For decades, stainless steel has been used in kitchens around the world due to its strength, durability and corrosion resistance. But is all stainless steel food safe? While the material is well-known for its overall quality and longevity, not all stainless steel is created equal.
In fact, there are different grades of stainless steel available on the market today, each with their own unique properties and characteristics that make them suitable for use in various applications. When it comes to food safety, only certain types of stainless steel can be considered ‘food grade’ or safe for contact with foodstuffs. So, is all stainless steel food safe?
What Is Food Grade Stainless Steel?
Food grade stainless steel is a type of stainless steel specifically designed for use in food preparation and storage applications. It is composed of a minimum of 16% chromium and 8-10% nickel, making it highly resistant to corrosion and rust. This special combination makes food grade stainless steel incredibly durable and able to withstand high temperatures without discoloration or warping. It also has non-porous surfaces that help prevent bacteria from spreading, which is essential in any kitchen environment.
What Makes Food Grade Stainless Steel Safe?
Aside from its corrosion resistance, the main factor that sets food grade stainless steel apart from other grades is its overall safety. The low percentage of chromium and nickel combined with the addition of trace elements such as molybdenum, silicon and nitrogen make food grade stainless steel particularly safe for use with food. All of these components combine to form a hard, inert surface that is resistant to bacteria and other contaminants. Additionally, food grade stainless steel has an FDA-approved coating that further ensures its safety.
The 5000 series aluminium alloys contain magnesium. They are also known as "magnesium bronze" or "magnesium brass" due to their excellent soldering and brazing properties. These alloys are used in applications where a combination of high strength and good conductivity is required, such as electrical busbars and heat exchangers. Magnesium Alloys can be used in both the annealed and precipitation hardened states. Magnesium is the lightest of all metal elements. It is used in aluminium alloys to create a strong yet lightweight material. Magnesium alloys have a hexagonal lattice structure. This gives the alloys good ductility and toughness.
As we have seen, not all stainless steel is created equal. Food grade stainless steel is specifically designed for use in food preparation and storage applications, making it highly resistant to corrosion, bacteria, and other contaminants. It is composed of a minimum of 16% chromium and 8-10% nickel for superior durability and strength. Additionally, there are three main types of food grade stainless steel that can be used depending on the application: 304, 316 and 430. With this information in mind, you’ll be able to make an informed decision that ensures your kitchen is safe and efficient.
If you want to find out more about food grade stainless steel and learn how it can benefit your kitchen and food preparation process, visit Leengate Metals. At Leengate Metals, we offer a wide selection of stainless steel products that meet all the necessary requirements for use in the food industry. Our experts are on hand to help you choose the best type of stainless steel for your needs, ensuring that it is not only safe but also durable and strong.