Most finishes do not like heat, some finishes will even trap the moisture from the heat in the finish, causing heat rings. We recommend not putting any hot pans or plates on your finish, but if you have to, use an oven pad when sitting a hot pan on a wood and finish surface.   Place mats also work great at the table when the kid’s are drawing or scribbling, as a lot of times pencil or pen will etch through paper into the surface of your furniture, (the softer the wood the piece is made of, the deeper the etching).  For finish damage call Furniture Tech!