The quartz we are looking at are 90 and 92% silica, but scorching is still a concern. We’re doing the Thermador Freedom 36” induction cooktop and separate wall ovens.

And yes - my “vote for stone” would not be quartz. (I didn’t see that part, either.)

Ntguru, those 90 and 92% silica numbers are by weight. It’s the scam manufacturers put out there. Weight doesn’t matter. It’s the volume, i.e., the amount of plastic resin product that makes quartz counters suseptible to melting and scorching. Buyer beware…especially as you plan on putting hot pots, pans or whatever on it.

Just cut a lemon in half, put it in a baggie in your handbag. Press, hold, twist. Same thing : )

I don't think you should overestimate your care level for this. Sounds like your habits are far more used to a more forgiving by a LOT ........granite.

Yes, you likely need another granite.

However, The Natural Stone Institute does insist that trivets should really be used on all natural stone, including granite.

Here is a Houzz discussion on the subject. This thread and info was posted by the esteemed @Joseph Corlett LLC .

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6203030/why-you-use-trivets-on-stone

You can get away with putting hot pots and pans on granite, but it is not advised.

I have granite where I live now. 98% percent of the time, I use trivets. It is just habitual for me. I have never thought to place hot pots and pans directly on any countertop material. Very occasionally, I might be rushing or am feeling super lazy and I rest the pot on the granite for a few seconds - I am not overly concerned, since it’s granite. But I mostly use trivets.

If you want a nice marble-like quartz, try Caesarstone "London Gray" and Silestone "Lagoon." Both have subtle gray veining/marbling. Stay away from anything with fat fake veins.

I'm curious, what do you guys do with hot cookware after you've cooked and plated or whatever the food? Just stack a bunch of pots and pans in the (hopefully not composite stone) sink?

The pots do cool off. And FYI you can run cold water in a pot or pan and that will cool them off.

Personally, I have only used stainless sinks in a kitchen.

The bottom line: You can do whatever you want and you can put hot pots and pans wherever you want to. But keep in mind that the strength of granite has supported all of this. You are not a candidate for quartz, laminate, or solid surface.

I have granite tops. I use trivets for items coming out of the oven. They stay there until cool enough to cover and put in the frisge or move to smaller containers. They then go into the dishwasher or get washed in the sink. For my items on the cooktop since I have induction I can basically turn off the hob and leave or move to an empty space on the cooktop. I move to a trivet if hot and don’t want to leave on cooktop. Warm/very warm items I will put directly on my granite top. I tend to serve from oven/cooktop to table so I use trivets there. I have a round magentic trivet for my table that I love as it can follow a pan (magnetic) from person to person. I had Uba Tuba granite in a previous home for 13 years and I put everything from oven or gas cooktop directly on those counters with no issues. My current granite has some large crystals and was advised not to place very hot items on them directly.

Freedomplace1, thanks for all your posts. So, if you stir-fry some veggies in hot oil or butter, scoop them out onto a bowl or whatever for the warming drawer and need to get the pan off the cooking surface for the next thing, what do you do? I think taking the pan right over to the sink to douse under cold water will at best result in hot sizzling oil/fat all over you and the counters and worst case, that plus thermal shock and warp the pan. Although, I guess even an expensive pan is a lot cheaper than counters?

I did look at river white granite and this one river white granite might work. Most of the others I found pics of have extensive dark red dots which are way too loud for our look.

Maybe our answer is to buy on looks and just have to find clear trivets to use.

River White is a stunning granite. If you get polished River White you will have the ultimate - in beauty and strength,

I can’t imagine buying “on looks” if you are referring to any quartz. What looks? Also, face facts- you and husband are likely not going to regularly use trivets.

I’m a vegan and I do a lot of stir fries. Although, I don’t use tons of oil, etc. I have no idea what you are referring to, in terms of the problematic maneuvering. It’s easy enough to put the pan either back on the cooktop or on a trivet on the counter until it cools off. Also, with a stainless sink, there is no problem with just putting the pot/pan in the sink for a few minutes, until it's cool enough to run water into it. And I don’t turn the water on full blast... I just run a little bit of water into it at first, in case it might still splatter.

Yes, the River White slabs vary, but it’s easy enough to find one with the color you prefer.

Here we go again with "quartz is not stone; it is man made". A human did not make the quartz crystals. It is a small amount of resin that is used. There are different types of resin, developed specifically for the need. For your need you would want epoxy or acrylic. Click to expand.

Then read this article about quartz....

https://www.usmarble.com/countertop-materials-and-selection/the-truth-about-quartz-countertops-yes-theyre-engineered-and-thats-a-good-thing/

"I'm curious, what do you guys do with hot cookware after you've cooked and plated or whatever the food?"

Leave them on the stove for a few minutes then put them in the sink. If I need room on the stove for whatever reason, right into the sink but let them cool a couple minutes before adding water to soak or wash. (not a good idea to put water in screaming hot pans, over time it could cause them to warp).

Thermal shock is real. Why play Russian roulette with your counters?

Just use trivets.

If easy to follow habit is cooking are hard to follow? You don't buy anything for looks. You can't set a hot pan on an unused burner? Are you a catering service or feeding a dozen people?

Surely you can manage a silicone mat on the counter top?

I have had almost every counter material imaginable I presently have quartz which we love. we get compliments all the time.
Granite was our least favourite it looked so cold

Engineered quartz is clearly man made. It doesn’t come out of the ground in slabs like granite, marble, or quartzite. But who cares? It’s a practical and viable alternative to natural stone. You weigh the pros and cons of it and all countertop materials and make your own decision as to what is most important to you and your family.

Joseph, thanks for weighing in (no pun intended!). What would your recommendation be? Yesterday, I grilled/seared a large pork chop on my cast iron grill pan. It's a lot easier to clean the crusty stuff off before the pan completely cools. I brushed and sprayed it off toward the end of that easy period (ie, it had cooled more than ideal) and realized I was resting it over the sink edge of the existing granite since it's heavy (and a bit slippery due to fat splattering a bit). By laser thermometer, the bottom varied between 145 and 165F. Is this something that is silly to do with granite? With quartzite? With quartz?

Jan, as mentioned, we are often cooking different meals side by side. My wife has major dietary restrictions and I'm a bit of a foodie! :) Four cookware items per meal including two larger fry pans are quite common and more plenty of times. We are going from a 30" induction range to the 36" Thermador Freedom cooktop, so hoping the extra 6" and the Freedom's "cook anywhere" will help some?

I am not Joseph. For one thing, I am not a man. :) But in any case- I am sure that Joseph Corlett LLC will have great info and insights for you - and will address this much more eloquently than I will (and have already done.)

You need another granite. Alternatively, perhaps a quartzite will work for your lifestyle. Quartz is not an option. If you want a marble look, I have already suggested Formica Calacatta Cava. You will have similar issues with the laminate... and will need to be more mindful of your habits; but there are a number of advantages:

1. It is less costly than quartz. So in the event that you and wife damage/destroy it - it is much more cost effective to replace. Damaging and needing to replace quartz is potentially cost prohibitive. So you would possibly end up just living with it.

2. The Calacatta Cava would be my personal choice, regardless - because, imo, it is a much more realistic marble-type look, than anything I have seen in quartz.

freedomplace1, we are looking for quiet countertops to go with the Scandi vibe, not necessarily the marble look specifically. To me, quiet means less contrast and subtler patterns. We have not been successful finding a granite that is both quiet and is light to work with everything else. If you look at the River White here (and below), the third picture is quite loud -- both contrast and pattern. The fourth picture--especially the bottom 2/3--looks really nice and would be even better if the deep red dots weren't there. We haven't seen anything like that having walked four wholesalers and our trusted fabricator (who also stocks) multiple times.

I will have to look into the calacatta cava formica to see it in real life. Their larger size sheet should cover our island in one, which is good. We have a 25' run on the main outside kitchen, so I will have to learn more about how seaming works with formica. Also, assume we'd have to get a stainless steel fabricator for the 42" wide higher section under the hood, even with induction not gas in the cooktop.

Good Grief. You'd be better off with a PLAIN Dupont original Corian. A dozen or more whites from which to choose- its the original " Solid surface" You do have to use your head just a little bit, and no you don't set a 500 degree pot on it, but I routinely set something from the stove with no issue. It seams without notice, virtually invisibly , can be sanded out for a disaster. Mine has been in place for over twenty years, Cameo White and has no issues to now.

Your attempt to jam square peg habits into round holes? Plan to fail.: )

Or just get stainless steel counter tops.

Or give up a very light color for Soapstone......... virtually indestructible , impervious to heat, to bacteria. It was in your high school biology lab for a reason - the frog, and the Bunsen burner lol

It is also not for perfectionist seekers. It is for serious cooks and lovers of organic materials'

Key Physical Properties

• Non-Porous: The stone has zero liquid absorption, meaning it does not harbor bacteria and resists stains from acids like wine, lemon, or vinegar. [1, 2, 3]
• Heat Resistance: It is exceptionally heat-resistant and will not burn or scorch, allowing you to place hot pots directly on the surface. [1, 2]
• Softness and Scratchability: Soapstone contains talc, rating low on the hardness scale (around 2.5 to 3.5 on the Mohs scale), which means it scratches and dics easily. [1, 2, 3]
• Repairability: Scratches can be easily buffed out using fine-grit sandpaper and treated with mineral oil. [1, 2]
• Chemical Inertness: Acids and common kitchen chemicals do not etch or damage the material. [1, 2]

Appearance and Maintenance

• Natural Patina: The stone darkens and develops a rich patina over time, especially when treated with mineral oil or wax.
• No Sealing Required: Because it is completely non-porous, it never needs chemical sealers applied.
• Color Range: Available naturally in soft shades of light gray, charcoal, and green with subtle veining. [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

Yes, the River White granite slabs vary - it’s a natural stone. Some slabs, and/or parts of the slab, may feature more of the red than other slabs. And you cannot make judgements on this, based upon internet pics - which are influenced by many factors.

This is an interesting article about the differences between quartz and laminate. And I have to say that I really received a huge confirmation, when I read this article; i.e. that perhaps I am not just ‘seeing things’ - in my assessment that the Formica Calacatta Cava is a much more realistic marble look, than anything I have seen in a quartz.

https://www.thespruce.com/quartz-vs-laminate-countertops-1821209

I’m lost here. Does no one use trivets, potholders, etc? Why would anyone sit a hot pan on any type of countertop unprotected?

I think any patterned granite will not read scandi modern. If you keep your backsplash light and consider a honed or sueded black granite you will check all your boxes. A solid top - white (corian, quartz) or black like shown looks clean and minimal which is very scandi modern.

And this is Cambria’s white cliff in a matte finish. With your wood cabinets and wood floors I think a solid counter - dark or white - will give you the vibe you say you want:

thinkdesignlive, I've thought for a while that a solid or nearly-solid off-white or near-black would look best. It would provide contrast with the warmer wood cabinets and floors without being loud. I agree 100% that the vast majority of granite has that patterened look that doesn't work right with Scandi.

In prior projects, we've added two very large skylights and about 150 sqft of glass up over the open first floor's vaulted area, and have moved the walls and furniture toward light/off-white and it has absolutely transformed our living zone into a warm and bright area. We'll be adding a 5' x 5' window over one of the two full size sinks with this project. Given our trend toward lighter and brighter, and that we've had basically black granite (which BTW does NOT have the typical patterned look) for 15+ years, we're leaning heavily toward the light side of the counter spectrum. We will also have a fairly large prominent island and I think black or dark grey on that might be a bit heavy. That said, we'll run through a couple dark options to be sure.

I think off-white quartz or perhaps Corian is the best answer if we cannot find a suitably "quiet" natural granite or quartzite. Quartzite seems more likely to provide the right quiet slab, although we're still looking at granite, too. And if we end up man-made, we'll have to use heat protection, or learn the hard way and have to re-do the counters, probably still under the price of the quartzite grades that we like. I also agree that a matte finish would be ideal, although I would take shiny/polished if the option otherwise checked all the boxes. I will also investigate laminate/Formica, but don't know that either the Mrs. or I will be able to get over our stereotype of it on a project at this price point.

River White can have garnet deposits for patches and specs of burgundy. It has a geolgical 'gneiss' classification. Other granites to look at include White Valley, Viscount White, Copenhagen White and Silver Clpud. They have veining without speckles.

You will pay the quartz price and not have as realistic of a marble look as the Formica - if you go with a marble look. Personally, I would not care about the price point or “stereotype”. I prefer the look of the Formica faux marble much more. Plus, with your situation, you will spend more money replacing a quartz than a laminate. But if it’s worth it to you, then that is the deciding factor.

I have to say that I am also a bit biased because I am not a quartz fan.

For a solid white- you are better off with Corian than quartz or Formica. Corian has more options, in terms of being repairable.

And yes, there are more solid looking granites in black. And yes, there are other white granites.

Freedomplace1, I'm open to Formica. My trusted local fabricator doesn't do Formica, so I've got to go through that vendor selection process if we go that way. Quick research downsides also include undermount sink challenges (and undermount is pretty much a design must-have for us/Scandi) and that it's almost surely not suitable for backsplash behind the induction cooktop (whereas quartz probably is).

I do think aesthetics are mostly subjective and that we may broadly differ there. In terms of looks, I'm probably about as anti-granite as you are anti-quartz :)

I appreciate how much you've helped and contributed -- thank you!

You’re welcome.

I am not sure if quartz can be used as a backsplash with induction.

I am mostly a painted wall, no backsplash-look fan, and it is a look that is trending these days; it is a simple, non-fussy approach that can work well with “Scandi”. A stainless panel can be placed behind the cooktop. The other popular look these days is running the counter material as the backsplash. If that is what you are planning to do, you will obviously verify the feasibility of using quartz behind your range/cooktop.

Best wishes with your project.

@Joseph Corlett, LLC .

I promise I won't quote "Industry pap", if you stop quoting "Facebook pap". 33% of resin? Lordy, which brand has that amount of resin? Please advise.

https://www.reddit.com/r/kitchenremodel/comments/1qffmdt/are_quartz_countertops_really_93_quartz/

"33% of resin? Lordy, which brand has that amount of resin?"

Virtually all of them.

Fourth paragraph.

OK, I'm a nerd, so I had to do some math.

I found the following densities:

Quartz countertop: 2.4 g/cc

Quartz mineral: 2.65 g/cc

A 1000g sample of quartz countertop will have a volume of 416.7 cc.

Assuming the sample is 92% mineral by weight, the volume of mineral in the sample is 347 cc.

Therefore, the mineral content of the countertop is 83% by volume (17% resin).

And then, because I'm a visual person, I filled in first 8% of the squares, then 17% of the squares. Clearly it makes a difference whether we're talking about percentage by weight (8%) or percentage by volume (17%).

"Clearly it makes a difference whether we're talking about percentage by weight (8%) or percentage by volume (17%)."

Thanks for making my point. The weight measurement is meaningless, but because it sounds better, it's used by the industry.

Any time, Joe! As an engineer, I'm a bit of a stickler for details - and I like visuals.

Buy the quietest looking countertop you can so the room looks the way you want. Buy trivets that are gorgeous and learn a new habit (place hot things on trivets). If you don’t get the look you want, you will be unhappy.
Re-visit Formica. It’s better than you think. Look at Corian.
I have used ceramic tiles from different countries as my “hot plates” for years. I have a favorite that is a long wood slat one. I have never thought about placing anything hot on any counter I owned (4 houses so far) because my generation had Formica that melted when hot.
Your new kitchen will be gorgeous if the countertop is solid white. Go for it.

Hi, I have a couple of questions for the OP if you wouldn't mind answering (if you see this). Did you decide to get this slab? Did you confidentally identify it and what was your determination? Is that the flooring leaning up against it that you are using? What are the other colors you're working with? I'm asking these because we are looking at a similar stone this weekend and they insist it's an "Iceberg Cristallo Quartzite" (not quartz) so it should be quite hard - a key shouldn't scratch it. Our slab is perfect with our colors (white, navy, warm walnut stain) and we don't know what floor works well with it. Are you backlighting it (if it's Cristallo)? What else can you share? Thanks!

janeaklem, we did not buy the slabs. We were put off foremost by the softness of the stone and secondarily by the perceived dishonesty of this particular stone yard. Thankfully, we have many in our city so it's no big loss. We didn't get further identification of the stone, but it very clearly and easily scratched with my car key, which is one of the "inverse" kind that hides in the fob and doesn't have the jagged teeth like a normal house key. I've since tried numerous granite, quartzite, and (man-made) quartz slabs with the same key and none have come close to scratching.

The wood leaning upright is a solid maple being used in the custom cabinets. This one is a shelf from our existing primary closet and is therefore the same maple but a lower grade -- hence the difference in pattern and color across it. The cabinets will be uniformly like the lighter, clearer color portion on the left -- natural select hard maple with clear coat. The flooring is the piece laying flat like flooring and is CoreTec Grande Makkah Oak LVP. The wall paint sample is a custom mix color matched to go with existing furniture, rugs, and artwork. Our pulls will all be minimalist Top Knobs Latham pulls in stainless steel in three sizes depending on where it's going. The appliances we selected all had panel-ready options but we elected stainless instead. We have a lot of cabinets (wood), so stainless will break things up a bit. We're doing a 42" wide custom hood painted same as the walls, using a Wolf hood liner and remote blower.

Lighting standard will be 3000-3100K high-CRI LED with flicker-free drivers and dim-to-warm down to around 2200K. I have a special car detailing handheld (battery) light that I bring to stone yards and anywhere else we look at color since they tend to have crappy low-CRI high-K blueish lighting. It can do 2700, 3500, 4500, 5500, and 6500K with a very even bright rectangular pattern. I highly recommend if you are picky about color/lighting!

We are still looking but think we have finally found a quieter, warmer Taj Mahal quartzite that looks pretty similar to the "Cristallo" shown in my OP, although without the translucent effect. And, thankfully, the yard has enough matching slabs of it (our fabricator indicated we should make the yard send 5 slabs but they may be able to get away with only 4, depending on matching/etc). We're planning to do the countertops and full-height backsplash with all the same material.

We are still keeping an eye out for a true Cristallo quartzite, but I don't think it's going to happen. Even if we got a Cristallo, we would NOT backlight it. I don't want the hassle and risk of lighting failures over time and frankly, I think it looks a little 1980's cheesy and commercial. Also, our preferred style -- Scandi modern -- calls for low-key mild ("quiet") everything, and a backlighted Cristallo is not quiet!

Bottom line, I would ask questions, question everything, and key scratch test any slab you get serious about. I also found my paid ChatGPT and paid CoPilot AI accounts very useful for uploading slab pics to. Try prompting "Examine this countertop slab and identify areas of filler and any structural or other areas of concern." AI can also be helpful in analyzing color scheme options. A downside is most modern camera phones (iPhone) computationally adjust pictures, tweaking color automatically, and it can make a slab look totally different on the screen vs to your eye.

Thank you for taking the time to share all of this! You are very thorough and I appreciate your attendtion to detail and being so forthcoming with your experience/information. Your space with all of those finishes sounds incredibly gorgeous and I hope it ends up being everything you want! Thank you for being so helpful!

I agree that stone yard lighting is really bad, but I never carried my own lighting when viewing slabs ... I just ask to have the slab(s) I like taken outside to view in daylight!

Several projects in 2 different states and I never had a slab yard refuse to move a slab outside, so I could see the true colors.

Have you looked at Dekton (a Cosentino product)?

We installed it about 4 years ago and couldn't be happier.

It is heat/scratch proof. Check out their color options. It’s the perfect solution for you.

Mary Boca, yes, the significant other said no to Dekton and porcelain slab because she’s a bit klutzy. Our current flooring has a number of dents and gashes to testify :)

My Dekton has been completely idiot-proof! I’ve dropped a cast iron skillet on the edges around the sink more than once, and not a chip/crack in sight.

I’ve entertained many dinner guests by grinding a dinner fork back and forth over it…and no scratches at all.

It’s the best countertop we’ve ever had…more expensive for sure, but worth it.

It’s great that you are having such a good experience with Dekton, @MaryBocaTX. It is nice to find a counter that you love and also works so well for the space.

There are valid concerns about chipping/cracking with Dekton. If you search this site, you will also find discussions.

Here is one that I found on a quick search. And @Joseph Corlett, LLC makes a cameo appearance.

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/6475293/dekton-yay-or-nay

It’s unfortunate that so many seem to have issues with Dekton.

Ours has proved to be completely heat/scratch/stain proof…over the last 4 years.

We have a large (very active) family with 7 grandkids running around.

The counter has been through many events - from celebrations to science projects…and impromptu Hot Wheels races - and looks like it did the day it was installed.

The caveat is that I followed Joseph Corlett’s advice and made sure the fabricator was Cosentino trained and certified prior to letting them through the door.

It made all the difference.

My counters/miters look much better than the showroom pic that your link included.. That install was horrific!😱