If you’verecentlygone through a kitchen remodel, you’ll understand this feeling: my kitchen is too nice to cook in now! Protecting your kitchen countertops and floors are now your number one priority. Every time you see your kids cutting a sandwich on top of the counter or your spouse moving a hot pan off the stove, you are immediately filled with dread. Don’t ruin the new countertops! Never fear. A little knowledge can go a long way to relieving your worries and keeping your culinary investment shiny and new for years to come. Here’s a quick list of what you can and cannot do on your kitchen countertops.
Can I set a hot pan downon my countertop?
- Granite – Yes. However, while brief encounters with a hot pan won’t hurt your granite countertop, use of a trivet on a regular basis is recommended. Having this barrier between a hot pan and your countertop will help reduce weakening of sealants, staining, and cracking. We’d also recommend using trivets underneath appliances that get hot,like waffle irons and panini makers.
- Quartz – Yes. However, like granite, if you continuously put hotpansdown in the same place on the counter it could cause discoloration over time. Again, we recommend using trivets underneath appliances that get hot.
- Marble – Yes.However, natural marble is a softer material than both granite & quartz.Placing hot pans directly onthis surfacecan possibly weaken or chip the countertop. We recommend always using a trivet.
- Laminate – No.Hot panscan leave permanent burn marks.Usetrivets underneath appliances that get hot.
Can I chop vegetables on my countertop without a cutting board?
- Granite – Yes, but it’s better to use a cutting board. The granite can handle the knife, but your knife blades will become dull and worn from slicing against the granite. Additionally, acidic foods like citrus fruit can damage the sealant on your countertop and eventually cause discoloration if you aren’t resealing your countertop regularly. Read our blogto find outhow oftenyoushould seal your granite countertop.
- Quartz – Yes, but it’s better to use a cutting board.Just likegranite, quartzcan handle the knife, but your knife blades will become dull and worn from slicing against the quartz. Quartz is stronger than granite because quartz is formed from an engineered process.The resins and polymers used during manufacturing create strong bonds that aren’t easy to break. As an engineered product it is non-porous,so staining from acidic fruits and veggies isn’t as big of a concern.
- Marble – No. Marble is much softer compared to granite and quartz, so you should always use a cutting board.
- Laminate – No. It scratches and cuts easily, so a cutting board is a must.
Can I stand on top of my countertop?
- Granite, Quartz, Marble – No. You should not sit or stand on a granite, quartz or marble countertop. These stone countertops are not flexible and do not have any type of wood backing on them, so too much weight in one place could cause cracking.
- Laminate – No. Countertops are not a ladder. Forsafetysake, please stand on a ladder or step stool.
If you are thinking about installing a new countertop, Kitchen & Bath Center is happy to help.Contactour team today.
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