Granite is formed by extreme heat and pressure combined beneath the earth’s crust. It can not be affected by heat from a cooktop or frying pan. A lit flame placed under the granite will have no melting effect and will not leave any burned or scarred marks. The thickness is enough to prevent localized heating even from a hot pan. Normal kitchen tasks that involve baking in the oven and cooking on the stovetop will not produce pots or pans that are hot enough to damage granite tops, however the hot pots might take off the coat of the sealant from the surface making it vulnerable for future stains. It is advisable to use heat coasters to place the hot pots or dishes on the kitchen countertops.
Granite tops will resist damage from heat. A hot pan up to 650 degrees Celsius, will not damage granite, even if you place the pan directly onto the granite tops. An extreme heat source over an extended period could damage the granite surface. The damage that might occur would involve a slight softening of the granite, which could lead to discoloration or gouges in an extreme scenario. For something to be heat resistant or heatproof (they mean the same thing) it must be able to withstand high temperatures and not exhibit damage. This includes melting points and thermal shock. As an igneous rock (formed out of the fire of a volcano), granite is one of the tougher natural stones in the world. It can withstand temperatures of up to 890 degrees Celsius and has a melting point of about 1260 degrees Celsius
Although granite is heat resistant, it can, however, crack with extreme temperature changes. For example, if you were to immediately replace an ice bucket with a pan of boiling water. It is unlikely that you will ever actually experience this scenario, but if you do please be sure to allow the granite to warm up (or cool down) before placing a hot (or cold) item back on the same section of granite. If you use granite counters for outside kitchens that are exposed to heat in the summer and extreme cold during the winters, there is a possibility of damage to the granite. The good news is that there are some very high density granites available in the market for withstanding the harsh conditions of outdoor usage. Granites that withstand extreme weather conditions should be used for outdoor kitchens. Granite materials pull heat away from items. This means that placing a hot casserole dish onto a granite counter will cause the dish to cool more quickly because the granite pulls heat away from the hot dish. But it is not advisable to use granite countertops for this purpose.
A professional granite installation company such as Earth Stone can advise the consumer about the right selection of granite or other natural materials for various purposes. Visit us at our showroom or online at https://earth-stone.co.za