Can I Cut Food and Place Hot Pots on My Granite Countertop?

Are you the proud new owner of beautiful granite countertops in Phoenix, AZ? Perhaps you have had granite countertops for a long time, but still have questions, or you are considering investing in granite countertops and want to know what you are signing up for. Whatever the reason you have found your way to this blog, welcome—if you are interested in granite, then you are making a strong choice! It is among the most resilient, attractive and long-lasting materials you can pick for your kitchen counters.

In fact, granite is so strong and solid that many people wonder if they might be able to cut food right on top of it, or place burning-hot pots and pans directly onto their granite countertops. It is easy to understand why you might be tempted to do this—but is it the best decision for maintaining the integrity of your countertops? What effect will it have on your knives, your pots and, most importantly, your countertops?

Read on to learn the answers to these questions, and more.

Cutting on granite

Granite is among the strongest, hardest materials you could choose for your kitchen counters. Understandably, this might lead you to believe that it’s no big deal if you cut food directly on it.

Generally speaking, this will probably not have much of an effect on your countertops! While there is always a chance that your knife scratches or scuffs the granite, the truth is this does not happen often, although it should be noted that the same cannot be said for marble countertops.
But still, it’s probably not the best idea to chop food on your granite countertops, for two big reasons. First, granite is so tough that it will quickly render your knife blade dull after a few uses. And second, depending on what kind of meal you are preparing, the food could stain your granite countertop, which can be a pain to clean up.

In short, just because you can cut food right on your counter, that doesn’t mean you should! Invest in a quality cutting board instead.
Placing hot pots on granite

Another common question we receive is whether folks can place their hot pots and pans directly onto their granite countertops.
Here’s the short answer: yes, you can! Granite is not negatively affected by heat, so you do not have to worry about scorching your granite countertop with the bottom of a hot pot or pan.

But here’s the catch: the granite will absorb the heat, meaning that it will be very hot after you place a hot pot on it. If you have little ones in the kitchen, or you are prone to clumsiness, it might be better to place your hot pots and pans on a hot pad or pot holder.

Ask the experts

Do you have other questions about the uses and functionality of granite countertops in Phoenix, AZ? If so, feel free to get in touch with the team at Petrus Granite & Tile Services anytime! We are here to help.

Categorised in: Granite Countertops