How to remove stains on new laminate benchtop?

[kenkenwood]

I moved into this house a couple of weeks ago and placed my Instant Pot and air fryer at the end of the benchtop. Yesterday, I noticed yellow stains underneath them and have no idea how they got there. I tried cleaning with dish soap, wet wipes, and a multi-purpose cleaner, but nothing worked. Out of frustration, I used Jif cream cleanser, which not only failed to remove the stains but seems to have etched the surface. The area now looks noticeably different from the rest of the benchtop. Is there any hope of fixing this? Is it possible to remove the stain and restore the glossy finish? I’m really upset, as this is my first home and it feels like I’ve already caused permanent damage after just two weeks. I think the benchtop is laminate based on the particle board underneath.

[EricL]

Hello @kenkenwood 

Welcome to the Bunnings Workshop community. It's sensational to have you join us, and thanks for sharing your question about your benchtop.

I'm afraid your laminate top has suffered heat damage from the air fryers hot air. The Steps you've taken were going to be my suggestion, but since there has been no effect, cleaning it further will not change benchtops condition. You could try to engage the services of a benchtop restoration specialist, but I worry that the cost of the repair might be equivalent to the price of a new benchtop. If that is the outcome of the quote, then I advise considering changing your benchtop for a new one.

Let me call on our experienced members @Dave-1, @Nailbag and @JoeAzza for their recommendations.

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[kenkenwood]

Hi Eric,

Thank you very much for your response. I actually ran the air fryer on its highest setting for 10 minutes and checked the bottom while it was still running and there was no noticeable heat. The same was true for the instant pot. So I'm genuinely unsure what caused the yellow stains in the first place.

If it is heat damage, shouldn’t laminate be able to withstand at least a minimal amount of heat? I’ve also used Jif cream on laminate benchtops many times without any issues, but this time it seemed to have a damaging effect. I’m starting to wonder if there’s something wrong with this particular laminate.

The house is only five years old and still under the builder’s warranty, so I’m considering contacting them to see what they say. That said, I’m not very hopeful they’ll accept it under warranty. In the meantime, how should I go about getting a quote for a new benchtop?

[EricL]

Hello @kenkenwood 

I suggest measuring the size of the benchtop on all sides. Bring these measurements to the store and speak to the in-store kitchen specialist. They will show you the benchtops available and once you've made your choice they will create a quote for that benchtop. 

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Nailbag]

Hi @kenkenwood 

Sorry to hear about your benchtop damage. Unfortunately its highly unlikely this is repairable.. From my new limited experience with these appliances, the wasn't excessive bottom heat. I checked this with a few popular brands as I was buying one for our caravan. The bulk of the heat comes from the rear or top air vents. Having said that. more research showed that many brands were actually extremely hot at the bottom and the general recommendation was to rest the air fryer on a suitable surface.

New laminates will be more durable than older. Looking at your photos yours appears to be on the very older side, which would explain the damage. You could consider have the existing top resurfaced or opt for a newer more durable one as @EricL mentioned.

Nailbag

[Dave-1]

Good Morning @kenkenwood 

As soon as I saw the colouring I thought that a fair amount of heat had been applied to the surface in some form. (before I read about your air fryer) 😕 I dont know fo anyway to bring a heat effected laminate surface back to near normal I am afraid. 

If its the normal spot where you keep/use your air fryer or other heating devices, maybe source an offcut piece of stone to sit as a protector over the mark. (So the stone stays there pretty much most of the time)  I know it will probarlly be frustrating that you will "know" its discoloured underneath but unless you are willing to change out the bench top it may be the best option for now.

Dave

[kenkenwood]

Hi @Nailbag 

Thanks for the information. The house is actually just 5 years old. That's why I'm a bit shocked that my appliances have damaged the benchtop to such an extent. I never had this issue in places that I was renting before, which all had much older laminated benchtops. I have raised a warranty claim with the builder and will wait and see if they accept responsibility or say I shouldn't have put my appliances directly on the benchtop. Either way, lesson learned. Will always use some form of protection underneath them from now on.

[kenkenwood]

Hi @Dave-1 

Thank you very much for your response. Yes, it is the normal spot where I keep my air fryer and instant pot and I think your suggestion is a great one. Do you have any suggestions on where to source an offcut piece of stone? I went to my local Bunnings and they said I have to buy the whole slab, in which case I'd be better off just replacing the whole thing. I'm thinking of buying a timber panel and have it cut to the size. But I'm afraid same damage could happen to timber as well.

[EricL]

Hello @kenkenwood 

There is an advantage to using a timber benchtop. Even if you burn or damage the surface of a timber benchtop it can be sanded down and re-sealed to give you a brand-new surface. If you are amenable to a timber benchtop, I highly recommend getting one instead of a laminate top.  

If you need further assistance, please let us know.

Eric

[Dave-1]

Good Evening @kenkenwood 

I would have a look in your local industrial area for a stone benchtop company. They will have offcuts form other peoples kitchen installs that may be suitable. 

Note 

- When I had ceaser stone benchtop installed back in 2009 they warned about putting excessive heat items directly on the bench. (the offcut could still crack)

- Laminate is something id resist putting hot things on, timber can be sanded back as @EricL has mentioned. 

- Timber top square, like a large chopping board may be an option, especially over the slightly discoloured area you have.

Dave