90% of your kitchen hardware is made of stainless steel but why some products look different from the other? Some durable than others?.. Some magnetic and others not?..
Simply it turns out that S/S made of hybrid metals.
You shouldn’t buy a product which is insufficient for your needs nor spending money on a piece of equipment which provides more protection than you really need. Just be aware of what you are investing your money into!
Well, KARELLI have been making stainless steel benches, sinks and shelves for more than 35 years, so let me explain it:
All S/S made by mix ingir on with at least 10.5% chromium, as well as other metals and materials like carbon. The different ‘recipes’ for stainless steel result in different types, impacting price, streng than dcorrosion resistance.
Austenitic Steel
The most common type (70% of steel production) because of the materials used in this alloy, it’s particularly resistant to corrosion.
304 Austenitic Stainless Steel
Most common type of stainless steel used, 304 is practical and hardy. It’s resistant to food products, sterilizing solutions and most organic materials. Because of its superior rust protection, it’s used in sink bowls and other surfaces which are most likely to come in contact with corrosive substances. Unfortunately, due to the high cost of nickel and how difficult it is to work with austenitic steel, this is more expensive than many other stainless steel options.
201 Austenitic Stainless Steel
Less expensive than 304, they share a similar chemical composition. It’s still food safe, but doesn’t hold up to corrosion quite as well, You’ll often find it in the form of hand washing sinks, but we won’t use it for fabrication.
Ferritic Steel
Want to find out if your stainless steel is austenitic or ferritic? Grab yourself a magnet. If it sticks, it’s ferritic. It’s known for being both corrosion resistant and holding up against stress. (contains nickel and magnetic)
430 Ferritic Stainless Steel
For less chemical use, 430 is a great option (made with chromium). 430 most ofen used for ovens, refrigerators and economic cost sinks or tables. While it may be cheaper, if properly taken care of it can last you a long time. We tend to use 430 for items such as under shelves and wall shelves.
316 Ferritic Stainless Steel
316 very often in the restaurant world, (known to pop up occasionally) like in food trolleys meant for hospitals or food processing equipment. Its extremely corrosion resistant because it has larger quantities of nickel so mainly used in the medical world finally it’s difficult to fabricate “quite most expensive S/S quality)
Gauge
Gauge is just the density, not the quality and lower gauge number be thicker.
18-Gauge
the economy gauge for a lower cost (1.24mm) It tends to work things like wall shelves and undershelves.
16-Gauge
Thickness which will serve many uses (1.65mm)and won’t break your budget. You’ll find plenty of well-built sinks and prep tables made of Gauge 16
14-Gauge
Perfect for butchers (2.11mm) hammer and hack things all day long without bo wing the stainless steel. It’s also going to look smooth and sleek over a longer period of time.
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