Is it safe to put a plate directly on a recently-on gas burner? As someone who lives in an apartment with a small kitchen, I often find myself repurposing the stovetop as a food prep space.  I've always tried to avoid putting plates down on a (gas) burner that was recently on, in case there's any residual heat in the guard (the iron part that actually holds up the pot...not sure of the correct word).  I have cracked warm glasses by pouring cold liquid into them, and I don't want that to happen with a plate.

However, I'm putting hot food straight from the pan onto that plate, and the pan was just recently on that burner.  If the heat from the food doesn't crack the plate, does that mean that it would be safe to put the plate on the burner?
I don't recommend it. I have had a plate crack before after being placed on a recently turned-off burner, and on another occasion ended up with burned fingertips when I totally forget that I had done so. I have in the past used a cooling rack over recently used burners that gives you a bit of elevation, and an automatic work space/storage space. Hope this helps.