I just got new granite counters put in yesterday. They are not even
finished installing them since they have to come back and do the
cut-outs for the faucets.
I just noticed a bunch of darkened circular that don't seem random
enough to be natural. They are all about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and
close to evenly spaced apart.
I didn't notice that in the lighting in the granite warehouse, but they
are clear in the kitchen lighting.
What can those dark circles be and are they something that can be
removed or evened out?
I am not talking about different colors in the grain. I mean circular
blotches where all the colors in those blotches are darker than the
main part of the slab.

"First and Last" wrote in message
ups.com...
I just got new granite counters put in yesterday. They are not even
finished installing them since they have to come back and do the
cut-outs for the faucets.
I just noticed a bunch of darkened circular that don't seem random
enough to be natural. They are all about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and
close to evenly spaced apart.
I didn't notice that in the lighting in the granite warehouse, but they
are clear in the kitchen lighting.
What can those dark circles be and are they something that can be
removed or evened out?
I am not talking about different colors in the grain. I mean circular
blotches where all the colors in those blotches are darker than the
main part of the slab.


Sounds like marks from the suction cup on the handles to move the
granite around. Pretty much the same tool glazers use to handle glass. Or
could be from supports on truck racks, same as glass truck

Sacramento Dave wrote:
"First and Last" wrote in message
ups.com...
I just got new granite counters put in yesterday. They are not even
finished installing them since they have to come back and do the
cut-outs for the faucets.
I just noticed a bunch of darkened circular that don't seem random
enough to be natural. They are all about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and
close to evenly spaced apart.
I didn't notice that in the lighting in the granite warehouse, but they
are clear in the kitchen lighting.
What can those dark circles be and are they something that can be
removed or evened out?
I am not talking about different colors in the grain. I mean circular
blotches where all the colors in those blotches are darker than the
main part of the slab.


Sounds like marks from the suction cup on the handles to move the
granite around. Pretty much the same tool glazers use to handle glass. Or
could be from supports on truck racks, same as glass truck

If that's what it is, does that go away on it's own in a short rime or
is there something that needs to be done to cleanup the darkened
blotches before the gramite gets sealed?
They are not exact perfect circles with sharp edges that are obviously
from something like a suction cup, but I guess it could be. They are
very similar in size and spacing, but the edges of the dark circles are
a little irregular.
I can't imagine anything "natural" in the granite that would make marks
that regularly spaced out. They don't seem irregular enough for it to
be natural colorings in the stone (in case the granite installer tries
to say that when I ask about it on Monday).

"First and Last" wrote in message
ups.com...
Sacramento Dave wrote:
Sounds like marks from the suction cup on the handles to move the
granite around. Pretty much the same tool glazers use to handle glass. Or
could be from supports on truck racks, same as glass truck

If that's what it is, does that go away on it's own in a short rime or
is there something that needs to be done to cleanup the darkened
blotches before the gramite gets sealed?
They are not exact perfect circles with sharp edges that are obviously
from something like a suction cup, but I guess it could be. They are
very similar in size and spacing, but the edges of the dark circles are
a little irregular.
I can't imagine anything "natural" in the granite that would make marks
that regularly spaced out. They don't seem irregular enough for it to
be natural colorings in the stone (in case the granite installer tries
to say that when I ask about it on Monday).

Before you sign off on the job, have the installer acknowledge in writing on
the paperwork that you are unhappy with the marks, and agree to correct any
problems as required.

"First and Last" wrote in message
ups.com...
I just got new granite counters put in yesterday. They are not even
finished installing them since they have to come back and do the
cut-outs for the faucets.
I just noticed a bunch of darkened circular that don't seem random
enough to be natural. They are all about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and
close to evenly spaced apart.
I didn't notice that in the lighting in the granite warehouse, but they
are clear in the kitchen lighting.
What can those dark circles be and are they something that can be
removed or evened out?
I am not talking about different colors in the grain. I mean circular
blotches where all the colors in those blotches are darker than the
main part of the slab.

Go he

http://www.stoneadvice.com/forum/vie...881&highlight=

and read about a similar problem. Lots of professional stone guys giving
insight on possibles causes & solutions.

On 3 Jun 2006 18:24:25 -0700, First and Last wrote:

I just got new granite counters put in yesterday. They are not even
finished installing them since they have to come back and do the
cut-outs for the faucets.
I just noticed a bunch of darkened circular that don't seem random
enough to be natural. They are all about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and
close to evenly spaced apart.
I didn't notice that in the lighting in the granite warehouse, but they
are clear in the kitchen lighting.
What can those dark circles be and are they something that can be
removed or evened out?
I am not talking about different colors in the grain. I mean circular
blotches where all the colors in those blotches are darker than the
main part of the slab.

Most granites absorb oil. A drop of oil will soak in and spread out. They
are permanent. Do you have a digital camera? While you can't post a binary
here, Comcast gives you web space where you can put it. Or there are free
picture sites.

Granite countertops are not really practical. About all they have going for
them is the granite look is now in.

Don www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).

I question an instaler that cuts holes in a house, its dusty. 4" is
about the size of their grinder, black might be rubber pad residue.
Demand it be fixed before you pay, or don`t pay.

m Ransley wrote:
I question an instaler that cuts holes in a house, its dusty. 4" is
about the size of their grinder, black might be rubber pad residue.
Demand it be fixed before you pay, or don`t pay.


Some cuts MUST be made in the house as not all customers can/will be
sufficiently specific.

In new construction, particularly, exact dimensions will be difficult to
get ahead of time.

I suspect that the circles are the marks from the rubber suction cups
and will clean up easily.

Granite countertops are not really practical. About all they have going
for
them is the granite look is now in.


What is not practical about Granite counter tops? they are
incredibly strong, You can put hot pots one them , they add value to your
home, There nothing that compares to the look. The only extra upkeep is
sealing them every 8 months.

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006, Sacramento Dave wrote:

Granite countertops are not really practical. About all they have going for
them is the granite look is now in.

What is not practical about Granite counter tops? they are
incredibly strong, You can put hot pots one them , they add value to your
home, There nothing that compares to the look. The only extra upkeep is
sealing them every 8 months.

(1) The front edges chip. Especially above the dishwasher.
(2) You have to seal them.
(3) You can't see the dirt or debris, like bits of broccoli.
(4) No resiliancy. A slight drop of something glass and the glass breaks.
You have to be overly careful setting anything down.
(5) A dark granite darkens the kitchen. You have to increase your light to
compensate.
(6) If you put hot pots on them it can crack.

Don www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).

In article , Don Wiss says...

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006, Sacramento Dave wrote:

Granite countertops are not really practical. About all they have going for
them is the granite look is now in.

What is not practical about Granite counter tops? they are
incredibly strong, You can put hot pots one them , they add value to your
home, There nothing that compares to the look. The only extra upkeep is
sealing them every 8 months.

(1) The front edges chip. Especially above the dishwasher.

Never heard of this.

(2) You have to seal them.

Wow. Wipe them down, let dry. Mix martini.

(3) You can't see the dirt or debris, like bits of broccoli.

Depends on the pattern. Again, wipe down. And looking good while in use is a
*good* thing.

(4) No resiliancy. A slight drop of something glass and the glass breaks.
You have to be overly careful setting anything down.

OK, so what. I like tile floors too, I just don't drop stuff.

(5) A dark granite darkens the kitchen. You have to increase your light to
compensate.

Many lighter shades available.

(6) If you put hot pots on them it can crack.

Reference, plaase. This is the only characteristic you purport that concerns
me.

Banty


--

"Don Wiss" wrote in message
...
(1) The front edges chip. Especially above the dishwasher.
I don't have that problem
(2) You have to seal them.
Takes about an hour cost about $10
(3) You can't see the dirt or debris, like bits of broccoli.
I can't even answer a statment that stupid
(4) No resiliancy. A slight drop of something glass and the glass breaks.
You have to be overly careful setting anything down.
I guess that's kinda like tile . (5)
(5)A dark granite darkens the kitchen. You have to increase your light to
compensate.
Another dump stament. anything dark will do the same. Amazinly Dumb
(6) If you put hot pots on them it can crack.
That's one of the addvantages YOU CAN PUT A HOT POT ON IT
You have your head up your ass. you have no real knowledge about granite
but I'm sure you have plenty of pledge for your Formica. People like you
just spout out with half ass information and hear say get the facts right.
Where are you getting your information the cheap *******s buying guide.

Sacramento Dave wrote:
Granite countertops are not really practical. About all they have going
for
them is the granite look is now in.



What is not practical about Granite counter tops? they are
incredibly strong, You can put hot pots one them , they add value to your
home, There nothing that compares to the look. The only extra upkeep is
sealing them every 8 months.



I am tentively planning on light colored granite countertops.

Imperial White or Sunshine Gold.

Yep Sunshine Gold is not a light color, however it will accent the
cabinets without being too dark. Floors will be a gid pattern of 4 Blue
Pearl tiles with a 4 inch inset of Imperial White in the kitchen,
reversed in the rest of the house.

www.marblemaster.com shows a similar patter but with every corner of
each 12 inch tile cut, adn a 2 inch accent piece. I will make a single
cut on each corner, and butt 4 tiles together to make a square with a
diagonal 4 inch wide accent at each corner.

Accents are two feet apart rather than 1 foot. Accents are not black also.

I agree that chipping of the edge can be a problem, particularly in some
areas of the kitchen where heavy things get moved onto and off of
countertops. Accordingly, I MAY decide on a wooden edge as they can
more easily and more inexpensively be repaired or replaced.

Banty wrote:
In article , Don Wiss says...

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006, Sacramento Dave wrote:

(6) If you put hot pots on them it can crack.

Reference, please. This is the only characteristic you purport that
concerns
me.


I have seen numerous references from sellers of stone products warning
folks NOT to put a hot pot directly on the stone as the sharp rise in
temperature of the stone can and does cause cracking. Always use a
trivet or pot holder to avoid a disaster.


Here is one reference


http://www.builddirect.com/Granite/FAQ_9020.aspx

"Robert Gammon" wrote in message
. com...
Banty wrote:
In article , Don Wiss says...

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006, Sacramento Dave wrote:

(6) If you put hot pots on them it can crack.

Reference, please. This is the only characteristic you purport that
concerns
me.


I have seen numerous references from sellers of stone products warning
folks NOT to put a hot pot directly on the stone as the sharp rise in
temperature of the stone can and does cause cracking. Always use a trivet
or pot holder to avoid a disaster.


Here is one reference


http://www.builddirect.com/Granite/FAQ_9020.aspx

I was told the complete opposite and have put hot pots on it. The did say
it will take the heat out of stuff ( like a cup of coffee)

Sacramento Dave wrote:
"Robert Gammon" wrote in message
. com...

Banty wrote:

In article , Don Wiss says...


On Sun, 04 Jun 2006, Sacramento Dave wrote:


(6) If you put hot pots on them it can crack.

Reference, please. This is the only characteristic you purport that
concerns
me.


I have seen numerous references from sellers of stone products warning
folks NOT to put a hot pot directly on the stone as the sharp rise in
temperature of the stone can and does cause cracking. Always use a trivet
or pot holder to avoid a disaster.


Here is one reference


http://www.builddirect.com/Granite/FAQ_9020.aspx


I was told the complete opposite and have put hot pots on it. The did say
it will take the heat out of stuff ( like a cup of coffee)



I have seen other references that say, go ahead, you can't hurt it. I
see the caveat as follows. Most all slabs of the size needed for a
countertop have fissures or cracks. The vendor does their best to cut
the slab in a way that puts the defect into the scrap pile, but that is
not always possible. They will use a product, in most cases to repair
and hide the defect. The additional heat stress of a very hot pot MAY
in some cases, case the defect to widen or extend thru a micro crack
that no one had prevously seen.

Many folks can and do put hot pots out of the oven right off the stove
on their granite countertops for years, without any ill effects.

So if you want the risk, go ahead and put a 400F cast iron dutch oven
direct from the oven and park it directly on the countertop with nothing
between your pot and the counter and lets see how many times you can do
that without cracking the counter.

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006, Sacramento Dave wrote:

Don Wiss wrote:
(1) The front edges chip. Especially above the dishwasher.
I don't have that problem
(2) You have to seal them.
Takes about an hour cost about $10
(3) You can't see the dirt or debris, like bits of broccoli.
I can't even answer a statment that stupid
(4) No resiliancy. A slight drop of something glass and the glass breaks.
You have to be overly careful setting anything down.
I guess that's kinda like tile . (5)
(5)A dark granite darkens the kitchen. You have to increase your light to
compensate.
Another dump stament. anything dark will do the same. Amazinly Dumb
(6) If you put hot pots on them it can crack.
That's one of the addvantages YOU CAN PUT A HOT POT ON IT

The quality of your writing speaks for itself. No need to respond to it.

You have your head up your ass. you have no real knowledge about granite
but I'm sure you have plenty of pledge for your Formica. People like you
just spout out with half ass information and hear say get the facts right.
Where are you getting your information the cheap *******s buying guide.

I am not cheap. When I do a kitchen I install Glacier White Corian. It is
as expensive as granite, and can be even more expensive than cheap
granites.

I found this comparison from a company that sells both Corian and granite.
The only thing where the granite beats Corian is scratch resistance. And it
ties in heat resistance. For everything else Corian is better.

http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_U..._a_glance.html

Don www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Don Wiss wrote:


I am not cheap. When I do a kitchen I install Glacier White Corian. It is
as expensive as granite, and can be even more expensive than cheap
granites.

I found this comparison from a company that sells both Corian and granite.
The only thing where the granite beats Corian is scratch resistance. And it
ties in heat resistance. For everything else Corian is better.

http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_U..._a_glance.html

Don, I don't mean to enter some kind of fray. However,
something to consider is what the MARKET thinks of different
products. If a seller or real estate agent has to "explain"
or "prove" a product is somehow as good as or superior to
another, then the seller has created an artificial barrier
to marketability. I KNOW that Corian-type materials are
good, and especially good in bathrooms. Someone would have
to prove to me that they could set a hot skillet directly on
a Corian counter top wouldn't cause a burn, and that
dragging a ceramic plate across it wouldn't scratch.

IMHO, the marketability of kitchen counter tops would be:
Formica-type laminate at the bottom rung because it is
easily scratched, cannot tolerate heat and can come loose or
fade. Following that would be ceramic tile due to dirt in
the grout lines. After that might be Corian-type counters,
followed by Silestone-type or granite tiles, followed by
real granite, soapstone etc. My personal guideline is that
if it is made to "look like something else," then you should
get the "something else." grin

Another problem with Corian-type counters is that the
manufacturers limit the sale of the material to only
"approved" installers. Perhaps that has changed. Actually,
making a counter top out of that type of material involves
only very basic skills, but due to this marketing
limitation, the wholesalers and retailer installers charge
large profits for something that should really cost a lot
less.

Nonnymus

Nonnymus writes:

Another problem with Corian-type counters is that the manufacturers
limit the sale of the material to only "approved" installers. Perhaps
that has changed. Actually, making a counter top out of that type of
material involves only very basic skills, but due to this marketing
limitation, the wholesalers and retailer installers charge large
profits for something that should really cost a lot less.

The contractor installing my kitchen was an improved installer.

That meant he took a course at Corian.

I see no problem with that.
Since Corian stands behind the product,
it seems only fair that they train the installer.

Intentionally top posted.

While I agree it's probably not a good idea to routinely place oven hot
pots on granite, I can't believe anyone really thinks Corian and other
resin based countertop options would endure heat as well as granite.

Here is a link to some photos of a granite fabricator trying to
intentionally damage granite with red hot pans, and torches. Not that
anybody recommends trying this at home, but it's a pretty good
testimonial to granite's durability.

http://www.stoneadvice.com/gallery/T...-Resined-Slabs



Nonnymus wrote:
Don Wiss wrote:


I am not cheap. When I do a kitchen I install Glacier White Corian. It is
as expensive as granite, and can be even more expensive than cheap
granites.

I found this comparison from a company that sells both Corian and
granite.
The only thing where the granite beats Corian is scratch resistance.
And it
ties in heat resistance. For everything else Corian is better.

http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_U..._a_glance.html


Don, I don't mean to enter some kind of fray. However, something to
consider is what the MARKET thinks of different products. If a seller
or real estate agent has to "explain" or "prove" a product is somehow as
good as or superior to another, then the seller has created an
artificial barrier to marketability. I KNOW that Corian-type materials
are good, and especially good in bathrooms. Someone would have to prove
to me that they could set a hot skillet directly on a Corian counter top
wouldn't cause a burn, and that dragging a ceramic plate across it
wouldn't scratch.

IMHO, the marketability of kitchen counter tops would be: Formica-type
laminate at the bottom rung because it is easily scratched, cannot
tolerate heat and can come loose or fade. Following that would be
ceramic tile due to dirt in the grout lines. After that might be
Corian-type counters, followed by Silestone-type or granite tiles,
followed by real granite, soapstone etc. My personal guideline is that
if it is made to "look like something else," then you should get the
"something else." grin

Another problem with Corian-type counters is that the manufacturers
limit the sale of the material to only "approved" installers. Perhaps
that has changed. Actually, making a counter top out of that type of
material involves only very basic skills, but due to this marketing
limitation, the wholesalers and retailer installers charge large profits
for something that should really cost a lot less.

Nonnymus

In article , newsreader says...

Intentionally top posted.

While I agree it's probably not a good idea to routinely place oven hot
pots on granite, I can't believe anyone really thinks Corian and other
resin based countertop options would endure heat as well as granite.

Here is a link to some photos of a granite fabricator trying to
intentionally damage granite with red hot pans, and torches. Not that
anybody recommends trying this at home, but it's a pretty good
testimonial to granite's durability.

http://www.stoneadvice.com/gallery/T...-Resined-Slabs



Wow - same as my granite too. ALTHOUGH - I'm not convinced, and I'm the one
skeptical about grantie damage due to hot pans in the first place - they heated
the whole slab - this doesn't test the question of placing a hot pan on a room
temperature granite countertop - the cracking in question would be from stresses
resulting from thermal gradients.

Banty


--

newsreader wrote:
Intentionally top posted.

While I agree it's probably not a good idea to routinely place oven hot
pots on granite, I can't believe anyone really thinks Corian and other
resin based countertop options would endure heat as well as granite.

Here is a link to some photos of a granite fabricator trying to
intentionally damage granite with red hot pans, and torches. Not that
anybody recommends trying this at home, but it's a pretty good
testimonial to granite's durability.

http://www.stoneadvice.com/gallery/T...-Resined-Slabs



Note two things about this test.

1. The granite slab they used is resin treated Ithink that means that
the salb has been treated with product to fill voids and fissures

2. The used a BIG ass blow torch to boil water, heat a irn skilletto
RED hot state, AND cooked steaks on it. No rings no staisn, no
discoloration. After washing the cooking surface, you dcould NOT tell
that anything had happened to it, other than som grease stains on the
unpolished edge.

Color me CONVINCED. Granite is it for kitchen

Bathrooms are to be Traveertine floors and walls. Undecided on bath
vanity surfaces,..

Banty wrote:
In article , newsreader says...

Intentionally top posted.

While I agree it's probably not a good idea to routinely place oven hot
pots on granite, I can't believe anyone really thinks Corian and other
resin based countertop options would endure heat as well as granite.

Here is a link to some photos of a granite fabricator trying to
intentionally damage granite with red hot pans, and torches. Not that
anybody recommends trying this at home, but it's a pretty good
testimonial to granite's durability.

http://www.stoneadvice.com/gallery/T...-Resined-Slabs




Wow - same as my granite too. ALTHOUGH - I'm not convinced, and I'm the one
skeptical about grantie damage due to hot pans in the first place - they heated
the whole slab - this doesn't test the question of placing a hot pan on a room
temperature granite countertop - the cracking in question would be from stresses
resulting from thermal gradients.

Banty



They did NOT heat the whole slab, only a small portion of it.

In one photo the corner of the slab was heated until it was YELLOWISH
RED from heat.


And they DID induce a small crack doing this test

In article , Don Wiss says...

On Sun, 04 Jun 2006, Sacramento Dave wrote:

Don Wiss wrote:
(1) The front edges chip. Especially above the dishwasher.
I don't have that problem
(2) You have to seal them.
Takes about an hour cost about $10
(3) You can't see the dirt or debris, like bits of broccoli.
I can't even answer a statment that stupid
(4) No resiliancy. A slight drop of something glass and the glass breaks.
You have to be overly careful setting anything down.
I guess that's kinda like tile . (5)
(5)A dark granite darkens the kitchen. You have to increase your light to
compensate.
Another dump stament. anything dark will do the same. Amazinly Dumb
(6) If you put hot pots on them it can crack.
That's one of the addvantages YOU CAN PUT A HOT POT ON IT

The quality of your writing speaks for itself. No need to respond to it.

You have your head up your ass. you have no real knowledge about granite
but I'm sure you have plenty of pledge for your Formica. People like you
just spout out with half ass information and hear say get the facts right.
Where are you getting your information the cheap *******s buying guide.

I am not cheap. When I do a kitchen I install Glacier White Corian. It is
as expensive as granite, and can be even more expensive than cheap
granites.

I found this comparison from a company that sells both Corian and granite.
The only thing where the granite beats Corian is scratch resistance. And it
ties in heat resistance. For everything else Corian is better.

http://www2.dupont.com/Surfaces/en_U..._a_glance.html

Don www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).

You're going to point us to a *DuPont* site, the inventors and patent and
trademark holders of Corian, and suggest that this is a disinterested view "from
a company that sells both Corian and granite" just because they'll certify some
granites?? C'mon. At least one purported advantage, that trivets can be cut
from Corian, is perfectly applicable to granite as well - I'm *looking at* my
granite trivet.

Mind, although I have granite and I'm very happy with it, I don't think it's the
end all and be all, and I even have said here that Formica has its beauty and
its place in kitchens and elsehere. But I can spot someone on a tear with a
point to prove, and, honey, you're it.

Banty


--

In article , Robert Gammon
says...

Banty wrote:
In article , newsreader says...

Intentionally top posted.

While I agree it's probably not a good idea to routinely place oven hot
pots on granite, I can't believe anyone really thinks Corian and other
resin based countertop options would endure heat as well as granite.

Here is a link to some photos of a granite fabricator trying to
intentionally damage granite with red hot pans, and torches. Not that
anybody recommends trying this at home, but it's a pretty good
testimonial to granite's durability.

http://www.stoneadvice.com/gallery/T...-Resined-Slabs




Wow - same as my granite too. ALTHOUGH - I'm not convinced, and I'm the one
skeptical about grantie damage due to hot pans in the first place - they heated
the whole slab - this doesn't test the question of placing a hot pan on a room
temperature granite countertop - the cracking in question would be from stresses
resulting from thermal gradients.

Banty



They did NOT heat the whole slab, only a small portion of it.

In one photo the corner of the slab was heated until it was YELLOWISH
RED from heat.


OK, not the "whole slab", but they tested by *heating the slab*. Which will
have a certain thermal gradient created by thermal diffusion. That's not the
same as the kind of thermal shock that putting a hot pan on top of a room
temperature surface can induce.

Banty


--

Banty wrote:
In article , Robert Gammon
says...

Banty wrote:

In article , newsreader says...


Intentionally top posted.

While I agree it's probably not a good idea to routinely place oven hot
pots on granite, I can't believe anyone really thinks Corian and other
resin based countertop options would endure heat as well as granite.

Here is a link to some photos of a granite fabricator trying to
intentionally damage granite with red hot pans, and torches. Not that
anybody recommends trying this at home, but it's a pretty good
testimonial to granite's durability.

http://www.stoneadvice.com/gallery/T...-Resined-Slabs




Wow - same as my granite too. ALTHOUGH - I'm not convinced, and I'm the one
skeptical about grantie damage due to hot pans in the first place - they heated
the whole slab - this doesn't test the question of placing a hot pan on a room
temperature granite countertop - the cracking in question would be from stresses
resulting from thermal gradients.

Banty




They did NOT heat the whole slab, only a small portion of it.

In one photo the corner of the slab was heated until it was YELLOWISH
RED from heat.



OK, not the "whole slab", but they tested by *heating the slab*. Which will
have a certain thermal gradient created by thermal diffusion. That's not the
same as the kind of thermal shock that putting a hot pan on top of a room
temperature surface can induce.

Banty



But note they heated a pot directly on the slab until the cast iron was
glowing RED way more than 600F.

And note that this was a resin teated slab, as most slabs now are resin
treated and it still performed beautifully.


I am SOLD on Granite for kitchens.

In article , Robert Gammon
says...

Banty wrote:
In article , Robert Gammon
says...

Banty wrote:

In article , newsreader says...


Intentionally top posted.

While I agree it's probably not a good idea to routinely place oven hot
pots on granite, I can't believe anyone really thinks Corian and other
resin based countertop options would endure heat as well as granite.

Here is a link to some photos of a granite fabricator trying to
intentionally damage granite with red hot pans, and torches. Not that
anybody recommends trying this at home, but it's a pretty good
testimonial to granite's durability.

http://www.stoneadvice.com/gallery/T...-Resined-Slabs




Wow - same as my granite too. ALTHOUGH - I'm not convinced, and I'm the one
skeptical about grantie damage due to hot pans in the first place - they heated
the whole slab - this doesn't test the question of placing a hot pan on a room
temperature granite countertop - the cracking in question would be from stresses
resulting from thermal gradients.

Banty




They did NOT heat the whole slab, only a small portion of it.

In one photo the corner of the slab was heated until it was YELLOWISH
RED from heat.



OK, not the "whole slab", but they tested by *heating the slab*. Which will
have a certain thermal gradient created by thermal diffusion. That's not the
same as the kind of thermal shock that putting a hot pan on top of a room
temperature surface can induce.

Banty



But note they heated a pot directly on the slab until the cast iron was
glowing RED way more than 600F.

And note that this was a resin teated slab, as most slabs now are resin
treated and it still performed beautifully.

That's the temperature, but not the thermal gradient. It's the latter that
causes cracking.



I am SOLD on Granite for kitchens.

Oh, I went for granite and am happy with it too; don't get me wrong.

Banty


--

Don Wiss wrote:
On 3 Jun 2006 18:24:25 -0700, First and Last wrote:

I just got new granite counters put in yesterday. They are not even
finished installing them since they have to come back and do the
cut-outs for the faucets.
I just noticed a bunch of darkened circular that don't seem random
enough to be natural. They are all about 3 to 4 inches in diameter and
close to evenly spaced apart.
I didn't notice that in the lighting in the granite warehouse, but they
are clear in the kitchen lighting.
What can those dark circles be and are they something that can be
removed or evened out?
I am not talking about different colors in the grain. I mean circular
blotches where all the colors in those blotches are darker than the
main part of the slab.

Most granites absorb oil. A drop of oil will soak in and spread out. They
are permanent. Do you have a digital camera? While you can't post a binary
here, Comcast gives you web space where you can put it. Or there are free
picture sites.

Granite countertops are not really practical. About all they have going for
them is the granite look is now in.

Don www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).


My digital camera is "missing." I'll find out this weekend when I
search through the house and through everything that was packed away
to make room for the painters and carpet installers to work whether it
was misplaced and packed with those items or whether it was stolen by
one of the contractors. I really wanted to post some pictures and I
can't now.

It looks pretty similar to the photos posted in stoneadvice forums
though. I'll see if the dark circles start to fade out in a few more
days. The granite company has not come out to look at it yet. I just
reported it to them today since they were closed on the weekend. It
has already been 3 days though, so I think it would have faded away by
now if it was going to fade anytime soon.

On 5 Jun 2006 20:10:33 -0700, First and Last wrote:

It looks pretty similar to the photos posted in stoneadvice forums
though. I'll see if the dark circles start to fade out in a few more
days. The granite company has not come out to look at it yet. I just
reported it to them today since they were closed on the weekend. It
has already been 3 days though, so I think it would have faded away by
now if it was going to fade anytime soon.

If they are oil they will never fade, just spread out more. If water, then
they will dry out and disappear. I put in a granite kitchen floor once. It
wasn't sealed. No one told me anything about sealing. When I left it had
stains. I'm sure now, ten years later, it has lots more.

Not all granites are absorbent. I have granite counters now and with no
sealing they don't absorb anything. The grain is very large and obviously
tight. It goes by Rudy Red or Imperial Red, and probably other names. This
appears to be the same granite that I put in a bathroom once on the floor
and for the sink top. Again, it never absorbed any water at all. And I know
we didn't seal it.

Don www.donwiss.com (e-mail link at home page bottom).

Don Wiss wrote:
On 5 Jun 2006 20:10:33 -0700, First and Last wrote:

It looks pretty similar to the photos posted in stoneadvice forums
though. I'll see if the dark circles start to fade out in a few more
days. The granite company has not come out to look at it yet. I just
reported it to them today since they were closed on the weekend. It
has already been 3 days though, so I think it would have faded away by
now if it was going to fade anytime soon.

If they are oil they will never fade, just spread out more. If water, then
they will dry out and disappear. I put in a granite kitchen floor once. It
wasn't sealed. No one told me anything about sealing. When I left it had
stains. I'm sure now, ten years later, it has lots more.



I don't think there is any reason for oil to be there, but it it is
more likely the adhesive used to glue down the granite (does that
contain oil?). I can guess that it could be moisture that was sucked
up to the surface by the suction cups, but that would have dried by
now, since this is not a humid area.
How long does adhesive take to dry out in low humidity?
Unless they were just experimenting with a new type of adhesive, this
issue would have come up for them many times before and they should
know exactly what it takes to resolve the problem. They do a poor job
of communication though.
I will not give them their final payment until I at least see it
starting to steadily fade away or unless they give a written gaurantee
saying they will replace it at no charge including paying for any other
releated repairs and parts required (plumbing reinstallation,
backsplash etc.) if it does not completely fade within a specified
number of days.