You won't have trouble putting a hot pan etc on granite. hot items can cause quartz to crack.

I just want to correct some comments about the hardness of Caesar stone or other quartz engineered products over granite. - first we are a large fabricator of all these products and they all have pros and cons. Engineered products such as Caesar stone have a vickers hardness score ranging between 96 - 146 (Caesar stone is actually on the low end of this scale Hanstone Quartz is at the high end and subsequently costs more) most granite has a vickers hardness of 850 it thus scratches and chips much less than engineered Quartz.

If you hate chips then use an edge profile that is a bit more round. Tight chamfered edges - tight pencil or eased edges chip fairly easy. Staron and Corian rarely chip.

What is the price difference between caesarstone & granite?

Depending upon your perspective each has their pros and cons, there is just no perfect counter top material.

Granite provides a look that is virtually impossible to replicate, it's about as durable as you can get but will require sealing probably once a year, it's a relatively simple procedure. Due to the natural variances you will need to visit slab suppliers to make your choice.

Engineered quartz provides a more consistent look and color combinations that are not always available in granite. They do not require sealing but that does not mean they will not stain. The heat issue relates to "Thermal Shock", during the manufacturing process there can be minor hidden fissures which under a rapid temperature change could grow and become visible. The sample you see is what you get so there is no need to go slab hunting

Mid range granites and mid range engineered quartz are about the same price.

These two product types are always discussed with my clients. My recommendation is to choose the product that best suits the look you are going for. Just my opinion, but I would not get to hung up about those engineered quartz lifetime warranty claims, just read one very carefully and judge for yourself.

Graham

It is not just Thermal shock. These countertops will burn. We have had it happen to Hanstone, and Ceasar stone. Here is a link to show that it happens right here on Houzz.

[https://www.houzz.com/discussions/help-with-burnt-quartz-counter-top-dsvw-vd~3288835[(https://www.houzz.com/discussions/help-with-burnt-quartz-counter-top-dsvw-vd~3288835)

It is plastic with Sand - We can call it quartz or some other fancy name like engineered stone but basically it is sand mixed with plastic. I am not saying it bad but it is not perfect and being a fabricator of these products plus Corian, Staron and Granite I can say that they all have plus and minus points. Some have presented quartz as being exceptional and the best quality - it is not.

Touchstone Concrete - Thanks for the link. Have never seen an actual example where this has happened. I always inform clients that they can not place hot items directly on the tops. You are correct about the plastic (resin), had this discussion recently with an engineered quartz manufacturer rep. They are a bit tricky (my opinion) as to how they state this, which is by constituent weight. This makes the resin content around 7%, but if it is calculated on volume then the content is 30% or higher.

Graham

i can't even put a hot mug of tea on my white quartz countertop without it leaving a grey ring. I have so many trivets and racks on those darn countertops that it looks just plain messy. And quartz is not impermeable! I have stains from just leaving something on it overnight. The worst stain is from a can that I left for a couple of weeks, not realizing that there was moisture under it. It left one stubborn rust stain. I will never buy quartz again. Hope nobody shames me for not keeping a pristine kitchen. And if you do, then all I can say is dull people have immaculate homes.