For many, the kitchen is the heart of their home. Not only does it get a high amount of foot traffic, it’s also where all the meal prep, cooking and eating takes place. But if you love to chop, cut and prep, you may find it annoying to have to grab a cutting board every time you need to prepare food.

If you have a quartz countertop, you may wonder if you can cut food directly on this natural stone. You can ask your natural stone installer in Brookline for tips, but here are some general things to know.

A Durable Material

The bottom line is, yes you can cut food directly on your quartz counter. That’s because this material is tough, hard and durable. It’s actually one of the hardest materials you will come across. This means it’s great at resisting cuts and scratches.

Quartz is a man-made stone, not a natural stone, so it’s been engineered to be tougher and more resilient than, say, granite or marble. It’s comprised of small pieces of stone as well as resin, all compacted together. It’s the resin that gives your quartz countertop its durability and strength.

So go ahead and slice and dice right on your countertop! However, it’s still a good idea to use a cutting board just in case. This will also help to keep your knives sharp.

Cutting Boards: Why You Should Still Use Them

Just because you can cut food on quartz doesn’t mean you should. Here’s why you should use a cutting board at all times.

The quartz surface can still get damaged when you apply enough force. Quartz is not perfectly hard and has its vulnerabilities just like any other material. Cutting on a hard surface will dull your knives over time, costing you more in the long run by having to replace your cutlery collection more frequently.

Even though quartz is built to resist scratches, the key word here is “resistant.” It’s not going to magically result in no damage at all. You may still be able to see marks, dents, and chips on the countertop surface if you cut food on the surface multiple times a day.

If you are cutting raw meat, use a cutting board. It just makes good sanitary sense. Meat can contain bacteria that will seep through tiny openings on the quartz and contaminate other food items. And yes, you can use disinfectant sprays and wipes on the counter, but continued use can slowly degrade the seal you applied when you first installed the counter.

This will pave the way for staining and acid damage as you cut and slice certain foods that can secrete juices. Those juices will stain your countertop surface, especially when involving acidic foods.

Preventing Damage to Your Quartz Countertop

Heed these tips to keep damage to a minimum.

1. Always use cutting boards when cutting and preparing food to prevent bacterial growth and keep your knives from dulling prematurely.
2. Wipe up spills immediately to avoid staining.
3. Don’t place hot objects like pots and pans directly onto the counter, as these can discolor the quartz over time and lead to burn marks.
4. Don’t use abrasive pads to clean spills; instead, use a soft cloth and approved cleaners.
5. Don’t use regular household cleaners because they can react with the sealant.
6. Don’t stand or sit on your quartz countertop, and don’t place heavy objects on it.

Contact Granite Guy

We hope you found these tips helpful. If you need more tips on how to keep your quartz countertop damage-free, contact us at 508-460-7900 today and our Ashland stone installers would be happy to help.