Fire and water

All this talk of kitchen counters and sink installations has led me to a problem I didn't anticipate (besides the off-centre sink). Apparently, Corian isn't as resistant to heat as I had thought it was. I presumed that Corian and Formica (laminate) were equally heat resistant. For years now, I've taken pots and pans straight off the flame or out of the oven and put them on the counter or in the sink when space and trivets aren't available. It's not that I do it all the time, by any means, but it must be said that I have done it. Now I'm told that I can't do that at all with Corian because it will burn or melt. Not only that, but for the first time in my life I don't have a stainless steel sink so I can't put hot/burning/smoking red hot pans in the sink either! I can't even pour boiling water directly into the sink because there is a risk that it might crack!

This brings me to two unexpected problems. Firstly, I need a heavy-duty trivet (with rubber feet) that is big enough to hold at least two saucepans or one large casserole. Secondly I need a washing-up bowl. Hmm....