Avoiding ... and Repairing ... Burn Marks on Laminate Countertops

  

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It’s summer and the heat is on … but make sure you keep it off your kitchen countertops.  Hot cookware can leave permanent burn marks on many countertop surfaces, including laminate.  That’s why we always recommend using a protective barrier such as a trivet (or hot plate, if you may) as a final resting place for oven- or stovetop-fresh pots and pans.  It’s also a good practice to use trivets underneath appliances that get hot, such as waffle irons.

Trivets have come a long way – they are available in all shapes, materials and sizes with various degrees of ornamentation.   Check out Pinterest and Dwell Magazine’s round-up to find display-worthy options.

For those of you whose laminate countertops have had unfortunate experiences with hot cookware … sadly, there is no way to turn back time.  It doesn’t mean the end of a good-looking countertop, however.  If you have some moderate DIY skills, you can try one of these clever solutions:

1. For small burn marks, cut out the damage and use a filler product such as Seamfil (800-837-4971) or FormFill (888-536-0042).  

2. For larger areas, cut out the damage and insert a Surface Saver cutting board or trivet.

3. For countertops with straight or beveled edges, resurface over the existing laminate with a new piece of laminate.  Download directions at formica.com.