I have set pots of boiling water down on the edge of my top-mounted sink, where it is in contact with our laminate counters, to no ill-effect. Our counters are old and we plan to replace them shortly, however, and I would try to avoid doing that if they were newer. I would not do that with a solid surface counter as I would be worried about melting the resin, but I would likely briefly set a hot pot down on soapstone or granite. I don't lean the pot as I drain it, though - I would be worried about chipping the sink edge if you have an undermount sink. I'd avoid it on marble too, because of scratching and chipping.

You could look at using a pot with a pasta insert - move the pot off the cooktop onto a trivet, remove the insert, dump the water when it's cooler.

I think soapstone is about the only counter surface that should be fine with contact with a pot full of boiling water. All other surfaces that would not be recommended due to fear of thermal shock damage. Many people probably do it without damage but it would not be recommended by the manufacturer/stone yard/fabricator. I have Corian but I also have a stainless apron front sink. I don't usually rest a pot of boiling water before dumping it but I have rested hot pots, including cast iron on the stainless apron front with no ill affects.

We had our soapstone countertop installed days before hosting a rather large family Chistmas gathering. Folks freaked out when we placed the casserole dishes directly from the oven onto our island top when it was ready to serve.

We also just had our first party with new soapstone counters and people couldn't believe I was being careless about setting baking dishes down. My husband is still worried and used hotplates. I am concerned about the fireclay sink. I have a grid and run hot water over it before dumping boiling water in.

If I need to place hot pans, baking sheets or pans, etc. on our granite counters (by the sink or elsewhere), I'll toss a silicone hot pad down first. Might not be necessary, but it's honestly not a big deal to do so.

When I take things out of the microwave, sometimes I put them on a paper towel or napkin that is already sitting on the counter, sometimes I don't. Stuff isn't nearly as hot (as a pan right off a burner), so I'm not as concerned.

cat_mom - I'm the same way with our granite. I guess I've never been used to setting hot things down without protection- no matter the surface.

I just don't think it's any trouble to protect surfaces with pot holders, towels, silicon or a cutting board.

It's a habit.

We have quartz, I think Silestone, and when I was at the dealer's store, the manufacturer's rep told me not to put hot pots onto the surface because of the resins that hold the ground quartz together.

You can put a pot full of boiling water flat on any kitchen counterop surface for a handful of seconds. And the risk is zero when it's tipped because the surface area is so small. The risk of damage from such use cases is totally overblown.

I have quartz counters (previously had granite) and agree with Gaucho_Gordo 100%.

I tip the boiling pot from my granite counter edge into the sink, every time, without a barrier or pad. I sometimes even take a lasagna or casserole out of the oven and place it directly on my sealed white ice granite. I've never had an issue on my counter. I think the risk is actually to the glass dish, and not the actual granite counter. (not sure about other stone surfaces).

This is from an FAQ on a granite fabricators website:

"Granite will tolerate temperatures in excess of 1200 degrees (F.). You can safely place items from your oven/stove top or grill directly on the granite without a trivet or hot pad. WARNING: Due to the extreme temperature differences, hot glass dishes may crack when placed on the cool surface of the granite; this is known as thermal shock. For this reason alone glass or Pyrex® dishes should be placed on a trivet or hot pad."

Beware that in the US glass marked "Pyrex" is no longer borosilicate glass (as of ~20 years ago) and is no different than any other ordinary glass. I put hot metal pots on our granite all the time without a problem, but have broken "pyrex" glass baking dishes and measuring cups doing so. Apparently borosilicate (original pyrex) is still available in Europe.