Using Trivets on Countertops

[Shel_B]

Recently I saw a picture on eGullet of a French press standing atop a trivet on someone's kitchen countertop. Coincidentally, a few days before, a houseguest set my French press on a pot holder on my countertop. I'd never seen such a thing before, and I've never done it.

So, under what circumstances would it be adviseable to use a trivet, etc., to, I suppose, protect the countertop? What kind of countertop needs protecting, and from what? Does any countertop need protecting from a French press, which already has some space between the hot liquid and the top of the counter? Thanks!

Edited January 10, 2012 by Shel_B (log)

[Anna N]

Recently I saw a picture on eGullet of a French press standing atop a trivet on someone's kitchen countertop. Coincidentally, a few days before, a houseguest set my French press on a pot holder on my countertop. I'd never seen such a thing before, and I've never done it.

So, under what circumstances would it be adviseable to use a trivet, etc., to, I suppose, protect the countertop? What kind of countertop needs protecting, and from what? Does any countertop need protecting from a French press, which already has some space between the hot liquid and the top of the counter? Thanks!

My counter top is some sort of man-made material (Corian? Formica?) not sure but I would not dream of putting even a French press on it without some sort of insulated trivet/towel underneath. Maybe it's a throwback to my earlier kitchens which for sure had Formica and looked like hell in a very short time. My current counters are 8 years old and look as good as new. Now when I had ceramic tiles I had no issues - pans went right from stove-top/oven to counter with no protection. Guess it depends on your counter top material and your level of tolerance.

[Lisa Shock]

You need to remember that it's not always about the counter top, either. It's also about not cooling the food/drink down too quickly. The stone tops can suck the heat out of something really quickly.

[Chris Hennes]

I guess if you are worried about the little feet of the french press scratching your countertop you could use a trivet. Seems crazy to me, though.