like this?

a pain to clean around and would get in the way when not needed. what's wrong w/using an old fashioned trivet??

Yes, like that. It's a vacation home and when the kitchen is used, it's often for large gatherings/cookouts/etc. I find that things get plopped on the counters (and tables) without much regard to the surface. We are renovating the kitchen and I thought of these. My neighbor had them at one point. The bars lift out for cleaning.

You wouldn't be able to use the counter for anything but setting down pots and pans. You couldn't prep there, so it would be a waste of countertops, in my opinion.

excellent point. However, with 70 feet of counter, I could spare some. My guess is this: I get them, lose counter space, have to wipe around them, and people still set things down willy-nilly

then perhaps getting marble isn't the best choice. get a heavy duty granite that can withstand abuse.

Leathered Jet Mist or Honed Virginia Mist (picture) would be my recommendation.

Nope. I have gorgeous dark granite at home (see photo). The beach house is going to have fantasy brown polished quartzite with a serious sealant. And it will get etched and stained and chipped and I will still love it. After all, I show my age, why shouldn’t it? I’m just trying to think of ways to keep the damage to a minimum. Kinda like sunscreen

quartzite is actually stronger than granite, so etching shouldn't be an issue. you should be fine. I thought you were going to get marble.

2 or 3 of these on each side of the stove should do the trick!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01N3L3KTG/ref=asc_df_B01N3L3KTG5306486/?tag=hyprod-20&creative=395033&creativeASIN=B01N3L3KTG&linkCode=df0&hvadid=198094063648&hvpos=1o6&hvnetw=g&hvrand=2347442037927125804&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=t&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9027642&hvtargid=pla-350044334144

Cutting the slots for the rods is the easy part; polishing the slots so they're cleanable afterward, not so much. Make sure your fabricator charges you for both, please.

Valid concerns/negatives are stated above. What's the negatives of lose, typical trivets? Especially in a vacation home?

The negative of loose ones is if nobody uses them. Built-in means idiot-proof, one supposes.

No such thing as idiot proof. A better built idiot always comes along.

If you want a rental to have the ability to set hot pots on the counter without issues, then choose s material that allows that to happen. Tile, soapstone, or stainless steel.

"A better built idiot always comes along..."

Omg I'm dying

We don't rent it out-if we did, the kitchen would be a very different design with bullet-proof materials. The main idiot is my husband, except when we have parties and people bring things over-then it can turn into a free-for-all. I think I'm going to skip the built-ins and hope for the best.

When I'm expecting people to bring hot dishes I line my counters with table linens or tea towels. People get the message. My counters are wood (bamboo) too so for some reason people are more careful with it, even though I chose it specifically because it is intended to take a beating. /Shrugs/

People who don't use the loose ones are hardly likely to use the permanent ones methinks.

Sophie has a few more quotes to share before the year end lol keep em coming

I think I'm going to skip the built-ins and hope for the best.

Good choice. Good luck.