Tile is heat resistant, which makes it a good choice next to a stove or oven. You can set hot pans right on the tile surface without fear of damage.
Tile Countertop Pros
Heat Resistant: Tile is heat resistant, though you still want to use a trivet or a hot pad to put a hot pot on the countertop.
Although you won't have to worry about burning or scorching the surface, other types of damage can occur if you regularly leave a pan on the countertop for extended periods. Long-term exposure to heat, combined with several other factors, can harm the finish of your countertop over time.
Granite is so heat resistant that you can place a hot dish directly on it without leaving marks or stains. When it comes to heat-resistant materials, quartz is your second-best bet. You can't easily scorch quartz, but you will want to use a hot pad before placing a dish directly on it, or you could damage the quartz.
Due to the unrivalled technical performance of porcelain, high temperatures and sudden thermal changes do not affect the surface, so hot pots and pans can be safely placed on its surface.
Heat Endurance
During the fabrication process, porcelain endures ridiculously high temperatures – we're talking around 1,450 degrees Celsius (2,642 degrees Fahrenheit). So, it's no surprise that this material is extremely heat resistant.
A porcelain countertop can handle hot pans and pots placed on its surface. The porcelain won't smoke, burn, or emit any harmful substance. As mentioned earlier, porcelain is one of the strongest ceramic tiles. The surface strength is achieved through the firing process.
Granite. One of the most heat-resistant options for kitchen countertops is granite. This natural stone is formed underground through a natural process incorporating high pressure and temperatures. Typically, the heat generated by cooking will not be high enough to cause damage.
Made from the crystalized form of hot liquid magma, granite is one of the toughest natural stones. This incredible material is also one of the most heat and scratch-resistant natural stones available. It resists chips and cracks and burn marks, so you can place hot cookware on it without worry.
One of the most heat-resistant countertop materials available today is granite. This natural stone requires extremely high temperatures and high pressure to form. You can place pans straight of the stove or oven on a granite countertop, and you won't see any marks or stains on the surface.
Lay Out Heat Mats and Towels
Wood blocks, bamboo rolls, silicone mats, and even hand towels can do the job. If you know you're about to be juggling hot pans, heat mats create safe counter space where the pans can be set down without damaging the counter.
Good options include porcelain slabs, quartz, and some natural stone. Avoid countertops that are largely plastic such as cultured marble, solid surface, and those that introduce formaldehyde, like laminate.
While many homeowners reserve tile for floors and backsplashes, tile countertops can be an excellent—and affordable—option. Ceramic tile is impervious to heat and water, and when properly glazed, it won't stain.
Tile Countertops Can Last 100+ Years with Care
The last type of countertop to think about is tile. Good, strong tile countertops can last 100+ years, but only with proper care. Tiles can break and the grout between tiles will need constant cleaning – and even occasional reinstallation.
On tiled countertops, it's important to use a resin-based grout that is stain repellent and non-absorbent. This will help protect your countertops from bacteria, stains and water ingress. Take care to ensure the grout is completely flush with the tiles and doesn't dip down in places.
The heat from the pan could cause a chemical reaction with the granite, thus causing discoloration of the countertop. High heat on granite also can cause the seal on the countertop to wear down and weaken, which makes the countertop more susceptible to absorbing spills and any residue left on the surface.
Hardness: Harder countertops are more resistant to chips, scratches, and gouges. Granite, tile, and quartz are among the hardest countertop materials.
Your ceramic worktop will not just be durable, scratch- and heat-resistant, but also light, modern and elegant.
Your coffee pot, a bowl of soup, or mug of hot tea won't damage quartz surfaces. It's best practice to place a barrier of some kind between a slow cooker or pressure cooker and your quartz counter.
When it comes to kitchen counters, porcelain is even more resistant to scratches and thermal shock than natural stone. It can also withstand heat better than most countertop materials.
Porcelain is a subset of the ceramic family…a much stronger family member. Porcelain is a more specific composition of materials, and must have a very low absorption rate, <0.5%, to qualify. Due to the composition, and the temperatures it is fired at, porcelain is a more dense and heavier material than ceramic.
Due to its convenience, resistance and durability, porcelain tiles increasingly appear as a solution, combining beauty, versatility and great sophistication. The technology in its production makes this material the perfect choice to create countertops.
For one, it is generally more expensive than other types of ceramic. It is also a very dense material, meaning it is heavy to lift and maneuver, which sometimes creates a difficult installation process. Perhaps the largest con of a porcelain countertop is that it is prone to scratches and cracks.