Tag: Food

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Food-Grade Stainless Steel: What You Need to Know

Food Grade Stainless Steel What You Need To Know

What do you need to know about food-grade stainless steel?

  1. Common grade series for of food-grade stainless steel
  2. Composition numbers of food-grade stainless steel
  3. Can be used for food storage
  4. Food-grade stainless steel for cutlery
  5. Stainless steel surgical tools
  6. Type of food-grade stainless steel for knives

 

Food-grade stainless steel from suppliers in Metro Manila can be a long term investment for a number of industries. For the food industry, certain grades of stainless steel are used for its resistance to corrosion and for its ability to withstand high heat. For the medical industry, stainless steel is utilized because of its durability and because it is easy to decontaminate. Take note that each metal grade has its own properties, and some may be a better fit for certain uses than others.

Read on to learn more about food-grade stainless steel.

 

Common Grade Series for of Food-Grade Stainless Steel

Common Grade Series For Of Food Grade Stainless Steel

Stainless steel “grades” are based on its durability, quality, and resistance to extreme temperatures. Food-grade stainless steel refers to those that are safe to be in contact with either food for consumption or directly with the inside of the human body. The three popular grades are those of the 200 series, 300 series, and the 400 series.

200 Series

The 200 series is one of the less expensive kinds of food-grade stainless steel. However, it is also one of the grades less resistant to corrosion. This makes it more ideal for the creation of stainless steel food containers that house non-acidic food items.

300 Series

In terms of cooking, the ideal grade from the 300 series is either 304 or 316. This type is extremely durable and can withstand extreme heat, which makes it the perfect material for cooking pans. It is also resistant to corrosion, which means that it can cook a number of types of food. However, this type of steel may start to corrode once exposed to too much salt, so it is for the best to clean the pan right after use.

400 Series

The 400 series is unique as it has the ability to retain corrosion resistant properties despite being broken down. Grades from this series are what is used to make stainless steel knives due to its ability to retain its edge. Its properties also make it incredibly easy to clean and makes it resistant to stains that it could obtain from a number of ingredients.

Besides the steel grades, it is also important to be aware of the numbers of food-grade stainless steel. These numbers also have different properties to them.

Composition Numbers of Food-Grade Stainless Steel

Composition Numbers Of Food Grade Stainless Steel

The numbers used to label stainless steel refers to the amount of chromium and nickel in the product. They are usually labeled as “A/B” with the A factor being the amount of chromium and the B factor being the amount of nickel.

18/8 and 18/10

18/8 and 18/10 are both parts of the 300 series. These two grades are well known to be used in food preparation and dining equipment. 18/8 is composed of 18% chromium and 8% nickel while 18/10 is composed of 18% chromium and 10% nickel. The more nickel the product consists of, the more durable it is. Which makes these grades ideal to continuously handle and store ingredients.

18/0

18/0 is part of the 400 series and consists of 18% chromium and 0.75% nickel. It is also referred to as Type 430 and its combination makes the product more susceptible to corrosion compared to 18/8 or 18/10. However, 400 series is also home to grade 416 and 420, which are considered the “cutlery grade” as they are ideal for sharpening and for being corrosion resistant.

When purchasing food-grade stainless steel, make sure to look into the grades and numbers of the products to ensure that they are safe to use.

 

Can Be Used for Food Storage

In terms of storage, it is important to keep track of the pH levels of each ingredient. This is because some food-grade stainless steel is susceptible to corrosion from salt and acidic properties. However, the 300 series is an ideal type of steel for food storage. Specifically, grade 316 is an austenitic stainless steel alloy that has a high resistance to acids, alkalis, and chlorides such as salt. It is also incredibly durable and will retain its shape no matter what ingredients you put inside of it.

Besides food storage, there are food-grade stainless steel items made for continuous use.

 

Food-Grade Stainless Steel for Cutlery

Food Grade Stainless Steel For Cutlery

One of the most popular types of food-grade stainless steel is grade 304. It is ideal for shaping into cutlery because of its bright shine. Besides its attractive appearance, 304 is also extremely resistant to corrosion and rust, making it an ideal option to be used during meal times. However, too much exposure to salt can corrode this type, so make sure to clean your utensils right after using it.

For those looking for a sharper edge, there are specific types of food-grade stainless steel that can be sharpened.

 

Type of Food-Grade Stainless Steel for Knives

Type Of Food Grade Stainless Steel For Knives

Grade 420 is considered as “surgical steel”. This is because this type contains an element called molybdenum, which makes it more resistant to corrosion. It can also be sharpened multiple times, which makes it the perfect material for kitchen knives. However, compared to the 300 series, the 400 series is more brittle and may snap off if put under too much pressure.

Aside from the food industry, food-grade stainless steel also includes equipment used in the medical industry.

 

Stainless Steel Surgical Tools

Along with grade 420, grade 316 is also considered “surgical steel”. It is incredibly durable and can withstand cutting through bones, muscles, and other hard body parts. It also has a higher resistance to corrosion compared to other cutting instruments. This makes it ideal to come into contact with a number of bodily fluids and still maintain its shine after being cleaned.

These are just some of the things that you need to know when it comes to food-grade stainless steel.

 

Key Takeaway

It is crucial to be aware of the kind of steel certain items are made up of, especially when it comes in contact with the human body. This is why medical professionals prefer the durability of stainless steel to last through even the most intense of surgeries. Trust stainless steel in the food industry for its non-corrosive property no matter what kind of ingredients it may encounter. Avail of food-grade stainless steel from suppliers in Metro Manila to assure your safety.

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Stainless Steel in the Food Industry

Stainless Steel In The Food Industry

Why stainless steel is popular for the food industry?

  1. Corrosion resistance
  2. Easy fabrication
  3. Easy to clean
  4. Heat resistance
  5. Maintains freshness

 

With the various applications that we often associate this resource with everyday materials and household products, stainless steel in the Philippines is the most widely used metal in the country. But did you know that stainless steel is commonly used in the food industry? Stainless steel has played a huge role in transporting and producing food in factories and other food-related institution. Let’s find out why this amazing metal is so popular:

 

Corrosion Resistance

When it comes to metals and the food industry, stainless steel is the best choice for packaging food or beverages in metal containers. Stainless steel in the food industry can be found in various processes; from food manufacturing to packaging. In the Philippines, stainless steel products are often used when handling food, like knives, pots, forks, and spoons.

The reason for this is because stainless steel has a natural ability to resist the effects of corrosion. Due to the presence of chromium in stainless steel, the effects of oxidation don’t cultivate or promote the steel to rust. Instead, it passively forms a barrier on the surface of the stainless steel that enhances its resilience against corrosion. You don’t have to worry about corroded steel making contact with food when stainless steel is used.

 

Easy Fabrication

Easy Fabrication

A major benefit of stainless steel is its ease of fabrication. Steel designers can enjoy the extensive boundaries of design when crafting something made of stainless steel. Its ease of fabrication plus many other qualities is another reason for stainless steel to be the top choice for the food industry. With stainless steel, it’s possible to achieve a perfectly smooth fabricated surface that is free of cracks, crevices, and a jagged exterior. This prevents the buildup of bacteria and the cultivation of harmful microorganisms.

You may notice that the design of stainless steel containers, vats, and tubing in the food industry are often made with no sharp joints, few angles, and less channeling parts. Expert craftsmen are involved with the fabrication of these as the welds need to be expertly crafted with no broken areas. Sharp angles and hard corners are strictly avoided due to those designs being susceptible to cracking under stress and other structural issues.

 

Easy to Clean

Knowing that most stainless steel materials in the food industry are designed with smooth surfaces and no angled areas, that means that stainless steel in the food industry is easy to clean. As a result, stainless steel can dramatically prevent any harmful bacteria from sticking on the surface of the metal. It isn’t difficult to decontaminate and sterilize stainless steel; which is why, alongside many other reasons, it’s the best choice of metal that is used in the food industry.

Apart from the food industry, you can easily find stainless steel countertops and food-related appliances. Why are these good choices? Because it’s non-porous and cleanup is a breeze. You don’t have to vigorously wipe the surface of stainless steel to keep it clean. Simple strokes with a rug and milk soap will do the trick.

 

Heat Resistance

Heat Resistance

In the food industry, temperature changes are a constant variable in the process of producing any form of food consumables. This is prominent in the beverage industry. The shift from cool to extreme heat and back to room temperature happens every minute. There is no better material to handle these sporadic temperature changes than stainless steel.

For many other metals, elevated temperatures will rapidly deteriorate the quality of the metal, making it prone to the effects of oxidation. At temperatures reaching 2000 degrees Fahrenheit, stainless steel can still effectively resist corrosion. You’ll notice that a production line in the food industry where products are heated involve the use of stainless steel contraptions and machinery. Another great property of stainless steel under the effects of elevated temperatures is its ability to maintain its shape and structural rigidity. Not easily cracking, warping, breaking, or buckling.

 

Maintains Freshness

Because stainless steel containers don’t leach any contaminants, it’ll preserve a food’s freshness for days, weeks, or even months. Naturally, stainless steel provides chemical and bacterial neutrality. How else does stainless steel maintain the freshness of the food or beverage stored? When it comes to cooked food and goods that contain additives, naturally, these foods or goods will produce some amount of alkalis and acids, which could slowly deteriorate the quality of some metals. Stainless steel is naturally inert to the deteriorating effects of acids and alkalis.

 

Key Takeaway

The use of stainless steel in the food industry has helped us preserve and transport food with minimal to no complications. We can see these in syrup tanks, wine containers, knives, spatulas, and evaporator tubes. Though a simple and common metal material, its benefits make it one of the best resources that helped shape the way the food industry works and ultimately, the way we live.