know that regular soap is not designed for natural granite or any other natural stone, including quartz. Regular soap tends to leave a filmy buildup and stains, and it doesn’t even clean the stone.

To be on the safe side, you should use a soap designed specifically for granite, other natural stone, and even quartz.

Common house cleaners

Those so-called multi- and all-purpose cleaners appear to be helpful in meeting all of the household cleaning needs. But you shouldn’t move so fast. They’re not designed for granite, other natural stone, or quartz.

They will reduce the professional finish and expose the surface to stains and scratches, requiring costly repairs or even complete replacement of the kitchen countertops Raleigh.

The right kitchen countertop surfaces can be highly advantageous. High-quality countertops add value to your life and help you attract serious buyers if you ever decide to sell.

They also significantly improve the functionality of your kitchen.

Unfortunately, you can’t get these benefits when your surfaces are in horrible shape. How do you keep your kitchen countertops in tip-top condition? Here is how to go about it:

Professionally install the countertops.

Finding an experienced professional to ensure a quality installation is one of the simplest ways to ensure your kitchen countertops remain in good condition.

Keep in mind that some kitchen countertop materials necessitate a lot of upkeep. This means that maintaining your countertops will be more difficult if you’re not up to the task.

As a result, it’s advisable to start by consulting an expert to determine which kitchen countertop material is appropriate for your needs.

You should also take the time to find a kitchen renovation professional who has experience installing new worktops. Begin by asking anyone you know who has recently installed high-quality countertops you admire for a referral.

You can also look online and read reviews to find a professional to install the countertops properly.

If you’re tempted to do it yourself to save some money, don’t since there’s a steep learning curve. You don’t want to be learning on the job and ruining your expensive counters.

When poorly done, your kitchen countertops can become skewed and have ill-fitting, improperly sealed joints, and you don’t want this, do you?

Improper installation leads to uneven surfaces, discoloration, and peeling that you don’t want on your surfaces.

If you don’t want this, you should take your time and find an experienced professional who will expertly install the countertops and advise you on the right ones to go for and take good care of them.

Clean the countertops properly.

If you apply the proper cleaning methods, your countertops will remain in excellent shape for a long time.

One of the habits you should take up is to clean the spills as soon as they happen. When you do this, you ensure that you don’t have stains on the surfaces, as you don’t let the spills stay on the surfaces for too long.

Of major importance is keeping an eye out for acidic substances, which can harm most kitchen countertops. If any acids spill on the counters, remove them immediately.

You also should make it a habit to clean your surfaces as regularly as possible. When cleaning, avoid using abrasive products as they have been shown to cause excessive damage to the characters.

As a rule of thumb, don’t use steel wool, as it’s prone to scratching the countertops, giving them an ugly appearance.

The best way to clean your surfaces is using a basic cleaning solution and a microfiber cloth. Using a microfiber cloth, in particular, can do wonders because it is incredibly absorbent and effective at removing grime.

Seal your countertops

If using synthetic countertops, you won’t need to apply a surface sealant. Unfortunately, this is a must for granite, wood, or concrete counters because the surfaces are porous, and the sealant protects against scratches, stains, and drying.

If you don’t correctly seal your porous countertops, moisture can accumulate and cause various issues, including the spread of bacteria.

This can harm the function of your countertops since if you can’t adequately clean them, they may be unsafe to use for food preparation.

Sealing the surfaces also prevents etching, which occurs when you spill liquids such as lemon juice and don’t wipe them up soon enough.

Properly sealed countertops are also easier to clean, and the sealer aids in preserving the countertops in their natural condition.

The best time to seal the countertops is during the installation. Hiring a professional for installation is a smart option because they will know what sealant to use.

When sealing, use a high-quality sealant that will last for a long time. As much as it’s important to seal your countertops at the time of installation, you should note that this isn’t enough—countertops require regular resealing to remain in good condition.

In most cases, you will still need to reseal the surfaces at least once yearly.

Even when resealing, ensure you use a high-quality sealer for a great experience.

Keep heat away from the surfaces.

Keeping heat away from your countertops makes sense because heat is harmful and warps materials.

When materials are heated, they expand and then contract. The same thing happens to your countertops. When you expose them to heat, they get damaged by this frequent expansion and contraction.

To stay safe, ensure your cooker is not in direct contact with your counters.

You also should make it a habit to place a mat on the surfaces whenever you get something from the oven. Having a trivet in place also doesn’t hurt, as it protects your surfaces from getting damaged by a hot plate.

Pay attention to the manufacturer’s instructions.

Because countertops are built from various materials, they may have varied care and maintenance requirements. In that case, you should first contact the manufacturer of the countertops in your kitchen to see if they have any care instructions.

Even if you can’t find these instructions, you can always ask a contractor or an expert about the best approach to maintain your specific countertop brand.

Contractors with extensive expertise in installing worktops are more likely to be familiar with their care and upkeep. So, when installing, ensure that granite installers Durham or any other experienced experts handle it.

The cleaning instructions change based on the material. When cleaning laminate, for example, it’s preferable to use warm, soapy water and a textured fiber sponge.

Because granite countertops require pH-balanced cleaners, avoid natural cleaners like lemon juice, vinegar, and citrus, as they are slightly acidic.

The same is true for marble surfaces, which can be quickly harmed if you use acidic or low-pH cleaners.

To stay safe and ensure that your countertops last as long as possible, adhere to the manufacturer’s guidelines as strictly as possible.

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