I had Cambria in my kitchen for 12 years or so. I never had an issue with my crockpot or baking. That said, Cambria is not heat proof so you can't put direct heat on it. I did have a cutting board made out of it and I used to keep the crockpot on that. Nothing ever damaged it. My Cambria survived not only my 4 kids plus half the neighborhood kids who were in and out over the years. If I went with quartz again I would choose Cambria.

I’m at almost 4 years now with Cambria in my kitchen including a large island. I dropped a very large and heavy cast iron pan while cleaning it in the sink, and chipped a small area around the sink. With the force that it hit at, I’m shocked it didn’t crack but it didn’t. I use my crock pot all the time (nothing under it), an air fryer and a Breville toaster oven and no issues with heat. It still looks great and I’m not a clean cook. I highly recommend it and am putting it all over my new build house as well.

I have had two kitchens with Cambria and the material is durable, sanitary, and so easy to care for. Grease and oils are no problem. I put nothing under my crockpot. I put a silcone mat under my air fryer and Breville just to be safe. Probably don’t need to. I would never put a hot skillet on any countertop material, not even granite. Just try to choose your own slab and look it over carefully. Some patterns do have resin pooling issues. And by all means, review the templating before they cut.

Good suggestion, @MizLizzie, to look at the slab, choose your own if possible.

Maybe get a photo if actual visit isn't possible.

What kind of silicone mat is that you use?

I have a quartz top as well. I am a very messy cook. Not issues with spills even oils. Easy clean up with soap and water. I don't use any harsh chemicals either. I do keep a silicone mat under my toaster oven because I read that it is better to be safe than sorry. When I do put something in the crock pot, I usually put it on a pizza stone on top of my stove ( old habit from when I had laminate tops ).

As far as resin pooling. That is often part of the pattern. If it is something bigger or a bit obnoxious, they may be able to cut around it. Always ask to see your slabs with the template mapped out on it so there is no surprise. Of course if you can see the slabs in person, that is helpful - what might bother some people might not bother you...

There was a discussion once about Brittanica - shown here in a full slab

There were complaints about white and grey spots throughout the design when the full tops were put in - shown here in a close up ( arrows only show a few )

That is a part of the design!

Good luck!

I had Cambria in two previous kitchens for 6-8 years each. I did not put anything under a crockpot... it never got hot enough to even make the counter very warm. I did cakes professionally, and I used intense food coloring to color fondant. I kneaded the color in right on the counter, and it wiped up with nothing left behind. If anything would stain countertop, I would think a direct hit with intense red or black food coloring would!

Thank you everyone for these comments! Hearing from real life Cambria users makes me feel so much better! I had my heart set on Cambria, so this gives me relief about my questions.

My sister has had quartz for years, not Cambria, and it looks as good as the day it was installed.

I have Cambria but it is only a couple of months old. I will tell you that I love it. I was making pasta today and just throwing the flour and eggs on the counter to make it is the bomb. I know there is no bacteria, a bench scraper won't harm it, and cleaning up is a breeze.

I have a thick cutting board I put under the air fryer or instapot when I use them, I have silicone trivets on a hook in the pot and pan drawers and grab them if I need them. Most hot food goes from the oven to a butcherblock cart. I was never one to set pots on the counter so there wasn't much of a learning curve for me.

We have had our Cambria quartz, for YEARS! Still so beautiful!

We are doing a 2nd home in it as well.

Cambria quartz in our kitchen for 14 years and still looks new. Baking, splattering, grandkids, family gatherings of all sizes. I don't use my crockpot much, but I have not had issues when I did use it. Highly recommend!