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As a flatware buyer, we believe you must have had moments of hesitation about different types of stainless steel. Indeed, there are many different stainless steels in the marketing, such as stainless steel 13/0, 18/0, 18/8, which is overwhelming for those who are new to flatware. If you want to know which type is more suitable for your flatware business, firstly we need to figure out the differences between various stainless steels.
18/8 vs. 18/10 Stainless Steel
Stainless steel 18/8, also known as SUS304, as the name suggests, refers to it containing 18% chromium and 8% nickel. It’s a food-grade material which can pass FDA and LFGB testing. It has strong corrosion resistance and is not easy to rust when in contact with water or acidic foods, meaning it can be reused for a long time. But it should be noted that many factories will take advantage of its non-magnetic characteristics and use cheaper stainless steel 201, which is also non-magnetic, to imitate it.
Besides, in recent years, many flatware suppliers have started using stainless steel 18/10 as a new gimmick to sell flatware. But actually this is often an unnecessary expense! Stainless steel 18/8 is already safe enough for our daily life, while stainless steel 18/10 is more commonly used in medical devices, which is much more expensive than stainless steel 18/8 for your flatware business.
Stainless Steel 18/0: Features and Applications
Stainless steel 18/0, also called SUS430, contains 16% -18% chromium but no nickel, that’s why its corrosion resistance is weaker than 304 but much better than stainless steel 13/0. As long as it is used and stored properly, it can also be used for a relatively long time. It is worth noting that stainless steel 18/0 is also a food-grade material, but its price is much lower than stainless steel 18/8. Due to this characteristic, the vast majority of supermarket flatware businesses prefer to use it.
Stainless Steel 13/0: Cost-Effective but Cautious
Stainless steel 13/0, also known as 410, is the cheapest type of stainless steel material. Its carbon content is significantly higher compared to other stainless steels, which leads to poor rust prevention ability. After use, it needs to be wiped dry in a timely manner to avoid residual acidic substances. Therefore, in daily use, it’s necessary to wash and dry it promptly after eating to avoid residual acidic substances.
Choosing the Right Stainless Steel for Your Business
Now that we have a general understanding of different stainless steels, we can choose the appropriate stainless steel according to our flatware business.
- If you are engaged in some small retail business or are establishing a high-end cutlery brand, you’d better consider purchasing stainless steel 18/8 flatware and gaining customer praise by creating differentiation with high quality. Besides, when you are doing rental flatware business or buying for hotels and restaurants, it’s also better to use stainless steel 18/8. Although it is relatively expensive, they will not rust and can be used for a longer time, which is also a disguised cost saving.
- If you have requirements for food grade while also wanting to maintain price competitiveness, stainless steel 18/0 is definitely your preferred material, such as supermarket flatware businesses, Amazon businesses, etc.
- As for stainless steel 410, it is the most widely sold material because of the low cost. If you are a gift promotion company or purchase the cutlery as a free gift for your customers, then stainless steel 410 is the most suitable material. In addition, when you just want cheap cost to acquire consumers, stainless steel 410 would also be the best choice for your flatware business.
In summary, there is no absolute perfect material, only the most suitable one for the needs. By understanding the characteristics of different stainless steels and considering usage scenarios and budgets, you can ensure that your tableware is both safe and cost-effective.
About FANGYUAN: Experience and Services
FANGYUAN is a leading flatware manufacturer in China that has more than 30 years of professional stainless steel flatware production and export service experience. We cover an area of 12 thousand square meters, with nearly 300 high level technical staff. We offer OEM&ODM customized services, which means we can produce any kind of stainless steel according to your flatware business needs.
In addition, we have collaborated with many super clients around the world, such as Tesco, Walmart, Aldi, Target, Kohl’s, Macy’s, Williams Sonoma, Wilko, Miniso, Starbucks, etc. More specifically, we are TESCO’s sole supplier of cutlery. FANGYUAN can provide you with efficient and professional services. Welcome to contact us!
