Granite Countertop

Granite Counter Tops

Granite Counter Tops

Can I Cut on Granite Countertops?

Granite Counter Tops

Yes, you absolutely can. The average knife is made of steel and is unable to make a scratch in granite. As a mineral, granite can really only be marked up by another mineral such as sand or another piece of granite.

Granite Counter Tops

As we said before, the average knife is made of steel, and will not make a mark on the granite. Really, you wouldn't have to worry about cutting on your granite countertop unless you were using a knife made out of granite. Since knives are not typically made of granite or any other mineral, you could purchase a granite countertop color and feasibly not purchase another cutting board as long as you have your kitchen. A lot of people go this exact route, as a matter of fact.

Granite Counter Tops

Should You Cut on Granite Countertops?

Granite Counter Tops

Whether or not you should cut on is an entirely separate matter from whether or not you can. In this regard, cutting on a granite countertop is much the same as jumping off a bridge in to a river. Sure, you could strictly speaking, but that does not mean that you should. The potential consequences of jumping off a bridge in to any body of water are certainly higher than cutting on granite, but the using your granite countertop as a cutting board carries consequences nonetheless.

Granite Counter Tops

For one thing, using a granite countertop as a cutting board is more than likely to ruin your cutting knives. Most people are so focused on making sure the granite won't be hurt by the knife that they never consider the dulling and damaging effects the granite has on the knife. Granite, as we saw before, is a mineral.

Granite Counter Tops

The kinds of stones that are used to sharpen knives are also a mineral, and are effective because of their ability to remove jagged edges of a blade, resulting in a smooth, sharpened edge. Granite will do the same thing, only not in smooth, even strokes like a whet stone will. Instead, the granite will take ragged chunks from your knife and reducing the knife's efficacy as a cutting instrument.

Granite Counter Tops

Something that people don't often realize about granite when cutting on granite countertops is that it can be stained. Because granite is such a dense material, it is highly resistant to stains, but it can still happen. Water, of course, will not leave a stain, but darker liquids like fruit juices and oils, absolutely will stain granite if left on the countertop for more than 20 minutes without being wiped up.

Granite Counter Tops

Thus, when you use your countertop as a cutting board, which is typically done in the midst of preparing a meal, you not only run the risk of causing permanent damage to your cutting knives, but you also run the risk of permanently staining your granite countertop. All things considered, while you absolutely can cut on your granite countertop, you probably shouldn't.